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Post by Sandy Bell on Aug 14, 2015 13:17:51 GMT
"Well big guy, I don't know who the woman was that betrayed you, but she was a fucking fool to do that to a nice guy like you," Remarked Sandy Bell to Kaj with a big grin on her tan face, but then the grin disappeared and her blue eyes turned serious as she added, "I guess you didn't hear, but Kara's husband didn't survive the firefight - and her daughter was injured too, but not too badly, as I saw her walking about, but I don't know the particulars. Erika told me Kara's husband died protecting the children but... the way she said it, I'm not sure I'm buying it! As I said though, I don't know the particulars - too busy shooting bad guys to take drekking names."
Sandy stared at her Pulser again, noticing a spot of dirt on it so she took a cloth out of her pocket and began polishing it before she spoke again, "As to love, sometimes it can be so... stupid! Take Volodja and me! I really thought it was the one-and-only, once-in-a-lifetime, love-of-my-life relationship! And I was fucking sure it was the same for him too! I mean... it was all so romantic in the beginning - we couldn't get enough of each other! And the sex - we couldn't get enough of it either, when duty allowed anyway! Then all of a sudden, he starts getting more and more distant, and I notice that everytime he sees Belle he starts getting gooey-eyed at her and she gets gooey-eyed right back at him, and I keep trying to keep our love alive but somewhere along the line he quits trying until... well, we just had what a thought was a wonderful night of, sex, and I kiss him in the morning and he says her name. Now, Taffer says guys say things they don't mean sometimes when they are just waking up, but I'm not sure I'm buying it - at least in this case! So I say I'm leaving, and he doesn't even try to stop me, her just says that he understands and that he's not worthy of me - the self depreciation thing he always does when he doesn't want a confrontation!"
Sandy looks up at Kaj with hurt all over her pretty tan face, especially in her big blue eyes, "Kicker is, they haven't even consumated their love! I'm like 99.9% sure of it, for we've had crisis after crisis lately, and whenever there was any time for lovemaking, I made damned sure I was the one making love to him. This whole love thing is in both their heads, the damn romantic idiots! I know I'm not a great prize, just a dumb grunt with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering - nothing like the cultured and charismatic Ms. Belle Starr - but here is Volodja giving up a girl who loves him and would do anything for him for a romantic ideal woman who won't even have sex with him! I just don't get it!"
Sandy shook her head slowly, then grinned again, although it was a painful grin, saying, "I'd laugh if it wasn't happening to me, because it is ironic that now that I got my body back and can give him the real girl I always thought he wanted, he's fallen head over heels in love with a ghost of a different kind - a romantic ideal woman that's all in his head."
Sandy didn't notice that her voice had raised when talking about Volodja, and that what she said about Volodja and Belle could not only be heard by those around her, but by those in the cockpit as well.
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Post by Taffer on Aug 14, 2015 19:49:53 GMT
"By the way, what's up with Volodya?" Taffer asked Vo upon hearing Sandy's rant, "I have seen his signal on the roof briefly, but then he went inside and didn't come back. Was he injured?"
"Well, he actually was", Vo answered. "He tried to come with us but I sort of convinced him to stay in hospital. You know, I didn't want to leave Belle alone there and they didn't even have a chance to have a talk since they found me, so I thought…"
"Wait… Are you really trying to win your queen back by letting your rival stay with her for who-knows-how-long? This strategy looks either incredibly stupid or so smart that even I can't understand how it could work at all."
"Yes, you don't understand it at all", Vo turned to his friend and said seriously, "If I wanted to "win" something, I'd joined a race. Belle is not a challenge prize. She's a living person and she has a right to be happy and have her own choice on who she wants to be happy with. Since so much time has passed and I've just fallen on her out of a clear sky, I gave her all the freedom and time do decide."
"As I've said, to clever for my own good", Taffer shrugged, "Keep the thing on course please, I need to have a quick word with someone."
As Vo clenched the column and stared into the windshield with his only unblinking eye, Taffer walked casually into the passenger cabin and said,
"Sandy, you know I'm 99,9% sure Volodya doesn't even know how you feel about your break-up. Because? Because you never told him. All you told him was that you are leaving. How the jek should he guess that you were only trying to manipulate him into trying to win you back? He might have think you're really leaving and he didn't show you he had any regret so you wouldn't be upset too much and wouldn't feel guilty for leaving him. He could be just that sort of guy. You tell him you're leaving, and he assumes you're leaving because you have some real reason to. Your transmission over the radio was nice and all, but remember they were fighting a squad of Monoliths to the point Belle had to use her Volge power. He could have just never received her. Look, I'm not saying I know the situation from inside out, it could be completely the other way around, but what I know for sure you need to actually do something about it. You know, you can just tell him everything you have just told us. If he doesn't care or if he's really in love with someone else, then you'll know for sure it's time to wish him well and move on. Or you can decide he's not worth talking to and just move on without it as well. With all this regurgitating the old feelings and memories and dwelling in what ifs you're just hurting yourself more and sending yourself deeper into your depression. Remember the time when you charged uphill waving the flag? Did you feel better when you were actually doing something rather than sitting in the trenches and waiting if they finally drop a bomb on your head? That king of thing."
