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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Jun 20, 2019 7:33:13 GMT
"What's this all about?" asked Aunt Agatha from Wolfram von Eschen after elegantly nudging him with her sharp elbow to get his attention. "I can't see through all that rubble."
"Not much...yet," explained taller Wolfram. "Volodja is trying to wake up our friend, Count Casannuendo."
"Rise, Count" confirmed Volodja from the corner where Casannuendo was sleeping. "Great deeds are waiting us!"
"Great deeds are in the past," muttered Count, still half asleep.
"We are about become a past and much sooner than we like to, if you won't get up fast," convinced Volodja. "Every Count counts!"
Casannuendo wriggled himself to his elbows and yawned like a young hippo. His polite try to cover his mouth with one hand resulted with a temporary fall into the corner but he rose momentarily up again and after an intensive eye rub he was completely awake and said:
"Now when I am completely up would someone be so kind and explain what's this all about?"
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jun 20, 2019 11:32:18 GMT
"We will send our envoy on his way after I manage to wake him up and instructing him a bit," announced Volodja Uljanov and begun to examine his sleeping friend. "He might be Liberata, which might reduce his credentials for some representatives of Votanis Collective, but he is also a Count, he has lot of experience about courts, customs and diplomacy and if they refuse to let him in, then he is more than able to find a way to squeeze himself into the very heart of the Votanis Collective without disturbing the precious peace of mind of the stiffened part of Votanis establishment."
"We will send our envoy on his way after I manage to wake him up and instructing him a bit," announced Volodja Uljanov and begun to examine his sleeping friend. "He might be Liberata, which might reduce his credentials for some representatives of Votanis Collective, but he is also a Count, he has lot of experience about courts, customs and diplomacy and if they refuse to let him in, then he is more than able to find a way to squeeze himself into the very heart of the Votanis Collective without disturbing the precious peace of mind of the stiffened part of Votanis establishment."
"We will send our envoy on his way after I manage to wake him up and instructing him a bit," announced Volodja Uljanov and begun to examine his sleeping friend. "He might be Liberata, which might reduce his credentials for some representatives of Votanis Collective, but he is also a Count, he has lot of experience about courts, customs and diplomacy and if they refuse to let him in, then he is more than able to find a way to squeeze himself into the very heart of the Votanis Collective without disturbing the precious peace of mind of the stiffened part of Votanis establishment."
Sighing I responded with, "Volodja, I can not say how my nephew will feel about our representitive, but given how open-minded Erika could be, and his sister is, we can only hope he proves to be so as well. However I can say that if the Dupli-bule is in control, and anything like myself or the original Kabule, then the Count is probably a good choice. Afterall as the Dupli-bule is based on scans from back when Kabule was still in the V.C., then he is based on a Kabule that beleived humans were vermin, with the Votanis being superior. However as his Castithan handlers were always so brutally controlling of him, he loathed them and dreamed of the day when he would be able to reek his revenge upon them. Not only that but the only Irathiant that actually treated him as an equal and not a Casti-lapdog was Tork. So his Casti-handlers always had their Liberata servants deal with him when he wasn't sent on a mission or locked away out of sight somewhere. So he was always tolerant of Liberatas as he knew most of them weren't treated much better than he was and unlike everyone else, the Liberatas were the only Votans that never lied to him or tried to kill him in his sleep. Just make sure that the Count is aware of my nephew's dual nature, and that for his own safety, he better keep any weapons he carries with him in Caele's sight so Dupli-bule does not consider him a threat. The trickier part for the Count will be figuring out which personality is in control, for while the very polite mannerisms and ettiquette may work best with Caele, Dupli-bule will likely see all of those niceties as a suspicious charade. Of course given that most royalty of the past, and almost all politicians, are two-faced, I am sure that since Count has had plenty of experience with both, if his stories are to be beleived, then he should be more than capable to deal with whichever of the two personalities he may have to deal with."
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Post by Lady Christianna on Jun 24, 2019 19:21:59 GMT
When it was suggested that the Count go by himself, LAdy Christianna's enigmatic smile changed to a frown as she turned to her husband Atticus Batman asking with concern clearly in her voice, "By himself? Safe enough?"
Ruby, the diplomat of the Synth Sisters suddenly remarked breaking her long silence, "You'd best put me in the brig. I won't do anything to hurt my people, the Synths, especially my sisters no matter how wrong they are in blindingly following the All-Father's orders. I only told you about the singularity bomb because I view you all as innocents in this, and no synths would have been hurt - but me of course, but one life does not matter compare to the lives of many. I believe you should just forget Belle Starr - maybe if she joins with the All-Father it will temper his aggressive tendencies and he will go back to the benevolent ruler he once was."
SandyBell-Uljanov nodded her head vigorously in disagreement, tossing her blond tresses as she did, replying, " I don't think any of Ghengis Khan's wifes tempered his desire to conquor Asia and Europe."
