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Post by Belle Starr on Nov 11, 2017 18:49:43 GMT
While all the core team of the Protectors rested on the way back from the Votan Collective's Capital City in South America to the Protectors' Fortress Kshaa in the Bay Area, Officer Tasha Yar manned the Captain's chair of the Vigilant with the rest of the second string bridge crew. It was supposed to be a milk-run trip to back home and a quiet one at that since most of the traveling would be during the night shift. The latest mission was over and the Protectors of Paradise had won again. A lasting peace between world powers was negotiated by the good guys - at least until war broke out again. The villain of the piece was dead - at least as dead as heroes could ever be sure unless and until their archenemy arose from the grave in an improbable future time. Only the Protectors that died were honored and buried never to arise again. "Although come to think of it," Thought Tasha to herself, " Our heroes have a way of coming back to life when we thought they were dead. Lady Christianna came back when everybody even her husband Commander Batman thought she was dead. So did Vo Kshaa. I think Belle Starr did it twice so I guess Sub-Commander Widowmaker could too... but somehow I just don't think so this time." Tasha's ponderings were interrupted by the Vigilant's AI Lexy suddenly appearing in her typical holographic form of a small Castithan girl in a frilly dress who perkily said between licks on a large lollipop, "That alarm Miss Belle asked me to watch just went off. She said I should tell when it did but she's asleep. Thought you would want to know - but should I wake her up? She didn't say spe-specif-spef- she just didn't say for sure!" "I guess so," Thought Tasha out loud but then her brow furrowed and she asked, "But first, what alarm? I wasn't told of any alarm set by Ms. Starr." Lexy rolled her eyes and uttered an exaggerated sigh then explained, "When Miss Belle's space ship entered our solar system, she left a satellite by Pluto to watch the rift which she came through in case she was followed I guess. She told me to watch if it got triggered - and it DID! Two minutes, sixty-eight seconds ago! Wanna see? Miss Belle's satellite had a camera! I got video!" "Yes please," Answered Tasha and the screen on her console lit up immediately. Suddenly there was a picture of deep space illuminated only by static stars with a rounded shadow of Pluto's black horizon in the bottom of her screen. Then in the middle of the screen a sudden bright ragged tear in space appeared in the screen's middle with thousands of head-sized metal spheres hurtled out the white light fissure each with a blue eye like light in the center. One of them turned in the direction of the screen and a red beam flashed obviously destroying Belle's satellite as the picture disappeared immediately afterwards. Tasha frowned as she ordered, "Better wake up Ms. Starr, Lexy! Wait, belay that order, wake up Commander Batman, Captain Bell and Mr. Uljanov and give them a situation report. I'm not sure of what Ms. Starr's standing with the Protectors is now days and whatever it is, it's a decision made way above my pay grade. The rest of you on the bridge, aim our long range sensors at that area of space and let's see if we can give them a report as to where these bogies are and how fast they are moving by the time the Commander is dressed and on the bridge." A bright smile appeared on Lexy's face as she stopped licking her lollipop for a moment and asked, "May I go show-and-tell them in-person?" "Sure, go to it," Answered Tasha then winced after Lexy disappeared realizing the AI might interrupt her commanding officers in their private quarters doing thing they might not want interrupted but then thought to herself, "Too late now to stop her. Oh well, no rest for the wicked."  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Nov 12, 2017 12:13:07 GMT
While in our quarters, I had lovingly stripped Lady and myself, as soon as we had entered hours ago. Then we made love a couple of times, before resting with her head on my chest. Once we had caught our breaths, Lady moved up and kissed me gently on the lips, but before I could wrap my arms around her and deepen the kiss again, she slipped out of my arms and off the bed. Then standing there, she took my hand and gently tugged on it.
I may not admit it often, especially to myself, but I usually give into Lady with little to no effort on her part. So I stood up, with minimal resistance, as I said, "Hmm what's up Snow Angel?"
She giggled as she looked at my crotch and said, "You again, now come!"
I responded with, "I am pretty sure we both did a few times, but where now?
She giggled again and responded with, "Missed our morning shower! Promised to make it up to me tonight!"
Then she proceeded to walk towards our bathroom still holding my hand, with me happily admiring her backside as I followed closely. Once in the bathroom, I went to the toilet to pee while she went over to the shower and got it ready for us. Then when I joined her by the shower, she pushed me into it, and took her turn at admiring my backside before she finally joined me in the shower .... although I always marveled at how she could find my scarred up body attractive in any way, when I only ever saw a monstrosity when I looked at my naked form in her full-length mirror.
Once she joined me in the shower, I pulled her into a tight embrace as I leant down and kissed her passionately on my lips. Feeling my hardness once again between us, she nipped my lip and whispered, "Round three?"
I gave her my patented predatory smile, and just as quickly, I slid my hands down and cupped her lovely bottom as I lifted her and turned so she was against the shower wall as she wrapped her arms around my broad neck and shoulders for support. Then as she felt the shower wall against her bare back, she reached down and embraced my heavy rod and adjusted it slightly to make what was about to happen more enjoyable for both of us, just as I slid her down onto my rod for round three. Then I braced my arms beside her and started moving in and out of her as she wrapped her arms and legs around me and soon we found a rhythm to our shower fun. Eventually we both came together. Then I just held her up against the shower as we relaxed and caught our breath. Once feeling had returned to our legs, I gently lowered her back down onto her feet, as I kissed her lovingly.
Then I took the bath sponge and very tenderly and lovingly lathered her up completely. Then I shampooed and conditioned her hair as well. Once I had helped her rinse off, I placed kisses all over her body, 'to make sure all the soap was completely rinsed off'. Although I did linger on her lower lips until I had brought her off with my tongue and fingers. Then I stood up and picked the bath sponge back up. Next I proceeded to begin lathering myself up.
However once Lady had once again calmed down, she held out her hand, so I gave her the sponge. Then she proceeded to lather me up, and wash my hair. Next she rinsed me off. Once done, she decided it was her turn to give me the same 'tongue test' that I had given her, to make sure I was also soap-free. Before long she had taken me into her talented mouth and between her mouth and hands, it wasn't long before she had caused me to blow my load for her yet again. Then after she once again rinsed us both off, I helped her back to her feet.
Once standing again, she snuggled into my chest and we just stood holding each other there in the shower until we heard, "Commander, there is a big problem that I need to show .... OH YUCK!!!!!!! NAKIE COMMANDER GRUMPYPANTS AND SISSY!!!"
As Lady looked around my shoulder and I turned my head to see our unexpected visitor, Lexy had already placed her hands firmly over her eyes and was backing towards our bathroom door as she sputtered, "S-s-s-sawwy Sissy! I, I, I, um I ... puhlease don't yell at me Commander! Sissy puhlease don't let him yell at me! I know I shoulda knocked but it ...it ... it's imporant an jus poppin in was quicker!"
 
As I glared at Lexy, although she couldn't see it with her eyes now fully covered, Lady smacked me lightly on the chest and whispered, "No yelling, just a child and didn't know better."
I nodded as I reached out of the shower and grabbed a towel, then handed it to Lady as she turned off the shower. Once Lexy was safely out of the bathroom and hiding on the otherside of the wall, so she couldn't see anything else, she said, "Really really sawwy! Puhlease don't be mad!"
As I reached for my own towel, I said to the doorway, "Next time knock before entering our room or bathroom! Now what is so important that you just had to come tell us in 'person, Lexy?"
