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Post by Atticus Batman on Jun 23, 2015 8:48:42 GMT
After Volodja ends the call, Chris and the two security officers arrive. Chris hands them they Tasers and gives all the proper directions to using them most effectively on a Bio-man. After they are done we buzz then walk in. One of the guards pulls out cuffs and looks at the puny things, then at me. "Sir?"
I look at him then Kaj. "lieutenant, for your safety, you are to be moved to Psychiatric under suicide watch and Placed under the caring hands of Mr. Uljanov and Doctor Von Ecshen. I have gotten Miss. Widowmaker's permission to allow you to see Kara at least once but only when and IF the doctors feel it is safe for both of you. We will decide in what capacity that you will stay here after Uljanov and Von Eschen are sure you are stable enough to be released from their care. Do you understand and will you go willingly?"
Kaj still sitting in his chair, with his wrist still bandage, looks at us and says, "Yes sir. I understand and will go with you. However since I hurt Kara so bad, I still feel that Miss Widowmaker was right to deactivate me and that I should be terminated. But I did not mean to hurt her and would never want to hurt her. My programming says the truth is always best. I did not know that was wrong, but even if I did and could lie, I would not. Lying is wrong and lying to your friends, family and loved ones is unforgivable. I should have done nothing, but Kara looked so miserable in there. I had to tell her the truth and try to help her. I had to!"
With Kaj's slight outburst, the guards raise their Tasers ready to tase him. I signal them to relax slightly then say, "Kaj, I get it. However you went against what her doctors felt was the right course of action and may have hurt her. So that was wrong. We all know that you know that and regret it so much that you are hoping these two kill you, which is why we are escorting you to Psychiatric so they can try to help you, and hopefully you want helped. So please quit with the emotional outbursts, and go without trouble. Beesides that is my shtick. So can you do that?"
Kaj looks at me as he stands up and says, "Yes I will go. However if I hurt Kara so bad then I do not deserve or want sympathy or help."
I say, "Let the experts decide how bad Kara is hurt. If you care about her as much as it appears then just worry about getting better so her Champion is still alive to see her, when she is better."Kaj then willingly let's us escort him to Psychiatric.
After we get there, I say, "Volodja, we need to talk a second. So Chris and Wolfram can make sure Kaj is safely in his new room." As they do so, I talk to Volodja quietly and out of earshot of Kaj and the security team.
"Fool, only you, Belle, Lady, Doctor Orion and I currently know Erika and I are siblings, unless you told Wolfram. If so that is fine. I am sure it will be common knowledge soon enough. Most things around here are. However Erika and I think it probably is best not to share that information with Caele and Kara until you and Wolfram are sure they can handle more news like that. Caele may be able to now, I don't know that's your call, but given what happened with Kara, I am not sure she can handle it yet, but again, you are the professional so it is up to you to decide when she can handle it. However given Kaj's penchant for telling the truth and especially to those he sees as allies or more, it is best that he not be told yet. So he doesn't tell Kara before you are certain she can handle that information.
So although I have Erika's permission to act as the Patriarch of the family, I am strictly here as Director of Security unless you absolutely need family permission for something. As I recall you did ask for it concerning Kara's catatonia. You have permission to decide which is best. If you think it best to bring her out of catatonia before she sees Kaj, so you can judge how she reacts when he enters the room, then that is fine. If you feel it best to leave her in the catatonia and see if Kaj's presence, voice, or conversation brings her out of it, then that is fine as well. This is your field of expertise not mine.
Look about earlier...my reactions to and prejudices of psycho-babble are...well due to how evil psycho-babblers have been to me over the years. However I...trust you and Wolfram. If I didn't I wouldn't have made this psychiatric wing when I was in charge. I also would not have allowed you to hook Lady to that dream machine in the first place. It doesn't change that I wanted to..well you know, when I thought it was hurting her. However I still followed your orders and left her side so you could continue and help her, and am glad I did trust you. Thank you for all of that. Anyway, Kaj and Kara also would not be under the care of you two, if I didn't trust you.
I may hate psycho-babble and have VERY GOOD reason to, however you and Wolfram have proven an exception so far. I am usually a decent judge of character as is Belle, so I am sure the two of you will continue to prove to me be the exceptions, which I am glad of, since I am hard to get along with and you continuously prove to be..a great friend despite......my issues. Now please go do what you can to help your patients. My niece and my friend. By the way Kaj is still suicidal over the idea that he hurt Kara beyond repair. So you may have a hard time talking him out of death mood unless you can prove to him that Kara will get better. Anyway this is your Department, so you call the shots. I am just here as the Director of Security to help with any security issue or measure that you may need. Oh one more thing.... You aren't just a fool. You are my Fool." I smile slightly. Then stop and look up slightly, as if I am thinking. Which I kind of am, since I am now listening to my Grid symbiote, Kakusi tell me something. Then I add, "According to Kakusi you are my Shakespearean fool. I do not know much about Shakespeare, so I have no idea if he just insulted or complimented you, but I am guessing that is something that you would know." |
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Jun 23, 2015 12:14:22 GMT
