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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 18, 2015 7:04:48 GMT
Wolfram von Eschen escorted Dr. Orion back after their singing session. Chubby little Liberata felt more relaxed and self assured and their break was over anyway. Both of them needed to get back to their posts and since they were neighbours anyway...
Suddenly Dr. Orion started to curse in Yanga Kayang - the native language of Liberata which gave lot of slang words that other Votans used. After his short introduction of riches of Liberata swear words the little Doctor looked at Wolfram's eyes, full of misunderstanding, and explained: "Lady is gone. I have lost a patient! Jek! Jek! Jek! I never lost a patient this way before! She is not in condition to walk around that after her hard deliver! What the jek we are going to do now?"
Wolfram felt that results of his singing therapy session were just flushed down the toilet, but unlike panicking Orion, he maintained calm attitude (because Lady wasn't his patient) and said: "You, mein freund, are going to sit down and do absolutely NOTHING until you have calmed down. Meanwhile I am going to question your personnel about details of her leaving and if it doesn't help then I am going to wake up the sleeping giant. That's what they do in crime novels - interrogating witnesses as a startand that's why I am going to pose some questions from this cute looking nurse who supposed to work here. Liebchen, did you saw anything unusual after Dr. Orion to his well earned break?"
"Since you asked nicely, I will be nice as well and tell you all I know about it. It's almost nothing, because Lady Christianna sent me away immediately and since I have other people to look after, I went to deal with them. All I saw was that Broderick Smythe entered here and then there was Miss Widowmaker. But after that I had to change couple of bedpans and all my attention went there. Try to balance few of them at the same time. I...I can only assume that all three left together because when I returned there was only Mr. Batman in the room hibernating. I switched the electrolyte bag on the dropper to provide him some more nutritions and then you already came."
"Thank you, Miss. You have been utmost helpful and you may proceed with your procedures," said Wolfram gallantly. Then he started to scratch the back of his head. After all - Wolfram was an intelligent human being and although he tried to fry his brain cells constantly with the help of alcohol, he never managed to do it properly. And without being observant, rational and logical he would vanished years ago. But thanks to his wits he was still alive, quite well preserved and he had huge amount of working grey matter left. It seemed logical that they have to try establish a contact with Lady's EGO psyche first to find out her whereabouts, but since he was without an EGO of his own he HAD to wake up Atticus. Carefully.
He stepped by his bedside and said: "Herr Batman. Get yourself up right away and connect with EGO unit of your wife. She left the infirmary and we don't know where to look for her. Schnell, schnell, schnell!" That wasn't very careful. Was it?
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 18, 2015 10:12:49 GMT
Deep in my healing coma, I barely heard Wolfram by my bedside say: "Herr Batman. Get yourself up right away and connect with EGO unit of your wife. She left the infirmary and we don't know where to look for her. Schnell, schnell, schnell!"
After a second, Dinara realizing just what was said, repeated it directly into my mind. As soon as the message got through to me, I fought my own survival instincts so I could awaken. However I still didn't have quite enough life energy back yet, so I forced my body to quickly absorb the Strong electrolyte IV I was hooked to, and draw an extreme amount of power from the machines in the room. After a minute, my 'organic' jumpsuit and mask started glowing with life again, although it turned an opalescent white, instead of it's usual blue. Just then the machines hooked to me fried or exploded from the massive power surge going through them, as I rapidly drain their energy, too quickly for any surge protection devices to kick in and the IV made a hollow sucking sound signaling that I had drained it dry. Wolfram naturally jumped from the multiple equipment explosions. Within seconds of the equipment frying or exploding, my eyes snapped open and I sat straight up. As I turned to look at Wolfram my eyes turned completely white in my sudden, and perhaps unexpected, anger.
I think, "Dinara, you need to contact Lady immediately!"
Dinara responded with, "Atty I...I can't! She seems to be jamming my signal or something!"
I snapped back, "What the hell do you mean she is jamming it?! We have always maintained a permanently open link between the two of us!! keep trying damn it!!!"
Then I snarlingly said to Wolfram, "What the dak do you mean that you do not daking know where the dak she is?! How the dakking hell could all of you lose a severely injured and weak person like that?! Dak it all! Get me a daking computer that I didn't explode NOW! Then fill me in on just what the dak happened after I tried sacrificing my life for My Snow Angel, and tell me why the dak, Erika isn't telling me this and didn't stop her, and why an Iri Sewuel is locking down base and looking for Smythe!!! You will also tell me where the twins are and if they are alright, or if you gashika banggos lost them too!"
