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Post by Belle Starr on Apr 28, 2015 10:19:57 GMT
"No permanent damage to Lady, and I and Haele both believe the substance triggering recent events will make it's way through her system in a couple of hours, and then your EGO psyches should return just as they left," Dr. Orion stated, then recommended, "Just let Lady sleep it off, and my advice is to keep her away from that particular substance, at least until the baby's born." Dr. Orion turned to Belle Starr, suggesting "Belle, since we have you here, let Haele and I give you the once over, at the sub atomic level so to speak." Dr. Orion chuckled at his own joke as he and Haele began their examination, but he began frowning midway through, that was a scowl by the time he finished, when he reported, "There is a micro thin puncture wound in the base of your neck Belle, and traces of unknown nanites at the base of your brain. They are not the dormant nano-parasites that we know still exist in your body from months ago, as the dating of these are from within the last forty-eight hours, and were obviously designed to disintegrate within that time after they did whatever they were designed to do, which from the trace elements they left, we haven't a clue as to their purpose. Furthermore, I don't know why your EGO didn't heal the puncture wound immediately, unless it didn't detect it or didn't want to, either possibility not a good one. However, good news is your body's natural healing functions are healing the wound, so there is no danger there." "So am I still under these nanos' affect?" Asked a worried Belle. "I am 94.876% sure that is not the case," Said Haele, trying to reassure Belle but not succeeding much. "The glass is half full," Belle reminded herself as she forced a smile.  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 28, 2015 10:36:55 GMT
Dinara continues to snicker at Sandy for a few more seconds then sees herself in a mirror in the restaurant lobby and frowns. She quietly mumbles, "yours are nice mine are too small. People want all of you, never me! Just an unattractive and boring singer, not a sexy interesting fighter!" Then she realizes somebody may have heard. So she blushes as she quickly looks around, and hides behind Amber wishing she could disappear because she is soooo embarrassed, and hoping that her little figure can't be seen behind Amber's taller more defined figure!
Kakusi hands the brass knuckles back to Kabule, then starts up another conversation with amber, not paying attention to Dinara's plight. Kabule on the otherhand, returns the brass knuckles to his pocket. Then looks around and pulls out his pack of cigars and taps them, as he continues looking to make sure this is a smoker friendly restaurant.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 28, 2015 10:41:38 GMT
"Don't you worry, Di," said Sophie, still swinging her club. "You are adorable girl and you have nothing to be ashamed of. But if anyone wants to lay his paws on your boobs without your permission, then let me know. I seem to become quite good issue solver." She smiled to Dinara and gave her a hug, putting her club finally down. "I feel lonely sometimes, being away from my home and old friends in Europe. But you always manage to make me smile and make me feel more homely here, Di. So you have great gift and you should use it more often."
Then she looked around and said: "All you drink is beer and your guys don't seem be able to handle even that piss very well. I will find myself something better to drink from this hotel, like wine and then I will write an essay on mating rituals of apes or verbal castration of abusers, whichever sounds more intriguing."
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Post by Lady Christianna on Apr 28, 2015 11:06:27 GMT
As Amber put a reassuring arm round Dinara, a slight smile on her lips as she looked down at her, saying in a matter of fact tone, "More than a mouthful is wasted." Amber's tanned face turned red as she realized how what she said could be taken, quickly adding, "But I like boys too... I mean... really I do!" Amber 's brown fists went to her mouth again, confusing herself more than the others, as Sandy grinned, replying, "Don't sweat it Amber! And Dinara, tell all the guys I left with broken jaws who were trying to paw you that you aren't desirable!" Then turning to Sophie, adding, "I think I've seen enough alcohol today, I just want a big plate of flapjacks! Hmmm!"  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 28, 2015 11:41:18 GMT
I look at Haele and Doctor Orion. "Belle, as soon as our EGOs are back and we are sure they are fine, then you can get your group together and go on that little trip. I am glad to hear that last night's issue was obviously caused by somebody controlling you with nanites. However I am not sure what to do about it. Hmm 48 hours. That would have been a few hours before we brought you back to the Base. So we atleast know it obviously happened while you were still in the VBI Facility. That is good. It means, nobody here did it. So I will leave that issue to all of you. Maybe you can find out something about it on your little fieldtrip.