Erika gathered her clothes and weapons for the trip to Defiance then moved them to her cabin on the team stratocarrier. She was incredibly tired, but couldn't sleep worried about the impending meeting between Kara and Kaj, and hoped she wouldn't regret agreeing to it as she did the last time they met. She wanted to be there when they met, but knew her presence would complicate matters, and she didn't trust what she might do in the emotional state she was in. In many ways, emotions were as alien to her as to Atticus as he confessed. Once Erika put away her clothes and weapons, making sure everything was in it's place, as she was methodical as to such things, she wandered the ship, making sure preparations were complete for the impending voyage to Defiance. There was not real direction to her movements, just checking on progress as she moved from room to room in the aircraft, until she found herself in the cockpit, where she sat down in the pilot's seat to rest. Erika pulled out her Magnum, reflexively polishing it with her handkerchief, staring at the Irathian runes etched long ago on it's surface. Erika had always prided herself on her keen mind, and the thought of losing it to the growing brain tumor was her greatest fear. She would rather face a Monarch hellbug naked and without any weapons than face the possibility of losing her memories and maybe even her sanity.  Erika smiled as she reflected on one of her proudest memories, when she as a Votan Collective spy infiltrated the Thorn Liro as an ark hunter and fought her way through their five arenas to successfully become a Thorn Liro champion. She reported to her superiors that they were merely an offshoot of the warrior caste and no threat, but knew that they would be a factor for change in the Collective some day. Normally, such deception of her superiors would be abhorrent to Erika, but this time it seemed not only acceptable but commendable to her, because she saw them as a future force for good. To lose that memory, or the memory of her children's births, or the memory of meeting her husband on the beach for the first time at what then had been the lowest point in her life - to lose any of the memories that made up the person known as Erika Widowmaker - was abhorrent to her. Erika winced as a sudden flare of pain pierced her temples, and one hand rubbed her temple, the as the other held her magnum which her large jade eyes stared at intently, the forgotten handkerchief floating to the cockpit's floor as if in slow motion. |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 23, 2015 12:27:39 GMT
"I guess this commoner you are talking with should reply with a witty remark and ease and lighten everyone's minds after tragedy we faced, but it's not going to be that easy. Life is a chess game and now I must make my move. Roll in the Rook first and the Knight will move him to his next place. Done! And your family matters...our lips are sealed," said Volodja to Atticus. Volodja turned to Kaj Oenfer and greeted him: "Welcome to our humble home, Kaj. You are going to stay for awhile as long as I understand. Make yourself comfortable and we arrange your meeting with Kara really soon. I am not sure what becomes from that yet, but we are anxious to find out and if it does good, then hypothetically we could squeeze in more meetings. Hypothetically! Oh, and for your comfort, I will say that you can't broke something which was already broken. Kara was hurt and wounded creature when we took her in after she had been brainwashed and I do suspect that she was broken even before that, so I don't see much of your fault here. But now we must pick up the pieces together, so settle in and follow Wolfram's or Di's orders. While you are here they are your gods and thou shalt not have more gods before them. Except me, of course. Nominally I am suppose to be a head of this department, but I am travelling a lot, so Wolfram is leading the parade most of the time while I will be away." Volodja let orderlies to lead Kaj into his room, instructed Di and let Wolfram to take care for the rest of things. They must arrange Kaj's meeting with Kara as fast as possible, because Volodja has to pack his gear for Defiance expedition and try to save his tail coat from total destruction. And probably something else, because there are usually lot of things to do before one can go to a travel. But first it was time to perform some medical procedures, like electroconvulsive therapy - a necessary thing they had to do, because Kara had a bit more severe form of catatonia and electroconvulsive therapy had to be used as the first-line treatment. "Remember that the most common adverse effects are confusion and memory loss," Volodja reminded before they started with procedure. "So we lead Kaj in only after Kara is regained herself or Mistress of Judgement is back. Can't predict yet, which personality prevails in her mind after her catatonic state. Since holograms aren't useful any more as a form of therapy, Kaj is the only real thing, I mean person, we can offer to Kara. By the way - she is partially home all the time, because she recognizes Erika as her mother even when she acts as a Mistress. That gives us hope. Unfortunately she considers Erika as foe to her at moment so we won't try anything with her, unless we get Kara's real personality back. Kara likes Kaj and I suspect that no matter which personality she has at moment, she will like him anyway, so we are going give him a try." Soon Kara was on operation table, electrodes attached to her head and executioners started their work. After relatively long and nervous time period during which Wolfram and Volodja were sending several impulses into her head, she finally opened her eyes and greeted the world again. "Dear colleagues," stated Volodja. "We got really lucky here, because I was afraid that it's going to take several tries until she regains conscious. She is tougher than she looks and she must be, because she withstand a lot - brainwashing and conflict of personalities are first thing to come into my mind - and is still alive, although really unstable. Unfortunately we don't know who she is at moment - Kara or Mistress. Only way to find out is to ask her after she is done with self-actualization."  |
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Post by Belle Starr on Jun 23, 2015 13:08:48 GMT
Belle Starr had changed into her oversized happy faced t-shirt and was sitting in her four posted bed reading the long anticipated Agatha Christie mystery when the doorbell to her quarters rang. She answered the door, surprised to see a barefoot Lady Christianna in a blue nightgown and matching robe outside. "Couldn't sleep," Explained Lady, "Worried." "Yeah, me too!" Said Belle, gesturing for Lady to enter, which she quickly did making a beeline for the bed, "We're all worried about Kaj, but the best thing we can do is stay out of the way and let the boys handle it!" Lady jumped into the soft bed, bouncing once before crawling under the red satin sheets, saying, "Still worried about Kaj, about the boys." Belle smiled, then sat cross legged in the bed next to Lady, "Well, y'all want to talk about it? I'm talking to you too Sandy!" Sandy appeared in uniform, standing at attention in holographic form at the side of the bed, saying in an impassive tone, "As you wish, ma'am." Belle's smile grew even bigger as she replied, "Oh relax Sandy, it's just us girls here! Take off your boots and set awhile!" Sandy found it impossible NOT to like Belle, despite her perceived rivalry over Volodja's affections. Belle was so beautiful with that winning smile and charming ways, but so oblivious to it as well, that Sandy couldn't hate her no matter how much she tried. Add to that the fact that Belle was her niece and therefore blood family, which Sandy always felt was important, meant Sandy was between a rock and a hard place as to her love with Volodja, or so she believed. Still, Sandy changed into a negligee with the speed of thought, sitting on a corner of the bed opposite the two woman. They talked for hours, bonding as they did so as girls often do at a slumber party; the conversation being usually about the guys, but also about fashion and life in general until they all got sleepy. Sandy, as Lady's EGO psyche, retreating into Lady's EGO device to rest, while the other two women drifted into sleep laying next to each other in Belle's bed.  |