Taffer started moving down the road, watching the surroundings carefully and trying not to get away from the rest of the squad he designated to move to Chloe's location. Kaj quickly joined him and Sandy, as the walked cautiously towards their Designation. Kaj, having longer legs and being genetically modified to move faster than a normal human of his proportions, ended up taking point by the time the arrived to Chloe. When he got to her he assured her that she was safe now, and made sure the location was currently clear. Then he knelt down to double check her leg, knowing Sandy and Taffer would watch his back, while he helped their injured friend.
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 18, 2015 10:31:18 GMT
And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Wolfram stood up and said to Atticus: "Herr Batman. Before you continue, I have something to say too. Let them who weren't directly involved with Lady Christiannas' disappearance throw some words at you:
First. We aren't the ones to blame for it. Dr. Orion visited me in canteen after the hard labour and was very upset because of condition of the baby boy. He needed some rest and relaxation. It took some time to calm him down and I suggest to lower your voice or he will have a nervous breakdown.
Second. According to nurse's words, Lady sent her away and acted when nobody was around. The nurse had other tasks to do and other patients to look after as well. At least she spotted Broderick Smythe's and Miss Widowmaker's comings. I believe that somehow Lady Christianna convinced Broderick Smythe and Erika Widowmaker jon her, because both visited her here and now they both are gone as well. At least we haven't heard about them.
Third. Both babies are alive, although Dr. Orion is worried about the boy as I told you before. He might suffered from the lack of oxygen, but we are not sure about that yet.
Fourth. You can let go my collar now and start to think constructively. you are the head policeman here. So interrogations, und so weiter, are your jurisdiction anyway. You have access to sucurity tapes and reports and recordings, involving latest actions and what ever you policemen are collecting on people's actions. So you better get up and start to act if you feel strong enough."
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 18, 2015 11:30:46 GMT
I let go of Wolram and stood up, yanking all the wires off of me as I said, "Fine, nobody is at fault. Good to know. Doctor Orion, I am borrowing your computer."
I walked a little hesitantly to Doctor Orion's computer and accessed the Fortress's security cameras from there, but couldn't find anything except Lady snuggled into me right before some sort of electrical glitch knocked out the camera feeds. Then I eventually found footage of Lady, Broderyck and Erika on the roof, climbing into a Chopper that quickly cloaked and disappeared. So I brought up the security cameras in our quarters that are on their own system and controlled solely by me. I saw the three of them enter the sitting room, where Lady left Brody and Erika. The two of them seemed like they were mindlessly obeying her. Then she walked into our bathroom where I saw her change and die her hair black, and then back into the sitting room where she fed Caraid our pet lizard. Then she went back into our room ad stared at our bed for a few minutes before grabbing my datapad and typing something on it. Then she rejoined the other two and they left our quarters, obviously to go to the roof to signal the Chopper they left in.
I walked out of Orion's office and back into the hospital room I left him and Wolfram in. I said, "Dak. Looks like she left on her own! My apologies Wolfram. Now please go take care of your patients. Orion, please look after the twins. I apparently have some things that I have to do."
I quickly pulled my gear out of the closet and carried them to my quarters. Getting there I dropped it all on the bed. Then I sat on the bed and read Lady's message to me.
The note read, "Atticus - Love you forever. Never doubt it. Must find me. Who am I? Don't know. Always invisible. Always in other's shadow. Even yours. Especially yours. Now childrens too. No more. Have manifest destiny. Not sure what that means. Have to find out. Love you. Take care of the twins. Stupid me, of course you will. Bye. Forever. Probably. - Mistress of Judgment. No. That's a shadow too. Mistress of Sorrow! Sounds cooler."
I read it several times, then contacted Lebeau. "Corporal, you are in charge. If you hear from Taffer or Belle please fill them in on the situation here. I have sent you a security report on everything I know. I will be in the infirmary with my children."
I closed the communication, then went back to the infirmary, with my Datapad in hand. Wolfram and Orion were in Doctor Orion's office, discussing patients or something, when I arrived. So I stepped in and showed them the note from Lady and said, "She left us forever. Doctor Orion, I am going to sit with the twins in a different private room now, and no I do NOT want to talk about it!"
Doctor Orion reluctantly agreed but only if I let them continue my electrolyte treatment a little longer. After I agreed, he had a nurse show me to a clean private hospital room, where she hooked me to another strong electrolyte IV. Then she wheeled the twins in, in their enclosed beds. She handed me Caprice, but as Cosmin was still unstable, she felt it best if he stay in his incubator until Doctor Orion said I could hold him. By that time, my 'organic' jumpsuit, eyes and aura had all settled on an opalescent gray.