Alright. I will take Lady back to our quarters so she can sleep. I will have Ralph replace her brownies with pot-free ones later. Does anybody want the special brownies or should I just throw them out? Volodja, thank you for bringing my helm. I hope everyone understands, if I take a few hours off to be by Lady's side. Nothing is going on except our current issue anyway, so I am sure Chloe can handle everything."
I take my helm and put it on. Then I notice that as ordered, Zork has removed some of the back wall of Medical to reveal the walled-up door we discovered, on the base plans Erika found. "Zork, good job. Put a containment tent over that door, to keep any bad or dangerous air that is in there from leaking out, and keep it sealed for now. However I would appreciate it if you can get the ventillation systems working for in there, without going in there of course. I will investigate it later." I pick up Lady and take her to our quarters. I set her on the bed and put the lid on the brownies. Then I remove Lady's leathers, leaving her in just her underwear. Next I remove my weapons, armor, jumpsuit and mask, and lay beside her in just my boxers, as I cover us up in a light sheet. She snuggles into me in her sleep and I smile and hold her close, as I kiss her forehead.
Dinara hugs Sophie back and smiles meekly, but looks at Sophie in slight shock as she whispers, "You lonely?! I thought pretty girls were never lonely. Everybody wants to be with all of you! Look at that really tall Sazri fellow constantly talking to you and Amber. Everybody talks to all three of you! I have to actively talk to others just so they will even notice me! It's not my fault I am young or short or flat! Oh well atleast I have something none of you have! A full scholorship in music!!! I may have graduated from high school several years early cuz of my brains, but it is my singing that got me the full scholorship! Atleast all eyes are on me when I sing! Even if they are on the rest of you, the rest of the time."
Hearing Sandy say"Dinara, tell all the guys I left with broken jaws who were trying to paw you that you aren't desirable!" She looks at Sandy and says outloud, "What they really wanted ME?! Oh well don't matter! Hungry now!" Dinara shrugs her shoulders as if to signal that she is over it, then it dawns on her what Amber said.
She turns red again as she hugs Amber and whispers in her ear. "I don't actually care either way about boys. I mean I don't care what they think. I just hate that I get ignored cuz all of you are much prettier! Besides I prefer being with all of you. And you really think they are a nice size?! Thank you!" Dinara hugs Amber tight and kisses her on the cheek near the lip. Then blushes again, when she realizes that Amber may not be alright with what Dinara thinks that kiss just implied, even if Amber did compliment her in what most would consider a naughty way. So she let's Amber go and quickly orders some food. "I want pancakes and eggs and sausage and strawzberry milk. LOTS of strawzberry milk!" Then she says to her female friends, "You really think I am pretty and great to be around, and make all of you feel good just because I am near you?!"
Sazri Kakusi orders a iced tea. Kabule however has found the smoking section and a bottle of rum. So he is smoking one of his cigars while drinking a Captain Morgan Black.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 28, 2015 12:28:37 GMT
Sophie whistled, when her long fingers started to tap on her laptop. "Yes we do, Dinara. And it wont't actually matter if all the guys want you," she said to Dinara. "Their desires are usually insignificant. At least for me. Most of them want only one thing and it's not pancakes. What really matters is that you get the guy YOU want and you get him in exact moment when when he wants you too. It's all about self respect, dear girl. Instead of quantity, concentrate on quality. People may want you, but only few deserve to have you. Keep that in mind. And now I will continue my work and enjoy that glass of wine of mine. And maybe I will send few emails to my friends and describe my experiences here."
