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Post by Belle Starr on Apr 1, 2015 2:40:14 GMT
Belle Starr's mood lightened as she performed her ballet of death noting how Vo K'shaa supported her every move. He was the ying to her yang, and that pleased her to no end. She began to believe that if a good man like Vo who she deeply loved could love her despite her inner monster, and that another good man like Volodja whom she respected deeply for his intellect would befriend her despite it as well, and both men would die to keep her alive, then maybe, just maybe, there was something in her worth their efforts, and therefore she should at least put in as much effort as they did in keeping her silly self alive too. "Maybe the glass IS still half full for me," Thought Belle to herself she separated the helmeted head of an Inquisitor from his shoulders with a single swing of her charge blade.  |
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Apr 1, 2015 2:48:05 GMT
As Erika Widowmaker covered Raizer's move to the Gatling gun, an Inquisitor got a lucky shot in as a bullet tore through her right shoulder. She immediately changed hands, showing that she was ambidextrous as her VBI assault rifle's bullets ripped through the offending Inquisitor and her EGO began to repair the damage he wrought, as she asked, "Taffer sir, this is not the most defensible position being surrounded as we are by hidden foes in covering terrain. May I suggest we move to the stairway where we only have two directions to defend from and have a clear view of both?"
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 1, 2015 3:50:04 GMT
I notice the sniper's move but stand my ground, as I pull a shark-gator tooth out of my armor pocket, and just play with it between the fingers of my left gauntleted hand. As I do so I also mentally deactivate the helmet's rebreather to smell everything in the room, including the sweet cologne. Then I tell everyone over our EGOs, and have my EGO send a diagnostic of the cologne my senses picked up, to the team's EGOs, hoping somebody can figure it out and might know the significance of a sweet cologne that's familiar to Lady before I must kill the fake Kabule like the Mistress seems to want. Then I reactivate the rebreather system. I continue doing a finger pass with the tooth as I talk. "Look we both know your lap dog will not kill her since that would end your promise of her being your replacement. So you may as well order him to stand down."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 1, 2015 4:21:04 GMT
Seeing that Atticus handled everything smoothly and kept the crone busy with all sweet talk Volodja started to walk forward. After few steps he returned. Then he repeated movement, but took an extra step. Then he returned again. Villain and her lapdog were busy with Atticus, so they didn't paid attention to any lower life forms, like him. "Stupid fanatics," he muttered loudly. "Their vision is always narrowed by judgement. And I DESPISE people, using marionettes to handle their lousy affairs for their own good. I have never been afraid to get my own hands dirty when needed."
He kept walking and every time he added one step to his trip. They got used already with him moving forth and back and concentrated their precious attention to Atticus. Volodja extended his walk more and more until he was really close to his destiny. Forgot to mention, that he kept walking towards Lady and as soon he was close enough he just stepped between fake Kabule and his target, covering Lady's white body with his dirty and dusty armoured one. A reasonable risk to take. They won't shoot Lady, if they want her to be next Mistress, but you can never be sure, how they may act at end. They are fanatics after all. Volodja followed certain code of conduct himself, but he was not a fanatic. And his new position had one more advantage - fake Kabule can't control him and Atticus at same time. If he tries something with one, other will react. And attacked one can deal with Mad Murdering Madame, if he avoids getting killed.
Suddenly he found himself wondering about, did killers took his flask along with the head. He could get it back now, if they did. It was handmade after all, a special gift from some friends and it had his initials on it. Besides - poor Mr. Thompson didn't need it any more. So if the flask can't be used as a wedding gift it can be with Volodja as a reminder where fanaticism could lead.
That made him also wonder, how his blood might look like on Lady's white skin if he gets a bullet to his head. Volodja was not admirer of decadent aesthetics. Especially, if he might become an art object here. But he didn't moved. There are more important things than one tired man, trying to protect people, he cared about. Besides - if he gets shot, he has fulfilled his duty as he promised to Belle. Or at least died, trying to do it.
Volodja sniffed air. That scent of cologne...he could use everything to distract them and may lead them to somewhere. Especially when Lady said "You smell familiar." So he opened his mouth: "Mmm. Smells nice. Gucci's Envy for Men perhaps? Do I smell ENVY here, oh fake Kabule? Who is your provider? Is it a special order just for you? Or at least where to buy a bottle in case you let me go alive? And in case you kill me, there won't be no point to cover it as well. Nobody will ever know. Or should I ask Lady instead - she seems to recognize the smell from somewhere? You too have met before, it seems. Help me out here people and Votan." His voice was as sweet as honey, but we all know that if you want to taste some, you have to risk with getting sting by bees.
