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Post by Lady Christianna on Nov 26, 2017 6:22:05 GMT
Amber the Mystic's jade eyes narrowed as she shook her curly ebony tresses thinking that organizing circus performers was like herding cats and that any rules set were immediately ignored, which was probably why most of those who worked in circuses could never conform to the everyday rules of society. In Amber's experience, circus performers were at heart anarchists. That made circus performers wonderfully unique individuals but made them somewhat questionable in getting them to do something as a group they didn't want to really do. Amber firmly believed that the only way to do the latter was through personal leverage. Amber showed her own short straw that was one of the three originally broken by Sarge the Strongman as she sidled seductively up to Sarge announcing to the group, "Two strong men might be too much for our poor Ringmaster's heart - especially when accompanied with a woman with a whip who knows how to use it! Furthermore, I've been in the Ringmaster's wagon and three is indeed company where four is most definitely a crowd, so Moria, Kabule and I will be our diplomatic courtege to the Ringmaster." As Sarge started to object, Amber stood on her tip-toes and whispered in the big man's ear, "I know you did a sleight of hand to make sure Hope did not get the short straw and that you would. It is an old magician's trick but one I am sure you would not want the others, especially Hope and Sophie, to know you perpetrated on our small friend. It would surely break her heart. So let us make it our little secret." Sarge thought about asking Amber whose heart in particular it might break - Sophie or Hope's - but thought better of it so merely nodded his assent, so Amber turned to Kabule and Moira trying to a least keep a vestige of Democracy in the process by asking them, "So you two, do we go on our mission before the morning show or after it?"   |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Nov 26, 2017 12:11:19 GMT
Amber showed her own short straw that was one of the three originally broken by Sarge the Strongman as she sidled seductively up to Sarge announcing to the group, "Two strong men might be too much for our poor Ringmaster's heart - especially when accompanied with a woman with a whip who knows how to use it! Furthermore, I've been in the Ringmaster's wagon and three is indeed company where four is most definitely a crowd, so Moira, Kabule and I will be our diplomatic cortege to the Ringmaster."
As Sarge started to object, Amber stood on her tip-toes and whispered something in the big man's ear.
Sarge merely nodded his assent, so Amber turned to Kabule and Moira trying to a least keep a vestige of Democracy in the process by asking them, "So you two, do we go on our mission before the morning show or after it?"
Kabule shrugged and responded with, "I am NO bleeding heart diplomat! In the Motherland, diplomats and bleedin' hearts do not last long! If the harsh winters don't kill them, the bear will! Nobody likes diplomats or aristocrats anyway! They cause armies to fail! However I will be your muscle and will only kill the Ringmaster, if you give the word, or he tries to kill us first, at least during this first meeting with 'im! That said, it doesn't matter to me when this is done. Just as long as I get more booze, if I can not at least find some soft and curvy company for the night. Although that whip does sound like fun as well."
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Post by Lady Christianna on Nov 26, 2017 13:39:00 GMT
Amber the Mystic strolled up to Kabule and leaning close to him as she said in a husky voice, her musky feminine aroma filling his nostrils as she spoke, "That is the problem with you Russians, always making friends and influencing people - and then murdering them. My father was, how did you put it, a bleeding heart diplomat for the Ottoman Empire, trying in vain to keep us out of a war we shouldn't have been part of if you so-called Allies would only have given our ports on the Caspian Sea back to us. In the end, I can assume he was just left bleeding when he died, for he saw the writing on the wall and smuggled me, my mother, and my brother and sister out of our home country to this wretched land. Foreign disease soon took my family and we never heard from my father again. So here I am, thanks to you damn Russians and your greed." The dusky skinned woman walked seductively away from Kabule and to his sister then after kissing the top of Dinara's head and gently stroking her hair saying with an enigmatic smile, "However as John Milton wrote in 1634 every cloud has it's silver lining. Without what happened, I'd never have met my beloved Dinara - although I still cannot fathom how you two could possibly ever be sister and brother. But I guess if Issus, the Goddess of Love in the ancient Egyptian pantheon can be the sister of Set, the God of Evil, then you two could be siblings as well." Amber smiled down at Dinara taking her beautiful face between two dark hands and kissing her passionately before turning her fiery jade eyes back to Kabule and saying frankly, "If my fellow female performers have half the sense I think they have, you will find no soft and curvy company for the night among them but perhaps you will find someone among the rubes attending this day's performances. Rubes often have no taste and less intelligence." Hope the Midget Clown grabbed Sarge the Strongman's big hand and tugged on it so that when he bent down she could whisper in his ear, "I'm not very curvy but I am soft and I wouldn't mind keeping Kabule company for the night. We could stay up all night and he could tell me stories about his journeys around the world. I think I'd like that!" The big man blanched as he replied tugging nervously at his handlebar mustache with his free hand, "Men like him want more than talk Hope, and they expect... favors for their company. You are under no circumstance to be alone with that man - at least until you are older and can make a knowledgeable and mature choice." Hope looked up with wide sky blue eyes and nodded her assent that she would do as her friend asked, but then looked at Kabule and licked her suddenly dry lips thinking he was an awfully handsome albeit scary man and wondering what possible favors could a little clown like her do for a worldly man like him as Amber put two dusky fingers to her temple and asked of Kabule and Moira, "The question still remains of whether we should talk to the Ringmaster now or after the show? I think we should go now, the sooner the better, for I foresee that the longer we procrastinate the greater our danger will be!" Meanwhile Hope's exaggerated greasepaint smile grew even bigger as she had a sudden idea. She took out a balloon from her red spotted tunic, blew it up and being an accomplished balloon twister, after several twists had made a perfect balloon elephant. Hope then proudly hop-skipped up to Kabule and handed it to him announcing cheerfully, "Favor given! Now I hope you will give me a story of your travels when you have time!"  |
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Post by Lena Marr on Nov 27, 2017 1:20:28 GMT
Lena Marr watched the changing landscape of Pluto on the overhead monitor in the Vigilant's bridge when she got a sudden idea and a wicked smile crossed her pretty chalk white face. She gestured to her lover Marcel Lestrange and the Synth Sister Whitney to join her at her remote computer console. When they were close to her she whispered to Whitney, "You're an AI right? Can you contact other AIs, even one that is super sophisticated?" Sounding more than a little offended, Whitney replied, "Well, technically a Synth is a super sophisticated AI, with a super sophisticated body to match." "Yeah, yeah, you're super hot, both body and mind, everyone knows that but what about my question?" Queried Lena with only a hint of exasperation. Whitney put a pale forefinger to her porcelain doll-face lips as she thought for a second, then answered with a slight smile, "I could - if we were close enough and I discovered the right wavelength for communication." "And if we were close enough, how long would it take?" Asked Lena with an evil glint in her unblinking sky blue eyes. "Minutes - maybe seconds," Replied Whitney her smile widening as she started to feel part of the diabolical duo's team - and liking it! "Pooh Bear," Lena turned to Marcel and kissed him passionately before whispering in his ear, "This Atlas seems to be a mover and a shaker! Maybe we can cut a deal with him to stay out of our playground if we give him something he wants! Maybe he'll leave Earth alone if we give him Belle Starr!" Meanwhile the central subject of Lena's plans was in the Mess Hall sitting next to and chatting pleasantly with the young crewman who had brought her the bottle of champagne. She had poured him several glasses as she drank from the bottle, but when the bottle was half empty, she whispered with a smile something in his ear that made him blush. Belle than grabbed his hand in hers pulling him towards her quarters but when she was out of sight of the others in the Mess Hall, she karate chopped her young admirer in the neck knocking him out and dragged him into an empty storage closet. Belle tied the young man up and gagged him before shutting the door with him within and breaking off the door knob with the heavy champagne bottle. With a grin on her face she then sashayed away sipping at the remaining champagne in the bottle but not towards her quarters. Instead, Belle made a beeline to the shuttle bay where her one-person space ship with the hyper-drive was parked.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Nov 27, 2017 11:15:43 GMT
"Matter of trust," said Sophie loudly when she saw the act with the balloon elephant. "Hope is innocent as a child and it would be really really bastardly deed to use her. Not to mention her tender age. There are two major types of behaviour when it's about trust - to misuse that trust or accept that trust and do everything to avoid breaking it. The world is not the same after the great war and somehow I don't believe that this was the war to end all wars. That is why I hope that at least in our tiny circus community we are going to act for the good for all of us, not to fulfil our selfish purposes."
