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Post by Luuzuk Kshaa on Aug 23, 2015 18:08:03 GMT
"Now team, everyone get into the copter. Anyone who fails to do it in next thirty seconds is going to miss the train!" Taffer said, as he jumped into the pilot seat and turned the engines on.
"Sorry people, but I'm going to miss this train", Lu apologized with a smile, "I still have a little personal business here to finish and I'm the only one EGO-wielding person in Calgary. You all are a good team but I can't leave my friends back there in my bunker without protection. Someday I'll pay you a visit, consider it a promise, but not now. I'll be in touch, I'll see your spacecraft repaired and contact you if anything happens you should know. Good luck on all your missions. And Vo, stay alive out there and be happy, my little brother. It's really nice to know you're somewhere around."
She saw the copter taking off and watched how a swarm of drones started to scan the sniper's body and the assassination attempt scene. Then she thought she needs some rest and some time to think on what happened in these couple of days before she starts on her personal quest again. She asked Klimi, her EGO psyche, to list some appropriate places nearby where she could have her rest, but then her look stopped at the team's spacecraft in the repair hangar. She sent a team's group code and to her surprise, it opened its door to her.
"Someone forgot to change the password to the spaceship", she sent to the team, hoping they are still in range, "Safe with me, don't worry."
She entered the spaceship and dropped herself into one of the seats, pushing it into a horizontal position.
"Hey Esthete, you byte-muncher", she sent through her EGO, "If you're going to blow up the reactor in this thing, please warn me before you do it okay?"
"Not in my plans currently. Blowing things up I mean", Esthete sent, pondering if his attempt to joke back succeeded.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 24, 2015 0:41:51 GMT
After handing Taffer the datapad, Kaj surveyed the team and saw a sad and confused Volo get up and start to leave. As he started to walk past the purple giant, Kaj politely stopped him and said, "I read: 'It is best to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.'
I am not sure if that is true, but I do feel better as a person knowing that I am capable of such a thing, now that I have experienced it. Both the love and the loss. Perhaps the saying means that if you truly love somebody then you should let them go if it makes them happier.
I do not know for sure but do know two things. Love seems to be complicated and the Little Soldier loves you completely and will always be there for you even if the feeling is not mutual because it is what friends and family do for those they truly love.
Perhaps that was three things. Anyway, Good luck with whatever path you choose my friend, but remember that there will always be friends and loved ones waiting for you, when your path does lead back to Fortress K'saa. Whether it is with us now, or you find your way back later, we will always be there for you and I am sure we are all willing to listen and help with your problems, Even Commander Batman. I know he gives you a hard time, as he does most of us. However if he took his time to be near you as much as he has, then he must enjoy having you around, even if he can not say it. It just is not his way, the soldier or Warrior way. None of us soldiers or warriors are as tough on the inside as most of us want to believe. As such even we need friends and love. Do not forget that.
However if you do choose not to go back with us just yet, then I will see you later. So until that time I will leave you with something I heard in an 'Old West' holoprogram once: Happy trails, MY friend. It is the way you ride the trail that counts, Here is a happy one for you."
After watching his friend for a few seconds; hoping that he may have said something that could help but not sure he did as he is just a simple, usually gentle, and yes perhaps even naïve, Giant; Kaj heard Taffer say, "Now team, everyone get into the copter. Anyone who fails to do it in next thirty seconds is going to miss the train!"
So he turned and walked towards the newest team vehicle. As he did, he approached his friend Sandy, where she was left with her thoughts. As the young woman realized darkness had now loomed on where she sat, she looked up, seeing the purple Giant walk towards her, but seemingly not REALLY seeing him as she was still lost deep in her thoughts. So lost inside herself that, Sandy still just sat in the dirt until Kaj came over and put his huge purple hand gently on her shoulder and said, "Time to go little soldier," then helped her up as he picked up her pulser, and led her into the helicopter like she was suffering post-traumatic shock, which in a way, she was.
As they sat in the chopper waiting for everyone to board so they could head home, Kaj glanced at the sniper rifle, as well as Sandy's SMG still in his hand, then he looked up at Sandy and smiled in his eerily calm way.