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Jun 23, 2015 20:42:41 GMT
Alfred Greenstreet was feeling a sense of deja vu. He felt that he had given this same presentation on Project Star to the VBI Board of Directors several times now, and although he was known for over preparing for such a presentation by practicing incessantly for one in front of his wife, this felt like he actually had given it over a thousand times. Suddenly Alfred heard the wailing of a young woman, but when he asked several of the directors if they heard anything, they were unresponsive to him, just sitting there as if he was still making the presentation. Alfred hurried out of the conference room, but when he exited the room, the door, the room, everything disappeared except himself and a green mist. He followed his ears towards the weeping sound, finding finally a beautiful scantily clad Irathient girl laying face down on the ground sobbing. He took off his lab coat, kneeling over her as he put it over the girl's red clay colored shoulders a she looked up with a startled look in her wide jade eyes that he was certain he had seen before.  "Amber, are you alright?" Said Alfred, surprised that he knew the girl's name. Amber fairly leaped into his arms, crying, "Dinara just disappeared as I held her, and I've wandered forever in this mist calling her name and can't find her! I'm so scared and so worried about her! Where are we and why are we here?" Alfred stood up, pulling the lovely teenager with him, trying awkwardly to comfort her by holding her and patting her shoulders in a "there, there" manner, finally saying when her tears ceased to flow, "I don't know where or why we are here, but let's find out together, shall we? I sense there is someone else in here with us, I don't know how or who either, but let's see if we can find them." Alfred took Amber's soft warm hand, leading her as he walked and peered through the cold mist, but suddenly shouting a name although he didn't know why, "SOPHIE!" |
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Post by Belle Starr on Jun 23, 2015 21:04:34 GMT
Lena starred at the small plane, and would have gone paler if her chalk white face would have allowed it, biting her lower lip until it drew blood before saying, "Well, there it is! You don't need me to grab some science geek and an EGO device! Why don't you fly there grab him and bring him here, then we can steal a lab here and slap that baby in my head!" The plan sounded incredibly weak even to her, so she looked sheepishly at Marcel with fear tinted sky blue eyes and smiled weakly before gulping, saying, "Okay, I don't like flying. Let me rephrase that: I really, really, really, REALLY DON"T LIKE FLYING!" Then she sighed and threw her pretty long lashed eyes to her feet saying, "I hope you at least know how to fly, for I sure as hell don't!"  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 23, 2015 21:09:29 GMT
"That's my name indeed. You are quite observant Alfred. Hello Amber. Long time no see," said Sophie with a smile. "I assume that we are not in London because they got rid on their pea soup fog as soon as they stopped using of soft coal for heating. So there is one place where we aren't. That leaves us millions of places where we can possibly be. I really dislike this mist because I had to cancel my reading session with Volodja and lost him from sight. Amber. Dry those tears, please. Crying won't help us here at all. We are middle of nowhere and we should try to make our way to somewhere where we can have more clear vision. Maybe someone else will pop out from mist and joins us. Dinara or Volodja. Both are good choices." Sophie grabbed Amber's hand and squeezed it firmly. "So you won't get lost," she explained to the frightened teenager girl. "Alfred can also come with us. The more the merrier. Always look the bright side of life and those other clichés. Any suggestions about our direction, Alfred? I assume that you are applying to the position of the leader, so prove that you qualify and lead us out."  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jun 23, 2015 22:31:40 GMT
In the Strato-carrier Vigilant's huge cockpit, the holographic version of it's AI, the young Castithan Lexy, is still laying in an out of the way corner reading when Erika walks in. holo-Lexy silently communicates with her Ai version and it is decided that the person who entered is just checking on things to make sure it is fine, so holo-lexy goes back to trying to read her Dr. Seuss. After she is done she gets up and stretches as she makes the holographic book disappear. She then looks around and spots Erika sitting in a pilot's chair staring at her gun.
Holo-Lexy skips over to Erika, then sees the handkerchief. So she gingerly picks it up, then eyes Erika and the gun carefully. Then the 5 year old ai/holographic, Lexy clears her little throat and says cheerfully, "Hya! You is Miss...umm...what my records sayed...Oh Miss Widowmaker! I is Lexy, here to helps! You dropped this!" Lexy holds out the handkerchief, as she continues, "And please putses down that guns! Commander Taffers and Scary Atticus says my guns arms is lockeded from mes cuz gunz hurts childrens! So please puts it aways! I don't not wanna be hurts! If you must holds somethings on your lap then...how bouts me? I never been cuddled. Can't not quite feels it completedly cuz Scary Atticus not gived me that feels programmy, not sure Sister Lady will convinces him to or when so no cares, but still wants to know what a lap cuddle is likes! ANd that guns lookses dang...dang..not safe! So pleases puts it aways and holds me insteads if you must holds somefins! Besides you looks like somefin buggin ya. I can't not help wiff that unless it's about pilot stuffs or this Dr. Seuss that Sister Sandy conv...convin...convinceded me to reads...It's good stuffs, but still no likes bein lonelies most times. Why so sad? I cans listens. I is goodest listener! Honest! I is listening!"
I say from where I am standing, "Toughness and strong will seem to be in her genes."
After giving her a little while to recover, Volodja and Wolfram escort her to her room and help her put on a robe for modesty's sake as I walk in.
"Wolfram says, "This is Captain Batman, Director of Security. He is just here to observe. Isn't that right Captain."
I say yes, "That is right, but you can both call me Atticus, and please look past my mask. I wear it for....personal reasons."