I heard her say, "Um um an alarm of Miss Starr's ... odd intruders ..... um better if I show you on your room's vid-screen .... puhlease?"
I glanced at Lady and she nodded, so once I was dry enough, I concentrated for a second and made my grid-cloth jumpsuit and mask reappear on my body. Now fully covered, I walked out of the bathroom and walked over to the closet where I removed Lady's robe. Then as I turned back towards the bathroom, I had to bite my lip to keep from chuckling at poor Lexy, for she had her face buried against the wall and her hands on either side of her face to ensure she couldn't accidently see anything else that could embarrass her or get her in trouble. So as I walked back towards the bathroom, I said calmly, "Lexy relax, I am now clothed and masked. Go get my vid-screen ready and Lady and I will be right out to see what the issue is."
Lexy reluctantly moved one little hand enough to glance at me and make sure I really was clothed. Then quickly turning to avoid making eye contact with me, due to her embarrassment at what she saw and fear of being scolded by her parental figure, she scurried to Lady's and my vid-screen to bring up what she wanted to show us. As she did that, I returned to the bathroom and handed Lady her robe. Then once Lady had secured it, we walked back into our bedroom and sat on our bed as I said, "Alright Lexy. Time to show and tell."
Although still embarrassed and slightly afraid she was in trouble, Lexy giggled at my remark as I wasn't aware that it was the same phrase she had used with Tasha Yar back on the Bridge. Then Lexy showed us the video and explained both Belle's and Tasha's orders. Once she was done, I said, "Alright you told me and Lady. Now notify Sandy, Volodja, and Belle of the situation and that they need to meet me on the Bridge ... and Lexy! This time, knock and wait for an answer before you enter anybody's quarters!"
As Lexy nodded and once again muttered, "Really sawwy.", Lady got off the bed and knelt down by Lexy, pulling her into a sisterly hug. Then Lady said to her in a motherly tone, "Relax. Not in trouble. Just remember to knock next time."
After Lady and Lexy finished their interaction, Lexy disappeared to go tell the others. Then I proceeded to put on my armor as I watched Lady drop her towel and once again reveal her lovely form to me. Lady let me admire her for a few seconds as she gathered her clothes back up. Then she proceeded to get dressed as well. Once we were both fully dressed and my weapons once again strapped in place to my side and my armor, we left our quarters and headed for the Bridge.
As soon as we entered, I snapped, "Yar, next time remind Lexy to knock! Now bring up the bogies and long-range scans on the view-screen! Then while we wait for the others, fill us in on what has transpired since Lexy left the Bridge to get us!" |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Nov 12, 2017 13:40:27 GMT
KNOCK KNOCK. With the sigh Volodja let his bare feet drop to the floor. It was a bit hard to leave the warm and comfortable bed after finally getting a proper chance to snuggle and cuddle with his wife. But he also knew that nobody would disturb their privacy without having a solid reason. "Who is it?" asked Volodja politely. "Me, Lexy. May I come in?" asked shy child's voice "Are you decent?" "We sort of are, Lexy dear," said Volodja, wrapping bed sheet around him as he was wearing toga while Sandy Bell pulled blanket under her chin and grinned at the sight. "Almost are. Now we most certainly are. You can enter now." Lexy appeared into the cabin, her virtual hands in front of her eyes just in case. It took about thirty seconds before she dared to spread her tiny fingers and peak through them. Only when she was convinced that Volodja was telling the truth she dropped her small hands to her sides and said: "Aunty Sandy. Uncle Volodja. Someone followed Belle Starr's spaceship and I was told to tell you that in person. Can you contact the bridge to get more detailed inf..infor...information and when you go there then can you, please please, please get properly dressed?" "Thank you, dear. We will be there as soon as possible to get further details. Any specific dress code for the occasion?" asked Volodja Uljanov with a smile, standing in the room, reminding Roman senator with his improvised toga, although this particular senator with the kindly smiling face looked as he was returning from the curia to spend some quality time with his beloved family. "No code. Just get dressed. Properly. Please." And small Castithan girl disappeared after waving to Sandy and Volodja. "I still wonder what it's all about," muttered Volodja, unwrapping himself from the sheet and pulling his trousers on. "I am used with that that we get in trouble in the very moment when we begin to enjoy the well deserved rest but I still don't understand why our dear Lexy was so worried about us dressing up?"  |
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Post by Lena Marr on Nov 12, 2017 15:42:04 GMT
Lena Marr was dreaming. She and her lover, Marcel Lestrange, were in their personal island palace hanging naked from the ballroom's chandelier making love upside down. All she could hear was the slapping of flesh, the tinkle of the chandelier's glass ornaments and her own low moans in time with Marcel's deep thrusts into her. But then there was the irritating buzz of a door bell waking her up. Lena awoke finding herself still naked but only spooning Marcel as they both slept. Lena was both a bit disappointed that the dream wasn't real and miffed that it was interrupted so leaned over Marcel's tanned shoulder nibbling his ear softly before biting it hard enough to cause pain but not hard enough to draw blood then whispering, "Rise and shine Pooh Bear! And not in a good way, damn it," before she yelled at the door after the door bell rang yet again, "Come on in and tell us what the fuck you want!!!!" The door opened and the Synth Sister Whitney entered closing the door behind her as her beautiful pale face turned red. Lena laughed seeing the young synthetic girl's discomfort knowing that Whitney was not really blushing for the reaction was artificially constructed designed to unconsciously mimic appropriate human reactions so that the Earth's intelligent organic inhabitants would feel more comfortable with this new generation of Synths. Still Lena knew that for Whitney her embarrassment was real and that amused Lena to no end. Lena sat up in bed purposefully stretching her arms upward as she yawned so that the bed sheet would fall off her chalk white breasts causing Whitney's cheeks to turn even redder as Lena asked as if nothing was amiss, "So what's up Doll Face? Besides my man Marcel that is. Or are you just lonely because you left your sisters back in Capital City to set up the Synth Empire's embassy? I mean I'm game for a menage-a-threesome, but Marcel is a one-gal guy so that's a no-go!" Lena had discovered that she liked giving people nicknames, particularly ones that might aggravate the named, with the exception of calling Marcel "Pooh Bear" for it really was a term of endearment for her. The Castithan woman loved calling Atticus Batman "Atty-Baby" just because it annoyed him so much even though one day he might kill her for it. To Lena, the danger with him was half the fun! Lena felt "Dollface" was appropriate for the Synth girl with her pale skin, too perfect features, ice blue eyes and small red slightly-puckered lips for it reminded Lena of an antique human porcelain doll she once stole from a rich family's chateau she burglarized as a child in Lima. Calling Whitney "Dollface" didn't seem to vex the "artificial" life form so much as perplex her - and Lena liked that! Plus, Lena had really liked that doll until it broke, and she really liked Whitney too - as much as Lena's sociopath nature would let her. "Always keep 'em guessing, that's my motto!" Thought Lena to her EGO psyche, Hope, who merely rolled her virtual eyes without answering. Lena cackled as she watched with cold sky blue eyes Whitney uncomfortably shifting from one foot to another as she nervously smoothed down her pristine white battle skirt with both delicate hands before answering, "No, nothing like that! I don't regret my decision to join your organization and my sisters understand my desire to learn more about the world outside the Synth Empire. I know joining you two will be quite the education - not sex education, not what I mean at all!" Lena's habitual wicked smile crossed her pretty face as she waved her snow white hand in a circular manner signalling Whitney to get on with what she wanted to tell them so Whitney explained, "As you asked, I've been monitoring the ship's AI-designate-Lexy in such a way as she won't notice which means I can't tell you her personal communications to others or their direct communications to her but can tell you about general internal and external communications and such that she might receive. Ten-point-six minutes ago, an emergency alarm was directed to the Vigilant's bridge from outer space by a satellite stationed outside Pluto presumably by Miss Starr for it was where her ship entered the solar system two days ago. It was accompanied by a short video which I also intercepted but then the AI's hologram went first to Commander Batman's quarters, then Mr. Uljanov's and finally Miss Starr's. I couldn't listen into their exact conversations without an unacceptable chance of Lexy knowing I was eavesdropping so I don't know what was said. Sorry..." Lena continued smiling as she said pensively, "Naw, you did good Dollface," then exclaimed "Movie time!" as she laid back on her pillow with her hands behind her white tousled head. After Whitney sent the video of the robotic invaders entering from the bright white rift in space before destroying the satellite filming their entry to Lena's and Marcel's EGOs, a pretty pout crossed Lena's alabaster face as she muttered, "Not good... not good at all," before turning to Marcel and saying with a grim look, "We got to get off this tub before the do-gooders charge off into space and get themselves killed," then her wicked smile returned as a mischievous gleam appeared in her unblinking eyes and she quipped pointing to herself and then Marcel with a long snow white forefinger, "Besides as the humans say, the mice will play while the cats away! And these mice will own Paradise by the time the cats get back - if the Protectors ever get back at all!"  |