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Post by Taffer on Apr 1, 2015 8:23:56 GMT
"Taffer sir, this is not the most defensible position being surrounded as we are by hidden foes in covering terrain. May I suggest we move to the stairway where we only have two directions to defend from and have a clear view of both?"
"Good idea Erika", Taffer replied and sent to his team, "We're advancing to the stairway. Raizar, move there and stand your ground inside. Belle and Vo, clean the path for Raizar. Erika, watch Raizar's back. You all are going great people."
He engaged his cloak and sneaked to the stairway first if there are any dangers down the stairs. They were moving too far away from Belle's office and the hidden door to the elevator shaft but he still believed he could clean the way for Vo to get back there or make his way himself when the time comes.
Hearing Lady's voice close to Volodja in Sophie's transmission and her mother's words about her EGO that should be re-enabled, he came to a simple conclusion and a solution to it.
"Volodya and Atticus, I'm sending the guide to take the EGO jammer off Lady. Whoever is close to her, you can do it when you see it's appropriate. You'll need a sharp needle for that. Then follow your EGO's prompts and make sure your hands are not shaking."
The smell scan data Atticus sent to the team and Em Dash tried to emulate for Taffer, didn't tell him anything recognizable. Or at least he didn't remember anything familiar.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 1, 2015 8:29:56 GMT
"Don't worry Chief," replied Volodja peacefully. "Using my body as a bullet shied for Lady right now, so I am the closest one. Let's just hope that Sandy can perform detoxification on Lady fast enough. She is still drugged. So send your schematics to me. I am not going to drag my body away. And Mr. fake Kabule can't control us both. Unless they have someone hidden there or appear through that portal. Needles are the problem, but I ll think of something. Maybe I can manage to find some wire or...must find a moment to break one of my stims. That should provide me with a needle."
He kept his eye on Fakebule and when he was looking at Atticus, pulled out one of his stims, dropped it to the floor and broke it with his heavy boot. After that he pretend adjusting his footwear, picked up the needle and hid it carefully. Then he waited another suitable moment to wipe remains of the stim away from sight. Done! He was ready and equipped for a rescue. Maybe that crone with her eyes everywhere didn't spot him. At least he tried to act very natural, by sliding stim down by side of his leg, so no one could see it, and stepped on it quietly. The rest you know already...Actually he could do one more thing...he lowered himself again, took out Giant's flask from his boot and put it near him. Very natural thing to do actually - having a relaxing drink in nervous situation. And having a throwing weapon nearby, if one needs it. He listened Chief's lecture about removing that damned device and paid attention to every detail...
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 1, 2015 9:54:03 GMT
As I watch Volodja's antics, I send the team another EGO message. "That cologne is really strong and I am clear across the room. I had to reactivate my suit's self-contained rebreather just so I don't smell it. I may have more enhanced senses than the normal Irathiant, but there's still no way an Irathiant with a sense of smell could stand wearing that shtako! Volodja you are near him, have Sophie try to get a genetic reading of him and relay it to the team!"
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Post by Lady Christianna on Apr 1, 2015 10:05:53 GMT
Fakebule took off his helmet, his long hair falling to his shoulders and the facial surgery scars along his jawline clearly seen by Volodja, the pungent smell of the cologne even greater now. The Irathiant looked intensely at what Volodja did, obviously seeing what he was doing but doing nothing to stop him. At one point Fakebule's eyes darted up the staircase to the Mistress of Judgment, but then looked back at Volodja just - watching.
Atticus relayed his scan of the flowery scent worn by Fakebule to Dinara, his EGO's psyche, who ran it through the catalogue of people's smells that Atticus had encountered in his life, much she had in identifying the painter in N'Awlins, but Atticus had already identified an underlying smell to Fakebule before Dinara even reported.
"Fakebule smells a bit like... Erika?!?!?" Thought Atticus to himself.
Volodja had Sophie perform the genetic scan of Fakebule, confirming that Fakebule was Irathiant but nothing else, but Dinara's analysis of the scent confirmed what Atticus was concluding when she piped in with astonishment in her young voice, "Fakebule is Cael, Erika Widowmaker's son!"
The Mistress of Judgment took another spry step down the steps leading from her throne, her hands still glowing red as she raised them up, pointing them at Volodja.