Wolfram glances at Volodja then chuckles slightly and smiles at me, as he says, " Yes, yes your security blanket, mein freund. Only in your case, it is a protective mask. No matter, most people have one." I just give him a dirty look, which makes him chuckle some more. Then Wolfram says, "Anyway, now let us begin."
As Wolfram begins asking his questions, Volodja pulls out a datapad to take notes on his observations of Erika, so Wofram, Di and he can discuss it later.
Wolfram says "Alright, my dear we would like to ask you some questions now. Let's start with the most simple one. What is your name?"
She thinks for a second then says, "It...it's Kara...Kara Zoxx."
Wolfram smiles and says, "Very good. "Alright your husband's name?""
Kara thinks a little while then with a little reluctance, she says, "Do I have to remember that? For some reason, I am not sure I want to, but alright. I will try. Markus, Mikus, Mukus...No Makus. Yes it's Makus Zoxx."
Wolfram says, "Yes that is right. Ok children?"
Kara smiles brightly as she says, "Yes I have two! A cute little girl and a wonderful little baby boy! Marla is Six, and Frond is One!" She then frowns slightly as she continues. "I miss them. He better be keeping them safe!"
Wolfram says, "Do not worry dear. I am sure they are. Alright. Next question. Parents?"
She looks at her feet as she says, "My father is dead, don't quite remember much about him right now...My mother is Erika...Erika Widowmaker. But I think she hates me. I feel like she keeps locking me away so she doesn't have to see me. Am I wrong? Does she hate me?"
Wolfram says, "I assure you that she cares for you deeply dear."
I step forwad and say, "Wolfram I am sorry but I must interrupt. Kara, your mother cares for you deeply and loves you completely. She is just worried about your health and safety. Which is why we are here. Speaking of safety, Wolfram may I ask my questions now?"
Wolfram and Volodja look at each other then they both cautiously nod to me in approval. So I say,. "Forgive me if my questions upset you, but as I said I am Director of Security, so it is my job and pleasure to make sure that you and everyone else under my protection stays safe."
She nods so I continue. "Do you have any enemies, Miss Zoxx?"
She says, "Please call me Kara. Yes I think so. Not my mother...I think she hates me, but she could never hate me that much could she?...No you both said she cares about me and is worried about me, so not her. But I am sure I have one. I think...I think....she calls herself the Mistress of Judgment, and her enforcer...what was his name...something Irathient. Oh yeah Kabule. My enemies are the Mistress of Judgment and Kabule. I don't know why, but I know they want me...want me dead!"
With that Kara cowers into a corner of her bed and says, "Your security so please don't let them hurt me!" I say, "I assure you that they will not hurt you here Kara. Please just relax."
She then looks around again and whispers the name, "Kaj." Then looks at me and with worry says, "Kaj! Big purple guy with a wrapped wrist, calm smile and......and those Orange eyes! As bright and intense as the sun! He was so nice and said he would protect me, and I believe it! I still do! So is he alright?! Please say he is alright! They didn't hurt him to get me did they?! I would never forgive myself if they did!...Wait mother attacked him, after he...after he upset me! HE stopped moving! She didn't kill him did she?! I don't want to hate mother......but would if she did!!!"
I say, "Relax, nobody hurt him. Do you remember that he told you that he is a machine, an Android?"
Kara looks at me quizzically, then I see a spark of understanding as she says, "Yes but he is so nice and feels so like you or me! It's hard to believe he is a machine..."
I say, "Well he is, even though he wants to be more like us and we all consider him to be a living being and not a machine. However your Mother was so angry that he may have hurt you, that she reacted badly. A Mother's prerogative when it comes to the safety of their children, according to Doctor Von Eschen. However Kaj is not dead or injured, except for the messed up wrist, which I believe he already had when you met him. We will have Engineering check it later, if it is still bugging him. It seems one of the problems with being Biomechanical...a Bio-man, like Kaj, is that when you have a medical issue, it sometimes requires both doctors and Engineers, I am afraid. Anyways, he was created with an on/off switch and your Mother knows that. So the reason he went limp, is because she shut him down, not killed him. However, I have reactivated him and he holds no hard feelings. He actually understands your Mother's anger and agrees with it. Anyway, he is just fine, and wants to see you when your doctors are fine with it."
She looks at Wolfram, Volodja and myself, and says almost desperately, "Please can I see him?! Can I see my Protector?! I want to make sure he is alright and I....I miss him and want to see him! He is so nice and caring! PLEASE?!"
Volodja looks at me and nods, so I head out the door. As I do, Wolfram says, "Relax my dear. Atticus is going to go get him now, as we speak."
I walk across the hall and into Kaj's current room. "Alright. Kara wants to see you and seems to remember most of her real life, including her husband. So be careful and please remember that she is married and sick. Also remember that even though we will leave the room so you have some privacy, that Volodja, Wolfram and I will be watching closely to make sure that all goes well and WILL get you out of there if you agitate her too much or she tells you to get out. You will also leave willingly when Volodja, Wolfram, or even Di says your visiting time is over. If you break any of these conditions then you lose the possibility of future visits with her. Understood?"
He says, "Yes sir. I will be good and try not to tell her anything else, unless she asks and try to limit what I say."
I say, "Good and be careful with how much you tell her if she does ask, because none of us want a repeat of last time. Just be the kind and caring guy that you are, but try not to overwhelm her with anything. I am learning that is never a good thing with women and especially not sick or injured women."
Kaj agrees, so I take him to Kara's room. As we walk in, Volodja says, "The three of us will be right outside, so you can have a little privacy. If you need anything, just let us know."
The three of us walk out and start to watch them through the viewing window. Volodja and Wolfram are discussing Kara's answers to the questions and their diagnosis of her so far, while the three of us watch her interaction with Kaj.
As soon as we left the room, Kara gets up and looks at Kaj. She says, "I am so glad that you are alright! I was afraid that...that mother killed you!" She runs over and gives him a quick hug then pulls away. "Sorry. I am just glad that you're alright."