When she reluctantly looked up at him again, he said, "I know it hurts. I have been there. Nothing I say will help, but according to Doctor Von Eschen's assistant Di, an Old Earth saying said: 'If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it is yours forever. If it does not, then it was never meant to be.'
Little Soldier, just remember your friends are here for you, ALWAYS. True friends......Best friends are forever. That is if you want me as yours."
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Post by Sandy Bell on Aug 24, 2015 3:02:26 GMT
Sandy Bell looked up at the gentle purple giant with sad blue eyes from her bench seat in the healicopter in Red Deer, saying,"Kaj, I really appreciate your friendship, I really do, but Volodja left me a long time ago, I was just too fucking stupid to realize it. Shit, maybe he never loved me, I was just his heroic school project - get the poor ghost girl her body back - and once he succeeded, I was no longer a challenge so he galloped away on his white charger to find the next jekking damsel in distress. I love him, I'll always love him, but an 'us' was never in the cards for us I guess. Don't worry about me, I'm a survivor - I've died twice and come back twice - so don't worry about me. Old soldiers never die, they just fade away said General Mac Arthur. Old soldiers don't cry either, but I guess they can have their damn hearts broken."
Sandy put out her hand for her Pulser SMG, which he reluctantly gave back to her, whereupon she took out her cleaning cloth and immediately began polishing the dirt off of it from where it had laid on the ground.
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Post by Belle Starr on Aug 24, 2015 4:49:48 GMT
As Belle Starr sat on a bench in the team helicopter next to Vo Kshaa still holding hands, she saw the forlorn look on Sandy Belle's tan pretty face and overheard Sandy's conversation with Kaj. Bele's smile of contentment vanished as she looked around with startled blue diamond eyes, noticing that Volodja Uljanov had yet to get on the soon departing chopper, and knew immediately what had happened.
Belle sent a frantic message to Volodja EGO to EGO, saying, "Please don't hurt yourself more Volo because I hurt you by following my heart! In the split second after the sniper fired and I covered Vo's body with my own, I realized that I was willing to give my life for his because he is my soulmate, and I'd rather not live without him! You know that is true, for you saw how I grieved when I thought him dead, and I will be eternally grateful to you for getting me through that rough period of my life! I love you too Volo, but as family! We are all your family on this team, and we all love you! Your family needs you, and you need this family! Please don't leave us!"
Belle bit her lower lip, a look of concern on her pretty freckled face as she anxiously waited to see if her words swayed Volodja and if he would get on the helicopter to return home.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 24, 2015 8:52:39 GMT
"I am not sure of anything any more, Belle," said Volodja. "What's happened today showed how expandable I am. It's the second time you chose to hurt me. I can't blame you for that. Heart wants what heart wants. I tried everything to win your heart, but at the very moment Vo entered the stage again, it was gone with a puff of smoke.
I tried to be for Sandy and wake up the hibernating girl in her, but I failed in that too. Once again I blame myself. If I would have been man enough, she would chose to put our relationship to first place. But she remained to be a soldier who followed orders and fulfilled her duties, instead of being a girl. I guess that romantic relationships aren't meant for me. No sitting in the moonlight, holding hands, no sweet nonsenses like lovers tell each other. I never could make Sandy to do something sweet and stupid, like singing in the rain. It's not in her nature.
And unlike overly ambitious me, who always wanted to become somebody and change the world, she chose to stay in the shadow of others instead of shining herself. Once again I tried to something impossible. I do love her, but she is my total opposite - sweet simple and beautiful soldier. Always on duty, always waiting for orders, always sure of herself. Unlike complicated me, who is used to act by his own will and try to do things on his own way. And if I try to be Pygmalion and shape her, it would be violent and unwanted attempt to change her nature again. I secretly hoped that one day she becomes the crown jewel of the Starr family, but I should realize that there is no place for another Sun in our solar system.
As a result I lost my heart, my dignity, my foolish pride, my unrealistic hopes and dreams. All I have left is my empty life. Long time ago I managed to cheat death, so I am living on borrowed time. It's time to return the stolen goods. I do need a reason to stay, but at moment I lack insight. It's only darkness. No hope for a light."
His chase after rainbow ended with finding a pot of Fool's gold. The dream was over and reality grinned to his face. That will happen if you dare to dream about something, you can never achieve. He tired and he failed. He got back to his feet only to try again and fail more gloriously. Funny, isn't it?
