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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Jun 26, 2015 14:28:50 GMT
"Hello, sheriff Berlin," said Marcel Lestrange cleaning his ear from snow. "As you can conclude from my accent, I am not local so I landed to first safe place after flying all night and escaping a razor storm. We needed a rest and check our plane for possible damages. Of course we could just land to make couple of snow angels but you would not believe that, would you?" ![]()  And Marcel smiled politely to local law keeper. First contact in Defiance must not become first conflict. They needed peace and quiet, before they will start a riot when they have their talk with the Toad about getting EGO psyche to Lena and something goes wrong, so he continued his speech and was quite truthful when he spoke: "And what are you doing in a secluded place like this? Should be worry about something like our safety? Possible bandits or yetis have been spotted lately? Maybe it would be safer to take off right away because my girl and me are just travelling for our pleasure and having an armed conflict is not part of our travel plans. In that case, sheriff, maybe you can point us nearest safe landing spot with a decent souvenir boutique and qualified mechanic." |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 26, 2015 16:42:18 GMT
Wolfram von Eschen had a hearty conversation with Cael, their former patient and former Fakeabule who regained his own personality because of efforts of Wolfram, Di, Volodja, Erika and most of all himself. That's why he said: "You must thank yourself first and foremost, mein lieber freund. You did most of work and rest of us helped you with that as much as we could. Just give me a minute and I will escort you to see your sister." He turned to Chloe and said: "Sorry, liebchen. Duty calls me. Thank you for that honour of choosing me as your date to that ball. I enjoyed your company and our dance and that ride back home. You are wonderful girl, Chloe." Suddenly he took Chloe's hand and kissed it in old fashioned but really elegant manner, making her confused because she was used being kissed to a lot of different places but not her hand. After that Wolfram left the canteen, looking back at Chloe and glancing Volodja struggling with exhaustion while he waited Taffer to begin his story telling. Although Wolfram was tired too had an advantage - he rode back comfortably in a car, Chloe behind the steering wheel, while Volodja drove through mud and blood in ATV to make back on time after hours of dancing.  On their way Wolfram explained that Kara regained her personality but she was still really fragile yet so Cael must be really delicate with her. She needs peace, comfort and familiar faces around her, so Cael is perfect choice for a visitor (if he plays his cards well), although Kara's children would be even better option. He told to Cale also that Volodja contacted local mob to begin a search for them, but if Cael can do anything about that issue then his help Would be most welcomed although he must have more important problems to solve at moment. They arrived to psychiatric wing and Wolfram let Cael to enter first as a guest and left him almost alone with Kara. Almost alone because he and Di both observed that meeting with help of cameras. |
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Post by Taffer on Jun 26, 2015 17:05:19 GMT
As they were driving back to the base, Taffer almost chuckled when the name of their base was first mentioned. But then a dismal thought came to his mind about why it was called that way. When they entered the base, the absence of EGO signal of his best friend, Vo Kshaa, just proved his thoughts. He went into the decontamination room in silence, his thoughts racing fast. The presence of all the family except Vo and the fortress named in his honor obviously meant his best friend died. Seeing Belle all smiles meant it had happened some time ago, probably not long after he left to his sole secret mission. Last time he saw Vo in person it was in Freedom where he left the team to find Belle who had suddenly disappeared due to the sharkgator incident. Two days later Belle showed them his eye and informed them he was held hostage by Mistress's minions. The young Irathient was known for his sheer luck and evaded death many times and Taffer was sure the guy will survive this time as well. Unless… unless he was willing to die. Taffer was sure Vo would willingly choose death if the only other option was to act against their family or be a leverage to force Belle to do so. All in all, if his best friend had indeed died, he did it so that their family could live and live happily. Taffer decided to mourn his friend when he was alone, and not to bring this topic up around the team unless it was absolutely necessary. So when he exited the decontamination room and directed his steps to the mess hall, he smiled to Belle and to all those present, but the attentive eye could see his smile had a tint of sadness this time. He shook hands with Cael as the young Irathient was exiting the