Choices and Consequences

"Hugs and Kisses," Answered Lady Christianna in the Vigilant's cockpit to Atticus, her Mona Lisa smile firmly in place, "Ready to go when you are."

Lady didn't want to tell Atticus that she was scared; scared for herself, for her friends, for her unborn children, and even for him. Bocar, her father, had told her the Castithan tales of the Omec, and at the time she thought them merely fairy tales to scare children into behaving, although it never worked with her. If Belle indeed met one, which Lady had no reason to disbelieve, then there were probably others. Lady had no doubt that Atticus could take on one of the monsters, but a whole slew of them could take even the staunchest warrior down, even one with Grid powers and battle savvy like Atticus, if the tales were true.

According to the Castihan stories, the Omec developed on the planet Omec, possessing technology long before the other Votan races. Every seventy six years their planet would come into range of the other Votan worlds and the Omec would raid them in what was called the Dread Harvest where they would collect the other Votans to be used as slaves, sexual playthings and eventually - food! Evidently, even monsters have their own monsters to fear, for at some point the Omec planet was partially conquered by the Volge but many of the Omec themselves survived. When it was discovered that the Votanis System was going to be destroyed, the Omec also built space ships in order to escape along with the other Votans. Bocar told her that before they were launched, the Votanis Collective sent undercover Indogene agents to deliver bombs to the ships and disable them. If that was so, and they still somehow escaped to Earth, Lady reasoned they would not be in a very good mood towards the rest of the Votans.

Because of that, Lady felt they should leave and get as far away from Defiance as possible, as soon as possible, and so she opened an EGO communication channel to Erika Widowmaker, who was going to meet with Atticus in private, asking her to try to convince them to leave, ending the communiqué  by saying, "Sooner NOT later!"

"Rock'n'Roll," replied Volodja cheerfully like he was going to a field trip. Actually it felt like a field trip to him. Two cheerleaders - Belle and Lena - and one jock - Marcel - and then a member of the chess club - Volodja. Marcel was behind the steering wheel, driving their car with seeming carelessness, although really meticulous observant could see cold his every move was determined by cold calculation. 

This meant that his old acquittance and rival was his usual self. His eyes didn't betrayed any of his thoughts. If Volodja could read them, he probably wouldn't, because they were Marcel's private thoughts anyway. If someone is damn curious about them, then for your knowledge - Marcel thought about their operation first, Lena second and Volodja was third in line. "Cheerful as ever," thought Marcel about him. "Like he is going to a night club, but I know that under that cheerful mask he already plans his moves. But even if Belle and Lena are with us, I will watch his back and then he is on his own. I am not going to do less than we agreed but I am not certainly going to do more. Volodja might be helpful one, but his empathy will be his doom. If he ends up dead today and dies for people whom he even doesn't know then I do not lift a straw to help him. Shame to lose him, but it's survival of the fittest and Volodja is not meant to live in world like this one." 

Volodja thought about Marcel and already guessed that he won't do anything else than they agreed. It was not his style, unless he had personal reasons. Marcel's philosophy was always simple -every man for himself. It changed a bit lately because now he dedicated himself to Lena. But as long as Volodja understood Marcel then rest of the world could still go and screw itself by his opinion. Maybe it was because of Paradise Lost, Marcel experienced in quite early stage of his life and slavery after that. Maybe he just was good old and cold Marcel right from the beginning. 

Volodja's own life wasn't exactly milk and honey either. More like blood, sweat and mud. Plus constant training, self improvement and meticulous studies. And lot of travelling around the world. Andlot of things to do to make right what was wrong from his point of view. But somehow he always he always managed to maintain at least some of his idealism while Marcel was practicality himself with no crazy ideas and fooling around. But were they actually so different, because Volodja didn't felt too playful lately? Guess he became tired and worn out, but at least he got his one chance to do something important once more, before he and his old fashioned chivalry will end up in a trash disposal.



Their destiny was located in former Maryland Heights area. An abandoned TV station which should be still functional, because land masses, caused by terraforming, protected it from looters and weather. Pyotr's map revealed that he was scavenging there from time to time, to look for pieces of equipment for his private hobbies. VBI didn't covered full cost of them, so Pyotr had to improvise. Notes he made told that station was still functional and emergency reactors were in working condition. Making their own broadcast will be their chance to warn most of people of Defiance at once instead of passing the message to officials who might to decide ignore them and even if they won't, they had to wait until word is spread through official channels.

