Choices and Consequences

Erika Widowmaker looked at Atticus intently with her large Irathiant jade eyes, before noting in a calm voice, "Atticus, you ask why you are in the chair of command and not Belle? Obviously she sees the good in you, which I do as well. You call yourself a violent killer with no compunctions about doing evil deeds. That kind of decisiveness and ability to fight fire with fire when it is needed is exactly what is needed on this Triumvirate. I'm burdened by my reliance on law and my need for order. Laws are less than ethics, but are created by governments as needed to keep a world civilized and orderly; but in an uncivilized world, they can be a hindrance to keeping one's loved ones safe, as I well know. You have no such burden: If a law says you should not do something, but you believe you should for the good of your family, you would not hesitate to break it."

Erika jutted her red clay colored thumb towards Volodja, commenting, "Volodja, although a man of action as well, is first a man of words. As I see it, he would rather talk his way out of danger than resort to violence. You Atticus would not hesitate to use force or even deadly force if you felt it warranted. You are exactly the type of man needed to keep this base, this family, safe from the dangers in the post apocalyptic world left in the wake of the Pale Wars."

Erika leaned back in her chair, regarding the other two members of the Triumvirate, saying, "I may be the newest member of the team, having officially joined it after you two, but I have known Belle as a good friend longer then both of you. In fact, I consider her my best friend, and not just because she saved my life before I met you two, but because she is kind, courageous, and a host of endearing qualities. But she is also everything she just said she is - a naïve idealist whose world of right and wrong is fairly simplistic! Belle is indeed a dreamer, and the world needs dreamers to progress, but it also needs someone like us to protect the dream and the dreamer until the dream can become reality."

Erika then leaned forward in her chair again, her jade eyes narrowing in concentration, as she made a proposal, "May I make a suggestion? Let the dreamer dream! Let Belle know our decision not to pursue Black Ops, but let us agree among ourselves that if a case comes up where Black Ops appears to be the only way to avert a crisis or to keep the family safe, we reopen the topic for reconsideration. Let me take it even a step further: If we or the community are in immediate danger and there is no time to convene the Triumvirate, it becomes a matter of security and Atticus alone makes the call as to whether Black Ops is necessary or not. Let me add a caveat to that in that we must identify assets that cannot be tied to our organization here or, as Volodja surmised, we will lose support from the community."

Erika stretched her long arms out, smiling slightly as she said, "It is good to have a dreamer and a dream. Every organization needs a vision of the future, a mission statement, and Belle's vision, although vague and probably impossible to reach in our lifetimes, is a noble one. Might I also suggest that Belle remain our team's face to the community. She is well liked by not only the people but also the authorities, and is versed in diplomacy and public relations. I agree that we should distance ourselves from her VBI connections, renting them space and possibly services from time to time, but not subservient to them in the least."

Erika ended her stretch and her smile, as a look of consternation crossed her scarred face, as she realized out loud, "Our organization still does not have a name. If we are ultimately going to be taken serious as World shakers and movers, we need a name. Any ideas?"

*****

Just then, Amber, Erika's EGO psyche, was returning from her date with Dinara, a fresh hickey on her neck. Amber smiled slightly as she touched the blemish on her neck, remembering with pleasure how she got it. Then suddenly she was engulfed by darkness.

A child's voice spoke out of the darkness, "You teenage EGOs are the worst! Always running off and spending huge amounts of your hosts' energy romping! Your mom will be SO much better without you!"

Amber had just enough time to wonder why someone would then snap their fingers before she too winked out of existence.

Erika nodded in assent as her Jade eyes regarded Volodja, adding, "It would be good to incorporate Paradise or the Bay Area into the name as well, since that is where we are headquartered. Maybe the Bay Area Guardians? Guardians of the Galaxy sounds too pretentious!"

Erika blinked her large jade eyes as Volodja laughed heartily, not realizing that she had made an inadvertent joke.

"Protectors of Paradise" could work also, said Volodja and grinned. "Sounds too pretentious too, but as long as I remember almost each of use is awarded with a title "Hero of Paradise", so we all should qualify. And he hid his next smile into his coffee mug. After that he went serious again and asked: "Erika. Have you finished programming our holo therapy room? Your children hold really high place in my "things to do" list and I would like to shorten it soon."

____________________

Meanwhile Wolfram had serious ethical dilemma to solve. Should he bring some first class samogon to Volodja or drink all himself? Pervach was excellent - tasty as a water from mountain spring and really effective of making one's head dizzy. Maybe Volodja will accept lower quality product? But then Wolfram felt like he was betraying his best and oldest friend and colleague and with a deep sigh he left one bottle of highest quality booze to Volodja.