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Post by Sandy Bell on Aug 15, 2015 3:29:20 GMT
"Damn, you may be right Taffer," Said Sandy Belle with a frown as she looked up at him with big blue eyes. "I was always better being one of the guys than dating the guys. I sure as hell am tired of sitting on the back bleachers and playing the woman scorned - you know, hell-hath-no-fury-like woman scorned. I wouldn't call it manipulation, but maybe I have been too subtle. Or maybe he's been too dense. Or maybe I'm too dense and he's too subtle! Or maybe all of the above. Anyway, I'm pretty new to all this true love business myself, but I do really, really love him, and don't want to give him up, so I guess it's worth another try - all I can lose is my pride, right guys? As soon as I get back, I'll sit him down and tell him how I feel... but what if he tells me to go take a hike? Then I've lost my love and my pride. Shit, this true love thing is so damn complicated!"
Sandy turned her intense gaze to Kaj and Chase and inquired, "What would you think of a a girlfriend you just broke up with who lands up on your doorstep hat in hand saying she loves you and wants you back? Would you be glad or just think she was SO fucking stupid that she didn't get the hint the first time and therefore incredibly pathetic?"
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Aug 15, 2015 5:21:37 GMT
Sandy spit into her hand and held it out for him to shake, but when he stared at her in question, she remarked, "Oh, it's just a ritual we had in my old unit to show we accepted a new member as both a friend an a comrade-in-arms."
Kaj shrugged his shoulders and he said, "What is wrong with a salute? It is a sign of respect, is it not? I just saluted Volo a couple of hours back."
"Go ahead, big guy," Chase told Kaj. "It's what friends do."
Chase was quite surprised by the wad of saliva and completed the gesture. He felt a bit on the outside. New faces, new place and new situations... It made him even more out of place with his amnesia. Hearing the Bioman talk about his relationship and the difficulties that came with it seemed familiar to him, though he didn't know why, followed by Sandy's explanation of the situation, Chase couldn't help but think but to seeing Lu Kshaa. She seemed okay, and good on the eyes for an Irath. He couldn't help but recall that opening in her vest and...
Get your head out of the gutter, stupid, he told himself. You're with Iri, remember? Do you honestly think you're the kind of guy who would risk his relationship? That you would cheat on Iri, who has been busting her ass to try to restore you?
But then the thought slowly creeped into his head. He began to ask himself if he was sure that his relationship with Iri was as good as she told him it was. How would he know if he hadn't been cheating on her for months before losing his memory if he couldn't remember? Or what if she had been cheating on him and he never knew?
Why do you keep doing this to yourself? he asked. Why do you constantly doubt the good things in your life right now?
Because I don't remember what good things are, was the only reply he told himself.
He snapped back out of it, trying to focus on Sandy and Kaj. Chase may not have remembered much of who he was, but he knew it would be ruded to have his mind somewhere else. Especially if his mind was on the impressive pair of breasts of the woman that was Vo Kshaa's sister.
Iri might kill me if she knew I was thinking about that.
"Kaj, I know life can be rough. But at least you're not alone," Chase told the Bioman. "Everyone has their own problems, as Sandy has pointed out what's going on with her as a good example. Me, I not only lost my arm, but I lost my memories, both which have provided their fair share of difficulties and I have had my share of doubts about the relationship I'm in. But you are right, it's good to have friends. It's good to have people who are there for you, even if its just knowing that they're there. I don't know if I'm making any sense or not, but I'm just saying that we're all in the same boat, just in different seats."
Eventually, Taffer inquired about Volodja and Chase noticed the look that crossed Sandy's face as Taffer called her out on her attempted manipulation, to which she proposed the question.
"What would you think of a a girlfriend you just broke up with who lands up on your doorstep hat in hand saying she loves you and wants you back?" she asked. "Would you be glad or just think she was SO fucking stupid that she didn't get the hint the first time and therefore incredibly pathetic?"
"I honestly don't know," Chase told her. "I don't know what kind of person I'm suppose to be, let alone who I was. And I'm always doubting myself with my actions. I mean, just a moment ago, I was thinking about how much an impressive rack Vo's sister has... Sorry, Lu, I don't mean to be so "objectifying women." I assure you I didn't intend to, it just happened. But anyways, I don't know if I was the kind of guy who would be in a relationship and be willing to cheat on his girlfriend, which was the thought that followed. Nor do I know if I am an honest and loyal boyfriend. So, Sandy, I can't answer that question when I have doubts constantly about the kind of person I am. And even now, I have doubts about my relationship with Iri. I mean, is she staying with me out of pity or is she really hoping that who I used to be is still somewhere in this garbled up mess of a organ I call a brain? And if she doesn't find a solution on fixing me, will she leave me or continue to stay? And if she does stay, will it be out of remorse or would it be because she loves me?"
