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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 19, 2015 15:49:40 GMT
Belle Starr smiled and turned when she heard Volodja's voice, but when she moved to hug him and he stepped back away from her, she froze in place, her big blue diamond eyes growing bigger at his reaction. Belle sighed deeply, realizing he might have heard her words earlier about their relationship, but that he was in too deep a depression to listen to what she said, for he had dug his emotional hole deep, and seemed to be determined to stay there. Belle chose to save the problem with their relationship for later, and instead focus on the problem at hand, "Thank you Kaj! Volo, would you take him to the armory and get him dressed and armed like the personal guard for a VBI executive! I'm sure we have some of those black coveralls and berets in Kaj's size. For yourself, think either bodyguard or personal companion, I'll leave you the choice as to which! I'll be dressed as I am now, in my green Casti business suit, and Chloe will be coming as my administrative assistant. She knows the drill, for she has played that part for me before!" Belle hesitated as she tilted her blond tousled head in concentration, then said, "I've got to go to Haele's lab and pick up the dream machine! I've had Shirra downloaded into it, so that it will preserve her essence as well as allow our EGOs to communicate with her while it is attached to my neck. Then, I'll go to my quarters, get my weapons, and meet you at the VBI helicopter in the base hangar. It will take us to Portland, where we'll pick up a VBI armored jet to Canada, then play it by ear from there. I'm a 7th legion Magistrate, and they have listening posts throughout Canada, so I'll check in with them as well. See - easy peasey! We'll get to the bottom of this hoax or kidnapping fast! So let's go team!" Belle left them to their own devices as she exited Kaj's quarter, heading to Haele's lab, hoping it would go as easy as she portrayed it to the others. She also had one more stop after that before collecting her gear from her quarters. She stopped at the small office that Iri was using as a research station, for Alfred told her that Chase Lonehart was there, and she wanted to ask him if he would like to accompany her on the missions to either save Vo K'shaa or avenge him.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 19, 2015 16:17:11 GMT
"Well. I might have an idea for my costume in this carnival," said Volodja and smiled warmly to Belle, although he avoided hugging her, because he feared that it might lead to kissing her and then...he just ruins his noble intentions to avoid destroying relationship of the Prince and the Princess. "Brodyyyy..." he yelled through the hailer. "Who is your tailor? Or actually, can you borrow me some accessories. You can keep the grease."  "Nobody suspects the nerd," said Volodja after meticulous work with dressing himself. "We are harmless four eyed cowards and nobody expects anything from us. Just like in my old days, where I rarely had a chance to wear my OWN clothes. One disguise after another. Are you ready Kaj?" "Yes, Sir. I mean Volo. It is awkward because at moment I am not stationed anywhere and since you are Commander..." "We are team mates, Kaj. So calling me Volo is good enough. Titles, ranks, epaulettes and so on. They are mere distinctions, so people could see who is officially in charge and who is not. I repeat, officially. Unofficially there are always some insignificant looking people in grey suits who pull the real strings and guy in fancy uniform provides them necessary element of psychological distraction. Everyone's glances are concentrated into effort to pierce through the fancy uniform, while guy in grey does what he has to and returns to his post of secretary or petty official. By the way, Kaj. You do look like a bodyguard at moment. Impressive! Black suits you." "What a team," Volodja thought. "We have one beautiful demi goddess, a lusty nymph, a kind and usually harmless giant and one tired knight who despises killing. Real power in this world, but since odds are against us, we can even succeed if it's going to be one of those normal cases when bunch of mostly non fighters are going to kick ass. And something else as well." Remembering how Chloe smashed spies balls into a mash with her knee during their Moon mission, made Volodja to smile. |
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Post by Taffer on Jul 19, 2015 18:50:53 GMT
Taffer showed a thumb up sign and nodded to Sandy, approving her offer and then his eyes went back to the controls, monitoring Atticus's actions as the aircraft was approaching the runway of Miguel Hidalgo. He scanned the surroundings for radars or weapons that might be aimed at them and found out there were none except the general radar of the airport which was surprisingly still working. Meanwhile the aircraft hovered over the runway and softly descended to a perfect landing.
"You've tried a little too hard with it Atticus", Taffer said smiling with corners of his mouth, "There's no need to compensate for the wind when you hover in place, the system does that automatically. Of course helicopter pilot's habits die hard and it does not harm to double-check the automatics, but the automatic stabilization helps you to spread your attention over other things that might be important at the moment, like scanning the terrain for threats or operating the weapons. Unless you have a friend in the other seat who would be glad to do it for you so you could enjoy your perfect piloting".