"This is an old TV station," explained Volodja. "According to Pyotr everything seems to be fine and as soon as we get emergency generations to work, this baby will be functional. That's the deal - I am going in and see what I can do about that issue. Marcel provides me with fire support if needed as he gallantly promised. After that he is free to leave, because rest is up to me. Belle - if you are willing then record me a public message right here right now, so I can play it on air. I have no right to risk with lives of other's so Marcel and Lena, take Belle with you when you are leaving. Don't you worry - I will be quiet as a mouse in a house. Place should be abandoned anyway and if not, then I am capable to sneak past anyone who is guarding it. Entrance is covered, because Pyotr doesn't like to share his treasures with others so station is intact. And since it will be your text and performance we play, Belle, then you don't have to worry for me stealing the show."

Volodja smiled to  rest of his travelling companions. It was nice to work with Marcel one more time. And it's a shame that Belle's and his ways will have to apart if anything goes wrong. Maybe in different time and different place....Impossible! And Lena...he actually didn't got to know her, because he revealed her true identity fast (but not fast enough). Anyway - she is with Marcel now and he is capable to tame the shrew. That should be it. Now the recording and a little ride and then he is on his own, trying to save the day for innocents.

Volodja's handsome face turned slowly red after the kiss he enjoyed and which seemed to last for ever, making his heart beat faster and stronger and he just stood by the car several minutes before his face regained it's usual light tone. Then he sat into car and for awhile he was totally quiet. Only his brown eyes were shining stronger than normally.

Marcel looked at him with a grin on his thin lips and whispered: "You did not expected that to happen, Volodja. I wish I had a camera with me because you two were a real sight and that look on your face is worth a ton of scrip. Or would be if you stay alive...never mind that. If I was not a taken man then I would envy you."

"Marcel. It's probably a passing phase for Belle," said Volodja calmly, although he was kicked out from balance with most unusual and charming way ever. Then he continued: "I am pretty far away from being Prince Charming and we do have different worries at moment than one innocent kiss which probably was one time experience. We will complete our task and I will keep Belle alive, because we do infiltration part together. You can act as ever you like as long as you stay until we BOTH are safely inside that TV station."

He didn't dared to look openly at Belle any more, but it didn't stopped him to glance her secretly while Marcel drove them closer to the TV station. Whatever may happen, he must keep Belle alive, send that message as they planned and get this beautiful and intelligent woman who just kissed him passionately safely out from the possible danger zone. Oh and since Marcel probably takes off, they will need another vehicle.

"Marcel. It's probably a passing phase," said Volodja calmly, "I am pretty far away from being Prince Charming and we do have different worries at moment than one innocent kiss which probably was one time experience. We will complete our task and I will keep Belle alive, because we do infiltration part together. You can act as ever you like as long as you stay until we BOTH are safely inside that TV station."

Belle watched the snow strewn landscape out of the car window as they traveled towards their goal, pretending not to hear what she did with her enhanced hearing, but wondering, "Is it just a passing phase? Am I so desperately afraid of being alone and unloved that I'm throwing myself at Volo? I don't think so... That might have been true with Trevor or that Deputy Law Keeper, what was his name - oh, yeah, Dash - but not Volo! I enjoy myself with Volo, and we share so many of the same likes and dislikes, but it's more than that! When he's around, my breath catches in my throat and my heart beats faster! When he touches my hand, my whole body is electrified and I feel exhilarated! It's like when I was with Vo..."

Belle's diamond blue eyes became tearful, although she forced herself not to cry, thinking, "Vo will always be my Prince Charming, but maybe that was a love too idealized! I will never have another love like that, but maybe that is the way it should be! Maybe it's time I grew up! My love with Volo is more grounded in reality, in what we have in common and the fact we care so much about each other that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for each other!"

Belle wiped the unshed tears out of her eyes with one pale hand, hoping no one noticed as she thought, "Whatever! One thing Volo is absolutely correct on is that we have to focus on the mission of warning Defiance of the danger! After that, we can figure things out - together!"

Lena Marr's unblinking sky blue eyes intently watched Belle struggle with her inner emotions as they played across her pretty freckled face, thinking, "Oh yeah, this is going to be RICH!"

And all of Lena's inner voices, even Envy, had to agree that at that moment in that time, and for the first time since Lena had known Belle, she had it so much better than Belle Starr.

When Belle, Volodja, Marcel and Lena left towards Defiance and Erika went to talk to Atticus, Taffer turned his face to Lady.

"Nice piloting", he said to her, "The way you drove up to Pyotr's door was really impressing. I thought we should change our position to some safer location, but the fact is I don't know any place around Defiance to land this kind of ship and we don't want to fly to far away for now so that we could be of help to Belle and Volodya. The only possible place I know of is Sinkhole Plateau, but I'm afraid it's not called like this for nothing. So we still stay here at least until Atticus commands us otherwise. I'm going to help Pyotr with his equipment for EGO transition. In case I get injured somehow, you'll be the first pilot then."