And Sophie kept working on her new paper. Bookworm and researcher as she was by her nature, she always wanted to preserve her newly gained knowledge. This time writing an essay seemed to be most reasonable way, because she will get her anthropology project done at the same time.
___________________
Volodja opened his mouth to say: "Remember what I taught you not so long ago, Tinkerbelle. Everything is up to you. Think positively and put those simple techniques, I mentioned, into use. You are in full control of yourself and don't let yourself think otherwise. But now I must go and warn my old friend Wolfram about his new tasks. I do feel bad in advance, because I have to get him back to his professional field too soon, but our people need his help. So I will do the less evil thing to help most of us. If he succeeds with that task, and I am actually sure that he will, then it will be his triumph and you better acknowledge it to him. If he won't succeed then it will be my fault. So please, don't blame him, but me."
And he left Medical Bay soon after Atticus carried sleeping Lady away. Soon he was busy talking with poor Wolfram, being as delicate as possible (and trying to remain sober):
"I will go to that field trip, we planned, and you are competent enough to calm down our crew members. Just deal with it step by step. One at the time. It would be really good warm up for you."
"Volodja, mein freund. What if I fail? Failure ist nicht fein. Mir kommt es vor, als würden wie jetzt schon versagen, I mean, I feel that WE are failing already, because my failure will be your failure. If I do not succeed, you failed to get me successfully out from my retirement and make me functional again. I can't afford that and you can't afford that either since you have trust in me."
"Who said that you are going to fail here, Wolfram? On your time you could calm scared people down down in five minutes. like you bragged to me. Most of our team mates are really easy cases anyway. They are people who lack self assurance at moment, like you do. Jeder Mensch hat seine Schwächen - we all have our little weaknesses. You need practice and positive experience to gain your self confidence back. And I am offering you exactly what you need. An opportunity to be confident about your abilities, when you help the rest of us to win our fears. You sounded so sure about your skills last night, when you were talking with Dr. Orion, who also need some encouragement at moment. Kapieren? So now I will send you to him and make sure that you won't get lost on your way."
He helped Wolfram up from his cot, made sure that guy got properly dressed and lead him to Dr. Orion's rooms, where he just pushed Wolfram in and closed door behind his back right away and leaned against it, so Wolfram could not escape. Done! It's up to Wolfram now, but Volodja was sure about his old friend. Wolfram will be fine and he won't fail his task helping good old self preserving Dr. Orion. Especially when Orion is already recovering. But Volodja could afford that little scheme about Orion who presumably need Wolfram's help - Volodja won't get a place in Heaven anyway, so one more lie won't harden his burden of sins.
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Apr 28, 2015 16:41:58 GMT
Marcel waited patiently at least somebody to appear to his sights. For the base that big there was awfully small amount of people moving around of it's courtyard. Whole place reminded him more of forgotten cemetery than fully functional functional base and Marcel found himself wondering, what might be wrong there. He expected to face more crowd when he studied their supplies orders. According to order sheets there had to be more people, but where were they gone?
"Not my business anyway," Marcel thought. "My business is certain member of the gang, but I still don't have any sign of his EGO unit. He must be inside of that base, because my last scan gave that result. And nobody left the base territory as long as I have been around here." All he had left was to wait and be patient, because he believed that finally his patience will be rewarded.
After few more hours waiting his reward seemed to be as far as a light year. And he could not even have a cigarette, to make time go faster. Smoke might give away his position. It was not waiting, but more like a torture now.Even his EGO unit Moira still refused to speak with him. And even if she did, Moira would be still rubbing him under his nose just to irritate him. Merde!
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 28, 2015 16:58:31 GMT
After being sure that Wolfram was done with counselling Volodja left with him, asking: "Not a very hard task, wasn't it?"
"Not at all, Volodja, mein freund. Alles gute," replied Wolfram. "I am thinking that I am ready for the next patient soon."
