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Post by Lady Christianna on Jul 15, 2015 16:47:33 GMT
With Atticus and Lady in the war room for a relative moment of peace, Sandy Bell, Lady's EGO psyche, took her leave to search out Volodja Uljanov, who she surprisingly found in Ralph the Cook's garden watering the plants. She appeared as a hologram behind Volodja, but without any of the special powers holo-emmitters gave because there were none in the garden. Sandy did not even suspect that he liked gardening, and as she watched him in silence, realized there was a lot about the man she loved that she did not know.
Sandy cleared her throat to get Volodja's attention, and when he turned around, she said with a serious look on her pretty holographic face, "I know I left kind of abruptly earlier, and I apologize for that, but when you were waking up and I kissed you, you said Belle's name - no, I don't want any excuse or apology, just please hear me out! I love you and only want the best for you, and I may be a dumb grunt with a bachelor's degree in Engineering, but I'm smart enough to know that it isn't me. I used to think that Belle's only advantage over me as to you was she was alive and I was just a ghost, but that's not true. Belle is beautiful, and cultured, and so damned charismatic I could just spit, but that's not as important as the fact that she shares so much more in common with you than me. I'm a beer and pretzel kind of girl; you and Belle are fine wine and caviar types. You and Belle appreciate classical music, dance, and art; I love rock and roll, can tap dance somewhat, and had anime pictures hanging in my room. You've been all over the world and so has she, but I was thrilled when I finally got to the Bay area. Finally, and most importantly, you guys can talk for hours about great works of literature that you've read, and the only great books I ever read were those I did in college, and they damn well made me read them to get my degree!"
Sandy paused briefly to get her breadth, a holographic tear falling from her eye, as she continued, "You and Belle are the perfect elegant couple - perfect for the long haul! Me, I'm the dumb beach bunny, great for a quick hop in the sack, but then best quickly forgotten - and I'm okay with that, really! I don't want you sticking with me out of loyalty, or because of concern over me when I get my body back. I'm used to change - hell, I've died twice and come back! One thing I am is a survivor, but I'd just be selfish if I stood in the way of your true happiness..."
Sandy knew what she was going to say before she got there, had even practiced it in the mind several times, but she hadn't thought of a suitable closing statement, so she ad-libbed, "I can't be second best to the person I love! I won't be somebody someone just settles for - that's just not somebody I want to be! We can still be friends. I've never seen that work, but I'm willing to give it a try..."
Sandy wiped the tear from her eye with the back of her holographic hand and looked at him with sad eyes, not knowing what he was going to say, but feeling she should stay to hear it.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 15, 2015 17:07:56 GMT
"Sandy," said Volodja with a sad smile. "You know darn well that you are way too good for me. You are looking at flawed guy. I am pretty far away from being perfect. Believe it or not - you deserve the best and I am not good at all. Lately I seem to hurt everybody who are around me and the best thing I can think is to help you back into your body and then....I will be on my way. I can't constantly hurt people I love and care about. You all will be better without me around, causing trouble all the time. I hurt you, I will hurt Belle and I don't know who is going to be next. Don't cry, Sandy. I am not worth of your tears. I guess that I belong into the lost world which was gone even before I was born and all I did was elegantly maintaining an illusion that this ancient world exists. You are actually my first girl ever. The first and only one who responded to my feelings and see, how I paid you for that - by breaking your poor heart. I deserve to be alone and you deserve to be happy. I guess that I must leave even this garden alone before everything I touch will wither.
You know why I keep my knowledge? First it was my escape from the world, but later I had a dream that maintaining as much as I can in my mind, I am able to help rebuild more civilized environment and everything I know might help achieving that. I never learned to love myself. All I did was trying to love others in the way they were, but see how miserable I am. No good to anyone who unfortunately fells in love with me. So that should be your only reason to leave me. For the sake of your own happiness and well being. I don't deserve your love, Sandy. You will meet someone who adores you in the way YOU deserve."