"My parents emigrated from Japan," said Moira. "But my relatives fought in Japanese-Russian war in 1905 where the butt of the Russian bear Russian got thoroughly whipped (and she slashed her whip just like earlier). They were on winning side, of course. Cousin Yasunari was even awarded with the Order of the Golden Kite after the Battle of Mukden. And I am willing to follow family traditions if necessary. Especially when it supports the modern women who are not play toys for men!"
"Nobody likes abusers! Especially those who do it with minors," concluded Sophie. "But I'd suggest you to hold your whip because this is not Russo-Japanese War. This is not even war against Ringleader. This is recognizance battle against somebody whom we don't even know yet. The question is - When we do it? Before or after the show?"
"We will do it before the show, I think," said Moira. "We might even skip the show because we get the boot anyway when circus is sold."
"We can't let our audience down," argued Sophie. "It's not their fault that Ringleader had to sell the whole thing. That means that we won't skip the show. But we can use that idea to bluff, if necessary. We can always hint that we might ruin the performance if the Ringmaster doesn't want to listen us. Our voice counts, because we ARE the circus. Even if its soon to be closed circus, we still are it's voice."
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Post by Atticus Batman on Nov 27, 2017 13:54:02 GMT
Amber the Mystic strolled up to Kabule and leaning close to him as she said in a husky voice, her musky feminine aroma filling his nostrils as she spoke, "That is the problem with you Russians, always making friends and influencing people - and then murdering them. My father was, how did you put it, a bleeding heart diplomat for the Ottoman Empire, trying in vain to keep us out of a war we shouldn't have been part of if you so-called Allies would only have given our ports on the Caspian Sea back to us. In the end, I can assume he was just left bleeding when he died, for he saw the writing on the wall and smuggled me, my mother, and my brother and sister out of our home country to this wretched land. Foreign disease soon took my family and we never heard from my father again. So here I am, thanks to you damn Russians and your greed."
Kabule snapped, "Pizdobol, Pizdoon (roughly translates to: Fucking liar)! In case you forget history, the Motherland did NOT start the Russo-Turkish Wars or the Crimean War! ...that one the Brits started! However from what I know, the Motherland won 8 of the 12! We won because of superior armies, while the ones you won were at the hands of your allies, Not Ottoman or Turk!"
The dusky skinned woman walked seductively away from Kabule and to his sister then after kissing the top of Dinara's head and gently stroking her hair saying with an enigmatic smile, "However as John Milton wrote in 1634 every cloud has it's silver lining. Without what happened, I'd never have met my beloved Dinara - although I still cannot fathom how you two could possibly ever be sister and brother. But I guess if Issus, the Goddess of Love in the ancient Egyptian pantheon can be the sister of Set, the God of Evil, then you two could be siblings as well."
Kabule gave a wickedly toothy grin as he said, "We do not talk about it, as it upsets Dainty-Dina!"
Amber smiled down at Dinara taking her beautiful face between two dark hands and kissing her passionately before turning her fiery jade eyes back to Kabule and saying frankly, "If my fellow female performers have half the sense I think they have, you will find no soft and curvy company for the night among them but perhaps you will find someone among the rubes attending this day's performances. Rubes often have no taste and less intelligence."
Kabule remarked, "Bariga (roughly translates to: Go smell underwear)."
Dinara pulled Amber's face back down to hers and returned Amber's kiss. Then she glared at her brother and angrily snapped, "Zatknis (shutup)! Ti degheneraat (roughly translates to: You’re a degenerate)!"
Kabule smirked and said, "Why thanks for noticing sis."
So Dinara continued with, "Zona (roughly translates to: I’ve had enough of you)! Dostal/zakolebal (roughly translates to: You have pissed me off)! Now knock it off, or I .... I .... Ya tibyi dam po yibalu (roughly translates to: I will hit you in your face)!!!"
Kabule looked directly at Dinara and lifted an eyebrow (as if to say: You, really?!) Then he put his hands out as if to surrender and replied with, "Fine, have it your way, Dinara. I grow tired of this conversation anyway. If you want an Otto and she makes you happy, then I will TRY to get along with her. However I will NOT just turn a deaf ear to her insults about the Motherland!"
Hope the Midget Clown grabbed Sarge the Strongman's big hand and tugged on it so that when he bent down she could whisper in his ear, "I'm not very curvy but I am soft and I wouldn't mind keeping Kabule company for the night. We could stay up all night and he could tell me stories about his journeys around the world. I think I'd like that!"
The big man blanched as he replied tugging nervously at his handlebar mustache with his free hand, "Men like him want more than talk Hope, and they expect... favors for their company. You are under no circumstance to be alone with that man - at least until you are older and can make a knowledgeable and mature choice."
Hope looked up with wide sky blue eyes and nodded her assent that she would do as her friend asked, but then looked at Kabule and licked her suddenly dry lips thinking he was an awfully handsome albeit scary man and wondering what possible favors could a little clown like her do for a worldly man like him as Amber put two dusky fingers to her temple and asked of Kabule and Moira, "The question still remains of whether we should talk to the Ringmaster now or after the show? I think we should go now, the sooner the better, for I foresee that the longer we procrastinate the greater our danger will be!"