He took in a deep breath and held it for a moment before coming around to his conclusion.
"If she chose to leave me, I wouldn't hold it against her. I'm not even half the person I used to be, and all I have are brief feelings of deja vu and familiarity, but no definitive memories of who I was. That's what my life is now, just echoes of a person I don't remember. And the last thing I want is for her to look at me as a reminder of her failures, just as much as I apparently didn't want Belle to blame herself for what happened to me. If she decided to stay, I wouldn't want her to stay out of guilt or remorse."
He rubbed the back of his neck to come to some sort of conclusion. He could feel his chest tightening up as he tried to answer.
"That's what I am right now, I have no memories of love and relationships prior to seven months ago. All I have are yesterday, and that was a series of days between now and seven months ago. But if you want my judgement, going from what I would do in that situation now, I wouldn't be sure if she was telling the truth because I wouldn't know her. But if I broke up with her, and she came back, I wouldn't think she was stupid. I think she was looking for the thing that made her fall in love with me in the first place. And I think I wouldn't judge her for that. Because if I did, then that would make me a hypocrite because I'm looking for the same thing. But if I broke it off with her because I didn't want her to be with me because I'll never be the man she wants me to be, then I would try to let her know that she could find someone better. I'd rather she have good life with someone whose a whole person than a fraction of who they were."
Chase blew out a small bit of breath, feeling the tightness in his chest release. He wasn't sure if his answer made any sense, or if it was the kind of answer Sandy wanted, but he felt it was necessary to let out. But then he took a moment to realize what he said, and rub his jawline.
"By the way, could you guys please not tell Iri that I was thinking about Lu Kshaa's breasts? I don't think she would appreciate that I was thinking about another woman's rack. Sorry, again, Lu. I really didn't mean to think about them."
Chase, I think maybe you should shut up now, McCoy told him.
I think you're right, he replied in his head, going quiet from the embarrassment.
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Post by Sandy Bell on Aug 15, 2015 6:58:08 GMT
Sandy Bell quickly glanced down at her own breast to reasssure herself that they were still there, thinking, "I guess I REALLY am one of the guys!"
Sandy had always thought she had if not an impressive rack as Chase put it, a pretty nice one, and although an athletic woman, made sure she took preventative measures so they wouldn't sag from exercise, as she felt her pair were one of her best features. Still, even she had to admit that Lu's were bigger and better. The more she thought on it, the more she realized that most Irathient women had impressive racks. Even Erika Widowmaker had an impressive rack for an old lady, although she was an incredibly fit old lady, and would probably tear Sandy a new one if she ever called Erika an old lady.
"Anyway, there's another piece of equipment we humans can't match up too," Thought Sandy with a grin, then laughed good naturedly and teased Chase by saying, "Jesus, maybe I should be offended that you didn't even notice mine! Anyway, you're among friends, so your confession is safe with us!"
Sandy was begining to feel comfortable with her team mates, rediscovering the easy camarderie she had with her old squad mates in the EMC. It was different when she was a holo-person, as she was limited in social interactions by her duty to her EGO host, and truth to tell, Lady Christianna had kept her so busy she rarely got to even talk to the other EGO hosts, although she always enjoyed her time with their EGO psyches. However, her time with them was more like a pajama party then the esprit de corps she was beginning to feel with her team mates here as they flew to rescue Ms. Mac Gyver.
"Chase, I only know you as who you are now, but if she is sticking with you, it's because of who you are now, " Sandy said sincerely to him. "Most woman have a pretty low tolerance for jerks, even if they pity them, and those that don't tend to leave them once they get over the notion that they can change them. Hell, you're handsome and seem pretty damn caring to me - good conversationalist and smart too - so I can see why she is drawn to you. Hell, if I didn't love Volodja so damn much, I'd probably go after you myself, if only for a wonderful toss in the hay!"
Sandy laughed again, then regarded each of the men around her with big blue eyes, and her grin grew bigger on her tan face as she thought, "Maybe it's not so bad being one of the guys."
"Told you that you would fit in if you just gave yourself time, " Said Sarge, Sandy's EGO psyche through the telepathic link they shared.
"Yes... yes you did! Thanks Sarge," Thought Sandy to her EGO psyche and oldest and dearest friend even though it wasn't really him, just how she remembered him.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 15, 2015 8:13:38 GMT
In my almost inert state I heard, "Love you too. Forever and always." Muttered Lady never opening her eyes as she stroked my head once before her arm fell limply to her side.
I said, as strongly and passionately as I can given my current state, "Don't die! I am here for you and always will be, but you need to come back! So just don't die! If you have enough strength and will power to love and put up with me, then you have enough to come back to us as well! Please just don't die!" Then I managed to muster up just enough strength to kiss Lady again, softly on the cheek, but not enough to re-open my eyes. Then I drifted into complete unconsciousness, with my lips still pressed gently against Lady's cheek, with my aura still maintaining a feint blue glow to it. Although my aura's glow did brighten slightly when Lady stroked my head and said she loved me too.