While I reclined on the bed, I held Caprice in one hand and brought up the schematics of our Fotress's compound on my datapad with the other hand. Afterall with Lady gone and wanting nothing to do with any of us, including me and the twins, I am not sure I can go back to living in OUR quarters without her. So I will need new ones that are up to my security standards. I came across the schematics on the building near the edge of our compound that was security locked and we had never entered. It appeared to be more secured than my quarters and armory or the 'Volge locker' we had Belle confined to for awhile. So I focused my schematic interest on that secured building, and I started looking through the archives to find as much on that secured building as possible. At the same time I continue to think of my love for Lady.
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 18, 2015 11:49:29 GMT
"Apology accepted, Herr Batman," said Wolfram. After Atticus' dramatic exit and following procedures, he shrugged, frowned his face and told to Dr. Orion who just returned from Atticus' room to continue their discussion: "Until he decides that he needs my help, I am powerless. Nobody can't help anybody if one doesn't feel needing it. Let's hope that time with his babies changes his mind. Or at least eases it. I want to help but first step HAS to be his. And now I will continue with my assumptions about Lady Christiannas' situation from the point we were left."
Wolfram put his fingertips together, concentrated and started to talk with quiet and accented voice, eyes closed, as he was improvising verses at amateurs poetry night:
"We already discussed about her teenage angst and insecurities. Pretty usual state of mind for a teenager. Except this teenager just got married and gave a birth. I do suspect that we might deal with something which sometimes happens with women after their birth. I mean PPD - Postpartum depression. Unfortunately we hadn't time to observe young Lady during forthcoming weeks to confirm that diagnosis. Symptoms are usually sadness, low energy, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, reduced desire for sex, crying episodes, anxiety, and irritability. And emotional effects of PPD include sleep deprivation, anxiety about parenthood and caring for an infant, identity crisis, a feeling of loss of control over life, and/or feeling lack of support from a romantic or sexual partner. Combined with usual teenage worries and self discovering, we have a really dangerous mixture, equal to a time bomb. We could cured her from PPD providing her treatment or counselling, but she is already gone. Once again I am powerless. Looks like that you weren't the only one to lose a patient today. Scheisse! It makes me angry and it makes me miss Volodja. He is more suitable for handling crises. Especially in field conditions. And he knows those people a bit better than I am, but I am willing to help Herr Batman if needed. It's my professional duty. But as I said - only if he takes the first step himself."
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Aug 18, 2015 16:46:36 GMT
"There is no place like home," stated Marcel, when their car stopped in front of the shack.
"I hope you have kept our place clean and have not eaten our porridge, sat on our stools and slept on our beds, Goldilocks," was his remark to Raiders, guarding their humble home and hidden scrip. "Of course you have not. Anyway -you can be useful now and carry our luggage inside. Not those suitcases. I will take care of those. You will have honour to carry my girl's wardrobe bag and so on."
Marcel grabbed suitcases containing their earnings himself and waited until one of Raisers opened the shack door for them. Then he entered, put suitcases to the floor and pulled out the wallet, declaring: "Little bonus from me, guys. Drink to our health while Lena and I make ourselves busy!" He winked his eye and grinned to them. Then he whispered to Lena:
"Have to keep them well fed. Now they are happy, remain loyal to us and drinking keeps their ambition level low. Shame that I had to leave our plane to the good doers base. But when to think about it....then it gives us reason to return if needed. Now we are going to make some plans."
And he hopped to their bed, landing on his back, reached put his strong arm, grabbed Lena's alabaster white hand into his and pulled her next to him. Not for another intercourse, but to snuggle in with her and discuss their future actions about taking over late Askarus' drug trafficking network in Paradise territory.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 18, 2015 17:50:37 GMT
Volodja was still awake and held Belle's hand. She was deeply asleep and although her pretty face carried marks of exhaustion, it was still gorgeous and peaceful. That sight felt Volodja's heart with warmth and tenderness. With a slight move he rose Belles hand a bit higher, bowed down and pressed his lips against it. Small expression of his appreciation and the message that Belle is not alone while she regains her health, which in spe remained unnoticed. Then he lowered himself back to his bed, closed eyes and tried to fall asleep too hoping that Belle won't pull her hand off because of his spontaneous act. That was only slip he allowed to himself - one kiss and not even stolen but given.
"Silly old me," he thought. "Acting like a thief in the night and feeling a bit guilty about that too. Hopefully she didn't felt a thing. If ever experience similar situation with her, I will try to behave better...better...." Without noticing it, Volodja fell into deep sleep, so needed for his recover.