He left the pilot seat and went to the medical rooms. When he entered, he saw the equipment already unpacked and mostly assembled near the life pod with Sandy's body in it. Dr. Orion and Haele were busy helping Pyotr with it.

"I see you don't let the grass grow under your feet. As I see it's ready to transfer Sandy's psyche into her body as well."

"Almost", Pyotr replied, making final adjustments, "You have gathered quite a team of scientists here!"

"It's mostly Belle's fault, not mine", Taffer replied smiling, "I've managed to gather only one of them… physically." He nodded towards Haele and heard a slight giggle coming from the exosuit's speaker.
"Anyway, as Volodya's went on a mission for now", he continued, "I think it's my turn to be the guide for our lost digital souls. Chris will be the first I guess."

When Pyotr handed him the device and called Chris for the transfer operation, Taffer pulled his EGO disabling syringe and dialed the code 0x54 on its code lock.

"A safeguard", he told Pyotr, "In case any EGO goes off the rails. And make sure Sandy's part of transferring equipment is not engaged yet, we don't want any… addressing errors here."


A semi-transparent figure of a girl in a hooded brown robe appeared from the green mist and approached the campfire silently.

"Hello", she whispered into the ear of Psycho Pete making him jump up and yell.

"I'm Em Dash, Taffer's EGO", she continued, ignoring Pete's angry muttering and others' disapproving look, "We might not met in person like this before, so pleased to meet you all."

She went closer to the campfire and turned almost invisible, but then she remembered she could control her appearance with the upgrade she had, so she became opaque again and warmed her hands at the fire, charmed by the look of it. Feeling the dramatic silence hang for too long, she started talking again.

"Well, Belle and Volo went off to a short mission, so now it would be Pete who I'll be taking with me. But rest assured my friends, your hosts are missing you and I or Volo will call you as soon as it will be possible for them to reunite with you."

"Hey, I don't want to leave my friends!" Pete protested, "I don't want to be alone again!"

"You won't be alone, Pete", Dash said reassuringly, "You'll come with me, and then you'll meet Chris and Tim the Hellbug."

As Pete reluctantly stood up, she took his hand and they disappeared in the mist, to reappear in their hosts' minds.

"Okay Sandy", Taffer sent to Lady's EGO, "Now it's your turn. But there's one complication with it. You know, we have this Beast guy planning the attack, we have these Omec somewhere around here and we have Lena Marr, a rather unstable person with a fully-powered EGO. If you go into your body now, you'll leave Lady without a sentient AI until Belle returns. It might make her vulnerable and she's the best pilot we have here. I know it's your body and I know I'm not your superior to give you an order and I don't want to. It's your decision if you have your body right now or wait till Belle returns and will be able to send MOM to Lady's EGO unit. In any case, you'll be the next one for transfer."

Although her enigmatic smile remained unchanged, Lady Christianna's pink eyes glowed with pride from Taffer's compliments on her piloting skills, merely saying, "Thanks. Great teach."

Sandy, her EGO psych, was not nearly as thrilled with what Taffer said to her about her choices. Sandy felt a strong duty to stay with Lady until a suitable replacement could be found, and MOM was the best possible choice. Until then, Lady and her unborn twins, as well as those who relied on Lady's piloting skills were at risk.

On the other hand, Sandy's instincts were screaming that she was losing Volodja. Sandy loved him with all her heart, but was starting to think it wasn't reciprocal, and she didn't blame him. Sandy saw herself as a dumb EMC grunt, albeit an officer, with a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, and he was a renaissance scholar of the world. And then there was Belle, who was truly beautiful inside and out, who had so many more things in common with him, and who wasn't just a holographic ghost, but real flesh and blood.

True, Sandy hoped to be returned to her corporeal body soon, but was afraid it wouldn't be in time! Volodja was already leaving their dates early and not returning while she waited for him. The last time she kissed him passionately he returned it as if he was half asleep. Sandy felt the writing was on the wall: She was losing him, and to her own niece. However, that didn't mean Sandy was going to give him up without a fight, but for that she needed to have her own, real life, body.

The outcome to the immediate dilemma was never in question, for Sandy was a slave to duty. She was a soldier all her adult life, and as such, she believed you never abandoned those in the trenches with you, no matter the personal cost. Duty defined her, that and loyalty, and she would not abandon Lady and the others at what might be a crucial point in the present battle.

"Of course I'll stay on post, sir, as long as you need me here," Sandy replied to Taffer, and would have saluted if she had hands.