Lady, with her enigmatic smile back in place, said simply, "Them not Belle."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 25, 2019 4:52:35 GMT
"Of course I wasn't planning to send the Count out alone," said Volodja Uljanov. "I intended to accompany him because my help might become useful in both cases - dealing with Cael or dealing with Kabule Jr. In former occasion I just can be myself and on the latter I also can be myself, although in a slightly different position of the social ladder. By that, I mean being a bit inferior than my friend the Count and acting as his aide. I and the original Kabule, after whom the Kabule Jr. is modelled, seem to get somewhat along. At least he pays some attention to me, so..." "Plain nuts!" announced Aunt Agatha decisively. "Ready to stoop down on a social ladder! Not to mention that stupid idea of facing the invasion almost alone!" "It's not the first time I have done that," parred Volodja. "Besides - I wasn't planning to face the Collective in the battle but put my efforts into avoiding it from taking place. At least temporarily while we re-evaluate some matters, like the alliance between Votanis Collective and Synth Imperium and see what we can do about that wedlock, which, by the way, would offer only a temporary solution to the stabilizing the state of mind of the All Father." Marcel Lestrange smoked his cigarette and watched the clash of wills and minds and added after giving a matter a thought (including the analyse of his own experience of slaving for a mad artificial intelligence back in France): "Despite of constant delusions about his skills, Volodja has a point there. That marriage can only be be temporal solution. Even if it lasts happily to the end when death them apart, it means that our grandchildren still have to deal with the nutty artificial intelligence. But if you - good doers - want to declare: "Après moi, le déluge" which means "After me, the flood", then go ahead, let All Father pull the chain and flush the future down the drain."  |
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Post by Sandy Bell on Jun 26, 2019 16:59:14 GMT
Sandy Bell-Ulajanov folded her thin muscular arms tightly over he bosom as she declared, "Well if you're going Volodja, than so am I! Somebody has to keep you two safe just getting to Cael and his army."
Lady Christianna said with equal determination and a vigorous shake of her white tressesed head,"Going with Atticus!"
Lena Marr remarked with a bored look, "Don't even have to say it, do I? Where Marcel goes, so go I, ipso facto!"
Ruby turned to Marcel, looking up clarifing, "I think you are confused. When I say marriage, I mean they will remove Belle's brain and fuse it to the All-Father's mainframe. Divorce will never be an option, only death."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 27, 2019 5:22:13 GMT
"There you are - the concept of brains over beauty, coming from a nut case," said Marcel Lestrange. "Platonic marriage is a weird thing by itself. But if the idea of platonic marriage comes in a form like this then I must say that it adds another reason why All Father needs to be stopped. Successful leaders always had, have and going to have a rich love life! Maybe a bit extravagant but rich and prevents them channelling energy into wrong path and screwing entire population one way or another." And he bowed to kiss Lena Marr's white neck. "Total basket case!" confirmed Lena Marr. "Decent relationship contains everything!" and she reached out her white hand to squeeze Marcel's you already know what. "Must agree with Marcel despite his open cynicism," said Volodja Uljanov. "If one cuts himself off from simple pleasures of life, then results might be disastrous.Especially results consist of removing one's brain and taking over the world. What All Father needs is not a marriage but a decent treatment in a specific facility. And as fast as possible because if he keeps going on we will have to face the brave new world of All Father." "Not to mention having a family member in a shape of a mere brain," added Aunt Agatha. "God knows that we have too much eccentricity in our family already. First Volodja and now the brain!"   |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jun 27, 2019 12:53:24 GMT
Sighing I said, "Look I know how every woman here seems to feel about sticking with her man, and I also know that nothing I say will convince any of you of staying here where you are relatively safe as the enemy at two fronts is the biggest issue at the moment. So given what we know Volodja is right that it be best for him and the Count to go meet with Caele and while their group should remain small to prove they are a diplomatic party, Volodja will of course take whoever he deems best to watch his and the Count's backs.After all getting Caele to either withdraw or better yet change sides and back us is what is most important at the moment.
Also I think that despite how much I may hunger for combat, I must reluctantly admit that in this case Sandy's usual arguements about my placeas the Paradise Protectorite's Prime Commander are correct. So while Volodja's diplomatic party is trying to find and get through to Caele, I will be here where I am most needed as Prime Commander to get the Fortress locked down and prepared for any possible attack, while also ordering Kaj and Yar to get the Vigilant prepped and into the air just incase we need the air support and the Dauntless Adenture will be prepped and waiting in the hangar.That way once Volodja has somehow brought his diplomatic meeting to a conclussion, we can have a team board it and go to stop the All-Father...and hopefully we wiill be able to do all of that in time to rescue Belle. After all I highly dpoubt Beelle will be put in control of anything IF her mind gets hooked to the mainframe. It is more likely the All-Father will use something similiar to the Seto Chip to implant himself in Belle's brain and try to take complete control of it, like Seto tried with me.
That also means that as they are both very skilled fighters and pilots and their nack for coming up with quick plans, it may be best if Marcel and Lena stay here on base as part of my team. Besides even if Poe Dameron is one of our best fighter pilots, I would much prefer Marcel make sure the Dauntless Adventure is fully prepped for whatever we may need it for. That way I can fpcus on Base security and all other Command issues prepping the base for a completely defensiver state will take. It also means I will be here in case Brooke or one of the other Synths try to sneak back in. Especially since we will have Ruby in our Brig even if it was completely by her own doing as she is requesting it."