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Post by Lady Christianna on Jul 15, 2015 17:32:09 GMT
Sandy shook her holographic head with a sad smile, "No, you stupid son of a bitch, you will not leave here. I'll leave as soon as I get my body back, because I NEED to discover the world outside these walls. You, you wonderful idiot, need this structure, these people, and damn it, they need you! They couldn't find their way out of a damn paper bag, both literally and figuratively, without you. More importantly, you need them too, because you need to help people, and they help you do that in so many ways. We probably won't have the time later, so I'm going to say it now: I love you Volo, and I love the time we've had together and will always treasure the memories of it, but please - for our sake and your family here - don't be so self-destructive! Stay with Belle, live long and prosper together, don't worry about me and I'll try not to have the door hit me in the ass as I go out it!" With that, Sandy disappeared back into Lady's EGO device and the routine work there, hoping Volodja wouldn't leave his family; knowing, as the old human saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Sandy tried not to dwell on the fact that horses were extinct now on Earth and how that might affect her analogy.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 15, 2015 17:42:22 GMT
The garden darkened suddenly and Volodja found himself sitting on the ground, silent and and guilt ridden. He ruined everything with his foolish actions and knew that he will be alone from now on. Even if Sandy pointed him the way, he was sure that after hurting her, he will hurt Belle as well and he knew that he is never able to compete with her prince Charming - Vo'Kshaa. Belle was not even sure does she loves Volodja or not, but that she loves Vo, was sure as Earth revolves around the Sun. Nobody can't compete with an the ideal. That way was closed to him. Sandy was too good for him and Belle...she is perfection and after he hurt Sandy, he don't deserve to be loved by anyone. Especially Belle. Volodja's fate was a great example what will happen to people who want to achieve everything - they end up with nothing in their hands. Just like Volodja right now. Since everything was his fault, he had this coming and can't complain. The door was closed and there wasn't a tiniest chance that new one will open. Can't go back, can't go forward. He was stuck with himself, like he was ghost of the past who can't leave the castle where he used to live when he breathed and is forced to haunt there. Actually - he was a ghost from the past and nobody is forced to love the ghost and if they did, then he brought them doom and destruction. He can't go on like that. He has no right to ruin others lives all the time. He must stop himself before more lives end up in ruins. "Time to get back into my coffin," Volodja muttered. "I can't cause any more trouble there." His glance fell to his pistol he carried with him since his first mission with the team when he had to outsmart an armed spy who took Chloe to hostage. Volodja did it bare handed because he didn't carry a weapon all the time back then. After that adventure he always kept his pistol close. Now he had to fight with the wish to pull it out and put himself out from the misery. They shoot horses, don't they?  |
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Jul 15, 2015 18:43:16 GMT
Marcel Lestrange grinned like the well fed Cheshire cat. Things can go only better from now on. If those good doers agree to pay then Lena and he can visit Lima and take a look on the real estate there. Maybe they find something suitable for Lena. That should fulfil her long time dream. And then they can go forward and achieve the power in Paradise and that private island for both of them. Since it seemed to be a bit dirty operation, he was sure that Volodja will stay behind. That poor idiot had an issue with spilling too much blood. For Marcel most of people were targets or obstacles between him and fulfilling his ambitions. They all have to die one day and Marcel is capable of deciding how long his targets will walk on Earth. He just brings the unavoidable closer to someone, that is all. And he does it clean and painless. At least most of the time.  |
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Post by Taffer on Jul 15, 2015 18:44:14 GMT
Taffer received Belle's message right when he was entering the War Room and it made him stop in the doorway for a second. He visibly winced, closed the door behind him and sat on the corner of his desk.
"Bad news", he said to Atticus and Lady, "Lena has sniffed out about our flight to Lima. This means Skarr will know about it too right after she leaves this base. Unless…" He jumped off the desk and started walking back and forth, "Unless we take her with us, then the Skarr's moment of enlightenment will be delayed to the time we arrive. Then she'll definitely call Skarr to check if he will afford a better price for the information about us than we do or try to double-cross both sides. Another positive moment of this maneuver is that once Skarr knows about our arrival, he'll definitely sent some of his grunts to deal with us and then means less of them will be searching for Erika's grandchildren at that moment. Her knowledge about the sewer system could come in handy as well because it's where Askaru would hide the kids if things went completely south. Having Lena around when we find kids is my main concern though. She's too unpredictable in that regard and may harm them just because she feels like it or thinks she could benefit from it somehow. I have another thought how to remedy it though".