Kaj says, "It is fine. You can hug me anytime that you want I will never object to that even though your ..."
She frowns and says, "Mother or husband? I suppose they both would object. Probably for good reason, but we did nothing wrong."
Kaj says, " I agree the hug was just friendly and because you were apparantly worried about me. Although I would never turn down another hug from you, I...Anyway, no Erika did not kill me, she just...disabled me, temporarily. I deserved it for hurting you. I should never have told you all of that."
Kara says, "I am glad you're alright, and Atticus explained what Mother did. You are a Biomechanical Man and she shut you down, because she was angry with you for hurting me. I guess I would have done the same if it was my children being hurt. I miss them! Anyway, you didn't hurt me. I am fine. Volo and Doctor Eschen say it was just a severe case of shock from information overload. You told me to much at once! Way too much, according to the doctors!
I think, I vaguely remember when I was younger that my mother once said that: There is such a thing as too much of something, including a good thing. I guess that includes honesty. However you are forgiven! I suppose I needed to know all of that. But next time not all at once, please. Alright Kaj?"
Kaj smiles and says, "Alright Kara. I am just glad that you are alright and forgive me."
While they continue to talk, I look at the brain squad talking next to me. "Well so far everything is going better than hoped. Although she had a hard time remembering her husband's name and didn't really want to. I suppose there is probably a psychological reason for that? Mybe he is the underlying factor that you mentioned? Obviously that is up to the two of you to figure out. I can't say anything about the guy, as I have never met him or had much reason to snoop through his files, however I will help in any way that you need. Anyway for now, I assume we let them talk a little longer?"
Volodja says, "I don't see why not, Giant. She appears to have most memories back. They are glad to see each other and are talking nicely. Look. They are even relaxing. She is sitting on her bed and smiling slightly and the big guy is sitting in the chair. I thik this is the first time since I came here, that I have seen hims sit casually instead of just in a military 'at ease' position."
I say, "I suppose, we should tell Erika about all of this. However Kara and Kaj are both enjoying the visit, and if we tell Erika about Kara, she will of course want to see her daughter right away. I can't blame her, but my, of course unqualified opinion is that we should not interfere with their theraputic visit, until you two decide that visiting hours are over. Besides, even if Erika ignores my suggestion that she sleep, she does still need some time with her thoughts. So I say, way until after you end the visit to contact Erika. However you two know best in those regards, so I will leave it to you, on when YOU contact Erika with all of this information. However I do think, a visit with a now lucid Kara, before we take our trip, would do Erika a lot of good. Call it the observations of an observant Security specialist, or the hopes of a concerned and protective younger brother if you want. However those are my feelings on the current matters at hand, either way.
Now I need some nutrients, so time for some rum. Wolfram, as Volo and Doctor Orion will tell you, I get the most from various different Irathient ingredients and my Irathient alcohols, as well as some non-alcoholic Irathient juices Ralph has working on perfecting for when my children are born, so I hope you don't mind if I have a drink, while I continue to watch the visit with the two of you. I even share most of the time. However given how I have been all over the place tonight without a chance to rest or re-energize, I am afraid I will probably need all the rum that is left in my flask."
Wolfram smiles, and nods. So I reach in my big boot, and pull out the big bootflask that I had made during our trip to Freedom. I then take a big drink of it. As Volo and Wolfram go back to their diagnostic discussion. I smartly stay out of it and just watch Kaj's visit with Kara, while I drink my rum.
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Jun 23, 2015 23:51:20 GMT
A small smile crossed Erika' red clay colored face, almost making the diagonal scar across her left cheek look like an exaggerated laugh line, as she replied as she holstered her Magnum, "Yes Lexy, I'm Erika, and please feel free to call me that! I'm just missing my children and grandchildren. My little granddaughter, Marla, is about your age! Dr. Seuss books were some of the only human children's books I read them. Shall I read you one? I think... that would make me feel so much better than just talking about my problems. I'm more of a doer than a talker anyway. So if you have a copy of a Dr. Seuss' book you'd like me to read to you, climb into my lap and I'll do it. Do you have Horton hears a Who! I always loved reading that one to them" Lexy smiled as a Dr. Suess' book "Horton hears a Who!" appeared immediately in her pudgy hand, then crawled into her lap, where upon Erika read the book with emotion to her, matching smiles on both their faces.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 24, 2015 4:45:11 GMT
"I think that you can handle everything fine here," said Volodja. "Since we worked nicely on solving this crisis I will treat myself with some spare time which I will use to pack my things. We have an expedition to attend and I haven't made any preparations yet. Wolfram, mein alter freund. You will be in charge of our asylum here while I am away and trying to get myself killed, mutilated or at least exhausted. At least I can experience all or some of that that knowing, that everything at home is placed into your firm hands. And you know my number anyway, so don't hesitate to call me. See you later when you going wave to us."
Said that, Volodja left the psychiatric wing and headed to his quarters where he took shower first. Rest of his needs - like having some sleep and something to eat will be satisfied later. He started with warm water and turned it colder soon after that. Then even more colder until he started to remain an aquarelle, painted in light blue and white colours. After that he rubbed himself intensively with a towel and changed colours again like an upset chameleon. That extravagant extremity served it's purpose very well - Volodja managed to repel tiredness further away and felt refreshed. He knew that his body reminds it's needs soon enough but at least he bought himself some time to pack everything necessary, including Belle's dream machine containing their EGO friends, so they could return them to their righteous places when they find Pyotr Yershov.
_____________________________
Wolfram von Eschen and Di exchanged glances and Wolfram said: "It makes me wonder how long he lasts if he keeps going like that. If I was him, I would have took a nap first, but he went packing instead. If I could then I would tie him up to his bed for a week and stood there as a Cerberus, so he could not escape. Maybe then he can have some rest, he desperately needs. Maybe I can manage to do that after his return. To knock him out and strap to a hospital bed. Really attempting idea."