Meanwhile Hope's exaggerated greasepaint smile grew even bigger as she had a sudden idea. She took out a balloon from her red spotted tunic, blew it up and being an accomplished balloon twister, after several twists had made a perfect balloon elephant. Hope then proudly hop-skipped up to Kabule and handed it to him announcing cheerfully, "Favor given! Now I hope you will give me a story of your travels when you have time!"
Kabule looked at the proud and hopeful clown, with a mix of curiosity and wander at her act. Then he glanced back at his angry sister, before he looked at the balloon elephant that had been handed to him and once again at the girl that presented it. He saw in Hope, the happy little sister that he left behind back in Russia when he had left to join WW1. Then again after he came back long enough to attend their parents' double funeral, before leaving her behind with a distant relative as he honestly thought she would be much better off without him in her life. The same little sister that was currently sporting their father's (and his) fiery anger, an anger that actually kind of scared and startled him coming from his sweet and innocent little sister.
Just then he heard, "Matter of trust," said Sophie loudly when she saw the act with the balloon elephant. "Hope is innocent as a child and it would be really really bastardly deed to use her. Not to mention her tender age. There are two major types of behaviour when it's about trust - to misuse that trust or accept that trust and do everything to avoid breaking it. The world is not the same after the great war and somehow I don't believe that this was the war to end all wars. That is why I hope that at least in our tiny circus community we are going to act for the good for all of us, not to fulfill our selfish purposes."
"My parents emigrated from Japan," said Moira. "But my relatives fought in Japanese-Russian war in 1905 where the butt of the Russian bear Russian got thoroughly whipped (and she slashed her whip just like earlier). They were on winning side, of course. Cousin Yasunari was even awarded with the Order of the Golden Kite after the Battle of Mukden. And I am willing to follow family traditions if necessary. Especially when it supports the modern women who are not play toys for men!"
"Nobody likes abusers! Especially those who do it with minors," concluded Sophie. "But I'd suggest you to hold your whip because this is not Russo-Japanese War. This is not even war against Ringleader. This is recognizance battle against somebody whom we don't even know yet. The question is - When we do it? Before or after the show?"
"We will do it before the show, I think," said Moira. "We might even skip the show because we get the boot anyway when circus is sold."
"We can't let our audience down," argued Sophie. "It's not their fault that Ringleader had to sell the whole thing. That means that we won't skip the show. But we can use that idea to bluff, if necessary. We can always hint that we might ruin the performance if the Ringmaster doesn't want to listen us. Our voice counts, because we ARE the circus. Even if its soon to be closed circus, we still are it's voice."
While still looking at Hope curiously, Kabule replied to Moira with, "Yet another war that we did not start, but was pulled into because people hated our opinion! Now calm down Dolls. I am not doing anything to any woman that they don't want me to do...at the moment. Now if you are not actually going to use that whip on me, then quit promising it."
Then he said to Sophie, also while still watching Hope and carefully holding the balloon elephant that she handed him, "As for the cute clown girl, I do not remember saying I was going to misuse or hurt her. However she is right. A favor for a favor. She gave me this el'phant, though it must also be a doll as she forgot the yelda (roughly translates to: Huge penis). So in return she wants a story. If that is the only type of female company that I am offered then I am not one to object, and my sister an her Otto-lover can sit and listen when I tell it to her, as can the Doughboy if Hope-clown prefers, so everyone knows that I did not misuse her trust. ...See? Da, I am a zasranec (roughly translates to:asshole), but not 100% a khuy (Russian for: dick) . I am not sure anybody is a complete khuy, no matter how hard they try to be."
Then after Kabule gave Hope a gentle pat on the head, as he avoided his sister's still-angry gaze, he turned towards Sophie, Moira and Amber, and replied; to the question about when the meeting should be; with, "NYET! (NO!) Your voices count. Mine does not. I belong to this Circus, unless I let my knife do the talking but I already upset Dinara enough. So I will not do that unless it is absolutely necessary, as I already promised, and for the time just be your muscle in the meeting. Then afterwards I say I find a Hohol ( Joint, drug-filled cigarette) to enjoy while I prepare to thrill the Rubes that Amber mentioned with my wond'rful cage-o'-Death. Then after I will think of a story to tell your cute little clown in exchange for the el'phant. Da? (Yes?)"
(My Russian insults came from this site: thetraveltart.com/russian-swear-words-slang-expletives/)
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Post by Sandy Bell on Nov 28, 2017 14:29:44 GMT
On the bridge of the Vigilant, Officer Tasha Yar called Commander Sandy Bell and Executive Officer Volodja Uljanov over to her security station reporting, "Something has suddenly disabled our security measures from the Mess Hall to Shuttle Bay one like a hot knife through butter. That includes sensors and cameras. Furthermore, I can't seem to contact Lexy." A frown crossed Sandy's pretty tanned face as she pressed the comm button saying in a calmer tone than she felt, "Lexy, please report in person - I mean in holographic person - to the bridge immediately!" After long moments of silence and after Lexy the ship's AI still had not appeared, Sandy turned to Volodja and Atticus Batman who was still sitting in the command chair and said, "I'm going to take a security team to Shuttle Bay One Sir. Do you want to come?" Once they had answered, Sandy took a quick blaster from the bridge's armory and headed to Shuttle Bay One ordering a security team to meet her there. Meanwhile in Shuttle Bay Two, Belle Starr adjusted the collar of her alien exo-suit which she had disguised as her Liberty Trooper Armor dismissing the image since it wasn't needed anymore as she unlocked her space ship's door and entered from underneath. In the cockpit of the Stargazer VI, Belle began a safety check as she prepared to pilot the spacecraft out of the Vigilant and back into space. Belle made sure no one else was in the shuttle bay before beginning to open the large doors out into outer space and a grim smile crossed Belle's rose petal lips as she muttered out loud to herself, "Thank God for superior technology!" Back on the bridge, Lena Marr grinned wickedly when the Synth Sister Whitney confirmed that her plan to collaborate with Atlas was feasible but she still wanted further confirmation so she contacted her EGO psyche through the telepathic link they shared asking, "Well, Hope what do you think?" "Ummm... Hope's not here," Answered Sloth, one of the voices representing the seven deadly sins that lived in Lena's head. "I guess she still helping Lady... but nobody else but me is here either. I just woke up and they were all gone. You really want me to check Whitney's figures?" "No," Thought Lena back knowing Sloth would take forever to do such a job, "Just try to find out where the other's are. If they're having a party and didn't invite me, I'm going to be royally pissed!" As Sloth went surreptitiously back to sleep, Lena went back to her machinations not taking a second thought about the sudden silence in her head with all the voices absent, just enjoying the moment of peace and quiet in her mind as she turned to Marcel and asked, "So Marcel, what do you think of my plan?"  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Nov 29, 2017 12:50:29 GMT
After long moments of silence and after Lexy the ship's AI still had not appeared, Sandy turned to Volodja and Atticus Batman who was still sitting in the command chair and said, "I'm going to take a security team to Shuttle Bay One Sir. Do you want to come?"