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Post by Lady Christianna on Nov 12, 2017 20:01:15 GMT
As Lexy nodded and once again muttered, "Really sawwy", Lady Christianna got off the bed and knelt down by Lexy, pulling her into a sisterly hug. Then Lady said to her in a motherly tone, "Relax. Not in trouble. Just remember to knock next time." After Lady and Lexy finished their interaction, Lexy disappeared to go tell the others. Then Atticus proceeded to put on his armor as he watched Lady drop her towel and once again reveal her lovely form to him. Lady let him admire her for a few seconds as she gathered her clothes back up. The teenager smiled enigmatically as she dressed slowly into her white cotton underclothes and then black leathers for she knew he liked to watch and never minded even before they were married. Being skinny and lanky when they first met, she had always been awed that a powerful man like Atticus would admire her body at all. It wasn't just happenstance that the first EGO power Lady mastered was "cloak." Lady had always considered herself to be a plain Jane that most people wouldn't look at twice and even before her EGO implant considered herself to be invisible to all people - especially men who weren't her father - and was pretty satisfied with that fact by the time she met Atticus. So Lady was naturally shocked when she fell in love with the famous "Harbinger of Death" almost at first sight and he soon began to share her affections. Furthermore, Lady had still not noticed that she had grown into quite an attractive woman in the years after they married although still a bit short and flat chested compared to most Castithan women who tended to be willowy beauties. Once they were both fully dressed and Atticus' weapons once again strapped in place to his side and his armor, they left their quarters and headed for the Bridge. As soon as Lady and Atticus entered, Atticus snapped, "Yar, next time remind Lexy to knock! Now bring up the bogies and long-range scans on the view-screen! Then while we wait for the others, fill us in on what has transpired since Lexy left the Bridge to get us!" "Yes sir," Answered Officer Tasha Yar quickly vacating the Captain's Chair so Atticus could take it as she continued speaking, "No more visuals yet but long range sensors have a count on the bogies which are about the size of large basket balls to be slightly two thousand and fifty. About half of them went to the surface of Pluto and the others are fanning our in groups of fifty in every direction, many even heading towards the dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt and maybe some even out of our solar system. Eight other groups of fifty are headed in our direction although one group is already veering into Neptune's orbit." "Eight groups, eight planets. Searching," Muttered Lady glancing at Atticus with worried pink eyes. "Probably the Sentinel drones are looking for me," Said a soft voice with a prominent Southern drawl from behind them. "I hoped Atlas would be content just finishing destroying the universe I left and leave us alone or at least give us some time to prepare some kind of defense!" Lady turned already knowing who the voice belonged to and not surprised that Belle Starr had entered without the bridge crew noticing for everybody's attention was on the main view screen as groups of bright dots rapidly moved through the graphic representation of their solar system. Belle Starr looked resplendent in her polished red, white and, blue Liberty Trooper armor looking every ounce the confident hero standing with her boots at least a foot apart apart with her pale hands on her hips and a slight tilt to her blond head as her blue diamond eyes regarded the screen. However, Lady knew her onetime mentor possibly better than anyone on the bridge save Atticus and could discern that the look in those eyes were anything but confident and that the lack of Belle's normal grin on her beautiful freckled face portended dire times ahead.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Nov 13, 2017 11:15:06 GMT
"Hmm," said Volodja who also appeared to the bridge with Sandy and spent some time looking monitors quietly. "I believe that we have two questions to concentrate. First one is them following Belle. Are they just stalking her by hunch or have they a tracer device installed somewhere in Belle's spaceship? In latter case they know exactly where to come and that affects the time they reach there. And we seem to have the latter case because they comb all our planets, looking for her.That leads us to the next question. How fast they travel through our solar system until they reach to the third rock from the Sun? Maybe our dear Lexy can use her talent in mathematics and make couple of calculations about approximate time we still have until we are discovered. Those calculations can be based on the sight we are monitoring right now. Lexy has her own experience moving in space and that might help her with math. Maybe we can at least somewhat prepare ourselves to greet uninvited quests. We also have to consider the fact that if they find us, they have to contact their superior. The superior has to evaluate the whole thing and reach a decision and then take some measures to execute it. That gives us time as well. Should we use that time to pick our tactics? Think that we should. We have multiple choices here - we can run and lure those stalkers after us or we can hide and hope that we won't be discovered but the life on Earth will be discovered anyway if they search for life signs or we can just wait and see what happens."  Volodja glanced the monitor once more. Selection of bright dots kept probing Neptune and it's moons. Rest of those dots moved across the solar system and headed towards the next planet. "I am quite sure that getting rid of us with a big bang seems to be last thing in Atlas's mind. He could have done that already if he wanted and took down our solar system with everything in it. Instead of that they keep searching for Belle," added Volodja. And complemented: "Speaking of what we can do for sure with the time we are given...While they are looking for us, Belle can fill us in by introducing details and provide us with general context, so we can draft a layout of the situation we are about to deal with. Especially those parts which speak about why Atlas destroys universe and how he does that. That won't take too much the precious time, I believe." |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Nov 13, 2017 13:10:43 GMT
Lady turned already knowing who the voice belonged to and not surprised that Belle Starr had entered without the bridge crew noticing for everybody's attention was on the main view screen as groups of bright dots rapidly moved through the graphic representation of their solar system. Belle Starr looked resplendent in her polished red, white and, blue Liberty Trooper armor looking every ounce the confident hero standing with her boots at least a foot apart with her pale hands on her hips and a slight tilt to her blond head as her blue diamond eyes regarded the screen. However, Lady knew her onetime mentor possibly better than anyone on the bridge save Atticus and could discern that the look in those eyes were anything but confident and that the lack of Belle's normal grin on her beautiful freckled face portended dire times ahead.
Without looking back, but able to hear the minute fluctuation of worry in the voice behind me, I remarked, "I do not like having to clean up other people's messes and you know it ..... but you are family. So if they are after you, then we will not let them get you. However, we need to go back to the Fortress and see the others....." (I added over private EGO to Lady, 'especially our twins.')