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Post by Vo Kshaa on Aug 18, 2015 20:20:16 GMT
While scanning the landscape through the Monolith's cameras and radars, Vo also tried to contact the base. Finally he managed to do it and immediately received a hasty report from Corporal Lebeau/
"Sorry to bring bad news", Vo's voice sounded through everyone's EGO and Kaj's hailer, "But there are strange things going on at the home front. Corporal Lebeau just sent me the message that Lady gave birth to twins. But soon after that she and Erika went missing from the base, leaving no clues on their destination. Iri and Atticus are fine and in fact no one else was injured but the base is still on high alert and a lockdown."
"So basically we're stuck here with two damaged aircrafts and an injured team member right at the time when our home desperately needs our help. The only transport we have left is the un-manned Monolith which could carry one or maximum two people in its maintenance chamber. Great, just great", Taffer muttered in reply. "Vo, please contact our friend Esthete and describe the situation to him. It's maybe not too nice to exploit our friendship this way, but we could really use some help to get back home as soon as possible."
"This is Esthete", they heard the young Indogene's voice once Vo contacted Red Deer and apprised him of the situation, "I've already heard of it and in fact it was my contact in the Empire who had informed me on the incident. They had assured me they have no part in the attack and they suspect it to be a false flag operation organized by my predecessor to further increase tensions between our settlements. They also informed me they are sending an aircraft from Seattle to the Red Deer to continue our negotiations in person, and they agreed to pick you up on their way. Under one condition though, they want you to send the Monolith back before they arrive as they are afraid it might have a military program and may attack their ship."
"It's all fine and I must thank you Esthete, but There are two complications", Taffer replied, his voice was heard by all team members, "First, both of our aircrafts were shot down by rocket launchers from the ground. If the Empire says they have no part in the attack, their ship may be attacked too. And second, one of our damaged aircrafts is actually a spaceship with a tachmag reactor which had to be shut down because it tends to go unstable. I don't like the idea of leaving it over here because it can easily fall into wrong hands."
"Perhaps I was not clear", Esthete said, "the ship the Empire uses is a heavy armored stratocarrier. I tend to think their visit is a demonstration of power as well, but the fact is, they can pick up all your team and both of your aircrafts as well. They did detect the missile launch that hit you and they said it's no danger for them."
"I tend to accept the offer then", Taffer said, "Okay team. Frankly, I don't like it, but it's our chance to get back to our base much sooner than we would get there on our own. So here's the plan. The Monolith will be sent back to Red Deer with Chloe and someone else on board. This way we'll easily fulfill the conditions of our rescue set by the Empire and we'll keep Chloe safe at the same time. Next we'll board the Empire ship and let them pick up our damaged aircrafts. If the Empire keeps their promise, we'll be back in Red Deer in no time, and then we'll organize the repairs for our spacecraft or find an alternative means of transport to our base. If not, then Chloe is safe, and we have our EGOs and guns to make them regret it. Suggestions anyone?"
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Post by Sandy Bell on Aug 18, 2015 22:29:58 GMT
"I'll go Taffer sir!" Said Sandy Bell with a grin, "I've had medic training from the EMC, and besides... I DID want to ride a Monolith!"
"OK, Sandy you go with Chloe, get her the hospital and see if the others will be ready to go when we get there," Replied Taffer. "I would like to get back to Fortress Kshaa as soon as possible, because it seems like we have another crisis on the homefront."
After Sandy redid the bandages on Chloe's leg, the team carefully packed Chloe Mac Gyver into the cramped compartment of the Monolth, making her as comfortable as possible. Sandy crawled in afterwards, waving jauntily good bye to her team mates before they closed the compartment's door. The flight in the Monolith wasn't nearly as fun as Sandy imagined it, and in fact was truly uncomfortable and at times spine jarring.
At one point, Sandy felt a warm pressure travel up her inner thigh to her crotch, only to find Chloe's hand there. Sandy's mouth dropped open as her blue eyes grew big, but the redheaded Australian beauty merely blinked her long lashed green eyes and smiled demurely.
"Ma'm, I-I-I'm afraid I don't swing that way!" Stuttered a shocked Sandy.
"Oh, more's the pity my little fuck muppet!" Said Chloe with a laugh, "Don't knock it if you haven't tied it!"