I responded with, "Sandy, if Lexy isn't answering then we better check her main AI chamber as well. So while you and Volodja meet with a Security team, I will take a small engineering team to Lexy's to check on her."
Once they had answered, Sandy took a quick blaster from the bridge's armory and headed to Shuttle Bay One ordering a security team to meet her there. Meanwhile in Shuttle Bay Two, Belle Starr adjusted the collar of her alien exo-suit which she had disguised as her Liberty Trooper Armor dismissing the image since it wasn't needed anymore as she unlocked her space ship's door and entered from underneath. In the cockpit of the Stargazer VI, Belle began a safety check as she prepared to pilot the spacecraft out of the Vigilant and back into space.
Once Sandy's team had left to go check the shuttle bay, I said, "Attila you're with me! Atika notify Engineering to send somebody to meet us there. Lena you and Marcel should probably get your tools and meet us there as well. Lexy is never this quiet! So we may need your expertise, but please NO tricks this time!"
Then Attila grabbed his tool kit and as we were about to leave the Bridge, Tasha Yar, said, "Commander! The sensors in shuttle bay two are now acting odd."
I turned and responded with, "Define odd!"
Tasha Yar responded with, "They picked up some sort of movement, and the readings showed the hangar bay door opening with your authorization. Then there was some kind of power surge. Now the sensors are offline as well. That's not all. I accessed the cameras and although they are still working, they are all focused on the Stargazer VI parked where it was left and the controls to get the cameras to turn aren't responding."
Attila looked at us and said, "Some sort of coincidence or perhaps an unknown virus that we didn't detect?"
I growled, "There is no such thing as coincidence!"
Next I quickly hailed Sandy, and as soon as she answered, I said, "Sandy something is affecting the sensors and camera controls in Hangar Bay two now as well. So you better check there too! Whatever it is, you need to find the source so we can stop it before it spreads to the whole daking ship! ....If it hasn't already!"
Then Attila and I quickly ran out of the Bridge to head to Lexy's main AI chamber. I didn't bother waiting for Marcel's and Lena's responses, as they didn't always bother responding, but I figured they most likely would follow once Lena got her tools, out of Lena's curiosity if nothing else. So Attila and I ran down the halls, taking the quickest route. When we got into the antechamber, Attila and the awaiting Engineer over-rode the door commands and got the door into Lexy's inner sanctum opened. As soon as we entered, Attila and the engineer started going over Lexy's systems as I said loudly, "Lexy! If you can hear me, you need to answer now! You have us worried!"
Just a few seconds later Attila responded with, "Commander, it appears that all her systems are on and active, however we still can't get a response from her! It's .... it's like she was put into a drug-induced comma or something, but I can't explain how that could have gotten past our sensors and gone unnoticed."
I snapped, "I'll give you two guesses, as it is most likely one of them!"
Attila responded with, "Belle or Atlas?"
I said dryly, "Yes those are the two, but I really hope it wasn't the first. However if it's not, we still can't rule-out more Skarr nanites just yet either! Now keep working! I have a call to make!"
Then I hailed Wolfram and when he answered, I snapped, "Where is Belle ... and the answer better be that you are looking at her as we daking speak!"
Meanwhile as Attila and the other engineer both examined Lexy's systems to see if they could find out why she wasn't responding when all her systems seemed to be in optimal working order, Attila wiped some sweat from his brow as he said to the other engineer, "Damn, I just can't figure out exactly what's causing it, nor can we seem to block WHATEVER it is. So we may need another engineer to help us go over ALL of Lexy's systems more thoroughly, if Lena doesn't show soon like Atticus requested! So do you think she is coming?"
The other engineer glanced at the doorway and then at me, while I was still on the phone with Doctor Wolfram Von Eschen. Then he said very quietly to Attila, "You do NOT want my personal opinion on that crazy bitch! Why the Commanders all let her anywhere near anything of importance, is a wonder to me! However when it comes to tech, she definitely seems to be one of the best I have seen since the Pale Wars ended, but I still would never want to be alone with her .... or our Commander for that matter."
Still talking with Wolfram over my communicator, I turned to Attila and the other engineer and snapped angrily, "I heard that Hopkins! You do NOT decide who is crazy or who can go near what systems, for you are neither a psycho-babbler or the Prime Commander! Is that clear?!"
Hopkins gulped down some air, then shakily responded with, "Yes Sir! Sorry sir!"
Without bothering to give him a response, I went back to finishing my conversation with Wolfram.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Nov 29, 2017 12:53:30 GMT
Madame Amber, Kabule the Biker, and Moira the Animal Trainer stood outside the Ringmaster's wagon in the pouring rain. The dusky mystic's jade eyes narrowed as her lush lips pursed as she gathered her courage to knock on the wagon's back door. The light's were on inside, but it was still in the wee hours of the morning. Furthermore, although a man older than the vast majority of his performers, he was quite appealing with his salt and pepper hair and rugged handsomeness and often spent the night with one of the female performers, particularly Luxuria the Snake Handler. Amber had never indulged in the man's pleasures which she had heard were plentiful for her heart's desire was Dinara and none other, and the Ringmaster had left them alone - at least after the one confrontation when she answered his sexual advances with a stiletto pressed to his groin. However, after that day the Ringmaster had a growing respect for Amber and often listened to her counsel which was one reason she was surprised that he was even thinking of selling the circus without at least consulting her. Amber rapped three times at the door announcing herself but then when she got no answer, she rapped three more times then after a minute's wait opened the door. As always, the wagon was immaculate with a distinguished flair in decoration. However two things marred the neat order of the wagon, and that was unkempt bed and the Ringmaster's body fully dressed in his performance regalia lying on his back in the center of the wagon's floor by his desk with a large knife sticking out of his chest. "Gods," Exclaimed Amber gathering her long skirt under her avoiding the pooling blood and kneeling quickly by the Ringmaster's body then putting two dark fingers to his neck feeling for a pulse but finding none. "He's dead I fear," Proclaimed Amber as she examined the hilt of the knife without touching it observing out loud, "Looks like the standard workman's knife preferred by the roustabouts. Wait... I can see some carvings on the side of the hilt. It's letters... looks like W W...or maybe M M." Amber' jade eyes grew wide with recognition as she stood up suddenly with a shocked look on her face gasping, "No, it can't be!" "Can't be what?' Asked Moira curiously. Amber shook her head vigorously, her curly black tresses going every which way like a modern day Medusa exclaiming in a panic, "Doesn't matter! We need to take the knife and hide it where it will never be found. Then call the police anonymously and let them do what they will." Just then all three of the circus performers'eyes were drawn to the disheveled bed at the far end of the wagon and the writhing underneath the covers. Suddenly a small snake poked his green head out from under the covers, its forked tongue flicking in and out of it's mouth before hissing loudly.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Nov 30, 2017 11:05:30 GMT
"What we have here is a dead body, a knife a snake and possible circle of suspects," said Moira. "Mmmm....Don't move the body, don't stomp on traces and don't touch the handle because it might have fingerprints on it. At least that much I have learned from murder novels. I think we should confirm some alibis and whereabouts. And if police gets involved then we should decide what we can talk them and what not. For example - M M are initials of Michael Murphy, our friendly athlete, but using one's own knife as a murder weapon would be too obvious. Unfortunately the police usually goes the easiest path and arrests all suspicious faces and that would mean putting the Sargent behind bars as the prime suspect despite the fact that he was seen in our company."  |