Meanwhile, Belle, holding her charge sword in one hand and her Demon Hunter pistol in the other, led the team down to the entryway of the second floor, surprised to meet no opposition on the way. Taffer was already seeing the scene from the entryway as he had proceeded her, and saw the lithe Mistress of Judgment take another step down the staircase, her hands glowing an even greater crimson.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 1, 2015 10:15:07 GMT
"Scan seems to support Dinara's assumptions," said Volodja through EGO channel. "But only about him being an Irathient. Still can't be completely sure though, because of that enhanced sense of smell. Never trust the obvious, but it's our best shot so far. No time to get confirmation. Bloody family ties!"
"Milady," said Volodja calmly and loudly "You seem to be forgetting your manners. You should know that pointing at people is rude." He prepared to take the blow from her red glowing hands. Only problem was that he must keep himself conscious to be able to rescue girls. And girls must not get hit, so he better stay on his feet.
"Can I have a request, Madame Evil? Last sip of this Irathient rum would be nice last thing in my life," he asked as politely he could. Reaching for a gun is suspicious. Reaching for a bottle is a sign of weakness. And he must look as weak as possible to be able to make strong and sudden throw at direct danger.
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Raizar
Junior Batman Sidekick
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Post by Raizar on Apr 1, 2015 10:15:15 GMT
"You've gone quite a long way from that secluded street urchin what you used to be." Raizar thought but said nothing. He was too busy to speak. He started to move to the staircase slowly because the heavy minigun did not allow him to move fast. This movement was risky of course but Erika was right, the stairway was easier to defend and it was a good shelter. On the other hand, they all was grouped now in one place which made the whole group a one big target and they now easily could be blocked in that narrow space by enemy forces. Keeping shooting Raizar looked searchingly at the room in front him trying to calculate and memorize possible ways to break out from that staircase if things get really hot. He took up a position at the start of the stairs ready to move down or to move to the elevator shaft or any other direction.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 1, 2015 10:29:38 GMT
I think for a second as I watch the Mistress and Fakebule. I quickly contact the team. "You guys may want to get Erika to my position right away. My EGO has identified our Fakebule as Erika Widowmaker's son Cael. I would rather not kill him, but will if nessecary. So get here double-time."
I then look at the mistress. "Leave the human alone. He is just protecting a master who needs him. Besides you are the one who said, we will be free to take her and our team once I answered your question about the heads. So we will remove her EGO collar and you will have your lackey...Cael stand down. Then we will go from there. Although I would prefer to take Cael with us as well."
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Apr 1, 2015 10:45:12 GMT
Atticus transmitted to the team's EGOs. You guys may want to get Erika to my position right away. My EGO has identified our Fakebule as Erika Widowmaker's son Cael. I would rather not kill him, but will if nessecary. So get hear double-time."
Erika was covering Raizur's back as another wave of Inquisitors came down the staircase, taking shots of opportunity with her AR at those that Raizar did not get with the minigun, which were few indeed. Erika was torn, caught between disobeying Taffer's orders, leaving a team mate to fend for himself, and her motherly desire to save her son from the Harbinger of Death. Her large jade eyes turned to Raizar, silently imploring him to release her from her obligation, but he was too busy to notice as he continued mowing down Inquisitors. Thankfully, Taffer gave her permission through her EGO, and Erika sprinted down the staircase towards the entryway to the second floor.
Meanwhile, Volodja was close enough to Cael to see that a device similar but different to the one on Lady's neck was barely visible on his neck under his long hair.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 1, 2015 12:45:23 GMT
"Stop people," shouted Volodja through EGO channel and continued in less loud voice: "Spotted another device on Fakebule's neck. Looks like one Lady is wearing, but I see significant difference in size, shape and colour. That could mean that device serves different purpose. It could be the reason, why Iranthient smells like a flower bush, but doesn't give a damn about it. It might be a new wave of mind controllers, or EGO scan scrambler or some sort of deceiving apparatus capable of creating illusions. Not sure yet, so don't kill Fakeabule! He acted really weird, when I got a needle.
These people play with minds, so don't act too hasty. They use our own emotions against us and they KNOW Erika and most of others in our team, so they can use our own fears and feelings. They tried it while we were on our way here. Keep calm and concentrated! Less communication, if possible, and use more deceiving moves and encryptions, in case they can hear us. Would do that myself, but MUST warn you. Over and out!"
Sophie transferred his message into Morse code, people used long time ago and sent it to others with a key, so other EGO psyches could decipher it and pass to their companions. That way it was a bit harder to understand, in case they WERE overheard ( ... .--. --- - - . -.. / .- -. --- - .... . .-. / -.. . ...- .. -.-. . / --- -. / and so on).