He called Volodja by his EGO, sharing the Transmission with Atticus and Lady, "Volodya, you seem to know Marcel Lestrange well. How do you think, will he refuse to harm kids and stop Lena from doing so even if that would harm their own profit somehow?"
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 15, 2015 19:05:27 GMT
"Can't a man have some privacy," muttered Volodja and put his pistol away. Temporarily. "Hello Taffer," he said with a really calm voice."Marcel is my old acquittance from Europe. We used to work together. He is self serving, manipulating and cold spy and assassin. Really skilled and his loyalty is expensive. Fortunately he has couple of principles and one of them is that he never harms any children. That's why he broke the contract of killing Lady. As much as I know him, he follows the motto "Today's employer might turn into target tomorrow", and that makes him to be is disloyal as a man can be, but he is really sensitive when someone tries to double cross him. With couple of exceptions, of course. I got away with it, because he considers it as a challenge, but I doubt that he makes an exception in Governor Skarr case. If he is personally interested about harming Skarr and that hooded guy, then he will make a discount. I am sure about that. And I do prefer to see him and Lena work for us for awhile. They will stay away from innocents and go after bad guys as long as we pay them. And Marcel is somewhat able to keep Lena under control. He did it once already which reminds me that Tarr Family sends it's regards. Theoretically. Not sure that they know about their Consigliore, Tommasino Di Angelo's men, who can cover you in Lima or create a diversion if needed. It can be as well his personal favour to an old friend. Anyway - he has his crew there, waiting for orders. Over and out."
Volodja sighed. Where was he? Oh yeah. The pistol. The most dramatic moment was already passed and things didn't felt the same after that, but he had his chance to act as an officer and a gentleman. In past he used to be both. Now he was just Volodja Uljanov. The heart-breaker, who has no right to hurt anyone any more.
"I am sorry, Sandy," he whispered. "Hopefully you will forgive me for hurting you and will be happy one day. You are way better person than I will ever be and I loved you as much as I could. And I am sorry, Belle. I never dare to tell how I feel about you. After I ruined Sandy's life, I can't ruin yours. I have no right to do that, but I do love you. Hopefully you won't be too upset Ralph. After all - I am about to ruin your garden." His last thoughts made a sad smile appear to his handsome face when his hand reached out for something solid. At moment it was his boot flask with Irathient brandy. Other things can wait until he finishes his drink. But only a sip. No more. Fortunately he is alone and nobody can see him in his moment of shame. Today he probably crossed the line between light and darkness and managed to miss a chance for his dramatic exit.