canteen, and then Belle announced Taffer to be the main storyteller for this breakfast. "Glad to see you Volodya and all of you", Taffer replied to Volo's greeting, "Never thought I would miss this insane asylum so much". Then Taffer took a seat at the large table and took a deep breath to gather his thoughts together. "You know me, I tend to not leave loose ends", Taffer started his story, "But there's one thing that kept hunting me for several years. Back then, when I didn't have an EGO yet, I was raiding old EMC bunkers that were abandoned after the war ended and Ludovico contingency was initiated. All high-grade weapons should have been destroyed and all high priority information should have been deleted and copies destroyed. But as it always goes there's a so-called human factor and insurmountable circumstances. So something was left of course. And I was successfully searching and finding that "something". And selling it of course. Most of it was weapons like those you could find in Bay area, and information that was way outdated and held mostly sentimental value or a key to someone's promotion or demotion, depending on who pays more. So no real harm was done until I bumped on that jekking bunker. Actually, "bumped" is not the right word. I was hired by Zaitsev to find a bunker using some rough data he gave me, break in, steal any data available on those computers and hand it to him. A simple job, way too simple for the payment he offered. But I was young, arrogant and stupid at that time. I found the bunker, broke in, disabled all levels of security and found the computers with all the data erased but recoverable. Easy-peasy as one would say. The first sign that something went wrong appeared when the trap I've set at the entrance went off. I turned the surveillance back on and found out those who came in were not simple ark hunters but assassins hired to kill me and grab whatever I had found. I had to play cat and mouse a little and won. Before one of them spilled his guts literally, he did it figuratively and confessed it was Zaitsev himself who hired them. I should have known better that moment and lay low and simulate my own death or something. But I was young and proud. I took pictures of those assassins and made a copy of the recovered image of those data blocks for myself. Then I had sneaked to Zaitsev's personal quarters, knocked out his bodyguard and left a message for him to quit the jek trying to kill me and give me twice the payment for my extra efforts. To my surprise, I was contacted very soon and paid the entire sum I demanded without any haggle. So Zaitsev got his precious info, I got my payment and a copy of that recovered data which I started my decryption work on. It took me and my laptop some good amount of time but finally I managed to hack through. Guess what did I find? There were access and launch codes for nuclear missiles on Russian territory that were stolen from them right before the terraforming started. So much for that EMC and the joint forces they proposed. Those top-hats were still spying on each other and gathering any means they could use against each other if an opportunity turned up. Once I found out what all this was about, I started to pull some strings to find out who was that counterpart Zaitsev had sold that info to. Guess what? He didn't find any better than selling it back to Russians. You see the picture — they got nuclear missiles, they got launch codes they thought were long lost and they got several clans fighting for power on that radioactive wasteland of a territory the country had turned into. Now I think you understand why I've never had any deals with Zaitsev again. It was quiet there for the time being so I thought they were unable to find anything dangerous there or didn't have the tech to get them running even with the codes in their hands. But to be sure, last time I've been there I got acquainted with some people I found the most reasonable of the bunch I've seen there. So that day I got a call. Some psycho tried to revive the old doomsday system also known as Perimeter. You know, that legend of all remaining missiles being launched remotely by another missile that was supposed to fly across the country sending the launch command. You may ask why I left without telling anything to anyone. That's simple. With all what happened recently at the base, I was seriously suspecting that we had a spy in our midst and somewhere close to our high ranks. I hope you all understand that by any means I could not let that Mistress of Judgment know that there are ready-to-launch tactical nuclear missiles somewhere and their launch codes are rather easy to obtain. So I had to disappear and start my journey across that land alone. Everything else was rather simple but time-consuming. Find the shaft, open it destroy the equipment inside and fill it with concrete. You know the country is big even if you travel by a fast hovercraft and have a squad of Spetsnaz on your side.  