Luckly for Sandy since she was struck speechless, the Monolith arrived just then at Red Deer, and the paramedics quickly carted Chloe off to the hospital. Sandy went to the hospital with her as well, but kept a respectful arm's reach away. After she made sure Chloe was safely settled into her room and sent a report to Taffer of their safe arrival, Sandy went to check on Volodja and Belle. She sighed when she found them holding hands, even as they slept, but she was determined to not let that disuade her from talking with him when he awakened. She pulled up a chair on the other side of him, leaning he pulser SMG in a corner of the room next to her. Sandy sat down, leaned back against the wall, folded her arms and watched him with thoughtful blue eyes as he slept.
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Aug 19, 2015 3:02:38 GMT
Anger, shame and stupidity. Those were the three words that described how Iri felt as she told the others in the base about the drug that Lady had taken the blueprint for. It was what she felt as she explained to them what it did, and what damage it could do to her species. It was what she felt as she buried her face into her gloved hands. She cursed herself for not deleting the blueprint when she had the chance. Iri tried to process why this had happened.
Lady seemed so kind, she reasoned. This doesn't seem like the kind of thing she would do. She even told me to delete it if it was such a threat. Why would she do something like this?
She couldn't process the likely answer as easily as anyone else would. The fact was that every moment she didn't delete that blueprint was even moment she betrayed her own kind, and the fact that Lady had a copy of the blueprint was the biggest betrayal Iri committed. Iri felt like she was nothing more than worthless and useless. She couldn't fix Chase, she couldn't keep that drug secured. She wondered if maybe things with Chase would have been better for him if his father and him hadn't saved her those years ago. The question of how Brody broke the encryption began to itch inside her brain, the encryption being something that no human could have understood enough to crack.
How did he crack the encryption without it self-deleting like I programmed it, especially when it was set to be allowed the correct input four hours later?
She shook her head, shaking the thought out.
It doesn't matter, she thought. What matters is what they plan to do with it, and what it takes to stop them. If only Chase was here. He'd figure out something. Especially if he were his old self.
Iri took a seat on the floor with her back again the wall, her pulling her knees to her chest as she hugged them.
I'm completely worthless, she thought. And I have doomed my kind.
---------------
As Chase kept a look out, he had an uneasy feeling. He couldn't place what it was, or why he was having it. All he knew was that something was wrong, but he could figure out if it was where the group was or if it was somewhere else.
"Hey, Chase," Lu's voice caught his attention. "You okay? You look like something's troubling you."
"Yeah," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck for a moment before handling his weapon carefully. "I just got this strange feeling. A bad vibe, but I don't know why."
"Is it about what's going on right now?"
"I don't know," Chase told her. "I just... I just don't know."
Stay calm, Chase, McCoy told him. Everything is looking calm. So far.
"I just hope Iri's okay," he muttered to himself.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 19, 2015 10:32:40 GMT
When the Empire Stratocarrier arrived, Taffer greeted their commander, then ordered the team to board the vessel. As there were several Biomen there helping the Gulanee load both team vessels into the Stratocarrier's hangar bay, Kaj suggested, "Sir, perhaps it is best if one of us helps load the vessels, to make sure all is secure."
Taffer agreed and then the carrier's Commander, offered to show them around, while the ships were being loaded. Kaj stayed back so he could secure the vessels once they were loaded. During that time, Kaj talked to several of the Biomen and Gulanee that he helped with the loading of the ships. Several of the Biomen still had contempt for the Lincoln line. However a couple of them actually talked to Kaj and shared stories with him, as did some of the Gulanee. After the ships were loaded, Kaj joined up with his friends onboard. Then they headed back to Red Deer.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 19, 2015 17:35:49 GMT
"What a wonderful dream," Volodja thought. "I wish that I will never have to wake up."
"I can arrange that," said honeyed voice somewhere inside his head. "You will never have to wake up and face the reality again. You can sleep endlessly....endlessly. Good night!"
"Wait a minute. How can you be sure that I don't want to wake up?"
"You just thought about that. And I can make your wish to come true. You are happy at moment and what could be better than sleep happily ever after. If you wake up then everything becomes grey again. You will be on your endless quest. I can end that misery of yours. All you have to do is say "Yes"."
"Let me think about it. Your offer seems tempting. It really is, but..."
"But what? You want to wake up and suffer endlessly? That's what is going to happen. You are an anachronism. A relic from the noble past. Actually you would have been too unfitting even then. Been there, know that. You are way too idealistic and romantic. Anyway - you are not suitable to this world. You almost died twice yesterday. Violently. Now you can sleep forever. Peacefully. No clock to wake you up. Peacefully. Everlasting sleep. You can remain relatively young forever."