"Now, here's some chow for our chopper", he commented, pointing at the approaching fuel truck. "Sandy, let's move out. You know, I prefer it when no one goes alone on an important mission and I mean it now. Besides, I'd like to watch those guys closely from the outside while they are working. So watch my back and look around if anyone else is approaching us."
He exited the aircraft and met the vehicle with two Liberata who jumped out of its cabin and started to unwind the fuel hose. He ordered them to open the tank first so he could scan the fuel to be transfused and then followed them like a shadow while they were working.
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Post by Sandy Bell on Jul 19, 2015 21:31:34 GMT
Sandy Bell nodded as Taffer gave the thumbs up sign to her, and once they landed she stayed to his left flank as they disembarked the aircraft on to the tarmac, her Votan pulser at the ready. She had perceived him as right handed, which meant his left side would be his weakest, and would give her the best position to both protect him and scan the horizon for approaching enemies. As Taffer supervised the refueling of the vehicle by the two Liberata, Sandy watched when suddenly she heard a voice she hadn't heard in years, not since the Pale Wars. "Two vehicles approaching fast at your eight o'clock Captain," Sergeant Murphy reported calmly in her head. Sandy knew it was her EGO psyche speaking to her through the telepathic link they shared from the implant in the back of her neck, but why it took the guise of her squad sergeant from the Pale Wars she didn't know, but suspected Wolfram could help her understand it when she got back to base. She just knew it was the dulcet tones of her old squad's second-in-command who had saved her life more than once during a firefight. Sandy knew the man was dead know, because she had used Fortress K'shaa's computer resources, discovering that the man had not only survived the Pale Wars, but had married happily his childhood sweetheart in rural Mississippi, had four children and sixteen grandchildren, and died on his farm when a tractor fell on him while he was plowing his field, just two years before she was resurrected as an EGO psyche herself. Sandy checked out a cloud of dust through the scope of her SMG and verified her EGO's report, reporting to Taffer and the rest of the team, "We got two bogies barreling towards us from the southwest."  |
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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 19, 2015 22:19:35 GMT
As Belle Starr and her team boarded the VBI helicopter to Portland, she smiled as she admired each and every one of them, thinking, "We may be the B-Team, but we sure as tooting clean up well!" As the helicopter took off, her hailer chimed, and she saw it was from Trevor Tyler, her friend on the VBI Board of Directors, so she answered it cheerfully, "Hi Trevor! So Red Deer is the destination! And you will have the city passes ready for me there? I'll need them for the following: Volodja Uljanov, Chloe Mac Guyver, Kaj Oenfer, Chase Lonehart, and, of course me, Belle Starr!" Belle giggled melodiously, then added, You always say the nicest things, Trevor! Yeah, yeah, parting is such sweet sorrow for me too! See y'all later!" The trip to Portland was uneventful, mostly with her watching the beautiful landscape go by, punctuated with lovelorn glances at Volodja.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 20, 2015 4:22:49 GMT
Five men scout squad was settled themselves near the small village and was observing traffic on the highway. That highway was the only connection line in that area, filled with swamps and when swamp ended, thick forest begun and after awhile gave a place to another swamp or creek or small river. Landscape in that area was logistical nightmare, but at moment it served them, not the enemy who tried to move their men and machines through the only vein in area. Unfortunately they seemed to have a genius on their side because all that mass of steel and cannon fodder moved slowly but steadily towards to the rear of their defence line.
Squad's original task was to discover any signs of enemies possible movement, but now they had discovered an army group which threatened them with a sudden strike and break their defences. That changed the whole situation and not in a good way so scouts had to decide what to do.
"What do you think men?" asked their commander. His face was young and handsome, but his brown eyes were unusually old and wise for his youthful face. He was in charge but since their work and dangers they shared, brought them close, he always asked their opinion before deciding anything important.
"We are in a deep shit," replied tall and dark Sergeant Tarkovsky. "Mать твою...Too many of them. Too close to us. We can't make back on time."
"Agreed," said Corporal Mueller-Stahl, blond chubby German, who's cherub like face was deceivingly innocent, but behind that face was a really experienced fighter.
Boyish looking private Colon, pair of round glasses on his upward pointed nose and grey haired, thick moustached private Zvyagintsev changed glances. Colon was youngest and Zvyagintsev oldest among their squad and oldest took the youngling under his protective wing since his arrival. "We should warn the others," they said, "But..."