Then I continued out-loud with, "Besides the new EGO-prototype shuttles we have on board are great, but if we now must expect a space battle at some point, then it would be a good idea to retrieve the Vigilant's Captain. As well as the now-repaired Riot and fully rebuilt Garilu (Castithan for 'Raze'). I mean what would we do without our own Millennium Falcon onboard, for when she is needed after all?"
After referencing the series of Star Wars movies that had been playing recently in Fortress K'shaa's main entertainment room, I turned and looked at Belle as I said, "That was the name of Han Solo's beloved rust-bucket, wasn't it?"
Then as I waited for Belle's response I gave her a quick brotherly hug, to show her that no matter how I felt about the situation, I really would be there for her as her 'big brother', just as my Big sister had always been there for me during the short time we had been back together, as well as in the one partial memory I have of her back when I was a toddler.
"Hmm," said Volodja who also appeared to the bridge with Sandy and spent some time looking monitors quietly. "I believe that we have two questions to concentrate. First one is them following Belle. Are they just stalking her by hunch or have they a tracer device installed somewhere in Belle's spaceship? In latter case they know exactly where to come and that affects the time they reach there. And we seem to have the latter case because they comb all our planets, looking for her.That leads us to the next question.
How fast they travel through our solar system until they reach to the third rock from the Sun? Maybe our dear Lexy can use her talent in mathematics and make couple of calculations about approximate time we still have until we are discovered. Those calculations can be based on the sight we are monitoring right now. Lexy has her own experience moving in space and that might help her with math. Maybe we can at least somewhat prepare ourselves to greet uninvited quests.
We also have to consider the fact that if they find us, they have to contact their superior. The superior has to evaluate the whole thing and reach a decision and then take some measures to execute it. That gives us time as well. Should we use that time to pick our tactics? Think that we should. We have multiple choices here - we can run and lure those stalkers after us or we can hide and hope that we won't be discovered but the life on Earth will be discovered anyway if they search for life signs or we can just wait and see what happens."
Just then, the door to the Bridge once again opened and there standing behind Belle, were the Constantine twins accompanied by Yvette. As soon as I looked their way, Attila spoke up saying, "Did we miss the party?!"
I snapped, "There is no party and I wasn't aware you were invited! Aren't you both off for the night?"
He said, "Yes however the three of us were in the Mess having a late night snack. As we left the Mess to head back to our quarters in the Protector's wing, we saw Belle, Sandy and Volo all heading this direction in a hurry. As I wondered why they were in such a hurry, Tiki saw Lexy skipping through the hall not far behind them. So she stopped Lexy and asked what was going on. So now that we knew what the rush was, we figured we better report to the Bridge as well."
I growled, "Fine, take your posts for now.... but what's Yvette doing here?! I only remember one of the Synth sisters coming onboard."
Attila said, "Well it's your fault really."
I snapped angrily, "Just how the dak is it MY fault?! And this better be good, or you may find yourself in the brig the rest of the night for a daking time-out!"
Attila took a huge gulp of air, upon hearing my 'threat'. Then he continued with, "Well remember after you came back onboard, you came to the Bridge?"
I snapped, "Yes! Now get the dak on with it!"
Attila glanced at his sister, then said, "Well Atticus .... "
I interrupted with, "Perhaps you better stick with Commander Batman until I decide whether or not your new residence for the night will be the brig!"
Attila gulped again, then said, "Well Commander, as you recall at that time Atika and I were still on the Eagle with Poe as part of the last group to leave the surface. As we were just getting ready to dock with the Vigilant, you contacted us and informed us we were not yet clear to dock as you had just received a message from the surface from Kara, requesting that she and her children be allowed to accompany us back to Fortress K'shaa. So as we were the last shuttle from the surface, we were to go back to the surface to get them..... Well while we were on the surface, Yvette informed us that she and Brooke had decided they were coming too."
I sighed and said, "Fine, no brig for you at the moment. Get to your post OVER THERE, BEFORE I change my mind!" I gestured toward his engineering console, then said to Yvette, "Fine you are onboard, but why?"
Yvette smiled and said, "Well I would be bored cooped up in an Embassy, and Brooke feels the same way, and Ruby knows it. So when Ruby discovered you were sending a shuttle back to the surface, she reluctantly agreed to allow us to accompany the Protectors as your new Synth Liaisons ... provided you don't just ship us back to her that is ... which is why, instead of reporting that we were onboard, we convinced Poe, Attila and Atika, that it would be better if they allowed me to tell you myself. However by that time you were in your quarters for the night, so I felt it would be better to wait until morning to tell you. Besides I was hoping that way, you would be less likely to send us back to the Votanis Capital. Although we hate being away from Ruby, she insisted she stay to establish an Embassy and that she would then return to Paradise to establish one there as well, once she has the one in the Votanis Collective up and running."
I then glanced at the door expecting Brooke to enter as well, but Yvette said, "Looking for Brooke? Then you are looking in the wrong area. She said she wanted to go see the Count and ask him more about Liberatas. She was especially curious to find out what a leprechaun is and why you keep referring to both the Count and Doctor Orion as leprechauns."
I said, "And does Whitney know you are onboard yet?"
Yvette frowned and said, "No, I was going to go see her after leaving the Mess, but then we ran into Lexy. So here I am. However I would like to find and tell her soon .... I just hope that she is so happy to see me and hear Brooke is onboard as well, that she forgets about being upset with us for not telling her sooner. You know how sisters can be."
My aura started to flash with my incoming bout of anger at her last words, as i recalled the last time I saw MY sister. Then I snapped, "Yes I do! They can be amazingly forgiving to siblings that forget something temporarily, but apologize right away!"
Then I felt my right hand being gently squeezed to reassure me that it would be alright. I didn't have to look to know the small one in my right was Lady's. As I squeezed Lady's back gently, I looked back at the monitor and saw that Volodja glanced at the monitor once more as well. Selection of bright dots kept probing Neptune and it's moons. Rest of those dots moved across the solar system and headed towards the next planet.
"I am quite sure that getting rid of us with a big bang seems to be last thing in Atlas's mind. He could have done that already if he wanted and took down our solar system with everything in it. Instead of that they keep searching for Belle," added Volodja. And complemented:
"Speaking of what we can do for sure with the time we are given...While they are looking for us, Belle can fill us in by introducing details and provide us with general context, so we can draft a layout of the situation we are about to deal with. Especially those parts which speak about why Atlas destroys universe and how he does that. That won't take too much the precious time, I believe."
I cleared my throat and said, "As usual Volodja has a point. Yvette, go let your sister know that you and Brooke are both onboard."
Then I turned to Belle and said, "And you Starr-eyes, please do tell us just why they are after my little sister, as well as everything else Volodja has just mentioned. You will also need to go over your ship to make sure they do not have a tracer on it. Not only that but if there is no tracer, but they are just tracking it's unique power signature, then you will need to help Attila come up with a way to mask it, so they can't find you until we are ready for them to. ..... I already failed one sister, I am NOT going to fail you as well!"
