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Post by Taffer on Jul 21, 2015 19:18:51 GMT
When Taffer heard sounds of pleasure behind his back, he turned his head to Atticus and showed a barrel roll with his hand (the proper one, not the aileron roll it's frequently confused with).  Then he quickly whispered, "Nah, let's keep that maneuver for something that really needs our intervention." Instead, after he made his remark on the mile high club, he calmly announced, "Now, once we have successfully hit out target, please take your seats fasten your belts as we'll be doing some hedge-hopping between mountains and it may become a little wonky." He let the aircraft dive into the mountainous terrain and started following the ravine so that their movement won't be visible from the settlements and roads that could be around, pulling up only when he needed to jump over a mountain for the next ravine to follow. Suddenly the radar issued a warning and the screen showed a big pterodactyl-like creature flying in circles with powerful flap of its winds and throwing a disapproving look at their aircraft.  "Keinti", commented Taffer, "Usually a bad sign, but now a good sign for us. Don't expect people living close to where Keinti laid their eggs". The aircraft made its final climb over the mountain and hovered over the patch of a dirt road which ran along the side of one chain of the mountains, another chain covering the road from being seen from the other side. Taffer turned the carrier around so that its cargo bay door would open in the direction on their destination and made sure there was a good view of the terrain for the rear gun. Scanner confirmed no living beings around. "Get ready to move, people", Taffer announced, "I'll take care of our ground transport". He moved to the cargo bay, and then opened its door carefully, looking around through the scope of his Heavy Carbine just in case sensors missed something. Once he made sure there's no danger around, he started the engine of the Durango first and drove it out of the bay. Then he proceeded with lowering and re-assembling the Raptor, performing same operations he did back at their base in reverse order. |
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Post by Vo Kshaa on Jul 21, 2015 20:08:01 GMT
The underground stream made a turn and Vo widened his only eye at what he saw. It was a big underground lake sprawling in front of them, lit by hundreds of floating lights. Plenty of tents and plastic huts seemingly inhabited by Indogene people were occupying it, some standing on small islands, some floating on balloons and some were even hanging in the air on platforms chained to the ceiling.  "None of them have the ID", Doc said, "Hey, just informing!""Fiel is waiting for you", Zack said pointing at the ladder leading to the platform chained to the ceiling with a couple of large tents standing on it. Vo scratched his head, still baffled at the sight of the underground village they had just entered, but then he shrugged and climbed the ladder. On his way, he barely heard through his enhanced hearing Zic's whisper, "Have you seen the similarity in his face?" before her voice drowned in the sound of the motor of the boat. He remembered that for all the time they were in the boat, Zic was staring at his face as if examining every inch of it. He pretended not to notice it thinking she might be examining it for some scientific purpose. When Vo finished his climbing, he saw a tall young male Indogene ( "Very young. about 50 years old. Probably born in the Ark. Armed with a charge blade and a Thunderer pistol", Doc commented) who was extending his hand for a handshake. "My name's Fiel, as Zack probably told you already. He has sent me your story you told him so no need to repeat it. Do you mind having a snack?" They entered a tent where the table was set with a bottle of vine, a basket of fruit and something that looked like sandwiches and which Doc classified as "general synthetic protein food. Pretty safe to eat for Irathient". As they entered, a holographic image of the screen with some scrolling data appeared on the table. Fiel gestured with his hand at the screen and raised the image to hover above the table so that it wouldn't obscure the food set on the table. A small figure of Doc appeared on the screen as well. "Hey, hey, I'm afraid of heights!" Doc shouted while the image was rising. Then he stepped on the image of a scrolling data and used it as an elevator to lift himself to the upper border of the screen where he sat, dangling his feet. "Just kidding, I'm not!" Fiel shook his head at the performance and sat at the table, inviting Vo to sit too. "I'm a chief coordinator of this small settlement", Fiel continued his briefing, "That means most of the information about events here and above comes through my data bank. As you're a newcomer, it's my responsibility to find some information about you. The only thing we know about you now is that you were a patient of the laboratory from above, so that's where our search will start. You will see all the information we'll find on you and you'll be able to explain anything we find suspicious. Sorry if it looks to nosey to you, but that's a common security measure we had elaborated for long time ago to keep this people in settlement safe". Vo answered he didn't mind the check, especially he was interested in what those people in the lab had on him and why they kept him there. "You know what? As our patient's EGO AI, I may still have an access to his files if they haven't removed it yet", Doc voiced his opinion again, "This will save your ID from being revoked for trespassing. Oh wait, you don't have an ID, how unfortunate." "Doc, I hate to quote my old friend this way, but shut up and do your job", Vo ordered dryly, "Gain access to the lab and download all data they have on me to Fiel's data bank. By the way Fiel, could you tell me what's up with that ID my EGO seems to be obsessed about? You know, I just happened to wake up in that lab, so I'm afraid I don't know anything about your society here at all." "Ah, the ID", Fiel tipped back in his chair preparing for the long story to tell while the data was downloading. "The settlement above was originated as