"But that means that rest of use have to stay behind, draw their attention on us and try to stall their movement. Hopeless, I know and those who stay behind will end up six feet under....if they are lucky," concluded their Capitan. Someone had to say it out loud and he took the burden to his shoulders. "Any volunteers?" he asked next. "I could give you an order, but I prefer that you can have a choice."
"Me, Capitan," said Colon first.
"Excellent, Colon. You are the one who....is going back with our report," told Capitan to him. "You are young, eager and you have a life ahead, so you deserve the chance to survive. The rest of us have nothing to lose. Right men?"
"Exactly!", "Agreed", "Tочно." said rest of them. They fooled Colon and condemned him into life while they were about to perform a suicide. "Don't let us down Colon. Get out of here and make back alive and FAST!" Colon sighed and started to crawl away. He knew that rest of men had made their decision with clear minds and he can't let them down now or their sacrifice is in vain.
"I spotted a flak near the bridge," reported Tarkovsky. "And there are huge trees on both side of the road, so they can't turn around."
"Good. Makes a nice ambush place for us. If we are lucky we can hold hem back there," said their Capitan. "Let's take the crew out and we will own them....for awhile."
Few hours later Capitan stood by the smoking flak and wiped sweat from his high forehead, looking at the mess they created - wrecked cars, corpses, moaning wounded and stench of burning rubber and meat floating over the battleground.
Sergeant Tarkovsky laid on the ground, hands pressed against his stomach wound, bleeding to death. "Mama," was the last word he managed to squeeze through his clenched teeth. How often soldiers remember their mothers when they are dying on the battlefield? Way too often.
Private Zvyagintsev was fallen on top of the machine gun, they discovered and put into a good use, his cheek pressed against dirt. Single bullet wound on his forehead was the reason.
Only Capitan and Corporal Mueller-Stahl were alive, both wounded and yet they didn't left the position. If they last longer then it gives their troops a time to react and prepare at least improvised defence against that steel fist, threatening their rear.
"We will survive another wave," Capitan marked calmly. He wasn't bragging but stated the fact.
"Agreed. After all - we did more than we were expected to do. "It would be a shame to miss the famous last battle."
Both men grinned to each other. No matter how much they joked, they knew exactly what was going to happen next, but they also knew that they did the right thing...
..."I do wonder what has become of Colon?" Volodja thought during their flight. "Haven't heard about him for years. But we are learned more so I do hope that all of us go home this time. At least most of us. I will stay behind."
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jul 20, 2015 4:54:46 GMT
After Taffer comments on me trying too hard and not relying on stupid automated sensors to do the work for me like I should, I say, "Old habits and all that."
Then after Taffer and Sandy disembark, I get her EGO message about incoming vehicles. I check sensors and the ship's external camera, zooming it in on the vehicles as much as possible for a good look and reply to Sandy and Taffer with, "The inhabitants of those vehicles appear to be armed and wearing the colors of one of the local paramilitary groups, so stay alert. Sensors show no other incoming vehicles."
When Wolfram stopped Belle, Kaj assumed it was back into his guarded room for him, the storage closet for the broken machine that nobody knows how to dispose of safely. Afterall, Belle obviously acted without discussing it with anybody first, but the doctor happily agreed to let him go. As did Volodja Uljanov when he appeared. However when Volodja said, "If one has reasons then one acts and finds measures. That jumpsuit can give enough material for a rope. And rope in hands of somebody who is desperate is enough to open the door into eternity. Dead man doesn't care any more, what he wears. And tearing jumpsuit into a rope material is not forbidden by Kaj's protocol, I assume. Believe me - I know a lot about being depressed and even suicidal.", Kaj thought to himself, "What good would a rope made of this thin cloth do me? I weigh way too much. The rope would break before it could do much." However he did not say anything about it.
Volo then took Kaj to the armory and got him clothed in black as a VBI bodyguard, and said, "By the way, Kaj. You do look like a bodyguard at moment. Impressive! Black suits you." Kaj responded with, "Thank you. Now how about we find a gun that is not to small for my huge hands?" Volo helped Kaj find weapons and a shield, then they joined the others.
While sitting in the helicopter, all kaj could do was fidget with his beret and say to nobody in particular, "How am I supposed to keep this thing on my big bald head, anyway? It keeps sliding off."