Finally found that psycho guy and killed him, happy end. By the way, if anyone interested, the over-the-horizon radar at Nakhodka City is still up and running with some upgrades. They use it as a short wave radio station to transmit music over eastern part of the country. What a waste of eight megawatts of tachyon energy I must say.   So, back to our current affairs, tell me again please how is our team called? Protectors of Paradise? Well, I really hope you won't order me to kill everyone who starts to call us Pee-Pee-Team. I honestly have no idea on where to hide so many corpses." Taffer chuckled and added, "On a serious note, If you need another pilot in your team or a spare gun or just a snarky sneaky guy to keep you focused, I'm ready to go. Or I can get Kara's kids or contact their protectors if there's a need for that." |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 26, 2015 17:17:11 GMT
Volodja narrowed his tired brown eyes and said after consideration: "It was a really exciting story and it sure chased Mr. Sandman away. If you need my opinion then I would like to have you with us, Chief. We have to convince a Russian computer wizard to perform some EGO transitioning and provide our girls with more advanced EGO psyches and you have couple of advantages already to help us there - Russian and computers. Tarr family is dealing with a search of Kara's children at moment. Or at least I hope they do, because I made a deal with their consigliere and agreed to meet Stahma Tarr if they do it and I expect them to keep their part of that bargain. I really don't know why she is interested about me, but I will find out sooner or later, although I would prefer that later part. Hopefully anyone else won't object my proposal, unless you want to do something else, Chief. Oh and about stealth. I must inform you that our distinguished Haele has a great idea about making our armours more silent. I will be testing her idea during our oncoming mission. If results are satisfying then we all going to be more silent and well armoured soon enough."
Volodja looked rest of family members and waited them to respond. His two cents were added to the tip jar. If rest of their family had better ideas then they were more than welcomed to introduce them. Once again he pored more coffee to his cup. Taffer's adventures kept him awake but now he was afraid that exhaustion will sneak back and hits him from behind and then they have to carry his sleeping body to their ship.
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Post by Belle Starr on Jun 26, 2015 18:27:49 GMT
Lena Marr grasped her hands in front of her as if to plead, but palming the switchblade knife she kept in her cleavage, as she said, "Please Ms. Law Keeper, we were just coming to visit my closest living relative to tell of my engagement to Marcel! Stahma will be so happy to see her favorite cousin is here in Defiance! Maybe you could give us a ride into town?" Berlin frowned as she asked, receiving a quick nod of assent from Lena afterwards, "Stahma Tarr? She and her husband have been gone for months. They unexpectedly left just after the terra-form attack on New York City and E-Rep left Defiance to fend on its own, as did a whole lot of other people. However their household is still being run by their servants, so I assume they plan on coming back. It will probably be okay if you stay therei the meanwhile. Follow me to my Durango, I'll take you into town. There have been sightings of Raiders in these parts, so I won't feel right leaving you people to fend for yourself. I know a well-armed mechanic who will come out and check out your plane - for a price of course. Follow me!" As Berlin shouldered her shotgun, she turned her back on them and started to trudge through the snow to her hidden vehicle, all the while Lena small talked in a happy tone. Behind Berlin's back, Lena silently flicked open her switchblade knife with a flick of her chalk white wrist, homicide in her cold sky blue eyes, as she crept up slowly behind Berlin. ***** "Wow! I wish I could have been there to help, but I perfectly understand y'all wanting to keep it hush-hush with all that was at stake!" Said Belle still smiling glad that her friend was safe now, "As to the Defiance mission, I'd love to have you along, but it's up to Atticus as mission field leader! However, I..." Suddenly the smile vanished from Belle's pretty freckled face as tears welled up in her big blue diamond eyes, and she said sadly, "I didn't want to tell you until we were all together for moral support, more for me than you! I don't know how to tell you, so I'll just dig my heels in and do it: Vo is dead, Taffer! The Inquisition submarine where he was held hostage as leverage so that I would do what the Mistress of Judgement wanted was sunk, either by her hands because I wouldn't completely do what she wanted or by her own enemies, I still don't know which! Either way, it's my fault he's dead!" Belle began to weep, trying to in vain to not let the others see by shielding her eyes with both pale hands, as Taffer asked, "How do you know for sure Belle? Vo has gotten out of worse scrapes than that -" Belle tearfully looked up, a red gleam in her eyes as she interrupted vehemently, "You