a support for the research team located near ruins of Edmonton. You've probably heard of the Ark found there and the Indogene expedition who had erected a barrier around it. No one but them was allowed to enter, but they needed more supplies and resources to go on with their research. So they invited more Indogene people and set up a settlement outside the barrier at the ruins of Red Deer. You know, after the terraforming the territory became a crystalline desert, so all the buildings and life support system had to be built from scratch. So people who live there don't really own their homes but renting them from the Inner Circle how they call it. To keep things relatively secret and have an account of "human resources" they have in the settlement, they invented the system of IDs, small identification implants which report the name and location of their owners to the system. Most of the infrastructure and transactions are tied to this ID system, and that means you can't even buy food or pay your rent without it. To keep track on all the people with IDs, the Ark-Brain was removed from the Ark and set up in the data center which location still remains secret to all but Inner Circle. The Ark-Brain is named Enhanced Self-Training High Efficiency Terraforming Enumerator or ESTHETE, you might already heard that name. Implanting the ID was a simple and free procedure so most of our people agreed to it. It was all fine until we found out that to keep their ID online one had to perform some operations which were definitely not free. You have to receive updates from the ID system even if they are not free. You have to keep your own implants up to date. You have to keep yourself fit and healthy, any trauma has to be healed as fast as possible, which is usually the most expensive way as well. You have to upgrade them with something the research team needs from you. You have to use those implants to perform tasks for the research team for free. Moreover, your ID can be revoked for a crime they think you've committed or just because Esthete thinks you're no more of use to the research team. Many of our people had to take part in risky business and research to have a chance to keep their ID, only to have it lost nevertheless. People who don't have the ID are treated like scum. They don't have any rights, they can be killed or robbed by anyone without any punishment and they are usually exiled from the City. As I said, the terrain above is a crystalline desert with some dangerous species from Daribo crawling around, so the chances of mere scientists without combat and survival upgrades are close to zero. As you may see, we have found a way to survive. This system of underground rivers and lakes seems to be a leftover of the hydrological system existed on this territory before the terraforming started. Most of them are interconnected, allowing us to live and travel below the ground and have several secret exits to the surface. For several years we could live in here without being disturbed and even have some transactions with other settlements around the world, like Calgary, Helen and even Vancouver. That was until recently when alarming news had arrived that the Red Deer is preparing for war with Vancouver Empire for reasons we've yet to determine, but the point is that now Esthete is actively searching for spies and any noID would be shot on sight with its automatic security drones. We had to block all the exits to the surface throughout the Red Deer territory, but now we've noticed Esthete's drones searching outside the City as well. What it means to you Vo, is that we can't let you leave our system right now. We took a great risk letting you in because you almost literally fell on our heads, but we can't risk any further. If you're noticed leaving through one of the exits, then we'll be open for invasion either by Esthete or the Empire and we don't have any serious means to fight back. I do hope this crisis will be averted soon and we'll be able to let you leave and renew our trading connections, but now we're under a strict lockdown and I really hope you'll understand." Vo sighed and nodded in agreement. The one thing he definitely never wanted to happen is to have innocent people injured because of his will to meet his friends as soon as possible. He thought again it could be much simpler if he let that Gulanee rampage through the lab and escape, this Esthete and its security drones could be damned. But then again, it was still a peaceful settlement there above the ground too and the fight he might instigate could result in having those people harmed too. This situation was getting more and more complicated and he felt he need some time to settle his mind and ponder on what to do next. "Now to your personality," continued Fiel, sifting through the files Doc had just downloaded from the lab, "Now, that's interesting. You're the one who was bred in Tranquility lab, right?" "Born in Tranquility camp", corrected Vo, almost sure he's about to hear something bad about himself. "Bred in Tranquility lab", stressed Fiel. "Take a look at this file. EMC tried to produce a breed of Irathients who would be immune to the extermination virus they were developing, but would be able to carry the virus in them and infect other Irathients and other races. They had found a female infant who were completely immune to the plague, but whose body was actively eliminating the virus when infected. Their research had shown that the male clone of that infant could become a healthy carrier. That's how you came to this world. The "V" in your name represents a roman five. "O" represents zero. Someone came with the idea of this erratic name for the 50th and only clone who survived. Kshaa is an old Irathient word for Plaguebringer. It's strange that earthlings even knew that. Luckily they wasn't too much into Irathian genetics with their three chromosomes and all so they made a fundamental flaw in what they thought would be a healthy male clone. It's a sheer luck you had a mutation that countered it and you survived." "I've already started to suspect my last name meant something much worse than an ancient predator animal", Vo answered gloomily. "Now you've just confirmed that. Guess we all are