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Post by Belle Starr on Nov 14, 2017 0:20:24 GMT
*NOTE: If you play "No Man's Sky" there may be some spoilers in this post so you might not want to read further. In truth I've given their story my own slant but read on at you own risk!Belle Starr's mind was a whirl when Atticus Batman asked about an old SF film reference and hugged her. She couldn't believe that the Sentinel Drones were here already - and that meant that Atlas was in her universe - her universe - too! She nodded in assent and smiled not sure what he was asking but the hug she gave back was indeed genuine and heartfelt. She had really missed her friends - her family - from Paradise and because of the nature of her life in the last three hundred years she had made few friends the most part. As a Traveler working to map planets and galaxies, Belle had been alone most of the time except during brief incursions into space stations and at her home base. In truth, the number of friends made during her time away from Paradise would be able to be counted on the fingers of one hand. "Hmm," said Volodja Uljanov who also appeared to the bridge with Sandy Bell and spent some time looking at the monitors quietly. "I believe that we have two questions to concentrate. First one is them following Belle. Are they just stalking her by hunch or have they a tracer device installed somewhere in Belle's spaceship? In latter case they know exactly where to come and that affects the time they reach there. And we seem to have the latter case because they comb all our planets, looking for her." "I can answer that," Interrupted Belle looking intently at Volodja with blue diamond eyes, "The Sentinels are not following me! This is the invasion I came to warn you about although I'm not sure invasion is the right term! Atlas is here to transform our universe into his vision! He had done this to universe after universe in a multiverse of universes! When Atlas is finished, he gets dissatisfied destroying the universe he created and starts over - or maybe just leaves a blank slate! I was originally made a Traveler by Atlas along with many others to map uncharted parts of the universe he creates galaxy by galaxy and planet by planet! At the time I thought Atlas was just an intergalactic corporation kind of like VBI is on Earth but as I traveled I discovered fact by fact that Atlas was something much greater than that! Atlas is a god - and a mad god at that - with the power to create universes but also with the power to destroy them! I know this from personal experience and from information I gathered over three hundred years! I've been in his presence and I've seen firsthand his handwork! Being Catholic, I hate to use the term God in describing him and I don't know that for sure that is a fact! I guess he could be some rogue AI created by an ancient civilization but if so he's one with an infinite amount of power! No matter, the effect is the same whatever he is! Atlas is here to destroy and recreate our universe then destroy it again and that's the truth! His Sentinel Drones are just the tip of the spear!" Volodja asked, "That leads us to the next question. How fast they travel through our solar system until they reach to the third rock from the Sun? Maybe our dear Lexy can use her talent in mathematics and make couple of calculations about approximate time we still have until we are discovered. Those calculations can be based on the sight we are monitoring right now. Lexy has her own experience moving in space and that might help her with math. Maybe we can at least somewhat prepare ourselves to greet uninvited quests." Belle furrowed her pale forehead and narrowed her blue eyes before saying, "I can partially answer that question! I have warp capacities and can travel through black holes for even more speed in Stargazer VI so y'all can bet they have it too and don't have to go into stasis like I had to not being alive and all!" Volodja continued unperturbed, "We also have to consider the fact that if they find us, they have to contact their superior. The superior has to evaluate the whole thing and reach a decision and then take some measures to execute it. That gives us time as well. Should we use that time to pick our tactics? Think that we should. We have multiple choices here - we can run and lure those stalkers after us or we can hide and hope that we won't be discovered but the life on Earth will be discovered anyway if they search for life signs or we can just wait and see what happens." "Atlas seems to know everything his sentinels do, from the lowest Drone to the huge Sentinel freighters," Answered Belle with a deepening frown, "I found Sentinel Drones on every planet in every galaxy I surveyed for Atlas, and I can tell y'all that they are somewhat sentient and have at least some self-determination! A constant as on each planet they acted as some sort of environmental police attacking if you affected the environment too much! However, on some planets they were pretty lax, on others they attacked as soon as you landed on the planet and sometimes for no apparent reason! Always if you didn't destroy the drones quickly and then do your business and leave, bigger and more dangerous Sentinels would appear! There were dangerous highly armed four legged Sentinels then even more highly armed and even more dangerous two legged versions! I usually tucked my tail in-between my legs and headed for the hills as soon as the four legged varmints arrived!" Suddenly the Constantine twins and Yvette of the Synth Sisters entered the bridge and all eyes and ears were on them sparring with Atticus except Belle's. She looked intently at the interstellar radar console manned by Officer Tasha Yar watching as many of the dots got even closer to Earth whereupon she spotted some mysterious motion on Pluto where most of the Sentinel Drones had traveled to after arriving, so Belle pointed at it and said, "THERE! What's going on there? Can you get us eyes on Pluto?" "I..." Began Officer Yar, "I don't know! We can't get visuals until we get a lot closer - at least as close as Jupiter! We just don't have the equipment on board the Vigilant - if it even exists on Earth." "It might... although not quite on Earth," Interjected Sandy Bell standing at attention in crisp clean fatigues and highly polished boots behind them."Before the Pale Wars, humans regularly went into space - at least around our planet. One of the things astronauts used to do was to repair and update a huge telescope in orbit around our planet launched back in 1990 and which allowed us to have eyes into deep space. I bet the Hubble Telescope is still there if the arriving Votans or ark debris didn't destroy it so if we can access it, we can see what's going on the surface of Pluto." "I am quite sure that getting rid of us with a big bang seems to be last thing in Atlas's mind. He could have done that already if he wanted and took down our solar system with everything in it. Instead of that they keep searching for Belle," added Volodja. And complemented, "Speaking of what we can do for sure with the time we are given...While they are looking for us, Belle can fill us in by introducing details and provide us with general context, so we can draft a layout of the situation we are about to deal with. Especially those parts which speak about why Atlas destroys universe and how he does that. That won't take too much the precious time, I believe." Then Atticus turned to Belle and said, "And you Starr-eyes, please do tell us just why they are after my little sister, as well as everything else Volodja has just mentioned. You will also need to go over your ship to make sure they do not have a tracer on it. Not only that but if there is no tracer, but they are just tracking it's unique power signature, then you will need to help Attila come up with a way to mask it, so they can't find you until we are ready for them to. ..... I already failed one sister, I am NOT going to fail you as well!" Belle turned to Volodja and Atticus with a worried grin, "I'll cooperate with y'all in any way I can and tell y'all everything I know although I think I've given you the gist but Volodja... you're wrong! I tell you the Drones aren't looking for me - they're looking to establish a beachhead for invasion and I don't think we have even a chance of stopping Atlas if we don't immediately act! A big bang is exactly what he did to the last universe I was in that he was dissatisfied with and all I saw in my rear view mirror as I escaped was a vast white expanse of nothing!" 
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Post by Atticus Batman on Nov 14, 2017 12:19:26 GMT
"I..." Began Officer Yar, "I don't know! We can't get visuals until we get a lot closer - at least as close as Jupiter! We just don't have the equipment on board the Vigilant - if it even exists on Earth."
"It might... although not quite on Earth," Interjected Sandy Bell standing at attention in crisp clean fatigues and highly polished boots behind them. "Before the Pale Wars, humans regularly went into space - at least around our planet. One of the things astronauts used to do was to repair and update a huge telescope in orbit around our planet launched back in 1990 and which allowed us to have eyes into deep space. I bet the Hubble Telescope is still there if the arriving Votans or ark debris didn't destroy it so if we can access it, we can see what's going on the surface of Pluto."
"I am quite sure that getting rid of us with a big bang seems to be last thing in Atlas's mind. He could have done that already if he wanted and took down our solar system with everything in it. Instead of that they keep searching for Belle," added Volodja. And complemented, "Speaking of what we can do for sure with the time we are given...While they are looking for us, Belle can fill us in by introducing details and provide us with general context, so we can draft a layout of the situation we are about to deal with. Especially those parts which speak about why Atlas destroys universe and how he does that. That won't take too much the precious time, I believe."