don't think I know that! I know all about his incredible luck, but with good luck there is always a price to be paid with bad luck, and the bill was due with a vengeance! I SAW him drown in his crystal coffin as the sub sunk in real time holovision telecast! I checked using all of VBI's resources! It couldn't be faked! All the experts say so! It was the real thing, and although I've had VBI's Aqua-Team searching the gulf coast ever since and they haven't found a body yet, they told me that with the powerful currents there and the numerous sharkgators, his body will probably never be found! It took a while, but I've finally grown to accept the fact that Vo is dead and I'm the reason for it, but Vo would want me to go on, which is what I'm trying to do, day by day, hour by hour!!" The red gleam quickly faded from Belle's eyes, as fast as it appeared, and her tears suddenly dried up while she sat staring sadly at her delicate hands laying motionless in her lap, muttering in a low voice, "Really, I'm over my grief and am finally moving on...really..." All eyes were on Belle for several seconds as silence followed her outburst, then the breakfast conversation began again, consciously heedless of the almost palatable cloud of sorrow emanating from the beautiful young woman. Erika merely rubbed her temples with two red clay colored forefingers, as Sandy clung to Volodja's arm with both hands, looking sympathetically at Belle and feeling bad about being jealous of her. Lady, however stopped eating her present piece of cherry pie, smiling enigmatically as she put the fork on the plate and slid it over to Belle, saying, "Eat. Tastes good." Belle looked at the almost whole piece of cherry pie, then picked up the fork taking a bite, saying with a small sad smile on her rose petal lips, "Yeppers!"  |
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Jun 26, 2015 18:38:22 GMT
Marcel Lestrange saw flashing knife blade in Lena's hand. Having sun in blue sky has it's advantages and not only aesthetic ones. That sight made him to hurry to Lena's side and whisper:
"My Love. Better let her live, because we don't want to begin our little trip here with a murder. Let her transport us Lena-darling. If she is a local la keeper then she will be missed and since we are new faces here then we will be first ones they will suspect. I know local's mentality too well. They always suspect strangers first and you can guess three times who would qualify as usual suspects here. This time I am willing to keep her alive even if someone attacks her. Not for sentimental but practical reasons. Think strategically, My Love."
After saying that, Marcel looked to Lena's sky blue eyes, filled with decisive rage and placed himself between Lena and that female law keeper. That girl seemed to be a helpful kind and they could ask her about whereabouts of Pyoutr Yershov aka the Toad, as Marcel liked to call him. If Lena wants her dead she must stab Marcel first now. And some why he was willing to take that chance. Love is a really strange thing and makes even Marcel Lestrange to risk with is life to give something important to his beloved girl. Even if it means that he gets killed by her hand.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 26, 2015 19:29:37 GMT
Volodja looked at Belle's pretty face and then he said with his soft voice: "I don't think that it's anyone's fault, dear Tinkerbelle. Although I am in no position to say that. Vo made his decision to search for you by himself and unfortunately he didn't discussed it with us. You can't blame yourself for that. You know - we have too many people already who blame ourselves for causing everything bad in this world. At least I know one certain guy who is willing to bear every sin of human kind and I don't want you to end up like that. Believe me - he is really miserable human being and you deserve much better fate." Instead of having tasty cherry pie, that miserable human being had another sip of his bitter black coffee and after that he went silent and sat there, keeping his eyes open and remaining to be awake. That was really embarrassing moment for him but he could not act and said otherwise. Bloody unsuitable thing to say in wrong moment. But lately Volodja was not known for his perfect timing and flawless constructs of mind so one more failure didn't meant anything any more.  |
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Post by Belle Starr on Jun 26, 2015 19:57:36 GMT
The usual look of mischief replaced the one of murder in Lena's long lashed sky blue eyes at hearing Marcel's words, so Lena closed the switch blade knife secreting it to its' hiding place in her ample cleavage as she grabbed his arm with both her chalk white hands, whispering to him, "That's why you're the brains of our operation Marcel! You're always thinking ten steps ahead. Me, I just think to where I could just see the red blood splashing out of her pink throat as it drenched the white snow crimson. Good artists don't think beyond the edge of their canvass, which is why they die poor. Good think I have you here for the planning, My Love!"