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Post by Sandy Bell on Jun 28, 2019 14:17:46 GMT
Sandy Bell-Uljanov replied, "Already then, I'll just go get the copter ready for flight. I'll fly, with cover in that I'm just the pilot with Volodja and the Count as our Peace Envoys to the Collective. Hopefully whoever is leading their forces here will listen to reason. Ever since I heard they were sending a military force here, I've trying to contact them in Capital City to no avail. Chancellor Cael just won't answer my hails." The turning to the Count and Volodja, "Get what stuff you need and meet me on the airfield and we'll be on our way."
Biting her chalk white lower lip in worry, Lady Christianna asked in a small voice, "Who's rescuing Belle then?"
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 29, 2019 7:52:01 GMT
"If anyone knew why the couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, let him speak now or forever hold his peace," grinned Marcel Lestrange and added: "That is the line that priest should ask during the ceremony, no?" "There at least was a custom like that indeed," confirmed Wolfram von Eschen. "What about it?" "Nothing. Just nothing," said Marcel Lestrange. "One could always delay wedding because all the participants are not there, like the priest. Mademoiselle Starr is a catholic, as long as I know, so she has every right to demand a catholic priest according to her religious beliefs. So if we could inform Mademoiselle Starr that she should demand one, because no priest = no complete ceremony = no wedding = no marriage. Our groom would not want to upset his bride, no? It might result with a marriage where wife will subconsciously work against her husband. And searching for a priest takes time which you could use for conducting a rescue operation, no? Synthetic priest will not be an option because they are not inaugurated into the church and real ones are quite rare. Besides - every excuse that gives time - no matter how irrational it is - is better than having nothing at all which we have at moment." "That's an idea indeed," said Volodja Uljanov. "Allow me to quote John Maynard Keynes, who, by the way was both theoretician and practician, because he became very rich. And not only once but twice: "The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back." If we could insert that idea of a priest as a must into All Father's mind, then it would give us time indeed. The problem is - how we can do it? Maybe, just maybe we could arrange a little Funkspiel. A radio play to provide All Father and Belle with the idea. With the help of the signal blocking system, Chris is building, we can let the All Father intercept our message where we look for a priest or something similar. Belle probably figures out why we suddenly mention the need of priest and maybe the All Father swallows the bait and thinks that we have given up and he has no need for a rush so he sends someone to find a priest. Demanding a priest is actually far more reasonable than the idea of Winston Churchill who in the midst of the Second World War demanded that a live platypus be sent from Australia to Britain, and any idea is indeed better than nothing. Especially if we have a chance to see that Belle will get a right priest."  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jul 1, 2019 7:52:19 GMT
Biting her chalk white lower lip in worry, Lady Christianna asked in a small voice, "Who's rescuing Belle then?"
I sighed then said, "The hell if I l know! Out of the teams I just made, mine is definitely the most capable of such a thing. However with the possibility of two armies invading from different directions we are also the most capable in helping our security defend the base....and that my Snow Angel seems to be the crux of the problem. I mean I didn't mention the Constantines so they are available for whatever any of us need.
However that is a mighty task for two people and especially when they are still such novices at such things. So that isn't a valid option. That means we have to hope that Belle is still capable of at least stalling the All-father's plans while Volodja's team tries to reason with Caele.
Then if they succeed, as soon as they notify us of their success, I will put the Constantines and Lebeau in charge of the base. Then my team will board the Dauntless Adventure and make haste to rescue Belle. However we aren't even sure if she is in the Canadian Synth City even though that is the only location we know of. So hopefully Ruby or Caelle can also give us some insight into that. I just hope that....
we can figure all of this out quick enough to be able to rescue Belle while she has her body. We just have to hope she can figure out how to delay.
I mean I am not a doctor but I do know a severe medical issue could postpone such procedures. However as we are talking about s mental procedure so to speak, he may not be able to do so unless she mentally gives up. So it would be in his best interest to get her to go along with it, so he may be willing to do whatever she demands for that to happen. However that is all conjecture at the moment and we have no way of telling her my conjectures anyway...."
Just then I heard part of Volo's and Marcel's conversation about priests. So I said, "Dak I may have to throw a bonus at Marcel since he may be onto something. Alright while I am prepping the base defenses my team will work on making Marcel's idea a reality, and since it will make it more realistic if the intercepted message be from me to another Protector, once all of you have it ready I will record a message for the All-Father to intetcept. Then the next issue is a priest and as I recall Belle mentioned once that she had one relocate to Paradise and that she would go to his sermons when possible. So I am guessing that if she had a choice that is the priest she would request. Lady I admit that if Belle ever mentioned his name, I never caught it. However I would assume that Belle would tell you his name and where to find him. So once we are ready to send my 'message', I will need you to take Lena and Atika to go see this priest and convince him that he needs to come with you back to the Fortress."
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