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Post by Lena Marr on Dec 1, 2017 7:18:04 GMT
On the Vigilant's bridge and before Marcel Lestrange could react to her proposed plan, Lena Marr held up a chalk white forefinger with wide unblinking sky blue eyes as she saw the sudden activity among the Vigilant's executive officers hearing Sandy Bell say, "I'm going to take a security team to Shuttle Bay One Sir. Do you want to come?" "I got a funny feeling that something important is going down," Whispered Lena to her two companions, "I'm going to accept Sandy's very kind invitation and follow her to the shuttle bay." "I don't think that was a general invitation open to everyone Lena," Stated Whitney in a matter-of-fact manner. "Pish-posh, of course it was open to me," Replied Lena with a wicked grin on her pretty Castithan face. Atticus Batman responded to Sandy with, "Sandy, if Lexy isn't answering then we better check her main AI chamber as well. So while you and Volodja meet with a Security team, I will take a small engineering team to Lexy's to check on her." Once Sandy's team had left to go check the shuttle bay with Lena surreptitiously following her at a discreet distance, Whitney turned her beautiful China doll face to Marcel blinking her ice blue eyes once in obvious surprise and asked him, "Is she always so... mecurial?" Marcel didn't answer but merely relit his cigarette and leaned coolly against the bulkhead watching the bridge crew scurry as they hurried to follow Atticus' orders. Atticus said, "Attila you're with me! Atika notify Engineering to send somebody to meet us there. Lena you and Marcel should probably get your tools and meet us there as well. Lexy is never this quiet! So we may need your expertise, but please NO tricks this time!" When Lena got Atticus' request to meet in Lexy's chamber, Lena thought about answering, "You're not the boss of me," but didn't for while Lena was known to be fearless in most matters, Atticus as the Harbinger of Death still terrified her although she would never admit it so instead answered with bravado via her EGO, "Yeah, yeah, I'll meet you there," Then added as her wicked grin widening, "And you know I quit turning tricks years ago!" Next Atticus quickly hailed Sandy and as soon as she answered he said, "Sandy something is affecting the sensors and camera controls in Hangar Bay two now as well. So you better check there too! Whatever it is, you need to find the source so we can stop it before it spreads to the whole daking ship! ....If it hasn't already!" Sandy tersely answered, "Yes sir," then turned to Volodja Uljanov ordering, "You take Woods and Lawrence and check out Shuttle Bay One, and I'll take Seaborg and Frisch to Shuttle Bay Two!" When Lena saw Sandy's team divide, she thought, "Hmmmm... shall I follow Sandy or Volodja? Decisions, decisions... " Then Lena took out an old human coin and flipped it into her alabaster hand thinking, "Heads I follow Sandy, tails I follow Volodja... because Marcel thinks he's such an ass!" Chuckling at her own joke, she looked at the coin in the palm of her hand concluding, "Heads it is! I follow Sandy." Lena caught up with Sandy at the locked doors into Shuttle Bay Two as Sandy was cursing the door's control pad uselessly yelling "Executive override! Close external doors now!" Lena could see through the reinforced window in the door the huge external hatch slowly opening and Belle Starr in the cockpit of her small spaceship as she prepared it to take off. Lena had always thought of Belle as her arch enemy although Belle really didn't consider Lena at all. That fact enraged Lena for she hated being ignored. Lena also hated that everyone thought Belle was so good and so sweet that as the humans said, sugar wouldn't melt in her mouth. Lena relished the opportunity to spoil whatever plans Belle might have in leaving the Vigilant. As Lena a took out a small box with two small wires protruding from it from her hidden tool belt, she inserted it into the door's panel and stated cheerfully as she hacked, "Close External doors, re-pressurize, then open internal doors. Open sesame seed!" As the internal door opened, Sandy and her two security officers raced towards Belle's space ship with their weapons drawn as Sandy authoritatively shouted, "Stand down Belle! Power down your ship and exit with your hands up. You have some explaining to do!" Belle did as she was ordered, looking both incredibly sad and incredibly old as she replied, "Y'all don't have to worry, I'll come peaceful-like! But I'll only talk to either Atticus or Volodja!" Sandy frowned, her quick-blaster in her tan hand steadily pointing at Belle as she relented, "Fine, but you'll wait in the brig to talk to them! Come with me!" Then Sandy reported to Volodja and Atticus the turn of events via their EGOs. Still standing at the shuttle bay's door as she took the device off it's control pad, Lena's grin widened even more as Belle was taken into custody muttering to herself, "My work here is done. Now to Atticus!" Lena quickly arrived at Lexy's chamber pushing the engineers who were there working at the main console out of her way as she declared, "Make way, genius-expert coming through!" Lena took out more small boxes from her hidden tool belt, extorting the staring engineers as she lifted her shirt to access it, "No peeping Toms, or I'll have to remove those pretty eyes balls with Slice... or maybe Dice! One of my twin Bowie knives anyway!" Lena attached the boxes to the computer console in Lexy's chamber and after a few minutes exhaled before turning to Atticus and reporting, "Lexy is still there, but it's like she's asleep. She is still automatically running the ship, making sure everything is running smoothly, but her higher AI functions are off." Seeing the confusion in the eye of those around her, she frowned but explained, "Think of Lexy like your own brain. The cerebellum sits at the back of your head, under the cerebrum. It controls coordination and balance. The brain stem sits beneath your cerebrum in front of your cerebellum. It connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls automatic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart rate and blood pressure. Lexy's brain stem is working perfectly but the rest of her brain is in a deep sleep. She will automatically follow your orders if they aren't overly complicated - and her hologram will definitely be off - but if you ask her to do any type of deductive or inductive reasoning, forget it." "Can't we forcibly wake her up?" Asked one of the engineers. Lena answered with a smirk, "I could, you probably couldn't - but I might damage her permanently if I do it by force so I don't recommend it." "Is Lexy... dreaming?" Asked another of the Engineers incredulously. Lena rolled her sky blue eyes heavenward as she put a forefinger to the corner of her lush lips before exclaiming with a Cheshire cat smile, "You know, I really don't know - but that's a great question to consider! If she is, than we got to be extra careful trying to wake her. I know how grumpy I get if somebody suddenly wakes me from a dream!"  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Dec 1, 2017 12:21:55 GMT
Lena attached the boxes to the computer console in Lexy's chamber and after a few minutes exhaled before turning to Atticus and reporting, "Lexy is still there, but it's like she's asleep. She is still automatically running the ship, making sure everything is running smoothly, but her higher AI functions are off." Seeing the confusion in the eye of those around her, she frowned but explained, "Think of Lexy like your own brain. The cerebellum sits at the back of your head, under the cerebrum. It controls coordination and balance. The brain stem sits beneath your cerebrum in front of your cerebellum. It connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls automatic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart rate and blood pressure. Lexy's brain stem is working perfectly but the rest of her brain is in a deep sleep. She will automatically follow your orders if they aren't overly complicated - and her hologram will definitely be off - but if you ask her to do any type of deductive or inductive reasoning, forget it."