lucky they didn't have time to correct their mistake or infect me with that virus." "It's absolutely not your fault Vo", Fiel said, now sifting through the files about Vo's involvement in EGO program and his last year adventures. "I see you're a decent man so I'll let you have your weapons while you're here. We don't have many good weapon wielders here so having one more could be beneficial if things go bad way. Just have them holstered and don't cause any trouble while you're here, okay? Look, I'm not fond of all this situation as well as you, but I have to look after all those people here. I'll see what I can do to contact your friends. How do you think, would they help us with this crisis? Anyway, I'll do what I can so you could meet them safely, I promise. Now to the most recent events with you, I see they have already removed or classified it beyond your Doc's access rights. I can only see they were mostly interested in your EGO contents and additionally planned some experiments on their study on the Gulanee's perception." "Okay then", Fiel summed up. "You're not considered threatening but you'll have to stay with us until the lockdown is lifted. There's a spare cave in the north side you could use to stay. I have to note the ventilation is malfunctioning in it though." "Give me some tools and I'll repair it", Vo shrugged, "I've gained a bad habit of repairing ventilation in my captors' cells. Just kidding about captors". "Really? We could really make use of a pair of skilled hands to repair things for us as we're currently short of supplies. You'll be paid in scrip for your work of course. Can you repair boat engines? We have some of them which need repairs. That would be really great because the only means of transportation I can give you now is this inflatable kayak and a paddle. One last thing though. See these red flags on the network map? I saw Doc was really expertly surfing the Network on his search, but all the nodes he had visited became alert nevertheless. It's like Esthete is actively searching for his signature and trying to catch him. Doc did a good job not leaving traces anywhere, but given the attention he raises I'll have to restrict his access to our local network only. If you need to find something outside, please ask me personally. Sorry again for that inconvenience, but I have to act safe, even if it looks like overkill." "No peeking my nose outside, not even a virtual one, got it", Vo replied, taking a paddle and a bag with an inflatable kayak in it. Now he had a work to do and a lot of things to think on. Only when he got to the cave that was assigned to him a wild thought suddenly hit his head. "Doc, he told there was a female infant who was a source for clones. He didn't tell she died as male ones did. Does it mean I have a sister somewhere?" |
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Post by Sandy Bell on Jul 21, 2015 23:20:55 GMT
After the plane landed, Sandy Bell helped in any way she could with the unloading of the vehicles, whether with the un-tethering, driving or guarding once the vehicles were outside. Erika Widowmaker noted that Sandy was operating on automatic, following orders to a "t", but not taking any initiative, even at the simplest of things, and mentioned it to both Atticus and Taffer. Whether Sandy was like this because she had been an EGO psyche for so long, so subservient to Lady Christianna's will, which was doubtful given that Sandy often took action without Lady's directive, like when she shielded Lady from Lena Marr's assassination attempt, or because Sandy's mind was preoccupied with her personal problems, such as her failed love relationship with Volodja Ulvanov, which much more likely considering Erika's experience with humans, Erika believed it might be an impediment to the mission's success that the senior members of the team needed to be aware of.
Lena, on the other hand, was doing as she liked as the others unloaded the vehicles, preferring to let the others do the heavy lifting. She perused the armory on the aircraft, finding an Autumn's Scourge detonator with bio nano and a Blackened Hellfire Blaster with fire nano, both weapons rare because they were manufactured in limited numbers. Furthermore. she loved to watch the nanos take affect after she shot something; whether it be setting things on fire, slowing targets as armor was slowly damaged in a biological ooze, dissolving things in radiative goo, making targets do an electric jig, or even siphoning life from the target to the weapon's wielder.
"Anybody care if I take these two weapons," Lena whispered with a wicked smile, cupping one alabaster hand to her ear as if waiting to hear a response, then quickly taking both weapons. She exited the aircraft whistling nonchalantly, the blaster holstered on the belt of her red 7th Legion uniform, with her Rhino Shield attached to her back under her tunic and the detonator balanced on one chalk white shoulder.
As Lena passed Sandy, she commented as if in command, "Good job there soldier!"
Greed, currently operating her EGO's voice in her mind, echoed the sentiments to Lena.
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Jul 22, 2015 0:26:43 GMT
Chase observed Belle during the briefing when a thought inched its way across his mind.
I feel sorry for Belle.
Chase felt sorry for Belle because he could see the possible problem posed with her personal situation of being in love with a new guy, unsure if the past love was alive or dead. He himself faced a similar dilemma for five months, not sure if he should open himself in that way because he wasn't sure of if there was someone waiting for him. So many times temptation have crossed his path and each time, asking himself if he had someone waiting for him, or if he was the kind of bastard who didn't care if he had someone. Yet, he felt sorry because Belle was in one of those scenarios he had tried so hard to avoid.
You should probably feel sorry for her later, and focus on the upcoming task, McCoy told him.
I can't help it, McCoy, he told his EGO. I may not remember everything with her, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't care.
But he did turn his attention back to the briefing, pushing his concern to a later time.