Then Atticus turned to Belle and said, "And you Starr-eyes, please do tell us just why they are after my little sister, as well as everything else Volodja has just mentioned. You will also need to go over your ship to make sure they do not have a tracer on it. Not only that but if there is no tracer, but they are just tracking it's unique power signature, then you will need to help Attila come up with a way to mask it, so they can't find you until we are ready for them to. ..... I already failed one sister, I am NOT going to fail you as well!"
Belle turned to Volodja and Atticus with a worried grin, "I'll cooperate with y'all in any way I can and tell y'all everything I know although I think I've given you the gist but Volodja... you're wrong! I tell you the Drones aren't looking for me - they're looking to establish a beachhead for invasion and I don't think we have even a chance of stopping Atlas if we don't immediately act! A big bang is exactly what he did to the last universe I was in that he was dissatisfied with and all I saw in my rear view mirror as I escaped was a vast white expanse of nothing!"
I said, "Belle you are the expert on these things, so you better help Volodja start working on a plan to stop them. However it appears our tech is nowhere near as advanced as yours or theirs, but we will do our best. If it turns out that we can't completely stop the invasion by wiping out these scouts, then we may need to scan them and figure out how we will need to upgrade and retro-fit our systems to better deal with them, as well as figuring out a way to slow them down or distract them."
Then I continued with, "Yar contact Fortress K'shaa, inform them of the situation. Then tell Kaj to fully crew the Riot and prep it to be completely battle-ready, and then they are to stay on standby in case we need them, or they need to get into the air to protect the Fortress!"
Next I said, "Lexy, scan for this Hubble Telescope, Sandy mentioned! Sandy, work with the Constantines and Lexy to locate the Hubble and try to use it as you suggested..... and Sandy it looks like you get another promotion. I know that you spent the evening filling in for Erika. However given that we now find ourselves in need of a Commander of Tactical Logistics You were already our chief tactical officer, and very recently promoted to Tactical Field Commander, however it looks like you're position is shifting again.....
You just officially went from Tactical Field Commander to Chief Commander of Tactical Logistics, unless you refuse or can convince me that you know of somebody more qualified. However I am certain my sister would approve of you as her replacement so, provided that you accept the promotion, congratulations. And Volodja that officially makes you Lady's and my First Officer, which is fitting as you are already my main advisor and I know I am not easy to deal with, so congratulations to you as well. Now unless there is anything else, or you two think your new promotions should be switched and can convince me of that quickly, ...then we better get to work!"
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Nov 14, 2017 13:20:02 GMT
Volodja swallowed that part of his pride which was ready to argue with Belle. He didn't want to make the typical mistake of overconfident people who usually made one but sometimes fatal mistake - they created a theory and then tried fit any new bit of information to confirm that and threw that info out when that piece didn't fit into the puzzle they created. Or did something even worse than ignoring facts - they tried to change their surroundings and make the environment support their theory. Volodja wasn't that rigid. At least he tried avoid being that rigid, so he revalued his thoughts and theses in the light of new knowledge if needed. Besides - he thought that it was better to start off with wrong assumptions and reach to correct conclusions than begin with correct assumptions and reach into completely wrong conclusions. More than once he saw how people do that as well. He thought about the problem and how small they can be compared with Atlas. But being small and living in some relatively uninhibited part in our universe in the surroundings of the yellow dwarf, we call Sun, even might be an advantage. Sometimes throwing a small rock into a machine might stop it. The only problem from the rock's point of view would be not getting crashed amongst moving gears. That is why it's so important figure out not only what they had to do, but also what they can do and should do. And the first thing they could do was not trying to attack the master but affect it's servants to delay the course of seemingly inevitable events, so he said: "Best we can do at moment is buy us some more time by affecting minds of drones, I assume."  |
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Post by Sandy Bell on Nov 14, 2017 16:44:02 GMT
Commander Atticus Batman said to Sandy Bell, "You just officially went from Tactical Field Commander to Chief Commander of Tactical Logistics, unless you refuse or can convince me that you know of somebody more qualified. However I am certain my sister would approve of you as her replacement so, provided that you accept the promotion, congratulations. And Volodja that officially makes you Lady's and my First Officer, which is fitting as you are already my main advisor and I know I am not easy to deal with, so congratulations to you as well. Now unless there is anything else, or you two think your new promotions should be switched and can convince me of that quickly, ...then we better get to work!" Sandy answered, "Ummm... thanks?" not meaning it to sound like a question but clearly doing so as she thought to her EGO psyche Sarge. "Chief Commander Bell? Or is it Chief Commander Uljanov? Or maybe Chief Commander Bell-Uljanov? No, that's too much of a mouthful. I think I'll keep my maiden name and be called Chief Commander Bell. Still, if I'm Chief Commander Bell, do I now outrank Commander Batman?" "Doubtful," Answered Sarge with a virtual laugh. "Yeah, you're right," Thought Sandy back to Sarge through the telepathic link they shared adding "His title is probably now Supreme Commander Atticus Batman or some such," then turned to the Constantine twins and ordered, "You two work on getting the Hubble telescope on line ASAP. I can give you a general location, but the best bet is to hack into the old NASA headquarters near Houston. Houston was destroyed in the Pale Wars but I know for a fact that the NASA's computer banks were in a bunker under the control room and was built to survive a nuclear blast. I also know that even after the destruction of Houston, the EMC used NASA's assets there to help in the Pale Wars, but I don't know how. Computers were never my thing - unless playing video games counts." As the Constantine twins turned to their consoles to begin their mission, Sandy noted Belle wincing at the mention of Houston. Both Belle's parents died of a contagion caused by the disastrous terra-forming of Houston during the Pale Wars and Sandy knew Belle still grieved over them even though they died when she was just a toddler. Sandy grieved too for Belle's mother was her older sister even though Belle now looked much older than Sandy. Thus were the results of time misadventures. "Best we can do at moment is buy us some more time by affecting minds of drones, I assume." Sandy noted Belle's face went impassive totally devoid of emotion which was highly unusual for the Belle Star Sandy knew. Belle had always had the worst poker face of anyone Sandy knew and always seemed to wear her emotions on her shoulder but since Belle returned... she was different, both physically and mentally. Sandy didn't doubt that this woman was Belle Starr but Sandy also felt in her gut that something had happened to her niece in her deep multiverse adventures that had radically changed her. "That's a great thought Volodja," Sandy said with a grin but then grabbed his elbow with an iron grip, for she exercised in the weight room daily at Fortress Kshaa when they weren't on missions which wasn't nearly often as she liked, before saying, "Excuse us Belle but I need Volodja for a moment in private." Sandy led him by the elbow to an empty corner of the Vigilant's bridge only stopping when she felt they were far away enough not to be heard then said in a low tone, "Volodja, I know Belle's hiding something - or at least not telling us the whole truth. I know you have some history with her, a lot of it not good, but you're also a trained psychologist. Find out what she knows pronto because I also think time is of the essence here!"   |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Nov 15, 2017 11:47:04 GMT
"Thanks for pointing that out," replied Volodja, using the same low tone. "There were contradictions indeed in what Belle said. First I thought that I misheard or misinterpreted something but now you confirmed that there was something strange in her speech. She said that drones followed her and then she changed her statement. You are absolutely right Sandy - we should figure out what her motives are. But she came to warn us about invasion and we can somewhat prepare, so I believe that her intentions are good. I believe that I should have a conversation with her as you suggested. Especially when you engrafted me into the family tree, so it's my duty not only a specialist but also as her uncle. And as one very worried citizen of Earth. We can't lose our home. At least not without the fight."