"Well big guy, I don't know who the woman was that betrayed you, but she was a fucking fool to do that to a nice guy like you," Remarked Sandy Bell to Kaj with a big grin on her tan face, but then the grin disappeared and her blue eyes turned serious as she added, "I guess you didn't hear, but Kara's husband didn't survive the firefight - and her daughter was injured too, but not too badly, as I saw her walking about, but I don't know the particulars. Erika told me Kara's husband died protecting the children but... the way she said it, I'm not sure I'm buying it! As I said though, I don't know the particulars - too busy shooting bad guys to take drekking names."
Kaj said, "Actually you did meet the one that hurt me. From what I heard, she and her newest lover stayed at base the night before you left for the last rescue mission and Atticus hired them to join your mission. Anyway, you say Kara's husband is dead?! I suppose that is a bad thing. However when she got her memory back, she did act as if she could not remember his name at first, even though she remembered the answers to everything else Atticus asked. Then when he asked again if she knew his name, she nodded but refused to say it more than once. During my stay in the Psych Ward, she would talk about anything with me, except her husband or her marriage to him. So I do believe that you are right about something being odd about it all. However I do not know what. I do know my experience in security and the military, and the knowledge that I have learned from my detective novels, especially Sherlock Holmes and Felix Gomez (A vampire detective from books by the author: Mario Acevedo), does tell me that there was something bad about the guy, that everyone who knows would prefer to keep hidden. Why, I can not say. Perhaps so as not to hurt Kara and her children, or because it is better, for some reason, to let people believe that he was a heroic man."
Kaj got quiet again, as he contemplated that new knowledge. However he did listen to Taffer, Chase and Sandy, as he thought about everything that they had said. Sandy turned her intense gaze to Kaj and Chase and inquired, "What would you think of a girlfriend you just broke up with who lands up on your doorstep hat in hand saying she loves you and wants you back? Would you be glad or just think she was SO fucking stupid that she didn't get the hint the first time and therefore incredibly pathetic?"
After listening to Chase's response, Kaj said, " For your question...After Lena betrayed me and the rest of our 'family', she did invite me to leave the base with her. However, I declined. She asked me to forgive her, as betrayal is just a normally way of life according to her, and asked me to leave with her. However I could not leave, but did forgive her. I do still care for her but I want a life with friends and family and a place where I can somehow fit in and call home, with as little killing as possible. She is like Atticus and loves the killing too much to let it go. However even he is trying to fit in, now that he has found love. So if she loves this Marcel Lestrange, that she met in our brig shortly after asking me to leave with her, then I am happy for her and hope that he does give her everything that I could not. Of course that did not stop me from threatening to tear him apart with my bare hands if he ever hurts her. I may dislike violence, but I will not allow somebody to hurt those I care about."
When Sandy laughed good naturedly and teased Chase by saying, "Jesus, maybe I should be offended that you didn't even notice mine! Anyway, you're among friends, so your confession is safe with us!"
Kaj looked over Sandy again, like he did when he first saw her in the Holo-room on Lady's birthday and again when he entered the craft. He may be created from a test tube, but is still a straight guy, so of course he noticed her. Then he said, "I remember seeing a hot young surfer girl with an amazing body at Lady's birthday party. You definitely have a great and fit body. So do not worry there. A guy would have to be extremely gay or have been dead for months, to not notice those wonderful breasts, strong and great legs, and beautiful and tight bottom, OR that gorgeous face and adorable smile."