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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 22, 2015 2:08:18 GMT
Donald Trump met Belle Star and her team at the black corporate Durango with some trepidation, saying, "Director Starr - I mean, Belle, please don't do this now. Something is going on in Red Deer, and the city guard are on high alert. They haven't issued a curfew yet, but it is only a matter of time." "Listen Donald, it's clear to me you are ambitious, and don't you think having a VBI Director in your corner can help you climb the corporate ladder? You do know Trevor Tyler is a close friend of mine, and I will personally tell him of how helpful you were to me, if you take me to where I want to go right now, so what do you say?" Asked Belle with a confident smile, then gave the Indogene a moment to think, whereupon he shook his head in agreement. Belle turned to her team, "I'll sit with Donald in the front seat, with him driving us to the facility and Kaj in the far back! Volo, Chase, and Chloe and Volo ride in the immediate back seat! Any questions?"  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jul 22, 2015 3:47:52 GMT
As I am helping get everything ready, I notice Lena walking around with some specific weapons, and go talk to her. "Lena, I see you helped yourself. No problem with that. The gear is there for people with us that need it. However,If you are going to gear yourself with stuff from our armory, then I suggest you go back and get some grenades, stims and perhaps even spikes, as well. You never know when you might need one of them, on a mission. Besides I, personally, prefer to be over-armed rather than under-armed."
I then respond to Erika's EGO message and include Taffer in the link, so he knows as well. "I am not sure what to do about Sandy. I have already said that I prefer teammates that do what they feel is needed, for the success of the task at hand, and NOT strictly follow orders to the extreme. Or did I say it wrong? I am still getting used to talking to people without murder being the only thing on my mind. So perhaps one of you should talk to her, if you think it's needed. Besides I am still getting used to being part of a team or getting others to be part of a cohesive team. Not to mention the fat that I know nothing about broken relationships, the only relationship of love that I have ever been in seems to be going well, based on the ring around my finger, and the parting "words" that Lady gave me."
While in Canada, Belle turned to her team and said, "I'll sit with Donald in the front seat, with him driving us to the facility and Kaj in the far back! Volo, Chase, and Chloe and Volo ride in the immediate back seat! Any questions?"
Kaj frowns a little and says, with mock-anger (hoping he got the tone right), "Far back? So I really am just necessary equipment for the team?!"
As Belle's pretty little mouth opens in shock that Kaj would take her seating arrangement in that way, He smiles and says, "Relax Director... I mean Belle. I know you are just sticking me in the far back because it will be the least cramped space for somebody of my...stature. Thank you for caring about my comfort. I still am not quite used to that. Anyway, I was just trying to lighten the mood with what you would call humor. Did I say or do it wrong?"
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 22, 2015 5:10:21 GMT
Volodja sat in the back row as Belle told him. His modified Predator armour looked about a size bigger and fit him like it was put on a scarecrow just like Volodja intended to. Call it a paranoia or just being careful, but Volodja decided to wear his nerd mask as long as possible. Besides - being socially awkward nerd felt kind of homely at moment. Volodja acted usually on the background, securing safety of others during the grand finale or on their way to it. He draw attention to himself only to distract enemies so others could act. During this mission he played Joxer the Great. A caricature of a hero. An Alazôn (braggart) in ancient Greek and Miles Gloriosus (the boasting soldier) in Roman comical theatre. Perfect disguise for the guy like him.  Under that mask he was ready as a steel spiral under pressure. Just give him a signal and he will act in a most professional manner and with deadly efficiency. And hates himself afterwards, because his professional deeds will bring along another set of dead bodies. Speaking of bodies, Volodja felt another flashback coming. Ant it was not a pleasant one as usual... ![]() |
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Post by Sandy Bell on Jul 22, 2015 6:48:18 GMT
Atticus said, "Lena, I see you helped yourself. No problem with that. The gear is there for people with us that need it. However,If you are going to gear yourself with stuff from our armory, then I suggest you go back and get some grenades, stims and perhaps even spikes, as well. You never know when you might need one of them, on a mission. Besides I, personally, prefer to be over-armed rather than under-armed."
"Aw boss, I didn't know you cared," Replied Lena Marr with a wicked grin. "I guess you can never be over STIM-ulated! Get it! Hmmm... oh, never mind! Nobody ever gets my sense of humor!"
In fact, Lena had no idea what Atticus was talking about. Of course, she knew all about grenades, but stims and spikes were something EGO wielders were instructed on, and she had just gotten hers. The stims were pretty self-evident from their names as to what they did - healing, armor repair, power, and the rest - but spikes, not so much. She almost took a protection spike just in case Marcel and she decided to have sex again in a battlefield, but then she spotted the ammo spikes, and knowing how fast blasters go through ammunition, decided that was a better choice. At the last moment, she grabbed some frag grenades, because blowing things up was always good in her mind.
Erika Widowmaker watched with intense jade green eyes Sandy Bell go through the motions of doing her job, but remembered that Sandy was the one who had spotted the approaching intruders at their last fuel stop and had acted accordingly. Since Atticus seemed to not be worried enough to do anything, and he was team leader, she decided to take a wait-and-see attitude about the matter. Erika decided to keep an eye on Sandy, but not to intervene at the moment.