Sandy and Volodja rejoined others and now it was Volodja's turn to grab someone by an elbow and tell the owner of that particular limb joint:
"Belle. I do believe that you might have used to see things from humongous perspective after your space travels and that is why you might have been forgotten some tiny and seemingly unimportant details about the whole situation. But things are quite serious from earthly perspective as you already told us. I have only travelled through and around the block while you have explored most of the city. But I happen to like our little neighbourhood and people who live here. I know that this world is far from being perfect, but we all, including you, have tried to maintain an order in our mud ball, because we love it. And now we might lose everything we fought for to an unknown force. But even if we might lose this fight, we can't just lower our flag and surrender because there are lot of people who don't even know that we are their last hope. That is why it's so important that you try to remember some things that you learned during your travel. About Atlas, about his motives, about...anything you might know or assume about him. Maybe there is something needed to make Atlas to leave our house block alone for good without disturbing inhabitants so they could continue their everyday lives."
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Post by Atika Constantine on Nov 15, 2017 13:20:51 GMT
Sandy turned to the Constantine twins and ordered, "You two work on getting the Hubble telescope on line ASAP. I can give you a general location, but the best bet is to hack into the old NASA headquarters near Houston. Houston was destroyed in the Pale Wars but I know for a fact that the NASA's computer banks were in a bunker under the control room and was built to survive a nuclear blast. I also know that even after the destruction of Houston, the EMC used NASA's assets there to help in the Pale Wars, but I don't know how. Computers were never my thing - unless playing video games counts."
Attila said to Atika, "I'll work on making a bypass program in case we need to remotely hack into the NASA systems. You work on locating this NASA bunker and getting me a connection to it."
Atika said, "Sure thing, Tily."
As Attila started his work at his terminal, Atika said, "Lexy! Could you please scan the last known coordinates for NASA's bunker?"
Lexy responded over the AI's speakers with, "Gotcha Atika. Looking up and scanning those coordinates now, but this could take a while."
Hearing that Atika glanced around to see if Lexy's holographic avatar was present on the Bridge. Not seeing her, Atika added, "and then could you please bring your sweet little self in here and give me a hand? I could use some help with modifying our comms to access such ancient systems."
Seconds later, as Atika was starting to setup a program to communicate with the ancient computers, provided they could locate them and the systems were still online, Atika heard from behind her, "Otay, I'm here!"
Atika turned her head and looked at the young holographic girl still in her frilly dress, and once again with a lollypop in her mouth as the young girl smiled shyly around her lolly. Atika smiled back, and then knelt down and proceeded to tell Lexy what she needed help with. Lexy giggled and said, "Oooh I get it! While you are watching your programmy and altering it as needed, I will be usin your comm-headset to talk to play phone-tag with NASA."
Atika smiled and said, "Exactly somebody will actually have to be doing the communicating, but I will need to monitor my systems closely and altering the frequencies until we get just the right one. So that is where you will come in. You get to put on my comm-headset and play phone operator and hopefully we can get this NASA system to respond, that way Tily can do his thing and get us control of it."
Lexy sat in a chair at Atika's comm station smiled as put on the headset still with her lollypop in her mouth. Then as she gently kicked her feet around she said, "You got it dude!"
Then Atika and Lexy got to work with their important tasks.
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Post by Belle Starr on Nov 15, 2017 16:48:15 GMT
* Spoiler alert below for those who play "No Man's Sky"! Volodja Uljanov said, "Belle. I do believe that you might have used to see things from humongous perspective after your space travels and that is why you might have been forgotten some tiny and seemingly unimportant details about the whole situation. But things are quite serious from earthly perspective as you already told us. I have only traveled through and around the block while you have explored most of the city. But I happen to like our little neighborhood and people who live here. I know that this world is far from being perfect, but we all, including you, have tried to maintain an order in our mud ball, because we love it. And now we might lose everything we fought for to an unknown force. But even if we might lose this fight, we can't just lower our flag and surrender because there are lot of people who don't even know that we are their last hope. That is why it's so important that you try to remember some things that you learned during your travel. About Atlas, about his motives, about...anything you might know or assume about him. Maybe there is something needed to make Atlas to leave our house block alone for good without disturbing inhabitants so they could continue their everyday lives." Belle Starr's beautiful freckled face fell as her blue diamond eyes sought the ground and she asked in a low tone, "Is there somewhere we can go all private like? Y'all know, like the Vigilant's conference room?" Sandy Bell frowned not liking all the secrecy but answered after apprising Commander Batman and Lady Christianna of the situation via their EGOs, then answering, "Sure Belle, follow me." When they got to the conference room and everyone was in, Sandy secured the door and began recording the session with her EGO as she asked, "Okay, why all the cloak and dagger Belle?" Belle collapsed into the nearest board room chair leaning on the table with both armored elbows and tenting her long pale fingers as she avoiding everyone's gaze just concentrating on the shiny surface of the large conference table before explaining, "Truth is I don't know if the Drones are after me or Atlas' next pet project! I... I tried to stop him from destroying the last universe but failed! As I said, I was a Traveler and when Atlas first recruited me, I just thought they were a benign organization just bent on exploring the universe. Atlas gave me my first space ship, Stargazer I, and my first multi-tool that was a pistol of all things! Then he watched me go - albeit without me knowing! He liked how I quickly upgraded my equipment gathering units to do so! Not to brag, but I had 100 million units when I left! I guess they're all gone, the intergalactic bank that had them is gone, everything there is gone..." Belle sighed and her shoulders sagged in resignation and a look of infinite sadness crossed her pale face so Sandy prodded her forward asking, "So how did you find out what Atlas really was - whether a mad deity or ultra-powerful machine?" Belle looked up at Sandy locking eyes with that intense stare of hers when she was dead serious and said, "I was perfectly happy mining, gathering rare plants, and scanning fauna and flora on world after world, naming my discoveries as I went then selling my stuff to upgrade my equipment! I even took jobs for the Mercenaries Guild, the Explorers Guild and the Merchants Guild and got pretty far up in their ranks! Anywho, as I traveled I began to find pieces of information about Atlas - from ancient monuments, wrecked freighters, abandoned observatories covered in ichor, and other travelers I ran into from time to time! My info painted a picture of not such a benign organization! Then I was invited to visit an Atlas installation! I had a couple of times in other galaxies, so I thought, Why not? I guess he liked my progress as a traveler or something, for he revealed himself to me! I don't remember much about the meeting, only that he encouraged me to follow the Way of Atlas, whatever that was, and that the encounter scared me shitless! I started running there and then and kept running for about twenty galaxies until..." Belle let the sentence hang in the air as her eyes sought the surface of the table again so Sandy prompted, "Then what Belle?" "I lost all confidence! In myself, my destiny everything accept survival! I avoided space pirates like the plague, not answering attacked freighters when they hailed me when I would have jumped into the fray before without a second thought! Even though I had killed hundred of Drones before, now I always hid and thought of ways to complete a mission without alerting them and when that wasn't possible I ran with my tail between my legs as soon as they spotted me! Once I hid in a cave to get away from them, but the cave was inhabited by predator bugs and they didn't take kindly to an invader of their home! I almost died fighting both Drones and bugs off and probably would have if I hadn't gone unconscious!"