"If you put it that way, it sounds like a good offer indeed. Especially when I am feeling so tired after this mission."
"See. You need rest. Eternal rest. So say "Yes" and you will never have to open your eyes again."
"I am still thinking, so quit your commercializing and let me digest the suggestion."
"As you wish. But I am not going anywhere. By the way. You better let go the hand you are holding."
"Why I must do that?"
"You must cut your last connection with the world. Then you can enjoy your rest. Nothing will hold you there any more if you do that. Want to try?"
"Yes. I guess so. For an experiment. And then..."
""Yes" you say? As you wish."
Volodja's fingers started to release his hold on Belle's hand...
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Post by Vo Kshaa on Aug 19, 2015 20:26:12 GMT
As the Commander who happened to be a Bioman led the team on the excursion around the ship, Vo noticed one of the Gulanee in a female-shaped suit staring at him too intently than it could be accounted by a plain curiosity. Vo nodded inquiringly, showing he noticed the interest and smiled with his usual lopsided grin thinking this gesture could serve an invitation for a talk if the Gulanee wanted to ask something. The Gulanee indeed walked up to the Irathient, placing the face plate of her suit much closer to him then he could consider a comfortable distance and hissed with a voice which invoked some not-so-pleasant memories of the time they had just completed their first trial flight on the spaceship only to find it being haunted: "Hello, little mortal. It's a nice surprise to see you still alive out here. Guess your space journey turned out much more successive than I expected."  She interrupted herself as the Commander's heavy hand landed on the shoulder of her suit and pulled her away from Vo's face. "Well, I guess I must apologize", she hissed in a more peaceful tone. "I'm still getting used to all the stuff happened after the Pale Wars ended. It's still difficult for me to cope with the fact I've spent about twenty Earth years as a mindless and helpless substance filling a large tin can. And thank you again for giving me that energy suit, Although I found myself a better one here. You know you look really nice with that eye patch of yours. Okay, guess I failed trying to say something pleasant to you… let me try again then… Oh, you made a nice backup of yourself", she nodded at Lu which made the Irathient girl stare at her in disbelief. "Actually, it's the other way around", Vo corrected and added, "And frankly, if you really tried to say something nice to us, you did it in a very clumsy manner to say the least." "What the jek are you two talking about?!" Lu asked in a demanding tone, "What's with that "backup" thing?" "Well, I told you it's a rather long and somewhat unpleasant story", Vo said with a sigh. "I thought you'd better read that file to learn by yourself everything I know of us, but if you want to know right now, I'll tell you. You and I were raised in Tranquility camp as a part of the EMC experiment to create a virus that could eradicate all Votans. You're the one who have a natural immunity to it and I am your clone designed to be a healthy carrier to spread it. According to the documents found in the Indogene lab, I'm the only clone who survived." "Is that all that was written in those documents?" The Gulanee hissed in her usual patronizing tone. "Classic Indogenes. Always telling the half-truth." Having said that, She turned around and flied out of the room, leaving two Irathients look at each other trying to guess what those last words could mean. |
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Aug 20, 2015 5:42:09 GMT
The Empire stratocarrier made it back to Red Deer, the landing rather smooth in comparison to this vague feeling he had that he couldn't put his finger on. He had decided that Esthete’s offer to see what it could do about his memory was a shot in the dark, but one that he was willing to take, having to send a message to the A.I. during the trip back. Chase decided this time to take his duffle bag with him, not wanting to risk a situation where all he had was the SMG Heartbreaker and a hidden Charge Blade again.
“I’ll catch y’all in a little while,” he told the others. “When it’s time to head back, just call and I’ll be here.”
“Do you need someone to go with you?” Vo asked him. “You know, for emotional support. Or whatever?”
“Thank, Vo, but I think this is something that I can handle by myself,” Chase told him. “But thank you for offering.”
"Be careful," Lu chimed in.
That was a bit confusing for a moment, as he wasn't expecting such a heads up from Vo's sister, or clone, or originator, or whatever she was to him at that point. The whole thing was already confusing to him, the brain damaged Arkhunter. He began to follow the pink marker indicating the facility where Esthete wanted him to go. Chase passed by many of the residents of the city, all of them invoking a feeling of familiarity. It got him wondering if Iri had any family, it being a topic that never really came up in any of their discussions at the dinner table back at the DUGG. Two months of conversations, or to be honest, a minimum amount of what could be considered a chat. But he made it a point that they were going to discuss if she had any family. Even after two months, he still barely knew much about her past except that she knew him, they fell in love and she happened to be good with electronics and medical procedures. It finally came to him as he finally reached his destination and entered the facility.