Kaj's purple skin started to darken with his embarrassment and he said, " Whoops...Sorry Sandy, perhaps that was inappropriate and I should have kept it to myself. I did not mean to be innapropriate, and do not want to upset a friend, with my big mouth. I suppose your niece and Erika are right. I am too honest and need to learn when to be more tactful and perhaps learn how to tell a little white lie or two, or at least keep my big mouth shut. I definitely do not want to get Chase into trouble with his girlfriend. So I will have to figure out how to at least keep my mouth shut at the right time, so I do not hurt a friend. Perhaps it is best for me to keep my big mouth shut now." Kaj smiles again as he says, "Sorry Little Surfer Soldier, Sandy. Anyway Doctor Von Eschen told me that, 'You should always be what you want and who you want. If others can not love or care for you because of it, then that is their shortcoming. Not yours.' Perhaps he does have a valid point."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 15, 2015 8:25:01 GMT
"Your are shivering Belle," said Volodja with worried look in his eyes. "No wonder you do. Night is getting cold and you have only a thin robe to withstand the low temperature. First I am going to warm you up and then I will send you back inside. I am used with a chilly air myself. I spent quite a hug amount of nights having only the star sprinkled or cloud covered night sky as my blanket. Soldier on a march, wandering scholar or travelling entertainer usually don't have much choices between luxury hotels. And I have tried all those lives. Just let me get up from my throne..."  Volodja got up and putting most of his weight to his good leg, he stood behind Belle's back, wrapping his arms and his set of robes he wore over his hospital payamas, around her, so soon they looked like an oversized mummy. "Just tell when you are ready to go back to your hospital bed," Volodja said. Until that he will keep Belle as warm as possible, because they all needed Belle in her full health. Having him as a temporary Long John Silver of the team was bad enough. And Volodja started to move them towards the door without Belle noticing it. All he had to do is move slowly and not burden his injured leg. That meant inch by inch movement. Advancing in tiny steps was a little stratagem, he decided to use, so he could lead Belle back inside so she can have something hot to warm her up again. It was unfair if she catches cold because of his interest of the scenic looks. But it was still nice when you have somebody whom you can share an experience, no matter how insignificant it might seem, and at least hope that it is appreciated. But best way to show his appreciation was getting Belle back into the warmth. Then he suddenly realized that there was a much easier way. He just could give his robe to her just like Saint Martin. What was he thinking surrounding her like that without her permission? And calling himself an idiot, he released his hands from Belle to take off his robe and give it to her. "Dumb old me! I should come to that idea earlier. Take this robe as well. As I already said, I am used with the cool air. Actually I feel that I need some," he said.  |
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Post by Luuzuk Kshaa on Aug 15, 2015 12:39:12 GMT
Lu raised her eyes and looked over the team, feeling the hot wave raising from her neck to her cheeks, and stopped her eyes on Taffer. "Hey captain", she said with a mischievous smile on her face, "Would you mind taking our course a little to the west, closer to the Rockies so that your team could enjoy a view much better than this ravine between the two tiny hills? I can't stop thinking that wearing my winter coat would keep me less hot than these gazes on me."  "I mean, I usually don't mind, it's all nice that you admire me, but not when I'm remotely controlling a 50-ton war machine in the air. Besides, the Rockies is where I would be hiding with my rocket launcher if I was planning to shoot down a plane going to…" she paused as her EGO was projecting a map with the path they were following, "Portland, right? By the way, have anyone cared to take my rocket launcher with us?" Taffer listened to her with a smile too, but once she mentioned a possible attack from the mountains, his face became serious. "Vo, quit wrestling with the poor autopilot and switch places with Lu please. Lu, I think I really could use your knowledge of the terrain when we'll be searching for a possible crash site and a possible place of attack. We're close to the territory of the Empire now, and knowing the tensions it could be something connected with them. But given what Vo told me about the recent aesthetic debacle, it definitely could be a false flag operation as well." As Vo received the control of the Monolith and Lu sat in the co-pilot seat, Taffer occupied his seat too. "Best view to the first pilot", Taffer remarked, giving a quick glance to Lu's cleavage, making her laugh heartily, but then adding with a serious tone, "Now look there and tell me where you'd place a rocket launcher if you were to bring down an aircraft going to Portland." "Vo, please pull the Monolith ahead of us", Taffer sent to his Irathient friend, "Our crate is not in the best condition, and if someone tries something funny, I'd like the unmanned unit to take most of the punishment." |
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 15, 2015 13:53:35 GMT
"Ach, die junge Liebe," said Wolfram with a hint of nostalgia before leaving the infirmary again. "You, youngsters, want to spend some time on your own now. I think that mein ferund, Dr. Orion, can represent age and wisdom successfully fro now on. Besides - I was squatting on his territory, although we hadn't made a pact yet that as long as I leave his patients alone, except some occasional CPR, he won't try to play with minds of meine Kunden. Auf wiedersehn!" Saying that Wolfram von Eschen left the building...infirmary and went to see Ralph the Cook, another friend of his. He found himself a reason to celebrate. First childbirth here, imagine that! Probably this place has seen more death and violence than anything else and now the balance had changed a bit. It might be a small thing in this world, but it also meant a birth of different world now. Or few different worlds. Including the one, filled with baby cries and dirty diapers. Hopefully proud parents will last nearest years without going insane.  |
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Post by Belle Starr on Aug 15, 2015 18:25:35 GMT