I replied with, "Attila refered to it as basically a drug-induced comma. So your much better and more detailed explanation definitely makes sense."
"Can't we forcibly wake her up?" Asked one of the engineers.
Lena answered with a smirk, "I could, you probably couldn't - but I might damage her permanently if I do it by force so I don't recommend it."
"Is Lexy... dreaming?" Asked another of the Engineers incredulously.
Lena rolled her sky blue eyes heavenward as she put a forefinger to the corner of her lush lips before exclaiming with a Cheshire cat smile, "You know, I really don't know - but that's a great question to consider! If she is, than we got to be extra careful trying to wake her. I know how grumpy I get if somebody suddenly wakes me from a dream!"
I replied with, "Alright so we leave her 'sleeping' until we are certain that we can safely bring her out of whatever this is. Lena as you are the one that brought up the brain analogy, there is one important piece of the brain that you didn't mention. So tell me, is her Cerebral cortex still fully intact and functioning properly as well?"
"He's dead I fear," Proclaimed Amber as she examined the hilt of the knife without touching it observing out loud, "Looks like the standard workman's knife preferred by the roustabouts. Wait... I can see some carvings on the side of the hilt. It's letters... looks like W W...or maybe M M."
Kabule remarked, "Da, he's dead. I could have told you that from here."
Amber's jade eyes grew wide with recognition as she stood up suddenly with a shocked look on her face gasping, "No, it can't be!"
"Can't be what?' Asked Moira curiously.
Amber shook her head vigorously, her curly black tresses going every which way like a modern day Medusa exclaiming in a panic, "Doesn't matter! We need to take the knife and hide it where it will never be found. Then call the police anonymously and let them do what they will."
Just then all three of the circus performers' eyes were drawn to the disheveled bed at the far end of the wagon and the writhing underneath the covers. Suddenly a small snake poked his green head out from under the covers, its forked tongue flicking in and out of it's mouth before hissing loudly.
Kabule said, "If you want the knife hidden, then I can hide it, but do we really need to contact the Militsiya (police)?"
"What we have here is a dead body, a knife a snake and possible circle of suspects," said Moira. "Mmmm....Don't move the body, don't stomp on traces and don't touch the handle because it might have fingerprints on it. At least that much I have learned from murder novels. I think we should confirm some alibis and whereabouts. And if police gets involved then we should decide what we can talk them and what not. For example - M M are initials of Michael Murphy, our friendly athlete, but using one's own knife as a murder weapon would be too obvious. Unfortunately the police usually goes the easiest path and arrests all suspicious faces and that would mean putting the Sargent behind bars as the prime suspect despite the fact that he was seen in our company."
As Kabule watched the snake on the bed, looking closely at the shape of it's head, Kabule grumbled, "Don't hide the knife now? No skin off my nose either way. You dolls decide. Again with the Militsiya? Why always with Militsiya? If they come, they have two prime suspects, not one. It may be your Doughboy's knife but doesn't mean they won't suspect me as well! Before you ask, I am not tellin! Let us just say me and the Militsiya don't get along and leave it at that. However I see another problem that has not been addressed...."
Just then Kabule saw the snake starting to slither toward the edge of the bed, so he quickly grabbed and upturned a vase that was nearby and slammed it down over the snake just as it was about to strike. So as the vase was slammed down over it, as a cage, a thud could be heard as the snake lunged to strike and smacked into the bottom of the vase being placed over it.
Then Kabule smiled predatorily and continued with, "This dolls, is the other problem. Our scaly friend here, be very poisonous. He be a green Mamba from Afr'ca. Such a nasty way to go. Seen it before, perhaps used it's poison before. Again not tellin. Still, not something a novice snake charmer would be playin with. So who would be leaving such a lovely callin card? You guys have a long-time charmer that your dead old friend may have gotten on the wrong side of?"
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Post by Lady Christianna on Dec 1, 2017 19:49:46 GMT
Kabule smiled predatorily and continued with, "This dolls, is the other problem. Our scaly friend here, be very poisonous. He be a green Mamba from Afr'ca. Such a nasty way to go. Seen it before, perhaps used it's poison before. Again not tellin. Still, not something a novice snake charmer would be playin with. So who would be leaving such a lovely callin card? You guys have a long-time charmer that your dead old friend may have gotten on the wrong side of?" The corners of Madame Amber's full lips turned up in a grim smile as she remarked, "You are half correct Kabule, which is probably twice as much as you usually are," Amber took the lid off the vase letting the small snake stick it's head out as she weaved her own humming a low tune until it was mesmerized then she took a dusky forefinger stroking his small head before continuing, "I recognize this wee one. He is indeed a green mamba but is also harmless like most men as his poison glands were removed by his owner long ago. He belongs to our resident snake charmer and tattooed lady, Luxuria Fornicatio, and no, I am not, how do you say, pulling your leg, for that is her name although it must be a stage name for what parent in their right mind would name a poor girl that. Luxuria swears it is her given name and that she is from Italy, but others say she joined the circus from a bordello in Florida where she charmed snakes of a different kind. I guess both stories could be true." Amber put the lid back on the vase trapping anew the small snake before turning her erotic gaze on Kabule and handing him the vase and its reptilian prisoner as she informed him in her sultry voice, "As I stated, our dear Ringmaster was quite the ladies' man and bed many of our female performers - and rumor has it, some of our male ones too. Luxuria however was his main squeeze and more and more often his sole nightly bed companion. It is possible that the Ringmaster's death is nothing more than the result of a lover's quarrel but somehow I doubt it. I'm betting it's one of Big Louie's gangsters that did the deed, as the Ringmaster had a gambling obsession and owed Big Louie an awful lot of money. However, perhaps you should return Luxuria's pet and talk to her about her whereabouts tonight, and as a happy byproduct, you might even find the female companionship you seek for the night - that is if you have enough coin!" Turning to Moira, she remarked to the Japanese animal trainer, "I too recognize the knife as Sarge's when he was a roustabout but he is such a gentle soul I can't believe he would murder anyone, let alone our Ringmaster. Still, Sarge fought in the Great War and war twists men's minds causing them to do things against their true nature that they never would have thought to do before their war experience - even long after the war is won or lost. I do not trust the local constabulary to do more than take this murder scene at face value and arrest Sarge for this crime which was why my first thought was to take the knife and hide it where no one would ever find it, for who will protect us circus artists if we don't protect our own? But the local police will get involved sooner or later so you are quite right in leaving the knife, although it does not mean we cannot search for clues to the identity of the real murderer." Amber gestured to the Ringmaster's small desk requesting, "Moira, will you please search the Ringmaster's desk and if it is open, the small safe under it? I will search the rest of the wagon as can Kabule if he wishes unless he wants to return Luxuria's pet immediately. Look in particular for any papers signed Alfred Starr, as that was the Ringmaster's true name."   ***** Back at the Big Top, the roustabouts began to prepare for the circus' next performance as six of it's performers waited in the bleachers. Sarge, Dinara, Sophie, and even little Hope were strangely quiet waiting for any news from their friend. As they did, a well dressed young white man in a grey hat and suit holding the hand of a redheaded curly-topped girl of about eight with a huge lollipop dressed in a blue frilly dress came through the main entrance into the tent. Sarge wondered briefly why the ticket seller had not stopped the lanky man and little girl from entering the Big Top for it was still almost two hours before the performance, although carnies as a whole and that one as a rule were notoriously unreliable. Sarge knew for a fact that the ticket taker liked to get bent with a bottle of brown in the back of the Big Top. Sarge was determined to give the ticket taker a piece of his mind later but immediately got up and quickly moved toward the couple to take care of the immediate problem so yelled in a friendly manner, "Sorry folks, we're not open for business yet and the assembling of some of our acts can be dangerous to observers so you'll have to leave until we officially open our doors with the parade outside." The young man grinned and Sarge could have sworn he saw a starry gleam off the man's perfect white teeth as he flashed a badge engraved with "Detective" and "Kansas City Police" at Sarge before introducing himself and his young charge, "Hi, I'm Detective Robert Pride and this young lady is Alexandra Alvarita." Letting go of the police officer's hand, Alexandra stopped her incessant licking of her large lollipop to look up at the big strongman with big blue eyes and smiled sweetly as she reached up her small sticky hand to shake his while saying cheerfully, "You can call me Lexy!" Sarge grinned pleasantly as he took the little girl' hand and shook it before introducing himself, "And you can call me Sarge and as you can see from my tiger skin tunic I'm the strongman here," Then Sarge turned to the young police detective, "Which also means chief security guard around here I guess so what can I do for you two officer?" Detective Pride took off his fedora and raked one hand through his greased back dark brown hair before saying while still sporting his easy grin, "Well, I guess lead me to your Ringmaster's wagon for a start." Sarge raised one eyebrow as he nervously twisted one end of his thick handlebar mustache while asking, "What business do you have with our Ringmaster, if you don't mind my asking Officer?" As the other performers became curious, they came down from the bleachers and surrounded the trio as the handsome young police officer answered, "Please, call me Bob. I don't see any harm in telling you so I will. Alexandra - " "Lexy," Interrupted the little girl before continuing to lick her lollipop. Detective Pride corrected himself as he gently patted the top of the curly haired girl's head before explaining, "Lexy here got separated from her parents when the passenger train from Kansas City arrived here. Her parents were taking her to see your rather wonderful circus but in hubbub of the disembarkation at the train station, Lexy got separated from her parents and decided to do some exploring on her own. During her adventure, Lexy met a tall hooded man wearing gloves who had her memorize a limerick in exchange for that rather large lollipop. I know her father, who is rather a bigwig in the city, so she knew I was a police officer and so approached me when she spotted me in the crowd. I found her parents who gave me permission to take her around the circus as a material witness to see if she could spot the hooded man." Sarge didn't like the detective's affectation of continually stressing the word "rather" and pronouncing it "ra-thor" but shook off the resulting disquieting feeling as he asked, "I'm still not sure what this has to do with the Ringmaster and this circus?" "I'm afraid it rather does, chum," Detective Pride said to Sarge before turning to little Lexy and asking with a charming smile, "Lexy dear, would you please recite the limerick the hooded man had you memorize?" Lexy smoothed her frilly dress before standing up straight and putting the heels of her small patent leather shoes together forming a perfect ninety degree angle as if in preparation for a professional performance as she recited, "There once was a Ringmaster named Starr,
Who was murdered not here but not far.
He betrayed his friends,
Without making amends,
Just like that autocratic Czar!"
Lexy did a small curtsy to signify her recitation's end then began to lick her lollipop again as Detective Pride patted her head again before remarking, "Lexy's parents are quite proud of her phenomenal memory. Anyway, you can see why I'm rather worried about your Ringmaster's health so if you could lead to him we can see if we have a problem or not. I'm rather intrigued at the limerick's last line as it implies that the writer may be an angry Russian with a grudge. Do you know anyone who might fit that description?"   |
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Post by Lena Marr on Dec 2, 2017 12:42:57 GMT
Commander Atticus Batman replied with, "Alright so we leave her 'sleeping' until we are certain that we can safely bring her out of whatever this is. Lena as you are the one that brought up the brain analogy, there is one important piece of the brain that you didn't mention. So tell me, is her Cerebral cortex still fully intact and functioning properly as well?"
Lena Marr frowned before answering with her wicked grin back in place, "You say cortex, I say cerebrum, tomat-o, tomat-a, I'm a hacker genius, not a brain surgeon! Point is - you can still order the Vigilant to do anything you want and can retrieve data from it's archives but if you want Lexy to come up with creative solutions on her own you're plumb out of luck. Now if you pardon me Atty-baby, I'm curious about what caused Lexy to got to sleep. I've got a few ideas I want to pursue, but don't need an army to help me. However I could use Attila's help, you know, to hand me tools and stuff. Also he's pretty to the eyes and truth to tell, he has a pretty good head on his shoulders too - unlike these other bozos! I will also need, Atty-baby, my own walking-talking Barbie doll AI - Whitney!"
Lena knew Atticus hated it when she called him "Atty-baby" or any name other than his given name or Protectors' rank but she still felt compelled to do so. Even though she was scared of him like nothing else, it gave her an Adrenalin surge bordering on orgasm every time he threatened her with bodily harm after she teased him. Lena often liked to walk the tightrope between life and death and this was just one more way to do so.
Lena walked over to the comm pushing the button and requesting, "Hey people on the bridge! Send to Lexy's chamber my favorite white haired Synth -Whitney!"
Lena's chalk white jaw dropped when she heard the reply from the bridge, "Ummm... sorry Miss Marr, Whitney collapsed minutes ago and no one can seem to wake her, although we have a med team and her sisters on the way."
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Post by Atticus Batman on Dec 2, 2017 12:58:59 GMT
Turning to Moira, she remarked to the Japanese animal trainer, "I too recognize the knife as Sarge's when he was a roustabout but he is such a gentle soul I can't believe he would murder anyone, let alone our Ringmaster. Still, Sarge fought in the Great War and war twists men's minds causing them to do things against their true nature that they never would have thought to do before their war experience - even long after the war is won or lost. I do not trust the local constabulary to do more than take this murder scene at face value and arrest Sarge for this crime which was why my first thought was to take the knife and hide it where no one would ever find it, for who will protect us circus artists if we don't protect our own? But the local police will get involved sooner or later so you are quite right in leaving the knife, although it does not mean we cannot search for clues to the identity of the real murderer."