Volodja brought out another topic about Wolfram and his skills: "By the way, Wolfram. Atticus wants to taste you moonshine, so you better spare couple of bottles for him. Last time he mentioned his interest during breakfast."
"Wenn dieser Wunsch Wirklichkeit werden soll, müssen bestimmte Voraussetzungen erfüllt sein," answered Wolfram von Eschen after pondering about that a bit.
"If this desire is to become a reality, certain conditions must be fulfilled," translated Volodja mechanically and continued very hesitatingly: "What are your conditions then, Wolfram? Don't tell me that you want establish a distillery here."
"Korrekt Volodja! Genau das habe ich auch gedacht. Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket. That's exactly what I was thinking. I think what I want, and what delights me. So if Atticus wants to taste it, he must allow me to build a new distilling apparatus."
"Arrangeable thing, Wolfram. At least I don't have to drink your Schnapps alone any more if Giant joins the club," said Volodja after deep thinking. He grinned when he saw Wolfram's eyes burning like wolfram light bulb filaments, when he started to think about his beloved moonshine.
After sending Wolfram back to his cabin, Volodja returned to his apartment, sat down and begun to read, like he was used to, until he will be needed again.
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Post by Belle Starr on Apr 29, 2015 2:57:45 GMT
Lady Christianna awoke in her bed when her locket finally quit pulsating purple, and smiled her Mona Lisa smile when she realized that Atticus was holding her as they laid together. She snuggled even closer, then dozed again. ***** As Volodja sat intently reading, he suddenly felt warm kisses on both cheeks of his face. Surprise! We're back!" Said Sophie and Sandy simultaneously, then Sandy added, "Now, can you please tell me what the hell happened?" So Volodja did, and they shared their adventure story with him. ***** Erika was at her workstation in the War Room when she felt Amber return to her EGO, and thought to her through the telepathic connection they shared, "Are you okay Amber?" "I'm okay mother, but I am confused and have questions," Replied Amber, her EGO psyche. Erika's clay brown brow furrowed, as she hesitantly asked, "What questions?" "Two really," Began Amber, "First, what is sexuality? And second, how do you know if you are sexually attracted to someone?" Erika managed not to let her jaw visibly drop to the ground, although the questions certainly surprised her, having believed that she has long passed having to explain such things to anyone. She quickly regained her composure and began answering in a calm manner, knowing there were no simple answers to either question and that this would most certainly be only the first session of many on the topic in the future. ***** "Did you miss me my dear?" Asked Alfred upon his return to Belle's EGO. Belle laid in her bed, already dressed in her Liberty Trooper armor, her hands behind her blond head as her blue diamond eyes stared at the ceiling of her prison quarters. She was adamant that the expedition party to her destroyed VBI headquarters should not occur until the EGO psyches were back, because they might need their help in their investigation, so she was truthful in what she said next. "Surprisingly, yes!" Belle thought to him, "Is MOM back as well?" "Yes, but the poor dear is exhausted from our adventure, and is asleep," Answered Alfred, "You can visit her later if you wish!" "I wish!" Replied Belle cheerfully, "And I want to hear about the adventure, but that will have to be later too! Now we have to go find Vo's eye!" Belle sat up, facing the camera in her jail cell and said out loud, "Leana, I think we should be ready to go now? Can you please tell the others to meet us in the garage at my Raptor - oh, and please unlock the door!"  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 29, 2015 4:05:24 GMT
Enjoying the feel of Lady snuggling closer as she smiles at me and goes back to sleep, I feel a surge of energy in me which can only mean that Kakusi is back from wherever he went. Then I hear 3 voices in my head.
The guys grumbling quietly and Dinara's lovely voice punching through to be heard. "Atty, Atty, Atty! We're back it was great! I was with all the EGO peoples and even Kakusibutt and cranky Kabule! He wasn't quite as cranky, and Kakusi was talking to peoples instead of talkin down to them! We were Human college students on Earth before the Arks! We were on Spring break! Kabule was a scary biker! Kakusibutt an arrogant basketball player, whatever that is. Sandy was my roommate. I saw Sandy and Sophie's um, well, nevermind! Amber was there too! She was really nice! They where all nice. Sophie was very nice as always.......... but Amber was sooooooo. Um, anyway I like Amber. So can I invite her to visit sometime?! PULEASE?!?!?!"