Sandy herself could not keep her beloved Volodja out of her mind. She couldn't help blaming herself for his losing interest in her. Sandy saw herself as an uncultured and dumb grunt, so ugly compared with a glamor ballerina like Belle Starr. Sandy kept asking herself, "How am I supposed to compete with THAT! I mean, I tried with candle lit dinners that he never came back to, and dates in exotic locales like Paris that he left halfway through, but he would spend hours dancing with HER or talking about some damn book with HER. All I could do when he showed me a great piece of art in the Louvre is say, Gosh, that's pretty - DUH! No wonder I lost him"
As Sandy patrolled the perimeter while the team vehicles were prepared, she couldn't help beating herself up over her failed love; that maybe it would have turned out different if she had been smarter, or more cultured, or prettier; that it was a failing in her that had doomed their love, perhaps from the start. Sandy knew as a soldier that this was the type of distraction that might get her killed in combat, for she had seen other soldiers in the Pale Wars get "Dear John" letters from their sweethearts, then die shortly after because they didn't notice the land mine at their feet or the sniper on the ridge. However, just like them, Sandy was having trouble caring about whether she lived or died, for she already felt dead inside without Volodja.
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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 22, 2015 7:14:09 GMT
Belle Starr ordered the Indogene driver to park the black Durango two blocks from the clinic, saying that she and her companions needed to stretch their legs after the long flight from San Francisco to Red Deer, concluding, "Donald, y'all be a doll and just stay with the car! I just want to take a gander at the property - do some measurements and stuff! We won't be long!" Belle then sashayed up the street, her entourage following behind her, with Chase at her right side, Chloe and Volodja walking side by side right behind her and Kaj guarding the rear, as she whispered to Chase, "Watch after Chloe! She doesn't have an EGO nor any combat skills to speak of, just plenty of spunk and the ability to hack through any computer system, which is why she is here!" "Thanks fuckmuppet! I always thought you cared," Said Chloe with a grin, her beautiful green eyes flashing with amusement after overhearing Belle's order. As they reached the scene of the implant clinic, clearly marked closed for maintenance, Belle frowned as she tilted her pretty blond tousled head, her blue diamond eyes narrowing as she noticed an anomaly, so she remarked, "Y'all SEE that! The security drones all have their guns aimed towards the building, not the street, as if they are trying to keep something in, not out! That's mighty weird for an implant clinic, don't you think?"  |
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Post by Taffer on Jul 22, 2015 8:04:03 GMT
"I've noticed that too, thanks for confirming that Erika. I'll try to talk to her albeit I'm not an expert in this relationship thing either", Taffer sent to Erika and Atticus.
Out loud he said, "Okay team, the plan is simple. Atticus, Erika, Marcel and Lena in the Raptor, guns on the ready. Raptor allows more freedom to shoot from it, and I expect ambush. It was too quiet until now. Keep paving the way for me and Sandy, we'll watch your rear. If we successfully reach Lima, out destination there is the port district where we can meet Askaru's people. We'll change our plan if the situation changes. Remember don't rush it people, we'd better see the danger before it sees us."
When the team took their seats, Taffer checked if the security system oh the aircraft is on, then grabbed the wheel of the Durango and started following the Raptor at a close distance. Once the convoy settled its speed, he turned his head slightly to Sandy, his eyes still fixed on the road ahead, and said:
"Sandy, I can see something is bothering you. You know, I really appreciate your help to the team, and it's good to have you as a friend. If you want to talk about something that should better stay between you and me, feel free to tell. Nothing will escape this roller unless you want it to."
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Post by Luuzuk Kshaa on Jul 22, 2015 8:53:15 GMT
"I remember this building having more electronic devices inside than I sense now", commented Shirra in Belle's head. "I also detect powerful biomagnetic emitters inside as well as laser defense grid in the lobby. Something is wrong with their friend-or-foe detection but I can't pinpoint any specifics based on passive sensors and doing active scan might make us visible."