*****
Belle looked longingly at Voldja, seeing him with a beautiful albeit holographic girl on his arm who stared at him lovingly as he sipped his coffee seeming without a care in the world. Belle hated herself for being envious of Sandy at that moment, but couldn't help it as she felt her hear flutter when he spoke. However, it then dawned on her as to what the words he said actually meant.
"Volo can't be referring to himself! He can't be!" Thought Belle to herself, "He can't be miserable and blame himself for anything wrong! He's gotten the team out of a huge amount scrapes since he arrived, and even saved me as a child from a worse than death fate! He's the smartest and most cultured guy in the Bay Area - shoot, maybe the world - and he's got terrific friends and a wonderful girl like Sandy! Naw, he can't be talking about himself, can he?"
However, deep down, Belle knew he was, which made her even sadder, for if a man of his capabilities couldn't find happiness in such circumstances as these, how could she ever?
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Jun 26, 2015 20:17:15 GMT
"Relax, My Love," said Marcel Lestrange. "It's not your fault. I know that I am too old for you, My Love, but age brings along some strategic thinking. So I can be useful to you before you will exchange me for some young punk. I will be useful to you to achieve your purpose, My Love."
Marcel knew what he was speaking. But he also knew that he will help Lena as much as he could before he will be alone in the top of the criminal world. Yes, he dreamed about being the king and having his queen by his side but he knew that nobody would stay with him to the end. Especially young and beautiful Lena. There wasn't any land for old men after all. But he could help her get her new EGO unit and after that she would be free to go while Marcel will get into position to envy and desire. After all - he can buy some love after that, although it won't replace love of Lena Marr which seemed to be free of charge.
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Post by Taffer on Jun 26, 2015 20:52:21 GMT
"People, people, people", Taffer said in a soothing manner feeling the dark cloud of sadness was about to consume everyone at the table, "If we're taking this much of heavy thoughts to our next journey, then no amount of antigrav power would be enough to keep the ship above the ground. It's a crazy world around us indeed, people die, and I'm as sad as you all to see our best friends go, but what we have to do is to care for those who still live and those who still can be helped. We have to push forward so that their deaths won't go in vain. So that people who live after us won't be suffering like we do now. So let's get our good old Vigilant flying before we drown in our sorrows. So your say Atticus, am I going or am I staying to back you up here?"
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Post by Belle Starr on Jun 26, 2015 21:16:44 GMT
Lena Marr stared out the passenger window watching the white expanse go by with expressionless sky blue eyes as Berlin drove her and Marcel towards the town of Defiance. In fact. Lena's mind was awhirl with thought; the voices in her head that represented the seven deadly sins plus hope were in a heated debate within the confines of her mind.
Anger, the loudest of her voices as usual, said, "Slice and dice them both! Then mix up the parts on the corpses!"
Pride agreed, saying, "He is always thinking he knows best and tells you what to do whether you want to or not! I say kill him, then do the girl, because you know you want to!"
Lust giggled and snickered, "Do the girl... Pride said do the girl! Oh... not what you meant Pride?"
Envy replied with venom, "A quick thrust with your knife to her heart will do it, but be sure and cut up her face afterwards! She's too damn pretty!"
Greed remarked, "This is a pretty sweet SUV! Let's take it after they're dead! The plane too!"