Belle Starr laughed melodiously as Volodja put his robe around her shoulders, remarking, "Always the gallant gentleman Volo, but now get your rear end back in that wheelchair, y'all hear! You are hurt much more than me! Anywho, we better head back, as both out doctors are probably having a conniption wondering where the heck we are!" Belle helped Volodja back into his wheelchair, then wheeled him back to their hospital room to rest and recover, as well as enjoy each other's company for as long as they could until the next crisis. Belle discussed literature and music with Volodja, avoiding the main topic that dominated her thought waves: The romantic triangle she found herself in. With both of them on the mend, she was determined not to bring it up, unless he did. ***** As Dr. Orion made sure that Lady Christianna was properly closed up after the Cesarean surgery, his staff put Atticus in a bed rolled into her room next to Lady's. The dimunitive Liberata doctor checked both his patients vitals, finding that both were satisfactory all things considered. In fact, Dr. Orion was more worried about their baby son, for the umbilical cord had been wrapped tightly around his little neck for some time, and Dr. Orion could not be sure how long his little brain may have been oxygen deprived. The fact that both babies were born premature and were in intensive care now meant that it was very likely that Cosmin may have been brain damaged when he was born. ***** Erika Widowmaker watched with sad jade eyes her niece and nephew kept alive in machines that looked like glass terrariums. If they were anything like their father, she knew they would survive, for Irathiants in general were a race of survivors and Atticus more so than even most Irathients. Finally, she realized there was nothing she could do, and Amber told her that her brain tumor was now under control, so she dressed and checked herself out of her hospital room, going to the War Room to relieve Chris Robert who had been minding Fortress Kshaa since the rescue mission of Team B was launched. ***** In the holo suite, Lena Marr fell asleep exhausted from the orgy that had taken place in the Arabesque set there. Sloth, currently the psyche in control of her EGO device, dismissed all the holographic "Lenas" so that only the original remained comfortably intertwined with Marcel. ***** Sandy Belle's blue eyes grew big at Kaj's verbal cascade of compliments as to her physical attributes, but laughed pleasantly before commenting, "A girl always likes to hear good things about her physique, but for future reference, you should probably focus on just one or two aspects at a time when complimenting her. Oh, yeah, and you probably shouldn't be talking about either her breasts or ass until the third or fourth date. Just a word to the wise!" Sandy laughed again at Lu's comments, for she had wondered if Lu was going to ignore the guys' comments about her "impressive rack" or not. Sandy thought Lu's retort hilarious and loved her quick wit, but just then her reverie was broken when she saw through a side window guided missiles coming at their air craft from several locations in the mountains they were flying by. "Incoming missiles from the west," Yelled Sandy, realizing that the pilots probably already knew that from their craft's radar, but still feeling better for warning them, as she could do nothing else at this point.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 15, 2015 19:15:50 GMT
Volodja was put to his bed next to Belle's and he REALLY enjoyed their discussion and her witty and sharp minded remarks. He avoided bringing up their relationship topic as well, because he didn't want to affect Belle behind Vo's back. That would have been unfair. Besides - her observations and conclusions about human culture and it's achievements were truly interesting and Volodja felt invigorated and intellectually stimulated after hearing them. Although he looked longingly into her blue diamond eyes, he hid it well and did everything possible to offer her a worthwhile intellectual experience as she did to him. Another aspect of Belle, Volodja loved, among her other qualities. Since Belle belonged to herself, Volodja kept his hands to himself, although he secretly wished to hold her pale delicate hand in his just like on the roof and that's why he was afraid about forgetting himself if he get's too much carried away and reaching out for her.
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Marcel Lestrange didn't bothered himself with any intellectual themes. Unless they were useful or profitable, he could care less about abstract topics. Although he happened to know about those things, he preferred something or someone more....real, like Lena. She was useful and profitable, but most of all she was LOVABLE to Marcel. And that though made him to pull their naked bodies tightly together, so they could feel each other's touch, covered her breast with his hand and rubbed her erected nipple gently. If Sloth in Lena's mind would not been so lazy, she would bothered to pick a music video as a background. But Moira did it herself as soon as she found out who was in charge there:
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Wolfram von Eschen settled himself into the canteen and while he was waiting his roulade - bacon, onions, mustard and pickles wrapped in thinly sliced beef, which is then cooked - he had a nice chat with Ralph. Mostly about the food, of course and then about missing team members, because Ralph became a bit worried already. Her precious customer Belle Starr was gone and so was Volodja Uljanov - the guy who knew a lot about gourmet and always offered some challenge to Ralph with his recipes. Seeing Btoderick Smythe on the doorway, Wolfram wiped with his hand to bring him closer. Brody looked a bit thin and exhausted and somehow he reminded a starving crow top Wolfram. No wonder that Wolfram felt compassion towards him and decided to feed that poor lad from his table. Besides when Brody's mouth was full, he could not talk about his gaming experiences all the time.
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Tommasino Di Angelo was thinking about Lima mission and how to report about it to Stahma Tarr. He took helping his friend more like a personal enterprise this time and put his muscles into more work than Stahma Tarr intended and now he had an ethical dilemma. He should tell Stahma about that, but on other side - there was no casualties among the labour force and they managed to cut themselves nice piece of action after local underground was kicked from it's fragile balance after a bloodbath there. His men filled some empty niches right away. Maybe he should tell her only the good news? Stahma Tarr would like an initiative like that. Things must be nicely polished before telling her. Another thing to worry about was Volodja Uljanov. Tommasino heard from his men that he wasn't in Lima, but he wasn't in Paradise either. "Where he could be?" Tommasino thought. "In trouble as usual?"