Somewhere inside his brains a red warning sign started to blink. "Shush, Voloja. Don't get too agitated yourself. You must keep your own emotions at bay and use your MIND! And don't let it become too wild," said his voice of reason. "Keep thinking and act only AFTER that." Volodja looked carefully around, because he had to spot any changes in their opponents behaviour. Even blink of an eye could be significant.
He thought a bit and said very absent mindedly: "Truth..." raising Giant's canteen at the same time, because Mistress of Judgement started to approach him and her glowing hands weren't obviously meant for a friendly hug. "I wonder...what kind of illusion we are dealing with?" was his second absent minded remark.
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Post by Vo Kshaa on Apr 1, 2015 19:19:16 GMT
Vo Kshaa followed Belle to the room and looked around. He saw Mistress with her glowing hands approaching Volodja and Lady. Crimson glow of her hands instantly reminded him of Belle when she was possessed by mind-controlling nanites. It might be not the same case now, but those hands clearly posed danger to his friends. His first urge was to engage Blur, run up to Mistress and hit her off balance, but Volodja's words decoded by Shirra stopped him.
"Shirra, reply to Volo with the same encryption please", he asked his EGO unit, "A shield and a protection spike for Lady. By your command. Don't let those hands touch you or her."
He readied his second high-capacity Ironclad ARK shield and a spike to throw to Volodja or rush in Blur and activate them next to Lady.
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Post by Taffer on Apr 1, 2015 20:14:51 GMT
Taffer saw the Mistress with her hands glowing crimson red, but had to return back up to Raizar to help him stand his ground as Erika sprinted down.
"Like in good old times, Eh?" He crouched next to Raizar, landing precise bursts from his Carbine at enemies who tried to throw grenades or were out of reach of his minigun. When Volodja transferred his message, encrypted in an unusual way, he replied to him with a simple "ACK", then sent in the same encrypted message to the team, "Listen to Volodya, he knows what he's doing". Right at that moment, a Bioman with the number 2633269 written on his chest walked through the doorway, holding a big grenade launcher.
Taffer quickly tapped Raizar on his shoulder. Then he entered Cloak, ran into the room and threw a flash grenade to distract the Bioman. He re-entered his Cloak and slipped away causing some friendly fire among enemies. Next time he appeared right at feet of the Bioman, who was shaking in shock from the grenade. Taffer quickly crouched and then lunged upwards, hitting Bioman's armpit with buttstock of his Carbine. The bioman collapsed on his back without any sound.
"Holy crap-on-a-stick!" Shouted Taffer through the un-encrypted EGO channel this time. "They got biomen! Screw all this, I'm outta here!" As his Cloak hid him again, he rushed back into Belle's office and climbed the shaft all the way up to the elevator engine room. While in the small room, he closed the hatch and tossed his last flash grenade. The shock made him drop on the ground and all images his EGO was projecting on his retina disappeared. At the same time, his location disappeared from his team's radars.
"Dash, are you still here?" He asked his EGO mentally.
"Not completely yet", she replied, her voice in his head sounded drowsy, "That was… painful".
"At least we can hope those nano-cameras are not here right now". The power was already cut off from the engine as it was clearly rigged to unwind the rope freely once anyone unlocks the elevator. He opened a toolbox from his backpack and started working fast on the elevator engine and the fuse box above it.
"Three phases for the engine and the lighting circuit combined should give enough power before it shuts down. A couple of capacitors from the filter will shift phases right. An engine's rotor coil will work as a transformer. Now to connect it to the power lines for all storeys bypassing fuses. And I need a switch which I could flip remotely."
He looked at the engine again and noticed the switch which was meant to shut off the engine if the cabin got overweighed or shook too rough. He pulled the spring out of the switch and flipped the contacts, so now he could just pull a hanging rope with his hands to turn the switch on. He reconnected his new circuit through the switch and turned the elevator power back on. Then he closed the hatch and descended again to the door to Belle's office. He pulled a part of the hanging rope into the room taking care to not pull too hard so that the switch won't turn on prematurely, and pinned it down to the floor by the table-leg. Now he could just pull the rope hard enough to create a powerful electromagnetic pulse all over the complex.
"Let's see what's the downside of being directly wired to something", he thought as his dot appeared again on the team's radar.
"Sorry people, that was stupid from my side", he said nonchalantly through the un-encrypted EGO channel, "I'm back". He observed the battle and started to pick targets again, helping Raizar to hold his position, but never going too far away from Belle's office.
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