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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 16, 2015 3:01:48 GMT
Belle Starr paced back in forth in Haele's lab as Dr. Pyotr Pavlovich Yershov watched, glancing every once in a while at his antique wrist watch. It had been a half hour since she had said goodbye to Erika in the canteen, wishing her luck on the Lima mission. Belle had then gone to the lab to make sure that the dream machine with the captive EGO psyches and Sandy Bell's body in the Gulanee life pod were taken there as ordered. Pyotr had the dream machine readied for the EGO transfer, and Volodja Uljavov had said that, given his experience, he would act as medium for the transferal of the EGO psyches back to their hosts. The problem was that Volidja had not made it back yet, and his EGO psyche, Sophie, was one of those that needed to be returned. Belle had volunteered to act as the medium in that case, but they needed the host first, and it was felt that Volodja would have an easier job as medium if he had his sentient EGO psyche back. Belle had MOM, and she felt that it would do Volojda a world of good to get Sophie back as soon as possible. "Are we ready?" Belle asked Pyotr. "Арте́льный горшо́к гу́ще кипи́т," Answered Pyotr, "In English, that roughly translates to, 'With a helper a thousand things are possible.' Wolfram is in the next room consulting with Dr. Orion, but I could use the help of the architect of this infernal machine." "MOM," Asked Belle, "Just where is Volodja?" "He's in Ralph's garden in the courtyard, Dear," Replied MOM, "Sandy just left him, so he is alone there now." There was an itch in the back of Belle's mind that something was very wrong. Call it woman's intuition or sixth sense, but whatever it was, told Belle that her friend was in trouble, so she blurred to the courtyard, finding him looking forlorn sitting in the dirt of the garden sipping from his boot flask.  Dismissing her blur power, Belle smiled as she sashayed casually over to Volodja, sitting next to him, then gently taking the flask from his hand and putting it to her rose petal lips, saying after taking a drink, "Y'all have the look of a rancher that just got kicked in the face by his favorite milking POW! I'm guessing things didn't go well with Sandy, as she just left, but it's none of my business, unless you want it to be! Y'all can talk to me if you want to, or not if you don't want to - now or later!" Belle took another sip from the flask, then handed it back to Volodja, "However, if y'all don't want to talk now, Pyotr is ready in the lab, and I know one EGO lady that is probably anxious to get back in your noggin! I've agreed to act as medium, so we are ready for the transfer when you are!" |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 16, 2015 3:19:07 GMT
"We will go there soon, Belle," said Volodja, looking her with his tired brown eyes. "But I guess that telling you can't hurt anyone any more, except you. Remember my confession in Freedom. I told that I secretly fell in love with you. I still love you, Belle and Sandy paid the price for that love. I hurt her with that. And..s...she found out my feelings for you, so she decided to give me an opportunity with you. But...I will going to hurt you as well and I know that I am never be able to compete with Vo. He is much better man than I ever going to be. And you are perfect girl, Belle. Even with your past you are. So I am not worthy of your love just like I wasn't worthy of her's. I am not perfect as you already know. I am sorry for upsetting you, Belle. Again, because my first confession caused enough trouble already and I am not sure what will happen after my second one. Probably another disaster so you all are much safer when you stay from me as far as possible, before I hurt somebody I love, again. But at least I got it said, Belle. I do love you, although that knowledge won't open me a door into your heart after everything I have done."
Volodja was ready to go to the lab. He had nothing to lose any more. He already lost everything. The fate of the gambler. No chance to win and he was out of credit. Last bet was laying on the table and deck in his hands didn't promise anything good.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Jul 16, 2015 3:24:25 GMT
When Taffer's EGO transmission reached Lady Christianna and Atticus' ears in the War Room, Lady had been sitting admiring her new wedding ring. Lady shrugged at Taffer's question about Lena Marr, her would be assassin. Despite the fact that Lena had tried to kill Lady, she really didn't know her very well, and Lady was much more interested in the fate of the woman who saved her life that day, Sandy Bell, her acting EGO psyche. Sandy was scheduled to get her corporeal body back later today, and Lady would get a new EGO psyche, MOM.
Lady leaned over and whispered in Atticus' ear, "Leave you to business. See you before you go. Love you."
Lady got up from where she was sitting next to Atticus and began to walk towards the door, but then suddenly turned ion her heel running back and leaping on his lap, kissing him passionately on the lips, then saying, "Just in case there isn't time later. Love you SO much."
Lady then crawled down from his lap, her enigmatic smile firmly in place as she walked through the door towards the lab, passing Erika Widowmaker as she entered the War room, the two women exchanging nods of recognition as they passed.
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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 16, 2015 3:49:41 GMT
A sad look crossed Belle's pretty freckled face as she looked at him with big blue diamond eyes for a long moment, before saying, "Maybe you and Sandy were never meant to be! Maybe you and me are meant to be! We'll never know if we walk away from each other!
Belle put one pale hand on his shoulder turning him towards her, cradling his head with her other hand as she kissed him long and hard, then said passionately slowly shaking her blond tousled head, "Vo is dead, and I will always treasure his memory, but a wise man once told me I can't LIVE in the past, and he was right! You were that wise man, Volo, and we both need to heed your advice! Sure, it's taking a chance that things will end up badly, but just the opposite is likely too, and if we don't take the chance, we will always wonder what if! Maybe it won't end up happily ever after, but maybe it will!"