Gluttony exclaimed in alarm, "Not the plane! Please not the plane! I almost hurled all that wonderful food and wine last time I rode in the plane!"
Sloth added speaking slowly, "It's too much work to keep up this charade of being good and having a steady relationship. Besides, once he leaves you in the dirt, you'll just waste all that energy crying over lost love! Kill him now and be done with it!"
Hope, the tiniest and newest of her voices just mumbled, "Maybe he really loves you and will never leave you."
Lena truly liked Hope, but thought her a bit naïve. All men leave her: It was an unwritten rule of the universe. However Marcel made her happy, and although murder made her happy too, Lena really believed she would be happier with Marcel as her true love than in murdering him. On the offside chance Hope might be right, Lena decided to stay with the status quo; however she touched her chest reassuring herself that the switchblade was still secreted in her cleavage, just in case circumstances changed and she might suddenly need it.
"Relax, My Love," said Marcel Lestrange. "It's not your fault. I know that I am too old for you, My Love, but age brings along some strategic thinking. So I can be useful to you before you will exchange me for some young punk. I will be useful to you to achieve your purpose, My Love."
"Pshaw Marcel," Lena Marr said, then giggled way too long, adding with a wicked grin, "You'll not get rid of me that easily, no matter how much you pay some handsome young punk to seduce me. I'll know you're just testing my love for you again, and I won't fail it again. I'll put his head on the bed post so you can wake up and see it, and see how true I am to you. The only way you'll leave me is by dying! Um... by old age and natural causes, of course, My Love!"
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jun 27, 2015 10:38:25 GMT
After Cael left the table, Belle eventually got Volo to join us at the table. When he and Sandy came over, I clearly got the wiff of sex emanating from him and left it at that, since it isn't my business or concern and most people don't have as strong of a sense of smell as I do, so it is doubtful that the others would even notice anything. I wrap my arm around Lady's waist lovingly as we listen to Taffer talk and the others' responses.
After Taffer says, "So let's get our good old Vigilant flying before we drown in our sorrows. So your say Atticus, am I going or am I staying to back you up here?"
I look at him with a very serious and grim look stare, as I say, "You know Taffer, I dont' know if I should beat you to a pulp or thank you, because of the torment your departure caused me! With your sudden disappearance I was forced to be the commanding voice, and everyone here porved that insanity can be contagious. They actually made me Commander for awhile. However once the spy and security issues where discovered and handled. They came to their senses and came up with a Triumvirate instead, so no one person; No matter how cunning and sneaky, such as yourself; Tough and well trained in military Command such as Erika; Smart and foolish such as Volodja; beautiful and charismatic Belle; or one as Ruthlessly violent and deviously tactical as myself; would be forced to endure the burden of Command alone, as you were. Although I am certain they were afraid a ruthless killer would prove to be a tyrannical dictator if left in sole command for long."
I then flash a slight smile, then return to my normal stoic grimace as I say, "However, since their little experiment at making me sole commander did work by making me focus and care about the concerns wants and needs of other, as well as making me realize that I can and am decent at commanding others without using the fear tactics that I am so accustomed to, I guess they would consider it a success. Not to mention I know that it shocked some, when I succeeded and didn't fail or try to corrupt others into my way of thinking, or have to rely on fear tactics to get most to follow my command. Anyway, I believe it helped prepare me for fatherhood and acted to make me a better Team leader and better husband-to-be to Lady. So you know what? I will not beat you. Instead I offer my deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks."