We’re probably going to have to redo every conversation we ever had, he thought. That is if whatever this artificial intelligence can come up with doesn’t work.
Esthete needed a moment to compile information and adjust the drone's sensors before proceeding with the initial scan of his brain. The inside of the facility where Chase met with Esthete’s drone was probably the cleanest place he had seen since the inside of the surgery room at the Med Clinic in Panama City. He didn’t remember the first time he was there, because he was heavily sedated for the surgery to remove the dead hunk of flesh that had once been his right arm. It was the second time he recalled, because he was awake when McCoy’s EGO unit was installed by Marcus.
God, Marcus, he thought. Seven months since I last saw him. Five months since I sent the message to him to let him know I was still alive and had finally found my name. I wonder what he’s doing right now.
Probably getting his pale Irish ass ridden hard by his Irath Lawkeeper girlfriend, McCoy replied.
This caused Chase to chuckle. McCoy was probably right. They were probably at his townhouse, upstairs, making quite a ruckus and probably pissing off old Leena Bryson, the nice little old lady next door with the salt and pepper Miniature Schnauzer named Bo. Either that or he had his hands on the inside of someone’s chest at the Med Clinic, massaging their heart that had come to a complete stop with the defibrillator not charging fast enough, or probably helping a new child being born into this weird place call the world as it is.
“Mister Lonehart,” Esthete’s voice came through his EGO unit as the drone entered. “I am ready to proceed with the scan. From there, with the complied data, I may be able to extrapolate if any method to restoring your memory, including the one that drew the attention of Vo Kshaa.”
“If you do, my girlfriend’s going to be disappointed,” Chase replied. “She’s been trying for two months.”
“Just stand still and remained calm.”
The drone began to follow a circular path around him. It repeated this path a few times as it ran its scan. Chase had to close his eyes because at the rapid motion it passed by, it made him feel a bit dizzy with each pass. He begun humming a tune to himself as he did so, trying to focus on standing still and distract him from the feeling. He could hear the whirring noise of the drown slow down until it came to a stop.
“I have completed the scan,” Esthete told him. “And I’m afraid I have bad news.”
Chase opened his eyes to look at the drone in front of him.
“From what the scans, I have determined the cause of your retrograde amnesia.”
The drone displayed a holographic display of what Chase assumed was his brain. An area highlighted in red. This part of the brain sat on his left side, a little ways up from his ear and a little forward between the tip of his ear and the corner of his left eye.
“This area that is highlighted is referred to the hippocampus. It is the area of the human brain that deals with the processing and storage of memory, in particular the episodic memory of an individual human. Surround this area is the diencephalon, which is primarily involved in episodic memory recall. As you can see, the diencephalon on the left side sustained serious damage due to a heavy impact to that area. Even using outside techniques or even surgery is ill advised, primarily due to the tissue it is composed of. I am sorry, but your condition is possibly permanent.”
The whole moment seemed like it was surreal to him. What took Iri two months trying to solve lead to an answer given by an artificial intelligence.
“You said possibly permanent,” Chase inquired. “What do you mean by that?”
“In comparison to various literature of human anatomy and reports of conditions similar to yours, typically trauma to the brain like this often resulted in the brain rewiring itself to compensate. The lease amount of damage often resulted in memory recall within at minimum a two year period. However, the more severe the injury, the longer the possible window. For one with an injury and extensiveness of such, most cases often recovered with full recall within a period of fifty years at least, seventy at most.”
“But what about these feelings of deja vu?” Chase asked. “These bits and pieces of life I know, but don’t remember?”
“Your brain attempting to redirect a path around the damaged area. This often tends to happen a few months after the injury. However, the damage sustained is too much to allow a redirect, with only feelings and some minor details getting through. I’m afraid at this point, the chances of total recall are very slim to nonexistent. I am sorry, Mister Lonehart. I’m afraid that there is nothing that can be done.”
Chase felt a bit of a weight come off of him, him taking a deep breath in and carefully blowing it out. It was over. The man who was once Chase Lonehart no longer existed with no chance of coming back. The man who stood there in the room was Chase Lonehart in name only, a set of muscle and bone and skin and damaged brain that was too stupid to realize that it should have died those seven months ago. But he felt a bit relieved. Iri couldn’t have succeeded nor failed because the damage was done and was irreversible, and now he knew it. There was no fixing him and there never was.
“Thank you for your assistance, Esthete,” Chase responded. “I appreciate your time and honesty.”
The drone whirred off, leaving Chase alone.