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Aug 24, 2015 11:26:43 GMT
Marcel Lestrange heard a strong BEEP! sound. His hailer was awake, functional and proved it with receiving an incoming message. Marcel started to read it with a frown of his handsome but cruel face. The more he heard the more his face enlightened until he burst into laugh, yelling:
"Mon Dieu! That message made my day. I was right as always. Volodja le Fou broke his heart again. Mr. Wynd and Mr. Kyd screwed up in the hospital but they managed to see what happened next morning. He was dumped again! The poor Romeo wannabe! No romance for him! That's the best treatment to cure him from dreaming! Love is his weakness and now someone hit him straight into his heart."
After some evil laughter, he became serious and said: "I hope that it won't be the last straw to break his spine. Man can take only that much and if Volodja breaks, then I will lose my competitor for good and unfortunately he is the only, one I consider to be almost equal opponent. Without him...Nothing will be the same any more. I actually could feel sorry for him but he had it coming. That unfortunate dreamer reached out his hand for someone who was way too above him and burned his fingers. He should stayed on his level. I think I should send the Boche Wolfram to the consolatory mission."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 24, 2015 11:43:36 GMT
Volodja Uljanov sat and looked at the Lamprocapnos spectabilis (known as the Bleeding heart) lying on the recycle bin behind the flower shop. He remembered Japanese legend about the flower. A young man tried to win the love of a young lady by giving a pair of rabbits - the first two petals of the flower, a pair of earrings - next two petals of the flower, and as a final part, a pair of slippers - last two petals of the flower, to the girl. She continued to reject his affections, and, heart-broken, he pierced his heart with his sword - the middle part of the flower, which caused the bleeding heart.  Stories and legends tend to repeat themselves. At moment there were two bleeding hearts behind the flower shop. The poor broken flower, tossed away because it was broken and the bleeding heart of Volodja. He didn't want to pierce his heart with the sword, because he had only his sapper shovel. But it was really tempting way out from this situation indeed. A quick painful moment and the all the pains are left behind forever. He failed to commit the act last time when Sandy left him so he could try to establish a relationship with Belle, only to be left by Belle now. And he can't go back to Sandy because she feels herself as a consolation prize. And that was not fair to her. Two figures looked down to him from the roof of the flower shop. One of them just put his hailer into the pocket of his suit and said: "You know, Mr. Kyd. I could feel his pain even up here. Maybe we should giving him a helping hand?" "What a heart breaking sight indeed, Mr. Wynd. God lends a helping hand to the man who tries hard," the other one answered. "I think we should act, Mr. Kyd. He is in perfect condition and can't defend himself." "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it, Mr. Wynd." |
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Post by Luuzuk Kshaa on Aug 24, 2015 13:43:43 GMT
"Will it be interesting for you to know that one of the team did not leave the city?" Klimi, Lu's EGO psyche whispered in her head.
"Really?" She thought back, "Man, they can't be so cheap leaving someone to spy on me. I mean, just several hours ago they trusted me to control a jekking Monolith for them, and now what? I'm going to confront that guy as soon as I find him."
She rubbed her eyes shaking off the slumber as she took her favorite rocket launcher and a Thorny Rose with her.
"Remember, the unauthorized usage of firearms…"
"Shut up, you byte-muncher", she muttered to one of drones, "You of all know for sure I'm not going to shoot him, just get my point across I don't like it when things are being done behind my back. How about you better tell me how my Hellblazer is going?"
"Pretty fine", Esthete answered, "I can deliver it to any place you point."
"A little later with that. I'll go for a walk for now", Lu replied as Klimi marked Volo's location for her.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 24, 2015 16:46:38 GMT
Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us. Volodja wished that he could believe that, but he simply couldn't. Today he received a surprise which broke his heart and now he faced another unpleasant surprise. He rose his brown sad eyes and looked at two men, approaching to him.
"A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens," said Robert Baden-Powell. Volodja never wasn't a Scout in that sense of the word, but he was used with unexpected situations as long as they didn't involved love. So he watched men as they came closer.
"You know, Mr. Kyd. I would like to go and interfere, but..."
"...Two is company, four is a party, three is a crowd. One is a wanderer, Mr. Wynd. Burt nothing is said about five, so we better stay and inspect the situation."