I see Taffer glance at me with a little confusion at my husband-to-be remark and I smile happily, which I don't think he'd been around long enough to see me purposely do. Then I say, "I see your confusion. I guess Belle hasn't had a chance to completely catch you up yet. Alright since you heard the sad news about Vo, time to tell you some happier news and see if that cheers everyone up a little. Dak! There I go being the reasonable and caring one again! Oh well. Anyway...Yes you heard right. I actually got over my loner attitude and proposed to Lady. I will most definitely marry her whenever she is ready to be my blushing bride. We discovered that she is having twins, and we even named them already. Due to various issues that happened and the fact that they seem to have inherited some of my unique abilities and got some of their own, without needing a grid symbiote, several of us have even met them in person, so to speak, on a couple of occasions. The most recent surprising yet great news that I can hear is already being discussed by others in this Mess, is that I am no longer a man without a lineage. Due to our Doctor Orion being so thorough with medical databases, we have discovered that I have an older sister who has children and grandchildren. It seems I am the younger brother of the Lawful, dutiful and maternal Erika Widowmaker. I have already even found myself embracing being her younger brother, as Erika has my Big Sister. Cael is even willing to learn to accept me as his Uncle because he trusts and loves his mother so deeply."
I glance around the table and then I continue. "I still vote our team be the Paradise Protectorate, but that is for another time I suppose. Alright we have plenty of time to discuss any other personal or base news that you need caught up on, later. For now let us discuss more pressing matters. First you need to know, although Belle most likely told you already and I briefly mentioned it, that after my experiment with Command, it was decided that from now on instead of a Sole Commander we have a Triumvirate. It consists of Volodja, Erika and Myself. Officially I am also now Director of Security, basically that means instead of handling only base security, I am to handle all security matters brought to me, including personal ones if I deem it necessary. That also makes me field Commander as Belle mentioned.
We do need to bring Kara's kids to see her soon, and have Erika personally deliver them to her. However we need to get to Defiance and handle the issues with our EGOs first, and that includes the fact that Sandy now has a corporeal body, in Cryo-stasis safely aboard the Vigilant, that we need to find a way to reunite her with. Doctor Orion, Haele and even Volodja have interesting opinions on that and they are hoping the EGO expert that we are going to find can help it all happen. After he returns everyone's EGOs to them since that is probably easiest. However Chris insists on staying here and handling command, unless we order him to do otherwise, so we need to either have the expert come back with us or tell Haele exactly what to do, so she can bring Chris's EGO psyche back to him as soon as we return here, that is unless one of you convince him to go with us, which probably won't be hard for any one of you to do.
So you see Taffer, it is hard to just tell you what is best for you to do, when we have so much to do. I would however prefer you go with us if you want because I have.....an important private matter that I need to do alone sometime during our visit to Defiance, which has already been discussed and approved privately among the Triumvirate. If it takes longer than I was hoping, or the business with our EGO expert takes longer, then I will need somebody to take command while I am away. And as Volodja pointed out you are very familiar with things that may help this Russian EGO expert soften up to us a little. You are also quite skilled with computers and EGOs. You also get along great with Haele and she has seemed to miss you a lot. So you would be the best choice to help him and Haele in anyway that they need....Hmm I guess I have just talked myself into saying that it may be best if you go with us. However it would be great if you can help find Kara's children as well, just in case the Tarr's can't or choose not to. It's best to always have another way to get information just incase the first proves unreliable or incapable for some reason, as you already know. You seem to be the most reliable source in this case, so please do what you can. However as I said, it may be best for you to come with us. So hopefully you can do so from the Vigilant.
Speaking of the Vigilant, her AI, Lexy has been given access to her Holo-avatar and from what I understand will be a pilot's assistant of sorts, most likely being limited of course since she sees herself as a 5 year old Castithan girl. It was requested that an EGO feelings control program I created so our EGOs can have complete control of their senses in a holoprogram like any organic being, be installed aboard the Vigilant as soon as possible and altered so it works perfectly with Lexy as well. So she can have all the senses that we take for granted. Zork, who is going with us unless somebody convinces Chris to go instead, is doing so as we speak and I will double-check it once I board the Vigilant. It is good for a Pilot's assistant to have all her senses so she can better assist in every way afterall.