Marcel felt warmth and slight pressure on both side of his palm and it was really strange feeling. During his life his hands touched lot of thighs, fondled lot of breasts and neither parts on women's bodies, but he hadn't experienced simple and meaningless physical contact for years, so he was totally alienated from that feeling. Everyone just expected one thing - wrestle match in bed with satisfactory results to both participants. And he was not mind offering that at all. But now it was different. No encouragement to move upwards but not rejection either, so Marcel felt that his palm has found exact place to be, but he will hold his hand there only as long as he needs them both on the wheel, because that pleasant and weird feeling must not be the last one he will experiencing in his life. And dying on a car crash would be dumbest thing to do when he had unfinished business here in Paradise.

Finally Marcel had to remove his hand from Lena's thigh and steered them to the side road. No reason for direct approach when you can use detour and surprise your targets from side or behind. Right after they stopped Marcel did something unusual by saying: "Just kiss me for a luck." and felt touch of Lena's lushy and moist lips on his cheek, while he wondered how much that kiss is going to cost him.

Marcel left the driver after that seat, taking his gun case with him. He lift the lid, revealing dangerous looking "Calling Bird" bolt action sniper rifle in it's black velvet nest. Marcel took it out carefully and checked it just in case. Weapon was in perfect condition as those raiders found out soon when Marcel crouched and cloaked, waiting two targets to line up and blasted both heads with a single shot.

Couple of of more shots and he put his rifle away and rushed downhill, towards the road block with intention to eliminate rest of raiders in hand in hand combat, pulling out his Heartbreaker Northstar Blaze, he obtained for a decent sum after he arrived States, although he used the same gun to take his money back from the seller right away. He heard sounds of Lena's Flash rifle and saw couple of raiders falling into a pile of tangled bodies. Girl obviously knew what she was doing and so did Marcel, when his revolver started to send out fireballs, making several enemies transform into screaming human torches. 

Lena accompanied him soon and stitched nearest rider full of holes from her Quickshot Blaster with such punctuality like she was a living sewing machine, while Marcel's revolver sent another fireball into raider's truck. Marcel grinned when he saw driver to jump out, cursing from pain from his burn wounds, but not for long, because Lena took care of him and stopped his pain forever. Convinced that everyone were dead, he decided to continue marodeuring traditions of his ancestors and started to search dead raiders one by one when he heard fading growl and when he looked, he saw Lena standing by the side of a dead rider, blood dripping from the blade of her pocket knife and smiling victoriously like she had just done a really good deed.

I watch Erika leave then look back at Volodja. "There goes the only member of the triumvirate that may look good in tights or just underwear. Although I am sure the peeping tom who saw that would have his eyes popped like grapes for spying on her. As Director of Security, I suppose that technically all the defense classes are my domain, however I like your idea. Besides with our holo-emitters and the EGO control program of mine, Sandy proved in an extremely dramatic and, unfortunately, violent and painful way that she can and will do what it takes to save Lady and our children.

I am sure Sophie would do the same for you. I'd like to think she's smart enough not to, since she is not a fighter, but I am guessing Dinara would for me, as well. I also know she is not very confident with certain things. So if I insist she learn self-defense she would insist it be by a woman she trusts. Which would probably be Amber or one of her 2 "big sisters". Dinara also told me how well Sophie proved she can defend herself on their "spring break", when they all protected Dinara. I also know from personal experience that Sophie, although a very nice and caring "person", is also very strong and confident. Which is needed in a combat instructor. So I would think Sophie is a great choice, if she wants the job. Provided she isn't too busy helping Wolfram with his psycho-babble or helping you with all your teaching.

I suppose the base is now officially: Fortress K'shaa. Now I just need to upgrade security measures to make it as secure as a fortress. Now what is your opinion on team names? I still suggest ParadiseWatch. Although ExtremeJustice still fits me better.

This isn't technically Triumvirate bussiness, but I also think we need to have Ralph deliver some Iratient ingredients to our local brewer. Although we Irathients love STRONG spices, we do also have some very fragrant and sweet fruits. Chris and his team have been increasing the amount of security cameras and sensors on the base, and when I viewed one of the cameras, I saw that it is in Ralph's greenhouse. Chris said it was at Ralph's request to catch a fruit thief. Anyway, I noticed on the video that Ralph is even growing some Irathient sugercane and a couple of Irathiant fruits. One is similiar to an Earth fruit, only a lot sweeter and juicier than the Earth fruit, and a blood red in color. I believe the Earth equivilant is called a Currant or something like that."

Marcel grinned when he heard Lena joking. Wicked sense of humour she had. Girl kept surprising him more and more,but at moment he was busy with looting. Earning some extra scrip suited him. It was foolish to let valuables go to waste when they can bring use to inheritors, like Marcel and Lena were. They just speeded up a normal life for riders - cradle, gunfight, grave - and had to get something for their effort making world safer. Marcel, busy with looting, didn't noticed badly wounded raider on the ground not far from him, who used his last strength to raise his SMG and aim it to him, because raider wanted to take at least one of his attackers along if he had to go. Marcel's EGP psyche Moira was too busy with recording everything (and reading morale to him), so Toimmasino could have his proof so she missed that important detail on the battleground...