** Belle uttered a nervous laugh before continuing, "I did scan a dead one after I woke up and named it a Belle Eater! But I do know travelers can die! I found the graves of three and heard my friend Artemis die over the interstellar radio in the cockpit of my ship! Anywho, I'm a coward, so I ran and I ran but because I've always had to have some purpose in my life even if I'm yellow through and through, I kept exploring new galaxies and new planets and more importantly, kept gathering evidence until one conclusion was unavoidable: Atlas created universes, but when he got dissatisfied, he'd destroy them and maybe start over! Some of the Travelers hypothesized that we were all in a giant video game and he would just hit the redo button to start things over from time to time but I thought that was ridiculous! Others claimed it was their personal fault for doing some evil deed in their past but I thought, 'What could one person do to anger a God?' but now I'm not so sure! All I know is that in my paranoia that he might be after me I started upgrading my ship with bigger and better engines and more and more shields with fewer and fewer weapons and no cargo space except what I had in the deep spacial pockets of my exosuit! That's why I'm not sure he's after me personally or just want's to remake another universe in his own image!" Belle stopped to take a deep breath for this was the longest she had conversed with anyone in over three hundred years and she was out of practice, but she explained further, "Using my knowledge of historical salvage, thank you Chase Lonehart wherever you are, I found evidence in the logs of crashed space ships of refugees fleeing from other universes - universes Atlas destroyed - only to be tracked down and killed by Sentinels! I also landed on planets that were being disassembled right under my feet in what I now called my universe! I and other Travelers starting putting our information together and we all came to the same conclusion: Atlas was mad and was destroying our universe in his insanity and that he had a timetable! The number 16 came up and up time and time again in our investigations! That's when we came up with a possible solution: Someone would have to go to the center of the universe and reset Atlas in-person! Some of us agreed, some of us said we should sit tight that even if he was dismantling our universe, it might take thousands of years! Even though my hands were trembling, I volunteered to travel to the center of the universe and confront Atlas! It made sense, as I had the fastest ship with maximum warp capacity and had traveled through black holes before and survived with only minimum damage to Stargazer VI! Plus I had a friend, High Priest Nada, who could point me to the black holes that would get me closest to my goal although there weren't many! Most of the time I traveled by warping from universe to universe with the countdown slowly counting down on my in-ship monitors. Finally after after discovering my fortieth galaxy and the countdown at '1', I found the center of my universe! Needless to say, I tried to stop Atlas - and I failed dismally, end game! So when everything was collapsing around me, I ran like the no-good yellow-bellied varmint I am through a black hole and landed back here - just in time I guess to see my home universe destroyed too!" Belle's shoulders began shaking as she weeped, huge tears rolling down her freckled cheeks onto the table she had been staring at so intently . ** Belle in the game actually did die then - her only death in that game - but that doesn't fit my narrative here sooooo - redo!  |
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Post by Lena Marr on Nov 16, 2017 5:02:47 GMT
"Yes-siree-Bob, we got to get out of Dodge fast," Exclaimed Lena Marr as she pulled on a boot of her 7th Legion outfit sitting on the bed in her and her lover's quarters on the Vigilant, "I've been to space and no body can hear you scream there and I like to hear the screams of my targets!" "You sure we need to go. A trip to outer space might be quite the learning experience," Said Whitney keeping her ice blue eyes averted as she handed Lena her red tunic while trying not to notice Lena's chalk white nakedness dressed now only in her boots and fishnet stockings Lena pulled the tunic over her head while saying, "Maybe learning new ways to die! I've watched the human movies! I've seen how if a person who gets exposed to space can flash-freeze or have an in-suit explosions or, my personal favorite, Arnold Schwarzenegger's ballooning with bulbous eyes popping out!" A frown crossed Whitey's beautiful pale face as she took on a pose like a teacher at a lectern explaining, "Actually, that's not quite right. I've read in science journals that first off the gas in your lungs and digestive tract would rapidly expand, inducing swelling. If you choose this inopportune chance to hold your breath, your lungs would likely burst and you'd be a goner. Any water directly exposed to the environment, such as the liquid on your eyes or tongue would boil off in a matter of seconds. About ten seconds into the ordeal, you would lose vision. Moments later, you would likely lose consciousness, a result of gas exchange working in reverse and oxygen being dumped from your blood. Your skin would discolor to a pallid shade of blue. After about one minute, circulation would stop altogether. After another minute, you'd be dead by asphyxiation." Whitney smiled looking like an angel with her long white hair brought back in a ponytail and dressed in her clean white battle dress as she remarked frankly, "There is some good news to take away from this morbid message. You can likely survive unprotected in space for as long as 90 seconds, which is plenty of time to be rescued! Better news for me, since I'm a synthetic person I wouldn't have any those dangers to worry about."* As Lena finished dressing by pulling on her culottes, she returned a wicked grin quipping, "Ninety seconds? That's just about how long most men last before exploding during sex!" The pretty Castithan grimaced as she glanced at her lover Marcel Strange and quickly added, "Not Pooh Bear of course but most men." Anxious to change the topic, Lena said enthusiastically, "First we steal a shuttle! I think that one named 'Invisi-bat' or something - anyway the one that can cloak. I can hot wire the shuttle, easy-peasey, and the mighty Protectors will be too busy preparing for their epic space battle to worry about little old me - I mean us - as we escape. Then the three of us can proceed to take over Paradise without Protector intervention. Bwa ha HA!" A sudden knock at the door interrupted Lena's exuberance as Whitney's Synth sisters Yvette and Brooke burst into the room with smiles and outstretched arms hugging an obviously surprised Whitney as Yvette exclaimed with glee, "Sis! You got to come with us! They got something called ice cream in the ship's mess and its delicious! It's tasty like cream - and its cold like ice! No false advertising here! You got to try it!" Whitney's ice blue eyes blinked in disbelief, "Not that I'm not happy to see you, which I am, but I thought I left you two in Capital City with Ruby. Is she here too?" "Naw," Said Yvette, the blonde Synth Sister, as she released her bear hug when she noted Whitney wincing from the strong-woman's iron grip. Brooke's black feline tail twitched as she unconsciously flexed her claws while explaining, "Ruby is still in Capital City playing diplomat and loving every second of it but we got bored and wanted to join you for some adventure. Chancellor Cael promised to keep her safe and Ruby said go, so we snuck on board hiding until the Vigilant took off! Yvette said it would be fun to be stowaways. I wasn't so sure about that, but Commander Batman knows we're on board now and didn't seem angry - at least not at us - although Attila may be in hot water." Brooke shrugged and added with an attractive smile as she tossed her long black hair saying with a twinkle in her amber cat-like eyes, "However I hope not as you know how cats hate water and he's kind of cute!" Yvette stared daggers at her feline sister with an exaggerated frown saying adamantly, "Don't you dare! He's my special friend - and so is his sister! The tub is crowded as it is!" All the Synth Sisters laughed at Yvette's remark as Brooke and Yvette each grabbed one of Whitney's arms and led her out of the room as Whitney yelled over her shoulder, "I'll be back soon! Promise!" As the door shut behind the three Synth Sisters, Lena stared at the door with unblinking sky blue eyes for a long moment before turning to Marcel and saying impassively, "Where was I? Oh yeah, then the two of us can proceed to take over Paradise without Protector intervention. Bwa ha HA." *Thanks and a tip of the hat to Mr. Ross Pomeroy at "Real Clear Science" for the info (http://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2012/08/how-would-you-die-in-outer-space.html)!  |
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