There was also a command decision involving pilots and our ships. You seed Lady has been given a command role as our Head Pilot. She is in charge of who pilots what around here. Also, I discussed it with her in private and told her that as Head Pilot, not only is she our main pilot but she can decide which ship she has complete pilot command of, including what pilots are allowed to pilot or help pilot that ship. She apparently had a long talk, well long according to Lexy, with the Vigilant's AI, Lexy and Lady has made it clear that the Vigilant is HER ship to command. So while you are welcome to come along and I would prefer that you do, for the reasons that I mentioned, before you are allowed to do any piloting or co-piloting aboard the Vigilant you must get her Commander's approval. So any piloting you may be allowed to do is up to Lady."
I then give Lady a gentle loving and reassuring squeeze around her waist, to not only show I support her command role but also to gently nudge her away from her pie long enough to realize that we need her attention for a few seconds. Then I smile to her as I say, "So Lady, as Ship Commander, what do you say? Will you allow Taffer some kind of pilot or co-pilot role aboard your Ship?"
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jun 27, 2015 12:45:23 GMT
"Chief's future plans are almost decided," concluded Volodja Uljanov. "Only few formalities left, like getting your pilot licence from Lady. And since Giant introduced himself as local Edgar H. Hoover, it would be suitable to tell you about other areas which are Erika's and mine responsibility. Erika is in charge of logistics because she has talent to make things move even if they refuse to do so. Her second in command is our good Chloe. And I am responsible for human relations here, including counselling and education, when we open school again one day. You maybe spotted tall elderly gentleman in Chloe's table who just left with Cael. He is Wolfram von Eschen. Whatever you do, don't call him German because he is from Liechtenstein and really proud of it. He is an excellent therapist, a moonshiner and replacing me in Department of Human Relations while we are in Defiance." After that formal introduction Volodja had another sip of his coffee to keep himself awake and enjoy the company of their sweet little dysfunctional family which seemed to have magnetic powers because it pulled back even long lost sons like Taffer.  |
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Post by Lady Christianna on Jun 27, 2015 12:56:20 GMT
Lady Christianna smiled enigmatically, pinching Atticus on the leg hard under the table for interfering with her personal pie eating contest, saying "Twos better than one." Then she giggled, "Age before beauty. Captain Taffer during flying if in cockpit, me else time." When several of the team looked at her questioningly, Lady jutted a small chalk white thumb at Taffer and replied to their unspoken question, "More experience, great teacher, more qualified - for now." Then Lady yelled to Ralph the Cook in the kitchen, "More pie please!" "Um, sorry Miss Christianna, the cherry pie is all gone, although we have some Danish left," Reported Ralph. Lady seriously thought about saying yes for a moment, but really wasn't hungry anymore, so shook her head no, smiled her Mona Lisa smile, and merely said, "Thanks for the memories!" Then Lady burped in a most un-lady like manner, which made all those at the table laugh, breaking the sad mood that had hung over the conversation.  "Somebody is going to have a tummy ache if don't get on duty! Plus I can feel the twins getting restless since their daddy mentioned them," Sandy, Lady's EGO psyche, whispered into Volodja's ear, then kissed him on the lips not caring if the others saw, saying out loud, "I love you, Volodja!" Sandy's hologram disappeared from sight, retreating back into Lady's EGO, reviewing Lady's and the twins' vitals, making adjustments when needed. |
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Post by Belle Starr on Jun 27, 2015 13:28:43 GMT
Belle saw Sandy kiss Volodja and proclaim her love for him, then felt a familiar heat rush up her swan like neck to her freckled cheeks. Belle wasn't sure why she blushed, but she knew the sudden lump in her stomach was caused because she too had feelings for Volodja, although what specifically those feelings were she wasn't sure yet. Belle thought it best to get her mind off Volodja, so she addressed Taffer, "So as not to have any conflict of interest with my role in VBI, I don't affect command decisions except as an advisor. We have VBI's Division of Security Analysis working with us here in Fortress K'shaa, of which I head as well as being liaison between the team and VBI Board of Directors and the Paradise community. Broderick Smythe is my second in those matters."  |
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