Two men reached to Volodja. Taller one took out his knife and said: "Hey pretty boy. Looking for flowers? Looking isn't free you know. Cough out the dough and you are free to go."
Couple of ordinary muggers trying to earn some scrip by robbing harmless looking elegant gentleman like Volodja was. His eyes remained sad and smile, appearing to his handsome face was shining but and observant viewer could notice that Volodja was broken. The hardest moments are not those when tears flow from eyes. It's when you have to hide the tears in your eyes with a smile on your lips like Volodja did. Volodja decided that he won't do a single thing to defend himself. What's the point of that any more? Prolong the agony? He looked like a true aristocrat when he waited muggers to act, his elegant hands crossed on his chest.
"He obviously wants to die, Mr. Kyd..."
"...but this time that wish isn't sacred, Mr. Wynd. Too meaningless way to for a great man like him."
And Kyd grabbed a roof tile, aimed carefully and dropped it against the taller mugger's head sending him into darkness. Volodja didn't moved a muscle and watched curiously another mugger, hands still crossed. He could do both of them even when his hands were tied behind his back, but he had no reason to do it. He felt lost and lonely. Just like a ship without a compass in the middle of an ocean.
Unfortunately another tile missed his target and Volodja ended up with few inches of cold steel in his chest. He just smiled brightly and sent an EGO message: "Take care, Sandy. I do love you, although it's too late to pick up the pieces. I wish I had more time...Hopefully you will forgive me one day for being an perfectionist idiot." Then he smiled again when he twisted arm of the second mugger until he dropped the knife.
"You ruined my new suit and made me to miss my flight, not to mention wounding me," Volodja said. "Do you know any famous last lines? I just told mine through an EGO link in a hope that one special girl hears them. Now I would like to hear yours."
"Me-me-me," mugger answered.
"Original approach," was Volodja's remark. "An apotheosis to egoism. It looks nice on your tombstone. Unless you want to walk away and leave the life of crime behind. It obviously doesn't suit you. You failed to pick a target. More attention to details like this bump under my arm pit. That means I wear a shoulder holster and won't bother to hide it. Put together harmless looking guy and a shoulder holster and as a result you don't get a harmless guy. So much for simple logics. Now you better leave and call an ambulance to your friend. I will stay and figure out why those tiles started to drop so suddenly."
He felt chills because he lost good amount of blood earlier and this little venesection he just experienced, wasn't helpful either. It was way too medieval. Volodja looked how scared mugger run away like a rabbit. At the same time his eyes inspected the roof. It was worth his effort, because he managed to see two heads which pulled back right away when the show was over.
"An early bird..."
"...catches the worm. We are too late. He is fully functional again, so we can't try the delicate approach. Hopefully his wound isn't that serious. We need him alive so we will try later."
Few minutes later Volodja was on the roof. Not in the hope to catch those two, because he was sure that they already left after getting themselves involved into open conflict. But maybe he can discover something they might left behind.
He observed the roof. Two tiles were missing as he guessed. And a clue. Smell of the cheap perfume just like in certain Bond movie. Guys must have broken their cologne bottle. Volodja sniffed it carefully and memorized the smell just in case. Only that accident with their bottle revealed something about them, like their criminal affection to cheap perfumes. Nothing more incriminating to findNothing more to see, hear or smell so back to the ground and think about his next steps. Cup of coffee and then he is on his own.
Thinking about receiving a fatal wound is quite ordinary first reaction. Human mind tends to work that way. Straps of his shoulder holster took the speed off from the blade and eased an impact. Now he had only blunt pain in the chest which Sophie could handle. She actually did it already while Volodja cured himself with coffee.
Since he was alone now, he could reflect everything they experienced.
They found Vo and he is reunited with Belle now. The city of Red Deer is liberated now and even street crime has been returned. These were signs of success. Now the costs - rest of the team mostly gained from the mission. Volodja's MIA didn't counted much. They are better without him. His personal losses were his personal losses. Somebody had to pay for the win. This time it was him. At least he didn't had to was dishes. Maybe next time, because he run out of his resources completely. Hopefully it was worth it.
"More coffee please...And put some cyanide into it," he ordered and with a sad look in his eyes he added: "At least I gained something too. A cup of coffee."
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