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Jul 20, 2015 5:40:11 GMT
"Hey, Chase," McCoy chimed in. "I'm getting a message from Belle saying that she needs an extra gun for a mission that's about to gear up, and you're needed." "I can't just leave," Chase replied. "I mean, Iri needs me here." "Don't worry, Chase," Iri told him. "I'll stay here and continue the search, and will be here when you get back." "Are you sure you don't want to come?" "Considering how vocal Belle was about the last time I went on a mission with you, I think it's best I sit this one out." Chase brought her gloved right hand up to his lips and gave her a kiss. He wanted to let her know he cared, and not want to inadvertently arouse her. "Just remember to come back alive," she told him. "I didn't like losing you the first time." Chase lightly tapped the tip of her nose. "I'll come back. Maybe not in the best condition, but I will come back." "Kind of a big order to make a promise on," the man named Brody chimed in. Chase shot a glance at him, which made the small amused smirk on his face transform into a startled look. He looked back at Iri who stared at him with her indigo eyes. He winked at her as he proceeded to turn and head out of the room. He figured that Iri must have made some sort of deal with Belle for access to those databases she was accessing, and Chase knew that he had to hold up whatever end that fell to him. "Okay, McCoy, tell Belle I'm on my way and direct me to where I need to go. Hopefully, that security team will give me back my weapons." As Chase headed down the hall, to wherever the rally point was, McCoy couldn't help but cue up some music on the VBI Player, setting it to play through the EGO implant as he walked. As he approached the aircraft, he climbed aboard to find his duffle of weaponry ready and waiting for him. Chase took a seat, checking each one to make sure they were ready for use while he waited for the others to arrive. |
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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 20, 2015 7:44:43 GMT
As they traveled to Portland, Belle Starr briefed her team on the mission as to what she knew, allowing Shirra to listen in, concluding by saying, "We don't know this is Vo! We don't know that this is not Vo! I saw Vo drown, albeit it was a real-time hologram projection! My people on the Gulf Coast were pretty sure he must have died when they found the wreckage in a deep water trench there, but there were no signs of bodies, although there wouldn't be for it had been weeks later and the currents are pretty strong in the Gulf. Shirra might have been fooled by some sophisticated programming into thinking it is Vo! It could be an Indogene masquerading as Vo! I've heard of at least three cases of that, one of them of a pretty famous human astronaut who retired as the real thing in Alabama! It could be a clone, and this team has had experience of being fooled by clones before!"
Belle winced briefly at the memory, pain showing in her big blue diamond eyes, thinking back at how a clone of her sister almost destroyed the team, but then went on saying, "However, we have to assume this Vo is the real thing, and that this is a rescue mission! First thing is, we have to find the exact location of Vo! Second, we determine who has him! If it's the Indogene government, we might have to be a bit crafty to get the job done; otherwise we get him out as expediently and safely as possible! We'll worry about whether he is the real Vo or not once we get him back to Fortress K'shaa!"
Belle hesitated, looking at the faces of her team, each and every one mirroring the serious look on her own pretty freckled face, then noted, "We are going in as a VBI inspection team, checking out the security of the VBI factory in Red Deer, and for all outward appearances, it's true! As Director of VBI's Division of Security Analysis, I have these done all the time, but not often by me personally! As a VBI Director, I'm expected to not only have my security experts - that's y'all, Volo and Chloe - but also personal bodyguards - Kaj and Chase - since VBI executives are prime candidates for kidnapping schemes! If anyone asks about the dream machine around my neck, tell them it's the new virtual reality toy that VBI executives are trying out before manufacturing them for mass consumption! So... any questions?"
As she handed the black VBI coveralls and beret to Chase for his disguise, Belle didn't mention to those not in-the-know that the dream machine was in fact a virtual reality toy to which she had almost become addicted to, nor that it was her place to escape to meet her dead lover Vo K'ashaa. She would have been lost to the machine if Volodja had not pulled her out of it, saving her life. Belle hoped that at least Volodja would remember that heroic incident, and stop torturing himself which was what he was obviously doing from the look in his brown soulful eyes.
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Post by Taffer on Jul 20, 2015 10:09:30 GMT
First thing Taffer did when he received was ordering the crew on the truck to stop the refueling and roll their truck to the other side of the runway.
"We don't want this truck to explode right under our aircraft, do we?" he said to Sandy and then added in a more serious tone, "I'll keep them at gunpoint. You keep watching around, It could be a decoy to make us focus our attention on them. Sensors can be fooled. Keep an eye on the refueling crew as well just in case."