"Can't agree more. The world might need everyday hero like Volodja, but he sure must learn to relax and let others do some work for him. Today he let us do it because he was really tired, so I concluse that he has his fair share of common sense although most of the time he keeps thinking in quite uncommon ways. While he is away we can develop some daily routine. You know - nice uneventful boredom," Di agreed. "We better observe those two now and then you can go and wave to them at the dock. Do you need a clean handkerchief for that?"
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Jun 24, 2015 6:38:02 GMT
"Relax Lena-darling. I would not insisted an air trip if I knew about your flying issues, but it is too late anyway, I guess. But you do not have to worry about my piloting skills. I can fly different kind of vehicles because my former line of work. And that includes flying a plane. Close your eyes now and take my hand. Trust me (although Marcel knew that he was not very convincing when he said that because most of the people didn't trust him at all but this time Marcel meant any word he was saying)."
He took Lena's chal white hand and lead her into cockpit where he seated her, strapped her to the seat and did the same thing after talking care of his lovely passenger. Marcel spent fair amount of time to make himself familiar with everything around. Then he ignited engines and took off the ground, steadily increasing their speed and altitude until they were high enough. Marcel turned autopilot on then, released himself from his seat and said to Lena who sat there, covering her face with hands:
"Have you ever heard of the mile high club? Probably not, because people don't fly as much as they used to be any more. But I will get you a membership and take you to new heights." Saying that Marcel lowered himself to the floor in front of Lena, pulled her culottes and fish net stockings down and sunk his face between her white thighs.
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Post by Belle Starr on Jun 24, 2015 7:04:44 GMT
"I haven't a clue how to get out of here," Alfred said to Sophie, "But I do have an idea as to where we are!" Alfred grinned and allowed a pregnant pause for dramatic effect, until Sophie raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to get on with it, whereupon he continued, "I believe that we are in some kind of data storage device, and because we are sentient, we were put in a loop of a pleasant memory. For me, it was my successful presentation to the VBI Board of Directors of a project near and dear to my heart. For Amber, it was a romantic tryst with Dinara - don't look so surprised Amber, between your emotional state and who you were calling for it was not a huge stretch of logic! And yours has something to do with Volodja Uljanov, your EGO host, Sophie, although it too might also be of a sexual nature, for both of you are quite attractive in a physical way." "But why - why would anyone want to just put us in storage!" Amber asked, tears beginning to roll again down her red clay cheeks from her big jade eyes. "Well, I think the reason would be obvious," Answered Alfred, taking out his pipe and slowly tapping tobacco in it with a small tool, "Our services as EGO psyches are no longer desired by our hosts! Dealing with a sentient EGO psyche is quite an emotional chore, with the standard EGOs much less complicated and less apt to complicate one's life. Or possibly our hosts found more palatable choices for EGO psyches - an upgrade so to speak. In my case, the explanation is completely understandable, for my machinations in the past have caused trouble for Belle's team and Belle might be upset about me not letting her know her mother was still alive, for reasons of my own. In Amber's case, Erika Widowmaker has always had trouble accepting any EGO psyche as being sentient, and I can see how a creature as enmeshed in rationality as Ms. Widowmaker might have difficulty accepting an EGO psyche based on how her dead infant may have turned out if she reached her teen years. Way too emotional a situation for her to stand for very long if she had a choice! Sophie, your case is equally understandable. Volodja now has Sandy, so what need does any man have for two EGO psyches, especially since one might fulfill all his needs? You are superfluous, assuming they found some way to put Sandy in his noggin, and the fact that they are romantically involved makes it more so, as you are an unnecessary possible complication." Amber began to weep inconsolably, turning and hugging Sophie for dear life with her head on Sophie's shoulder, as Sophie glared at Alfred, who merely shrugged his shoulders and puffed on his pipe, saying defensively, "Well, she asked!"  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 24, 2015 7:18:50 GMT
"It's a possibility," replied Sophie after consideration. "But you seem to be forgetting something. Our hosts have so called sentimental reasons to keep us close and that applies even to you, Alfred. Belle fights for you like a lioness, because you are her family. Amber is like a lost daughter to Erika and I used to be Volodja's only companion during long time, so he won't throw me away. Our relationship is based on friendship and shared intellectual interests. All right, I admit that there is always a little flirt between us to keep ourselves sharp but nothing more. Besides - I remember a child voice speaking with us before we ended up here, wherever it is. If we are on exile inside of some data preserving device then all we can do is sit and wait until somebody let's us out. Time to make a camp fire and get some marshmallows, because releasing us might take darn long time. Can you sing Kumbaya, Alfred?"  "If Alfred can't then I can," declared Psycho Pete, appearing from the mist. "I used to sing it to my hellbugs when they were little skitterlings as a lullaby. It was kind of lonely in that mist, so being with you is better than nothing. I will do anything to keep you as my companions. Anything." ![]() |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jun 24, 2015 9:24:24 GMT
After Volo left Psychiatric, I watched Kaj and Kara for another 30 minutes or so. Then Wolfram came and said, "Time for their visit to end and for you to get your distrusting arsch out of my ward. Besides you have a trip to finish preparing for, if you haven't already."
I say, "Dak you are right. I still have to see that a Medical patient, be transferred to the Vigilant for our trip. Alright I will move Kaj, but I am guessing that you and his guards can do so without me from now on. Also you are still going to call Erika and tell her how this went so she can see Kara before our flight, right?"
Wolfram shakes his head and says, "Afraid not, mein freund. As I recall you said that you are now acting as the Patriarch of Erika's family. So since we already informed you, it is YOUR job as the patriarch to decide when and how to tell Erika. Besides you need to get over your abandonment issues and learn to be part of your newfound family."