A relative quietness was shattered by roaring engine of a Hellblazer Nomad truck working on a full boost. When it was racing by the clinic, the drones suddenly left their post and jumped on the road, blocking the way for the truck and making it fishtail and almost roll over when it screeched to a stop. Its driver's door opened and the team could see an irathient girl dressed in a nomadic outfit with goggles on her eyes and a remarkable Mohawk haircut.  "Hey, hey, I know I'm speeding, charge me with a fine, but I really need to get there until…" he started shouting at the drones waving her hands, but was cut with Esthete's voice coming from his impassive holographic face projected by one of the drones. "Miss Luuzuk", he said with his usual calm melodic voice, "Your ID is revoked for having connections with underground. Please comply to be escorted…" "What the jek are you talking about?!", the girl continued shouting at the machine, "I'm not having any "connections", I'm jekking LIVE in the underground there in my bunker in Calgary. Get your bytes brushed already you compy-man!" "Insulting the administration won't get you anywhere miss Luuzuk. All revocation appeals are accepted by the customs office from outside the city. Please allow me to escort you to the entrance gate or I will have to commit an act of coercion." "Jekking byte muncher", muttered the girl which could be heard only with Belle's enhanced hearing. If anyone would watch the girl attentively, he might notice her taking a step behind and crouching behind the decoy image oh her own self, then sneaking into the driver's seat of the truck using its open door as cover while her decoy image was still standing and seemingly pondering at Esthete's order.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jul 22, 2015 10:29:36 GMT
Out loud Taffer said, "Okay team, the plan is simple. Atticus, Erika, Marcel and Lena in the Raptor, guns on the ready. Raptor allows more freedom to shoot from it, and I expect ambush. It was too quiet until now. Keep paving the way for me and Sandy, we'll watch your rear. If we successfully reach Lima, out destination there is the port district where we can meet Askaru's people. We'll change our plan if the situation changes. Remember don't rush it people, we'd better see the danger before it sees us."
I say, "alright, everybody heard our plan man. I'll drive the Raptor. Lena you know this City a lot better than the rest of us, so you ride up front in the Navigator's seat. Oh and Lena...dak I can't believe I have to say this but, No sightseeing or sex breaks, until the mission is successful. Erika, Marcel, that puts the two of you in back. You can decide who has which spot back there. This is your last chance to visit the ship's armory or bathroom before we head out."
I get into the Raptor and start the engine. As soon as the others take their seats, I set out for our destination with Lena giving me directions, and all of us on the ready for anything unexpected to happen. As soon as we are on the road, the Durango, driven by Taffer, started following our Raptor at a close distance, watching our back as we head to Lima, and then it's port district.
As they reached the scene of the implant clinic, clearly marked closed for maintenance, Belle frowned as she tilted her pretty blond tousled head, her blue diamond eyes narrowing as she noticed an anomaly, so she remarked, "Y'all SEE that! The security drones all have their guns aimed towards the building, not the street, as if they are trying to keep something in, not out! That's mighty weird for an implant clinic, don't you think?"
Kaj says, "Perhaps a malfunctioning implant made it's host go crazy, and they are afraid of the berserk host getting out on the street? I have heard of it happening before, somewhere."
Just then the relative quietness was shattered bythe roaring engine of a Hellblazer Nomad truck working on a full boost. When it was racing by the clinic, Kaj stepped between the team and the road, as if he was planning on stopping the speeding truck with his bare hands if needed. At the same instant, the drones suddenly left their post and jumped on the road, blocking the way for the truck and making it fishtail and almost roll over when it screeched to a stop. Its driver's door opened and the team could see an irathient girl dressed in a nomadic outfit with goggles on her eyes and a remarkable Mohawk haircut.
As the young woman stood there arguing with the floating head, Kaj whispered, "So what now Director? Do we take advantage of the scene she is making and get in somehow, or would you prefer we somehow come to the young speed demon's aid?"
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Post by Sandy Bell on Jul 22, 2015 11:59:05 GMT
"Sandy, I can see something is bothering you." Taffer remarked as he drove, "You know, I really appreciate your help to the team, and it's good to have you as a friend. If you want to talk about something that should better stay between you and me, feel free to tell. Nothing will escape this roller unless you want it to."
Sandy grimaced at Taffer's words, saying, "That obvious, huh? I know I've been a bit... distracted, but I'll get out of it once the action starts, I promise. But... yes I need to vent to someone I guess. I thought about talking to Erika, but I really need a man's perspective on all this... crap that's happened between Volodja and me."
Sandy looked at Taffer with angry blue eyes as she blurted out, "BUT WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU MEN! I mean, you have a good thing going, a woman who loves you and would do anything for you, and along come a pretty face, sashaying by you tossing her charms right and left, and then BOOM - the woman who loved you and fairly worshiped the ground you walked on is left bleeding in the ditch! What the hell is up with that, huh!"
Sandy scrunched up her face, then grinned weakly as she stared out the front window, her anger spent, "Sorry Taffer, that came out much more 'woman scorned' than I wanted, it's just... its just... so unfair. I love Volodja, and Volodja loved me, I know he did. He stood by my side when I died a second time. He loved me all the time I was virtually a ghost, making do with the limitations of being a holo-person tied to someone else's EGO. As a holo-person, we saw the world, but the relationship always seemed fresh because we both worked at it, keeping the relationship fresh, but it seemed that as soon as he heard I had a good chance of getting my real body back, becoming a real woman, he began to lose interest. He started cutting our dates short, missing candle lit dinners I'd make for him, and choosing to hang out with that old codger Wolfram drinking and stuff rather than being with me. And then, this will give you a laugh, we finally get a pause in the troubles you guys seem to attract, and we have what I thought was a fucking great time in the sack, and he starts to awake when I kiss him and say's HER name - BELLE! What the fuck!?!?"