I respond with. "Wow, good thing you don't need to breathe. That sounds like quite the adventure. Of course you can invite her. If you want to, Pest. Is there something I should know about how she is "sooo"?"
Dinara giggles and nervously says, "NUNYA!"
I scratch my head and ask, "Nunya?!"
She responds slightly annoyed, something I rarely hear in her voice, and the nerviousness still obvious in her voice. "NUNYA BUSSINESS!......Um sorry it's just um stuff....girlstuff! Yeah that's it! Girlstuff! You wouldn't understand! I don't think anybody would! Can we pulease not talk about it?!"
I stop and respond with, "It's alright Dinara. I won't pry but if it is bugging you, then you should talk to somebody about it. Either way it is good to have all 3 of you back. Even Kabule."
With nervous embarrassment in her tone, Dinara quietly says, "Will think about it, but nobody would understand. Maybe Chloe, but not sure. Anyway gonna try to finally decorate my room and listen to music, need to think! Don't worry, I will not share the music with you and interupt your 'cuddle time'!"
Dinara quits talking and dissapears into her EGO room. She tries to concentrate on decorating, but keeps thinking about the awkward feelings she had near Amber in that Springbreak whatever they where in! She is just glad that Atty can't hear her and Kakusi and Kabule agreed to respect her privacy and stay out of her EGO home unless invited. She is very glad when she starts singing, since she is still certain that nobody would ever understand how she feels, especially when not even she understands.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 29, 2015 4:48:58 GMT
"It makes me kind of envious, girls," said Volodja, still having his arms around of both of his favourite ladies. All three were settled in his large bed, Volodja in middle, but only because of comfort, not naughtiness. "You had quite interesting adventure and you both did well. I am really glad that you both came back safely. Unfortunately I will be the next adventurer here. Right before you returned, Lena informed me, that Belle feels ready for her field trip and I am going along as planned. Time to pack my gear soon and be on my way. Sorry about that."
Then he whispered to Sandy's ear: "Sandy, I love you. I haven't said that enough to you, I know, so I use this chance to say it again. I want you to know that in case when...Never mind. I love you so much."
Volodja continued with louder voice: "Keep Lady away from trouble, when I am gone. If I return, I want you all to be in a good shape. Wolfram will handle my counselling tasks if needed. He actually surprised me in a good way today, making some demands. That's a good sign, because he sees himself as a person now. When you feel that you are nobody, you usually won't dare to ask anything, but if you feel that you are somebody, then you will speak up for yourself at some point."
Volodja started to heave himself out from his bed, doing it very reluctantly, but this time he had to put his duties into first place, even if it will be the last thing he ever does. He tossed that thought away relatively fast. Thinking about those kind of things before mission brings bad luck. As a soldier Sandy won't hold him back. And as his girlfriend...Volodja was on top of her already, because he decided to roll himself out from his bed from her side, so he used a chance to kiss her quickly.
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Apr 29, 2015 5:11:53 GMT
"His EGO is back," declared Moira."But he is not alone there, but seems to be in a good company. Wish that I could have some good company too, but I have to settle with you."
"Shut up already!" replied Marcel. "You break my concentration with your personal remarks. I'll show him soon enough what words "being in a good company" mean."