So that’s it? McCoy asked. Your old self is gone?
Here lies the bones of Chase Lonehart, he replied as he picked up his duffle bag, bring the strap over his head and down on his shoulder. His memory destined for oblivion long before his body does.
He made his way towards the others, already thinking ahead to Fort Kshaa, to Iri as she was toiling away at trying to find a solution to the non-winnable problem. Chase formed the words in his head about what he would do and say to her. He was going to take her to a private area, have them both sit down and tell her the truth. He knew she would weep. She’d be weeping for both of them, weeping for the man who he used to be and could never be again in his lifetime. He would hold her close, tell her that it wasn’t her fault if she blamed herself and that it wasn’t anyone else’s fault but his if she blamed someone else. Chase would give her the option to leave if she wanted to. He wasn’t going to hold her back at a chance of a normal life with someone who would remember ever moment they had together. That would be her choice to make, not his.
I’m sorry, Chase, McCoy responded. Seems like life threw you under the bus.
“Yeah,” he replied aloud.
It was at that moment, he recalled a movie he watched with Marcus. The name slipped away from, but the scene that came to his mind was something he remembered so vividly. It came to him, and seemed rather fitting. The rain came down as the antagonist had saved the lead from falling to his death. He held a dove as he knelt down in front of the protagonist, saying the words.
”I've... seen things... you people wouldn't believe,” the character spoke. ”Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion; I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate... All those... moments... will be lost, in time, like tears... in... rain.”
“How fitting those words are to me,” Chase muttered to himself.
Are you going to tell the others?
“In time,” was the only response Chase could give McCoy. “In time.”
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Post by Luuzuk Kshaa on Aug 20, 2015 7:58:52 GMT
"You know what Vo?" Lu said to him looking into his eyes intently, "I don't really care about this clone business when it comes to you and me. I've just got to know my brother and I come to think I like it this way. And I really hope it's mutual, right?"
"Great", she continued, taking Vo's nod and a smile as an affirmative reply, "In fact, I have already experienced this immunity to the virus you are talking about and I've already suspected there's something extraordinary about me. I'm pretty sure that strange Gulanee had something in mind talking about half-truth we've told about us and I'm going to find out some day. But I think it's not the right time for that now. I'm afraid we'll spoil the negotiations with the Empire and Red Deer if we're too persistent on our personal issue, and I really want them go well because otherwise the war will knock right at my door. So dear brother, if you're planning to go back home soon, it's in your best interests to be in touch with me. I'll definitely share it with you if I manage to dig something out."
As the stratocarrier landed at the main runway of the Red Deer, the Commander gathered his mixed squad of Biomen and Gulanee and they walked out of the carrier to see who would meet them. To their surprise, they were met by only one female Indogene who arrived on her hover bike with an empty hovercraft following her which was meant for guests. The image of the delegation was displayed on screens inside the ship for anyone of the crew and passengers who would be interested in seeing what's happening outside the ship.
"Lax Huch, Emperor's Right Hand", the Bioman presented himself still surprised at the lack of solemnity he expected to be greeted with.
"Ada, Inner Circle, External PR department", the Indogene said with a slight nod of her head.
"I'm sorry for this straight speaking miss Ada, but I expected to be greeted by someone higher in the ranks than a PR agent", the Bioman said, trying to be as polite as he could but still wanting to get his point across.
"It's a common misconception which I'm happy to clear for you, mister Huch", the Indogene answered still with a slight smile on her face. "The Inner Circle is a highest authority of the Red Deer. It consists of six members, each one represents a specific part of City's life. We have Internal and External PR Departments which are in charge of all sides of public affairs such as trade, information and religion; Light and Heavy Industry Departments and Internal and External Defense Departments. So speaking of ranks, you're talking to a one of the six most high-ranked persons in the city of Red Deer. As a sign of our peaceful intentions it was agreed between the members Inner Circle that it would be better for the External PR minister to receive the delegation rather than the minister of External Defense. At the Conference Hall we've organized a video conference with all other members of the Inner Circle."
"I prefer meeting my counterparts in person", Lax Huch said still trying to fathom how different the meeting would be from how he pictured it to himself.
"It can be organized too If you insist on the physical presence of all the members", the Indogene replied, surprised in her turn on how the physical presence could be such an important thing for negotiations to continue. "We have envisaged such form of meeting as well, so it won't take much time for all other members to arrive in person once I make a call."
Meanwhile, the antigravitational transporter, obviously controlled by Esthete, approached the cargo deck of the ship to move the damaged aircrafts to the repair dock.
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