Sandy could feel herself getting angry again as she tightly clutched the Pulser in her lap, so she took several deep breaths to calm herself down before continuing, "So Belle's in, Sandy's out, and I can understand that - she's more like him, cultured, refined, well educated, one of the beautiful people, and I'm, at best, a diamond in the rough! I'm just a dumb ugly grunt with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, who devoted and gave her life for a country and cause that doesn't even exist anymore! EMC forever my ass! I did'nt know the Mona Lisa from a silk print of Elvis! I read comic books not novels! I can barely dance in place, let alone do a tango! But with Volodja, I was willing to try, to learn, to change, and I really thought I was succeeding! I started seeing the world as he did - appreciating great art and great literature when I was with him, wanting for the first time ever to leave the good old U S of A to maybe see the world. I guess I wasn't changing fast enough, because he got bored with me... or maybe that greener pasture came by in the form of Miss Belle Starr... or maybe... just maybe..." Sandy's voice got small and tears welled up in her blue eyes that she refused to release, "Maybe I'm not the type of person anyone could truly love, just the type that someone can have a damn short fling with, a fun way station on one's life voyage, but not a place to linger for long."
Sandy smiled weakly again, turning her clear blue eyes to Taffer, the tears beaten back, and said, "You really are a damn good friend Taffer, to listen to my stupid ramblings. I'll be fine, I'm a survivor. Hell, I've died twice and came back, so a broken heart is just a walk in the park for me. Talk to me in another hour, and I'll be ready to rock and roll, believe me! Defiance and all that!"
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Post by Belle Starr on Jul 22, 2015 12:13:44 GMT
"Okay, it looks like she's got her own escape plan ready, Kaj!" Noted Belle Starr, "Let's rush the front door as if we're running for our lives, I'll decoy in, then you guys follow me inside. Shirra, once inside, do a quick scan to see if you can find Vo or any other captives, then hunker down in the dream machine and Alfred will cover for you if Esthete comes a visiting! Cover story: we thought were being attacked and took the closest refuge! Let's go!" Belle led the charge to the front door of the implant clinic, quickly decoying in and opening it for the others, grateful for the hacking skills her VBI hacker's squad had taught her that allowed her to get the door open so quickly. As she opened the door, she heard a mechanical whirling sound behind her, turning just in time to see two robot sentry guns rise from the floor facing the clinic's front door and the team.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Jul 22, 2015 12:35:27 GMT
Moving on feet chased flashback away for awhile, but looking at those barrels of automatic turrets brought everything back to him as everything happened in yesterday...
....There they stood - two survivors of battle of the bridge which is probably forgotten by now - Corporal Mueller-Stahl and Capitan Uljanov. Both of them wounded and deadly tired and they weren't alone. Lot of soldiers, taken in prison during the sudden but failed raid into rear of their defence line stood there with them. Their selfless deed was not fruitful at least. By holding enemy back by their four men squad, using advantages, offered by the local landscape (thick forest on both sides of the narrow highway which didn't let enemy to turn around their vehicles) and a flak they managed to slow their advance and block the path for them - thus buying enough time to prepare improvised defence line against the sudden strike against their rear. But they could not keep their defence there forever - two of them fell and Arnim Mueller-Stahl and Volodja Uljanov were taken prison when enemy too over their position after several attacks and losing lot of men. Now they were brought into the same village, their small scout squad visited earlier.
Tall officer in well fitting uniform, silver emblem on his sleeve, looked at prisoners with curiosity and ill hidden contempt. "Damned herd. At least most of you," stated icy glance in his cold eyes, until they met curious glance of tired brown eyes of young and handsome looking Capitan, wearing torn uniform covered with dirt and blood from his side wound.
"Your are the one whom we own thanks for ruining our operation," officer said after recognizing him. "I am glad that we managed to capture you and that Corporal. I prefer to kill and capture men instead of snot bags," enemy officer said. "It brings our victory closer. You know what. To make sure that you won't cause any problems, I will get you two shot immediately. I also grant you a privilege of being shot last and will arrange a military funeral for you two. Proceed men!"
While rest of prisoners were set in a row in front of stone wall, Volodja Uljanov, Arnim Mueller-Stahl and couple of soldiers were tucked to the side so they had to watch everything. "Why they don't upholster that wall with sandbags?" wondered Volodja's brain. "Aren't they heard about ricochet effect? Probably they have seen too many movies where firing squad shoots people against the wall without getting a scratch from their own rebounding bullets. One mistake and..." But fate had seen same movies and spared firing squad from ricochet bullets. And prisoners just stood there, doing nothing. They could attack and wipe whole firing squad out from the face of Earth, but they stood like sheep, waiting to be slaughtered. Were they still counting on some miracle? Or hoping that it was a dream? Or lost any hope and accepted their fate? Volodja was not sure that, but he knew that he won't accept this fate without even trying to deceive certain death. He was wounded and weak so attacking firing squad was out of question. Soldiers won't join him, because he can't make a single step without getting killed instantly. He was too slow and most of men were given up already.