"By my calculations we have enough fuel to reach Lima and then retreat to Guatemala, but not enough for Guadalajara", he sent to the team's EGO. "As far as I know Mexico was hit by the same blast as New York was, so I don't know if Guatemala is under VC's control now or not. But it's still an option if we have to take off now and won't be able to refuel in Lima. So Atticus, by your command. I'm holding those vehicles at gunpoint for now."
He took cover behind the body of the aircraft, knowing its shields should protect them from any conventional weapons and followed the approaching vehicles with the scope of his Heavy Carbine.
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Jul 20, 2015 11:11:39 GMT
Chase looked at the outfit a moment, and for some odd reason recalled another movie he saw while t the medical facility in Panama City. Raiders of the Lost Ark. He hoped that the outfit would fit in not be too baggy or too tight .
I hope to God that they do not require an accent for this job, he thought.
"What kind of opposition are we facing, Belle?" Chase asked.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jul 20, 2015 11:21:07 GMT
I think for a few seconds as I watch the cameras, then I respond via EGO, "Taffer, now that I can make out their markings more clearly, I recognize which paramilitary group it is and I believe I can handle this. However, in order for this to work, the girls all need to get into the ship right now, give all of your weapons to Marcel, sit next to each other in the passenger section and act very subservient to us. I am afraid if you don't then they will shoot you, if us guys don't smack you down right away. That includes you Lena. I have seen your files and talked to Belle, so I know you know the drill. Marcel you are to be the one to 'control the property' if needed. Lena I am afraid this is the best way, so please try to understand. However as long as I succeed in convincing them before they look into the ship, then we will be able to avoid making you act like property. Taffer keep your gun at the ready. Your role is as the merc hired to guard my back and Marcel is the merc hired to watch the runaway 'property' that we are retrieving. That group has hired me in the past for various things including this, so it will be quite believable to them, especially given our headings."
Sandy quickly follows orders and hands over her weapons as I disembark. As I walk just in front of the ship to greet our welcoming party, I can only hope that everyone else including Marcel and especially Lena go along with everything, because the last thing we need is for Lena to start killing these guys and getting their whole group after us. As the vehicles stop, two guys get out and approach me, and I broadcast the conversation strictly to Taffer, as it happens. "Harbinger what brings you here?!"
I respond calmly but sternly, "Just refueling on my way to Lima to return some 'property' to one of the private mansions there. Now be gone so I can finish and leave this place."
The speaker says, "Perhaps we can sample some of that property?"
I say still calmly but sternly, "1 mill for 2 minutes with one and it is only a handy, since this is a time sensitive job and the longer I take the less they pay!"
The speaker says, "1 mill for a 2 minute handy?! Damn they must be good! However we have our own women and I don't have to pay to sample them, so forget it. But out of curiosity what makes these women so expensive?"
I growl, "They belong to a wealthy man there, by the Name of Montero. One is his favorite 'sleep-aid', one is his favorite 'pet' and the other is some trollop that spited him and became his favorite 'party favor', when he throws his special gatherings, because of her insolence."
The speaker says, "Damn why didn't you just say it was for him?! He is one of our best customers. So I don't want to delay you and risk his wrath! However I am afraid I must see that order."
I think to my EGO Psyche, Dinara, "Pest, I know you have copies from some of my past retrieval requests. How long will it take you to alter one so it has Montiro's seal and signature on it, for the retrieval of 3 pieces of 'bedroom furniture', and send it to the datapad in my pocket?"
She responds with, "Just one more second. I already figured that was what you were thinking, so I was working on it just in case. I hope you don't mind but I asked Taffer's EGO, Em Dash, to do the alterations, since I have never done that and I was certain she had and didn't know what name you were going to use, so telling her and giving her the appropriate signatures and seals now."
I think back. "Doesn't matter, as long as it is done, but I need it now!"
I pull out my datapad and start looking through it as if I am looking if the order, and Dinara says, "Alright she is sending it to your datapad now!"
I refresh the folder and there is the order, so I give it a quick once over and hand it to the speaker. He looks it over and hands it back as he says, "Alright it's all in order. As for the cost of the fuel, we will just add it to Mr. Montero's bill. Quickly finish and be on your way, Harbinger. After all we prefer you not be here for long for obvious reasons." He then turns and gets back into his vehicle. They turn around and drive back the way that they came. I then put back my datapad as I say to Taffer, via the private EGO link, "Alright Taffer, get us refueled immediately. And thank Em Dash for helping Dinara with our ploy so quickly and efficiently."