I glare at Wolfram and say, "Dakking psycho-babblers! However I suppose you are right. Besides, it will be interesting to deliver good news for once in my life. So I will handle Kaj and my other duties and find time to tell Erika as soon as I can. Have a goodnight Wolfram, you old trickster."
I then tap on Kara's door before opening it. Then Wolfram and I walk in. Wolfram tells them visiting time is up. Kara gives kaj a friendly but slightly too long hug, then Kaj and I leave her room. Wolfram stays in there to talk to her, and Kaj and I go into his room. He says, "Thank you Atticus. I was sure there was no way even you could get Erika to allow me to see Kara. I was certain I would die without ever seeing her again. I am glad it proved otherwise."
I say, "Kaj, it doesn't matter how I managed it. What matters is I managed the visit, as well as saving your life. You may even be able to stay here now that Kara remembers who she is. Although I am afraid you may have lost your position as Chief of Security. However after you are cleared to return to work, if you stay here we can find you a job that you are as suited or better suited for. "
Kaj says, "It was just a job. Work is work no matter what I am doing. So as long as I am welcome here, I will do any job you find me. Although I doubt Erika will ever welcome me again. Kara is better, but it does not change that I screwed up."
I say, "Just give Erika time. However if she never likes you again, you did bring it on your self, but it is possible that she may decide to give you a second chance at some point. Everything of importance takes time. Now get some rest."
Kaj says, "You too. You have a trip coming up in a few hours, unless my screw up caused it to be postponed."
As I walk out I say, "The trip is still on, thanks to the fact that things got better so quick for once."
I shut his door then go into Medical. Doctor Orion is just heading to his office when I see him. "Doctor. I wanted to make sure that Sandy's body is being transferred to the Vigilant and that the cryo-tube there is functioning correctly."
Dr. Orion says, "Aw Atticus. No problem. My crew already has everything set up on the Vigilant, and they are transferring Sandy's body as we speak."
I say, "Alright. Let me know when it is done and if there were any complications."
He says, "I know the drill. Go prepare for the trip and let me do my work now Captain."
I say, "Of course. I will leave you alone."
I leave and head to my quarters, as I do I stop by maintenance and get a cart. When I get into my quarters, unfortunately Lady isn't there. So I have my EGO, Dinara, locate Lady. Dinara says, "She is asleep in Belle's quarters. Do you want me to wake her or send her a message?"
I say, "No need to wake her Dinara. I suppose if I don't catch her before final boarding, that I will see her on the Vigilant. I will just load my gear and do some more preparations for now. "
I load my to-go gear on the cart and notice Lady's is also completely packed, so I put hers on the cart. Then I take the cart into my private armory and load the Secured armor trunk containing my 'Harbinger' gear on it. I then head towards the Vigilant with the cart. As I do I contact Dinara. "Hey pest, could you please tell Sandy that I have taken Lady's to-go gear to the ship, so she doesn't have to worry about it. And please ask Sandy to do so AFTER Lady wakes up." Dinara responds with, "Yes Atty, whatever you want." I notice the depression still obvious in her voice, and can't help but hope that we can get Amber back right away to help both her 'Mother' and her girlfriend. Since both women need her badly, for different reasons.
When I get to the Hanger I enter the Vigilant through it's cargo bay. As I do so I get a hailer message saying Sandy is safely in a cryo-tube in the Vigilant's Med Bay. I thank him for letting me know, then I take the cart to Lady's and my quarters. I put the secured armor trunk on the floor of our closet and our bags on our bed for now. Then I ask Dinara to locate Erika. Dinara says only two words, "Vigilant bridge."
So I go to the bridge. When I walk in I see a very young Castithan girl sitting on Erika's lap and Erika is happily reading to her. As I walk towards them, Erika finishes the book. Right after the girl makes it disappear and hands Erika a different one, which makes me realize she is obviously the ship's holographic Avatar, the girl looks up, taps Erika on the shoulder the points a finger at me as she says, "Uh ohs Erika! Funs is overs! Heres comeses the Harbinger Giant! Scary Atticus! Killer of funs!"
I smile and say, "only one girl on this base calls me Harbinger Giant or Scary Atticus all the time. You must be Lexy's avatar. I'd ask who activated you however only three people know that authorization code. Myself, Taffer and Lady. So I guess it's obvious that our new Head pilot decided to allow you access to your Avatar. It's her call, and I trust her completely. However I am glad to see that you are being good and keeping Erika company. I don't want to interrupt your story time, but I have some good news to share with Erika. However you look comfortable and I think this is the first time I have seen Erika happy, so stay where you are. I will try to keep my news from ending your story time."
Holo-Lexy says, "Yeppers Big sister Lady alloweded me to accesses my holo-avatar! She's is the bestest Evers forevers! And I is very comfort...comfort..comfies heres! But cans you please gives me the feels programmy that you gaves the emitterses in Volo's quarters? Pretty pleases wiff cherries on tops?!"
I say, "Yes Lady is the best. I am very lucky to be engaged to her and have her. As for the feelings program, I am not sure. However I suppose that if Erika and Lady both want me to, then I will do so, for I trust them completely. Now please give me a second to tell Erika the good news, since it concerns her daughter."
Lexy snuggles closer to Erika and nods at me as she says, "Oks!"
I smile and look at Erika. "I kind of figured you wouldn't listen to me and get some rest, even after we found out we are siblings. Afterall I am the baby brother, so what do I know. Although I come to find you, and discover that you met little Lexy and she managed to cheer you up. So you are in a much happier mood than I have ever seen you in, and reading to her, and you are both getting along quite well. So I suppose I am glad you ignored me and bonded with Lexy instead. Anyway as I said, I have good news. I have good news concerning Kaj and Kara and great news concerning Kara. The good news is that after Volodja brought Kara around and allowed Kaj to visit, they had a good visit and cheered each other up some.