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 16, 2015 6:11:18 GMT
Lu remarked, "I mean, I usually don't mind, it's all nice that you admire me, but not when I'm remotely controlling a 50-ton war machine in the air. Besides, the Rockies is where I would be hiding with my rocket launcher if I was planning to shoot down a plane going to…" she paused as her EGO was projecting a map with the path they were following, "Portland, right? By the way, have anyone cared to take my rocket launcher with us?"
Kaj pointed at Lu's rocket launcher, next to his. Then he said, "I hope you do not mind but I used it to disable a Monolith, since it has a bigger damage radius than my current one. So it is here with me for you, when you want it.
Sandy Bell laughed pleasantly and commented to Kaj about his comments to her, "A girl always likes to hear good things about her physique, but for future reference, you should probably focus on just one or two aspects at a time when complimenting her. Oh, yeah, and you probably shouldn't be talking about either her breasts or ass until the third or fourth date. Just a word to the wise!"
Kaj nodded. Then he said, "Compliments are great but only in moderation, just like Ralph's cooking and my bodybuilding?"
Kaj smiles and says, "Alright, I will remember that. I will also remember not to tell a woman how appreciative I am of her body right away, unless she asks. I suppose you did not ask our opinions on yours, just if we had noticed it. Well apparently we have...or at least, I admitted that I had. Although I admitted too much as you pointed out. Sorry again."
Sometime after Lu and Vo switched places, Kaj heard Sandy yell, "Incoming missiles from the west." So he readied himself for impact or defensive measures.
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Post by Belle Starr on Aug 16, 2015 12:10:56 GMT
Belle Starr sat straight up in her hospital bed, stopping in mid-sentence in her intellectual discussion with Volodja Uljanov in the bed beside her's as a frown crossed her pretty freckled face. Her big blue diamond eyes narrowed and she tilted her blond touseled head as she often did when she was in deep thought. This time it was a thought that had been gnawing at the edges of her mind since Esthete Sr. voluntarily gave away the seat of power in Red Deer to Esthete Jr.
Belle turned to Volodja, a look of concern written all across her pale face as she asked, "Oh my God, Volo, I just had a terrible thought! What if we are completely wrong about how this whole situation played out? I mean, how do we REALLY know Esthete Jr isn't just really Esthete Sr., and this is just a ruse to throw us off track! I mean, we only have his word for it, and his Indogene creator, who none of us really know from Adam! What of the Indogene ruling council? We haven't seen hide nor hair of them! They could be dead for all we know, or even totally opposed to what just happened! And what of the people of Red Deer? We saw Esthete Jr.'s drones cleaning up after the battle, but that is cosmetic - who knows what will happen when we leave? And the village below - a lot of promises were made to integrate them back into the city, but who knows what will happen there when we leave?"
Belle laid back down, her blue diamond eyes widened as she stared at the ceiling of her hospital room, as she reached over and grabbed Volodja's hand, squeezing it for reassurance, as she self-analysed, "And... maybe I just don't know how to take a total win when I find one! There almost always seems to be a downside to our mission successes! Simarao even asked if our team EVER really succeeds before he left after our space mission! We got to the space ark then all right, but we were hardly able to save anyone there, which was the main purpose of the mission! Heck, even the first mission I orgainized the team for ended that way! We retrieved a Viscera's head, but then Uncle Greenstreet and VBI took it away from me before I could get the secrets of teleportation out of it!"
Belle closed her eyes, still holding Volodja's hand tightly like a little girl holds the hand of a parent in a park visit, afraid to let go lest she become lost, as she remarked, "When did I become so cynical Volo? When did I become such a doubting Thomas? I use to be the one who always took everything at face value, assuming the good unless proven otherwise? I had such confidence in the inherent good of others - when did that change? When did I become such a cynic, and more importantly, why? I used to LOVE the Polyanna in me - the one that always saw the glass as half full, the one who always saw the good in people until proven otherwise! Now, I'm suspicious of everything and everyone, looking so deep into the shadows for evil that I can no longer see the light! I don't even think I LIKE the new me let alone love!"