Amber gestured to the Ringmaster's small desk requesting, "Moira, will you please search the Ringmaster's desk and if it is open, the small safe under it? I will search the rest of the wagon as can Kabule if he wishes unless he wants to return Luxuria's pet immediately. Look in particular for any papers signed Alfred Starr, as that was the Ringmaster's true name."
Kabule remarked, "A green mamba with no poison? Well that is no fun, the poor little fella. But a Snake Lady with a name implying luxurious Fornication does sound like the type of doll that I would like to visit soon. Though maybe hackin a safe sounds like loads of fun too. Dealing with Militsiya does not. Especially non-Rússkij (pronounced - Ruskki) Militsiya. They do not get Rússkij pride. So I do think it is best to stay in your company so that I have an alibi when they do get involved. I did nothin wrong, and do not want Dinara to be more disappointed in me because I am not him ...."
When the other two glanced his direction, he shrugged and continued with, "I am not the good twin. He disappeared in the Great War shortly after it started. Probly dead, not sure but do miss him, nothin ever found by me or his unit or anybody else about it. Our parents likely still blamin me even in their deaths. Why I left Dinara. I know she blamed me too, though she would have never said it back then. The bad one lives, while the good one dies. Even I blame me though I was not there. She deserved more than I could give, so I sent her to live with our rich aunt here in Amer'ca. Didn't know she no longer was with the old bat til I saw your circus flyer when I was informed your Ringmaster now owned me.
Now I will most likely have to leave again, but it will not be by my doin this time. I left her too many times, not again unless she wants me to. Doesn't matter I s'pose, since I am big strong Russian I will get the blame for this even though I did not do it. But 'til the Militsiya arrives, blames me, and locks me away for somethin I didn't do, I will stay here with you dolls and look. Then you can escort me to see the lovely Luxuria, if I am still not arrested yet. So I am never without a witness. So let us look for something."
Then Kabule still holding the vase containing the snake saw something making a bulge in the rug under the desk as Moira was about to step next to it. So while still holding the vase in one hand, Kabule put the other on Moira's shoulder and said, "Hold it Doll. Not a good idea. If there is possible proof of who did this in that desk or safe, then they would not want it found. I know I wouldn't if it was me. Here hold this, but be nice. Snakes have feelings too ... " Then he glanced at Amber as he finished with, "NO matter what anybody else may think."
After he handed Moira the vase concealing the little green mamba, Kabule knelt down and pulled out his knife. Then he used the tip of his knife to lift the rug slightly and saw a booby-trap as he expected. However even he did not expect just what he had discovered. So he took a breathe as he carefully examined his discovery and said, "Careful Dolls. Looks like people really do NOT want the desk or safe looked at. Also looks like they are not done framing your Doughboy. Looks like there is an Amer'can land-mine here. So careful or we all go boom. Jus' give me a minute."
Kabule carefully used his knife, and disarmed the mine. Then he said, "That one is now done. How'ver there might be more. Now let us find the safe, and if it is locked, then perhaps I can get it open if you have a doctor's stethoscope nearby, or I could just use our explosive friend if we want the Militsiya here much faster, which I do not. I do NOT want to leave Dainty-Dina again, though I still think she is better without the bad twin."
In the big top, Lexy did a small curtsy to signify her recitation's end then began to lick her lollipop again as Detective Pride patted her head again. before remarking, "Lexy's parents are quite proud of her phenomenal memory. Anyway, you can see why I'm rather worried about your Ringmaster's health so if you could lead to him we can see if we have a problem or not. I'm rather intrigued at the limerick's last line as it implies that the writer may be an angry Russian with a grudge. Do you know anyone who might fit that description?" Dinara's eyes got a little big at hearing the detective ask about an angry Russian but she bit her lip, as she looked at her friends afraid that they would rat out her long-lost brother, but even more afraid to find out that he may have done whatever this Detective Pride was implying. However after a second she calmly stated, "Not all Russians are angry Detective, and not all of us hate our Czar you know. I know I am not angry and have no grudge. Why do Americans always think every Russian is scary and mean?" Then Dinara knelt down by Lexy and said, "Lexy huh? Aren't you just the cutest! So tell me Lexy do you think all Russians are scary and mean like Detective Pride does?' Lexy, looked at Dinara then at the Detective, before shaking her head and saying, "Umm not all I guess. Never really met any before now, but you seem really nice."
Lena Marr frowned before answering with her wicked grin back in place, "You say cortex, I say cerebrum, tomat-o, tomat-a, I'm a hacker genius, not a brain surgeon! Point is - you can still order the Vigilant to do anything you want and can retrieve data from it's archives but if you want Lexy to come up with creative solutions on her own you're plumb out of luck. Now if you pardon me Atty-baby, I'm curious about what caused Lexy to got to sleep. I've got a few ideas I want to pursue, but don't need an army to help me. However I could use Attila's help, you know, to hand me tools and stuff. Also he's pretty to the eyes and truth to tell, he has a pretty good head on his shoulders too - unlike these other bozos! I will also need, Atty-baby, my own walking-talking Barbie doll AI - Whitney!"
Lena knew Atticus hated it when she called him "Atty-baby" or any name other than his given name or Protectors' rank but she still felt compelled to do so. Even though she was scared of him like nothing else, it gave her an Adrenalin surge bordering on orgasm every time he threatened her with bodily harm after she teased him. Lena often liked to walk the tightrope between life and death and this was just one more way to do so.
I snapped, "Knock it off Lena! I am NOT in the daking mood for your smart-mouth right now! However I have no problem with your request for Attila and Whitney to help you. So go ahead and contact her on the Bridge."
Lena walked over to the comm pushing the button and requesting, "Hey people on the bridge! Send to Lexy's chamber my favorite white haired Synth -Whitney!"
Lena's chalk white jaw dropped when she heard the reply from the bridge, "Ummm... sorry Miss Marr, Whitney collapsed minutes ago and no one can seem to wake her, although we have a med team and her sisters on the way."
I looked over at Lena and snapped, "Dak what the hell is going on?! Lena, it looks like you and Attila are going to be very busy, as it sound like you are needed on the Bridge as well as here. However I would like to know what caused Lexy's deep sleep as well, and if Whitney's and Lady's sudden collapses are somehow tied to it. I also can't help but wander if it has something to do with why our EGOs and Kabule aren't answering us. So you better get busy ..
Then I walked up next to Lena and whispered into her ear, "Tell me this Lena. Is your head suddenly quiet as well? Dak, how can everyone else deal with so much silence in their heads? I find it disturbing." |
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