With that said, Belle kissed him again, softer and longer, losing herself in the moment as she hoped for the future.
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Jul 16, 2015 4:13:32 GMT
As Erika Widowmaker entered the War Room and Lady Christianna left, there was a hail from the front gate of Fortress K'ahaa, the officer in charge of the security detail there reporting, "There is an Indogine woman named Iri Sewuel here to see Belle Starr, and her name is cleared for access, but isn't registered as ever being here before, so I thought I better check with you first Commander Batman."
Erika smiled slightly, then reached over to the security console, replying over the hailer, "This is Erika Widowmaker. Please escort Ms. Sewuel to the War Room immediately. She is a good friend of our team."
Erika saw her brother looking up to her, and quickly told him, "Sorry to usurp your authority as Chief of Security Atticus, but Iri is a good friend of Belle's, and Belle would be devasted if we inadvertently turned her away."
Then Erika communicated Iri's arrival to Belle Starr via their EGOs, not knowing what she may be interrupting.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jul 16, 2015 4:56:59 GMT
After getting first Erika's, then Taffer's information I glanced at Lady who shrugged her shoulders then, Lady leaned over and whispered in My ear, "Leave you to business. See you before you go. Love you." I whisper back, "I love you too."
Lady got up from where she was sitting next to me and began to walk towards the door, but then suddenly turned on her heel running back and leaping on my lap, kissing him passionately on the lips, then saying, "Just in case there isn't time later. Love you SO much." I smile and return the kiss and say, "Love you SO much too MY Snow Angel. Tell you what. While I am gone, do some jewelry shopping. If you find wedding rings you like, then use Alucard Panthere's scrip account to pay for them, that is unless you prefer only these simple wire rings. Chloe knows the code and will give it to you, if you ask. You are the only one she is authorized to give it to. Buy yourself a new outfit with it as well, if you want."
Lady then crawled down from my lap, her enigmatic smile firmly in place as she walked through the door towards the lab, passing Erika Widowmaker as she entered the War room, the two women exchanging nods of recognition as they passed.
Then there was a hail from the front gate of Fortress K'ahaa, the officer in charge of the security detail there reporting, "There is an Indogine woman named Iri Sewuel here to see Belle Starr, and her name is cleared for access, but isn't registered as ever being here before, so I thought I better check with you first Commander Batman."
Erika smiled slightly, then reached over to the security console, replying over the hailer, "This is Erika Widowmaker. Please escort Ms. Sewuel to the War Room immediately. She is a good friend of our team."
My sister saw me looking up at her, and quickly told me, "Sorry to usurp your authority as Chief of Security Atticus, but Iri is a good friend of Belle's, and Belle would be devastated if we inadvertently turned her away."
I smile and say, "Actually it's no problem. She is one of the team members that was here when I arrived, right?"
Erika nods an affirmative. So I say, "In that case, you did nothing wrong as she isn't a security issue. You are Director of personnel if I got the title right, so feel free to direct. However,my pushy sister, I can do you one better. I put all the former team members except Rose Sinn, for I have her listed as KIA, into the files as V.V.I.P.s. So please let me do my job for a second, to modify your response just slightly. Please do not get offended. By the way, when did Commander become my permanent rank? I am not objecting to the promotion, and have heard that several times already this morning, so I am just very curious. Did the team decide to give me a promotion as a wedding gift or something? However I suppose it doesn't matter, as long as the rest of the command team doesn't object or get offended by it. So I will roll with it, in case it isn't a slip of the tongue."
I then respond to the security officer. "This is Cap...Commander Batman. You heard Miss Widowmaker. Show Miss Sewuel to the War Room immediately. Since you were unsure, you were right to contact me as you are correct that she has never been here before. However she is listed as a V.V.I.P. So you are to treat her with all the respect of one, Now please bring her to the War Room, and get her anything that she needs. One more thing. Thank you for following your instincts and checking with me about something that seemed fishy to you. Please keep up the good work."