Belle grew silent and introspective, not really expecting answers to her questions and doubts, but feeling that all the same, they had to be voiced.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 16, 2015 12:22:50 GMT
Volodja held her hand gently as a rare Böttger porcelain cup from 18th century (Johann Friedrich Böttger was a German alchemist who is usually considered of being the first European to discover the secret of the creation of porcelain in 1708) and pondered about Belle's words. Then he started to talk by himself but loud enough that everyone who had ears could hear it: "Doubts are natural parts of our life and they used to be a progressive force. Ones who doubted in existing truths, brought human kind forward. And there were always setback because someone misused every new thing created. But yet people continued doubting. And we must accept that lot of us are doubtful by the very nature. And we all have doubts about our deeds or our chosen path sometimes. But we always must remember that there is always a thin line between relatively sane scepticism and paranoia. Our worry is not to cross it. And I suspect that there should be no pure good or pure evil. Both them are too much alike. Just like Judgement day when good meets evil in final battle and human kind is doomed to vanish because of that. I believe that Taoists were somehow right in their belief that all in all, positive and negative aspects of life are definitely linked. In balance it’s important to understand we need some of both to be in balanced and lead a healthy life. Too much one or other ruins the balance. We didn't saved much innocents on our Moon mission, but we saved some of them, including Sandy and Erika. And thanks to my curiosity you have at least for some time stuck with me. See - one can find something positive there too when one takes the time to analyse the mission. And keep in mind that we have done bloody good job most of the time and every state is temporal - good ones and bad ones alike. There isn't constant bliss or constant misery.  Besides. We still have few cards in our sleeves in this lovely city, like our power station, which means that our people don't depend on Esthete that much. But Esthete depends on us quite a lot. We hold the plug. And as life has shown us, we have great minds and lot of willpower to change things. And I don't think that we leave from here without looking back. We have few friends here who can send us a SOS if needed, but I believe in their own wits as well. We can't teach them how they should live. They have to learn by themselves and they will. They already learned to survive Esthete Sr.-s tyranny and they will learn to handle Esthete Jr. as well. We must trust them. And we must trust Estherte Jr. unless he proves to be a wolf in sheep's skin. At moment he isn't. So we have to trust him, but as Russians said: "Доверяй, но проверяй" (doveryai, no proveryai) - Trust but verify. I think that I should start with a little walk as soon as my leg feels better. A walk around the town and few words with local people should provide us with information. That's even normal that people who helped to liberate this place want to look around a bit, buy mementos and have some interaction with locals. If anything is wron we - you and me will try to fix it or warn other and then we fix it all together. Rest is up to acceptance. Everyone must accept themselves as they are. Then they can learn love themselves as they are. And rest of the people will learn to love or at least tolerate them as well. We love you, Belle. We trusted you even during your imprisonment. I do must warn that I still haven't learned to love myself completely, but I hope to see the day when I manage to do it. Nobody should give up their fight for something better. And you are definitely a good person, Belle. Always worrying about others. Always wanting something better for everyone. Even your doubts rose because you are worried about the future of these people. But remember - we are not Gods, so we can't take responsibility for every action Esthete might be taking in the future. It's his responsibility and everything he does, should be left on his conscious, not ours. And by the way - these kind of questions show another thing - you are getting more and more mature and start to think wider." Volodja was not sure that he provided Belle with answers but he hoped that he arose at least some positive thoughts in her mind and soul with his possible soliloquy. And even if he was his only audience, then his monologue helped Volodja to arrange his thoughts. Already something positive followed his speech act. Besides - not even greatest thinkers don't offer universally working recipes for all the troubles in the world. That's impossible. But they are able to provide solutions in some cases and/or arise some thoughts which may lead to improvement of the current state. |
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Post by Taffer on Aug 16, 2015 15:02:13 GMT
"Incoming missiles from the west," Yelled Sandy, realizing that the pilots probably already knew that from their craft's radar, but still feeling better for warning them, as she could do nothing else at this point. Taffer knew about that of course, as did Vo who placed the Monolith to cover their aircraft from most of the missiles. The powerful shield of the military robot reflected all the impact without leaving a scratch, but two missiles managed to hit the aircraft too. Its shield reflected most of the damage as well, but the power drain made the tachmag reactor unstable again. "Vo, do not retaliate. I repeat, do not return fire, just shield us", Taffer commanded, "We don't need to start a war we have almost prevented! All the team, prepare for the hard landing. Again, damn it." "Taf, I think I've spotted the crash site!" Vo shouted as he tried to bring the Monolith closer to the crippled aircraft to protect them from another hit. "Send me the coordinates; I'll try to land as close as possible!" Taffer replied, marking the launching spots on the map and steering the aircraft away from them. The presumable crash site the coordinates of which Vo sent to Taffer was located on the US Route 95, which gave Taffer some hope that Chloe's plane was still operational as she was trying to land either in the highway or the river nearby. He idled the engines and let the aircraft glide between the mountains so that they would cover them from the missile launch points. When they were close to the road, he powered up the engines again just enough to soften the landing. Once their aircraft had settled on the ground, Taffer shut down the reactor so that it wouldn't overrun and addressed the team: "Okay team, I'm afraid this thing won't fly any further until its reactor gets a major repair. The crash site we spotted is about half a mile down the road. Something tells me Chloe might have it harder than us. We should get there before anyone would come here to investigate our landing site. If she's been captured, we need to find the traces before someone could destroy them. Remember, we still don't know who the attacker is. It could be someone from the Empire thinking we are invading. It could be some false flag operation organized by the older version of Esthete. It could be just Raiders or something in-between. Once we get to the crash site, the closest settlement to us would be Spokane to the south-east, and the only thing I know about it is it's not on the territory of the Empire. Our backup route is back to Calgary, which is longer but at least we know it's safe there. Another option is Seattle, but it's the second biggest city of the empire. Now let's move before someone decides to add more missiles to this nice landscape."  |
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