His long waiting paid off at last. Marcel just got proof that his target was still in the base and now Marcel had to keep waiting for a suitable chance to get close to him. It will be more fun to handle him in front of witnesses and make sure that everybody knows, who did it and which was most important, why he does that. Yes, it was a sign of vanity and being vain, means being weak, but this time it was a personal matter for Marcel, so why not enjoy himself? Marcel deserved that triumphant moment after chasing his target through the world. And after fulfilling this personal task he will regain his usual professional and indifferent attitude towards everything. Things are getting better and better.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Apr 29, 2015 6:23:57 GMT
Sandy grabbed Volodja's collar and kissed him back, only longer, then grinned at him and said, "You don't get away that damn easy! Now go get 'em Tiger! Please take care of him Sophie!" With that she disappeared, back into Lady's EGO and to her job of checking the vitals of both Lady Christianna and her unborn child.  |
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Post by Belle Starr on Apr 29, 2015 6:48:30 GMT
Belle Starr got her four-person team to meet in the garage, all armed for the occasion, although Belle didn't expect any trouble at the destroyed VBI base. The VBI base was located in the canyon below Overpass, which was manned by a contingent of E-Rep soldiers and was the location of Captain Grant's HQ in the San Francisco wasteland, which meant most intelligent predators avoided being close to that many guns. However, hell bugs and scrappers were not known for their intelligence, and the ruined equipment and twisted metal was just the sort of foodstuff that would attract the latter.
So, Belle toted her Dancing Lady SMG with the rad nanos, as well as her Thorne Liro sword and new Autumn Scourge detonator, which was excellent for slowing down enemies with its bio-nanites' sludge effect as well as killing them with its' explosions. Lena Marr, her guardian or guard, take your pick, took from the base armory a Saw LMG without any nano modifiction, because the initial damage is greater if weapon is nano-less. She also carried a VOT blaster which was her standard hand gun. Brody Smythe, Belle's technical assistant on this venture, didn't want to carry any gun, but finally agreed to carry a Quickblaser with syphon nanos at Belle's insistence which she got from the armory. Belle knew that Volodja Uljanov would bring his preferred weapons from his room, so didn't bother to requisition any for him.
Belle offered to drive, but Leana quickly intervened to drive instead, since it was common knowledge that Belle was the worst driver in the Bay Area, and Lena wished for them to get there in one piece. Belle had landed so many cars and ATVs in trees and bodies of water that even she had lost count. Belle took the gun-less turret seat so she could watch for danger, and watch over Brody who took the back passenger set. That left the passenger seat right in front of the driver for Volodja, so that he had the duty of looking for obstructions in the road to their destination.
After packing the Raptor with any supplies they might need, Belle ordered Lena to start the engines and get the mission on the road. Belle hoped beyond hope that what she sought would still be there, and wasn't sure what she would do if it wasn't, but she would cross that bridge when and only if she had to. The base guards opened the garage doors so that the Raptor could slowly make its way on to the remnants of road that trailed from the team's base to Overpass.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 29, 2015 7:03:30 GMT
Volodja appeared to garage, wearing his Covert Intelligence Agent gear, because it had less gadgets attached. That meant less chances to get stuckinto tight places. His weapons choice was simple as always - his usual Ranger sniper rifle, Partridge shotgun with radiation effect and as a side arm he picked EEC HP-7 Wildcat, because he wanted to save Sophie's energy. Chance of having Overcharge effect after reloading and high critical hit damage, made him like that particular pistol. He smiled to everybody and got himself into Raptor ready to go, no matter what might expect them there. Only one more thing on his mind, he had to take care just in case, so he said to Belle when they left the base:
"Tinkerbelle. I have been thinking and decided that you are more suitable person to be Lady's tutor. You are intelligent, you have your way with words and what is most important - Lady admires you, so she will listen what you have to say to her. I guess that I have lost last sign of authority in her eyes, when I remember her remarks about my knobby knees et cetera correctly. That makes you more qualified person to teach her, than I will ever be."
He didn't mentioned his other reason - that uneasy feeling inside of him. Call it a sixth sense or whatever you like. He almost felt that someone was watching him even now when he was in Raptor. And if he is right about that weird sense, then it's better not to leave any uncovered assignments behind.
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