Then I look at Erika. "Alright, I assume you will notify Belle? Now about Lena and Lestrange, joining us in Lima. That is your call, however Taffer is probably correct that keeping Lena with us delays her ability to warn Skarr or his associates. Either way, I will fund any help we may need, including them. However, if they double-cross us or hurt our family, they die."
Then I whisper to Erika, "Although just between the two of us, I would prefer not to kill them, since I do kind of like that crazy Enyasho, Lena. And we could definitely use somebody else as ruthless...well almost ruthless as me on the team, and Lestrange did show his worth in Defiance. So they could both be valuable assets, and it was good to fight by somebody with some of the same beliefs as me. Even though that could lead to one of us killing the other at some point.
However I do not know Lena as well as you do, or Lestrange as well as Volo does, so I feel it is your call, besides the mission is to save your grandchildren. A grandmother's word trumps that of an unknown great uncle's as far as I know. Also, I do believe I cross boundaries that even Lestrange wouldn't cross, however that is an issue for a different time. After all our younger Sister Belle, has already given me several of her lectures about honor in the last week.
So if you must as well, then at least wait until we are in flight to do so. That way Belle isn't around to make it a Two-woman show. Something tells me I would very much like to avoid the two of you lecturing me at once, or worse getting Lady involved and making it a Three-woman lecture. Or does Three make it an intervention?"
Meanwhile in my EGO, Dinara, my EGO psyche has calmed down, thanks to her girlfriend Amber just holding and cuddling her. After cuddling for a little while, Dinara fixed her outfit with just a thought. Then Amber looked at the instructional capoeira book that Dinara was using. After a few seconds, Amber helps coach Dinara on just the right technique for that specific kick, remending her that the book suggests she consider it a dance and not a fighting style while learning it and training. After her tenth try. the young EGO girl gets it right.
Encouraged by her success and the fact that her girlfriend rewarded the successful kick with a loving hug and kiss, Dinara decided that perhaps she was right to pick this style since it seems to work with her dancing abilities. So she continues to practice while Amber watches, coaches, cheers her on and keeps rewarding her successes with an affectionate embrace, and her failures with a brief liplock and words of encouragement. While doing so, Amber suggests Dinara should play music since it is a dance style of fighting. So after a quick search of Fortress Ka'shaa's song databases, Dinara cues up some fighting songs and they start playing, as Dinara goes back to her training with her favorite coach and cheerleader.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 16, 2015 5:06:57 GMT
Arriving EGO message cut Belle's and Volodja's soft and long kiss which contained elements of carefully hidden passion. At least from his side, because Volodja still feared that everything just happened between Belle and him is the cruel joke of the fate. That he wakes up from this brief and happy dream after a nightmare just to find that it was a dream after all and he is alone again. He got up to his feet and helped Belle up as well, looking at her as she replied to the message and didn't asked what it was about. If she wants to tell, she will. At moment Volodja deepest fear was to be left alone into the darkness. That's why he didn't say anything, because if he breaks an illusion that Belle might love him as much as he loved her, then nightmare, called reality, will return and he is not able to pick up the pieces. He followed Belle when she moved towards the War room. "Belle - you can run if it's important," he said. "I will catch you up." If they are meant to be then he will, if they weren't then running won't help him at all. That's why he decided to walk, taking one step at the time. Slowly but steadily until he reaches his destination wherever it might be.  ![]() |
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Jul 16, 2015 6:38:53 GMT
Thanks to another Arkhunter that had visited Top-Notch, Iri had heard that Belle Starr, Taffer and their recent comrades had finally arrived back in the Bay. A thought had inched its way into her brain, recalling about what Fortress K'ahaa was in the past before they took claim to it. She had already hit empty on hope, but she decided to go without Chase knowing. The Arkhunter had given her a lift to the base, and took off rather quickly after dropping her off. She had approached the gate carefully with her hands up. The security detail at the front gate spotted her and quickly raised their rifles, aimed at her. She stopped in her tracks.
"Relax, ladies and gentlemen," she said. "No need to get worked up over little ol' me."