He didn't said anything out loud. Instead of that his brain started count intervals between commands, given to firing squad: "Ready...aim...fire!" It is easier to calculate gaps between commands when dealing with professionals. Lot of practice makes commands automatic and that routine hardly changes. Amateurs are more unpredictable. After catching the rhythm, Volodja kept counting with officer until their commands were perfectly synchronized.
"Ready...aim...fire!" both of them counted at the same time and another volley took down another row of unfortunate soldiers. Volodja felt like he was the one giving those damned orders now, but he forced himself on and on to count time between commands. Finally was their turn. Last row of men stood almost silently in front of the ditch, full of corpses of their brothers in arms and looked into gun barrels. Couple of them were mumbling prayers, one cried silently, one whispered: "Please be fast, please be fast!" begging for merciful and quick death. Volodja Uljanov and Arnim Mueller-Stahl stood side by side just like they fought few hours ago.
"Ready.....pause between commands suddenly became really slow and seemed to be lasting an eternity....Aim...." Shout already," thought Volodja just before he could hear: "FIRE!" and bullets started to hit bodies with popping sound.
Volodja's plan was simple. To count gaps between commands and fell down only a bit earlier when officer yells "Fire!" That should increase their chances to avoid getting killed that day. Him and Mueller-Stahl. Unfortunately Volodja could not help rest of them. Everything went almost as he was expecting. Just before final command, he started to fall, pulling Mueller-Stahl with him. Maybe he was tired or miscalculated, but he felt that bullet hit his shoulder but fortunately he avoided rest of them. He fell down into the ditch and landed face downward. It's harder to make sure are you dead or alive when they can't see your face. Hopefully they don't bother to give coup de gras. That Volodja can not avoid. And also he can't avoid of being buried alive.
He didn't knew how long he was laying on the ground his face pressed between two bodies of his fellow soldiers. He wasn't sure is Arnim still alive. He wasn't sure of anything, because he tried to stay alive and save his companion as well, but rest wasn't up to him any more. Not even a decent military burial, because firing squad started to close their grave. Suddenly sounds of soldiers started to reflect uneasiness. Cannonade became too loud for them and suddenly first missile hit the ground, raising dirt, rags and pieces of meat which just a second ago were soldiers. "Get into cover, damn it!" yelled officer in charge of firing squad and tried to restore an order among his men who lost their heads under fire. Both figuratively and literally.
Getting hit by the clump of dirt knocked Volodja out. After several hours, days, minutes or centuries, he opened his eyes again, staring into the face of Arnim Mueller-Stahl who survived the massacre without getting a scratch. "Capitan." he said. "I see you are alive. Let's get the hell out of here before they return. Agreed?" And Volodja felt pair of strong arms grabbing him and dragging him along. They cheated death this time. And laying on the grave spared them from getting killed by friendly fire. What an irony. Now they had to fight against mental traumas and guilt of survivors that experience caused them. As soon as they make into safety...
...Volodja shivered slightly. But here and now there wasn't time to recall everything any more. He faced guns after that several times. This day wasn't an exception. He already calculated firing angles trying to discover dead zone where bullets won't reach. His mind was drawing him a safe path which was hard to find because both turrets were meant to spread bullets in the half circle. With a grim grin on his handsome face Volodja calculated his chances to survive that rain of led. If they didn't considered EGO owners when they planned that turret trap, then he might get through and take turrets out quietly. No reason to shoot prematurely and alert everyone. If he tries Blur...
Another possibility was to use the ceiling. But he can't gain and maintain a hold up there. So he must put himself under fire after all. "Ready or not,. Things are getting hot." he said. "Move yourselves into that corner. Bullets won't reach there so easily. Shielded ones into a front row please to cover rest of us. But slowly...we don't want to upset movement sensors. That's it. Good!" Rest of people were more or less covered now. Time for a next stage.
Volodja prepared himself for a short run. Relatively short run, because it might end up in eternity as well. "Blur," he whispered, right before swinging his body forwards and leaping into the gap between turrets. Luckily whoever projected that trap didn't considered EGO people to be a main threat, so Volodja was way too fast for this particular turret system. He could hear them whirl before opening fire, but he already passed them.
After a slight rest which he used to locate power system of turrets, his energy level was high enough to switch on his Overcharge, tear the plate off from the fuse box and play a bit with cables and switches he found inside. After short work of his nimble fingers both turrets lowered themselves back into the floor and started to hibernate. Volodja decided to leave them unharmed just in case they are going to need them later. One can never tell when automated turrets may become necessary. And it's always good to have some knowledge about security systems. Volodja happened to have some, because of his line of work and now he could put them into a use. Maybe that's why he and Arnim were spared from that massacre years ago, so he could avoid his friends facing the same fate. Volodja didn't believe that he survived for the different purpose than being useful. He knew that his role in this world was to help others and not himself.
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