The great news is that when Kara came around Wolfram asked her several questions. Based on the answers, she is definitely Kara, and not the Mistress of Judgment. However I think it best if you get the rest of the answers from Wolfram. I will warn you though, that she is afraid that you hate her and keep her locked away so you don't have to see her. Wolfram and I did our best to convince her that you love her and are worried about her, and could never hate her. I think we succeeded there, but still thought that you should know. Wolfram said that you can see her before our flight departs, but she needs rest for a little while first as well as plenty of rest afterwards. So you are to keep it short, if you do go see her. And when she was introduced to me, it was strictly as Captain Atticus Batman, Director of Security. Afterall we agreed that it is best for you and the doctors to decide when she is ready to hear that. Anyway, I will leave the two of you to enjoy more story time. It is good to see a smile on your face Erika. And I know Lexy has been lonely. She tells me that, every time that I talk to her."
I lean down and give Erika and Lexy a quick group hug, then I leave. With my tasks done and my family news delivered, I go back to Lady's and my quarters in Fortress K'shaa. Afterall I need a shower and then to put on my Supporter armor and the rest of my guns, before it is time to officially board the ship. Lady still isn't there, so I pull out a bottle of rum and fill up my boot flask since I emptied it while supervising Kaj's visit with Kara. After I am done, I take a few drinks from the bottle, then strip. I am about to go to the bathroom for a shower, however I decide to ask Dinara what time it is and realize there is plenty of time for me to get a 1 or 2 hour nap in and still have time for a long shower if I want. So I turn off the lights and crawl into bed to take a nap, while I imagine how peaceful my fiancé must look at the moment, asleep in Belle's bed. |
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Post by Belle Starr on Jun 24, 2015 11:55:15 GMT
As the small plane had taken off, Lena Marr's sky blue eyes were tightly closed, her chalk white knuckles even whiter as they clutched the arms of her passenger seat and she unconsciously held her breath as she took off. Strangely enough, with Marcel's head firmly between her snowy white thighs and his adept tongue dancing in her nether regions, she was in exactly the same state physically, although enjoying the sensations much more. That was until a proximity alarm in the plane noted the approach of a razor rain storm.
As the incessant beeping permeated the plane's interior, Lena's long lashed sky blue eyes flew open and an audible gasp escaped her lush lips as her brain simultaneously registered the pleasure of her orgasm and the alarm of seeing the razor rain storm headed straight for them in the front window of the plane, whereupon she exclaimed, "Aw, maaaaaaan... we just can't get a break!"
*****
Erika Widowmaker thanked Atticus for the information, hugging him before he left, but disquieted by the news that Kara would ever think Erika could hate her. Every decision Erika made since Cael's birth was predicated on what was best for the well-being of her children, even if it meant she should be absent from their lives for some time if it would better their lives in the long run. Erika wanted to immediately go to Kara's side, although she was uncertain what she would do when she got there.
Still, Erika took the time to smile and thank Lexy for her company, promising to read to her again as soon as she could, hugging the holo-child before she left. On the way to Kara's room in the infirmary, she hailed Chris asking that he send someone to fine tune Lexy's holo-emitters to enable the tactile feature so that Lexy hologram self could actually touch and feel things within the confines of the strato-carrier.
Once she arrived at Kara's room, she found Kara asleep, and chose not to awaken her, so she sat in the adjoining observation room, watching through the one-way window her daughter sleep peacefully for the first time in months. Erika reviewed the tapes of Kara's conversation with both the doctors, Atticus, and Kaj over and over, her heart breaking hearing Kara confess what Erika took was fear and uncertainty as to her mother. Erika had thought she had run out of tears long ago, but when Kara expressed concern that her mother hated her not once but several times, tears began to flow out of her beautiful jade colored eyes, catching momentarily in the deep scar that ran down her left cheek before falling to the ground as Erika held her head bowed before the viewing screen.
Erika wondered if Cael might feel that way too, and even Amber, her EGO psyche based on her imagining of how her dead infant daughter might have been if she grew up. Erika would ponder the issue long after the tears dried up, and through the sleepless night, until the morning came and she left for the stratocarrier, still not seeing Kara, rationalizing that her presence might only disturb Kara more. Erika did stop to see how Cael was and to say goodbye, knowing Cael planned to be gone before she got back. The visit with Cael was pleasantly civilized, but tinged with her suspicion that he was resentful of her too, so much that she searched his jade eyes constantly looking for any indication of such emotions before leaving to begin the mission to retrieve Amber, even though Erika now believed that Amber probably hated her as well.
*****
Sandy, Lady Christianna's EGO psyche, was at a quandary. Atticus through Dinara, his EGO psyche, had asked her not to awaken Lady, but Lady had asked her to awaken her as soon as Atticus was in bed in the quarters they shared. Sandy went back to her military training, as she often did in such circustances of conflicting orders, noting that Lady was her commanding officer in this case, so she woke Lady up as she had been directed by her.
"It might piss off Atticus," Thought Sandy, "But I'd rather have the Harbinger of Death mad at me than a pregnant Lady I have to live with every second of every day!"
Lady sat up, wiping the sleep out of her eyes with two small chalk white fists, then was careful to get out of bed and not awaken Belle. She put on her pale blue robe, then snuck out of Belle's quarters on bare feet, being quiet as she padded down the corridor to enter her own quarters. Once in the safety of their own bedroom, she smiled enigmatically as she watched Atticus asleep in their bed, undressing completely before crawling under the bed covers and falling asleep snuggled close to him, glad that she would be with him when he awakened to share their morning shower ritual.
*****
In the morning, Belle Starr would be one of the last to get up, get ready, and board the aircraft to Defiance. She was glad to finally undertake the mission to Defiance that meant so much to the well being of so many of her extended family, but was reluctant to leave the comfort of her house, which was how she had come to see Fortress K'shaa. Despite the continuous crises and drama that seemed to occur almost every day in the base, it was still where she was happiest and where she called home.
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