"Who goes there?" he called out.
"I'm Iri Sewuel," she replied. "I'm a friend of Belle Starr and company. I need to speak with her, if at all possible."
One of them, who looked like the one in charge, lowered his weapon and headed behind some sort of secluded area. It took a few minutes, but he finally came back.
"Everyone stand down," he told the others. They followed his orders, lowering their weapons. "You're cleared. Follow me. I'll take you to her."
The guard marched almost at a pace that reminded her of a soldier's march from an old documentary she recalled seeing. She was surprised by the amount of activity going on at the base, in comparison to what she and Chase had called home for the past two months. When they got to the War Room, she recognized a few familiar faces, while some were new to her. Those who were familiar shook her hand, while those who didn't were introduced. She thanked them.
"I need to talk with Miss Starr in private," Iri explained. "Is there such a place?"
Erika Widowmaker nodded and then motioned for her to follow. Erika lead her to a room across the hall, which looked to have become some sort of office.
"I'll let Belle know you're waiting here," she told her, closing the door behind her. It took a little while, but Iri wanted patiently.
It wasn't long before the door opened again and Iri recognized the familiar human face, blonde hair and statuesque figure behind the armor of red, white and blue. Belle closed and locked the door behind her, slowly approaching Iri.
"Hey, Iri," Belle said with a smile. "Been a while."
Before Iri could open her mouth, she was surprised to find Belle lightly hugging her. This was quite a surprise, as the last time they had this such proximity, Iri was exploring Belle's mouth with her tongue. Iri hugged back a little, not wanting to give Belle the wrong impression of trying to approach her again with another offer. Belle finally pulled away and looked at Iri.
"So, what did you want to see me for?"
"I have a request to make," she replied.
Belle ushered her over to a pair of chairs that were facing towards each other, to which Iri took a seat across from her.
"As you know, the past two months I have been dedicating much time to finding a means in which to restore Chase's memory. After two months of countless data searching and experimentation, I haven't turned up any positive results. I am all out of hope at this point. What I ask is that, due to this facility's past, that I access any medical research that may be stored on the computer systems here. This also includes any data that may have been gathered with the intention to be used as a weapon."
"Okay, hold it right there," Belle cut in. "Medical files, I don't have an issue with, but info that was going to be used-"
"I understand," Iri continued. "But you have to understand this. After World War II, Nazi scientists were taken in by Americans due to the areas of research they did during the horrific acts of the war. If it were not for such scientists and their knowledge, which they intended to use as weapons, you humans never would have had NASA, nor would you have made it to the moon. All I am asking is for access to any and all medical research, in case there is a chance that a solution is there."
"Are you sure that you didn't find anything in your research? I mean, two months is a long time to-"
"Do you like tomatoes or egg plants? Or any type of vegetable in general?" Iri cut in to ask.
She could see the confusion on Belle's face from the question.
"Everything I found failed, Belle, cannot work. Most solutions either resulted in him dying, which is something I didn't want, or lobotomizing him, thus turning him into a vegetable. Would you prefer Chase to be a tomato or an egg plant? Because those are the only two end results from the procedures and techniques I could find. I want to be able to look Chase in the eyes and tell him that I looked at all possible information I could find before it was clear his memory couldn't be restored. And I do not want to be a liar in that regard. If you need to, you can watch over my shoulder while I access that information, so that I am not attempting to use it for malicious purposes. You have my word on that."
Belle sat quietly looking at her. The air was thick enough to cut with a Charge Blade. Iri didn't have a watch on, but she felt as if two long minutes passed before Belle got up and began to head towards the door. She looked back as she unlocked it.
"Let me check with the others first," she told her. "And then I'll let you know."
Belle exited out of the room, hearing the sound of the lock sliding back into place. The Indogene wasn't sure if Belle was going to give her full access or not. Iri realized that Belle was just caught in the same set of circumstances in the same situation when it comes to the topic of Chase. Iri didn't expect Belle to trust her with information about potentially dangerous procedures. But all she could do, for that moment, was to wait.
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