I then send an EGO message to the whole team. "Alright they bought it and are leaving us alone for now. However they may still be watching us so, I am afraid, all three of you ladies must stay in the passenger section and out of sight of the windows and external doors until we are back in the air. Lena thank you for at least staying on the ship while I talked to them, even though I doubt you actually handed Marcel all of your weapons. Can't say I blame you, since I am certain Marcel and I wouldn't either if the situation were reversed."
As I walk back towards Taffer's location, he already has the crew refueling our ship again, and we are fully fueled and back in the air in no time.
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Post by Sandy Bell on Jul 20, 2015 13:05:19 GMT
As Atticus walked towards Taffer's location, he glanced up at the doorway of the plane, seeing Lena and Sandy standing at it's entrance, waving to the departing vehicles, and noticed that some of those in the vehicles were waving back. Lena was blowing kisses at the departing men as she smiled prettily, still dressed in her 7th Legion uniform, but she had taken off the culottes and was only wearing the fishnet pantyhose and the red tunic. Sandy appeared only to be wearing a sheet from the on-board fold-up bed, but when he looked closer he could see that she had only removed her boots, the sheet being carefully draped to cover up her light armor and the pistol she had held hidden underneath. Sandy's blond hair was mussed like she had just awakened, but the expression on her tanned face was more miserable than sleepy. As the vehicles disappeared in the distance, Atticus stared at the two women in the doorway, whereupon Lena responded with a wicked grin, "Deception is all about credibility, Atty-baby!" Then she ducked quickly into the plane, as if she feared Atticus might throw something at her. Sandy just slowly shook her head, staring at him with her beautiful blue eyes, saying with an edge in her tone, "Let's never speak of this again please. Now, excuse me - I have to find my boots."  |
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Jul 20, 2015 13:36:00 GMT
"Les Idiots," muttered Marcel. "Always thinking with their penises instead using brains. Show them couple of pretty girls and all their common sense will fly away. But if some of them approached our girls, especially Lena, our little pseudo harem would have gained couple of real eunuchs as an addition." He enjoyed the view of girls from behind, holding his weapon ready for use if it would become necessary. Since war was out of the question he put his rifle aside and stepping behind the girl, slapped Lena gently to her tush.
Then he lit one of his cigarettes and puffed couple of smoke rings. "At least we did not attract attention. But I doubt that things in Lima are going to be as smooth as here," he said while his hand stroke Lena's bottom under her red tunic.
"Do not be sad," he said to Sandy. "He is not worth it. I know him longer and believe me - that little piece of shit is worthless. He is soft as Camembert and he does not belong into our tough world. I have a little surprise for him if it comforts you." And devilish grin appeared to Marcel's tanned face.
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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 20, 2015 14:12:00 GMT
"What kind of opposition are we facing, Belle?" Chase asked. Belle frowned, replying, "I wish I knew, Chase! As you can see, the recording gives us a view of scientific equipment and scientists, but not so much security measures! It appears to me to be a very sophisticated lab set up in an old bunker or fortified building! If that is indeed Vo, then it must have some pretty sophisticated security measures too or he would of escaped on his own! Part of the reason of us going in to Red Deer under cover is to scout out where the captive is and what those security measures are before we go to rescue him or trigger a trap, whichever it is! When we find where he is, we go in with stealth, not guns blazing, and with a proper scouting first!" Then Belle added with a smile, "Oh, and Kaj, you don't have to wear the beret if you don't want to, but you DO look kind of cute in it!" When they arrived in Portland, they disembarked from the helicopter and moved into a VBI armored executive jet for the trip to Red Deer. Belle made sure that she was seated next to Volodja, and once they had safely taken off, she put a delicate pale hand on his, looking at him intensely with her beautiful blue diamond eyes, saying, "Even if it is Vo we are going to rescue, it doesn't mean everything will go back to the status quo! I'm not the same woman he left when he... died! I've grown, and changed, maybe for the better, maybe not, but he may not even like me anymore let alone love! Point is, it's not about him, it's about me, and I love you! Unless I'm sadly mistaken, you love me too! That is today! Vo and I were yesterday! Please remember that before you get all noble on me and sacrifice our relationship on the altar of gallantry!" Belle didn't mention the small package she had picked up from her vanity's drawer when she went to her base quarters to gather her luggage and equipment for the trip. Belle was again carrying the small refrigeration box, the size of a ring box, which contained Vo K'shaas' cyan eye.  |
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