|
|
Post by Marcel Lestrange on Sept 5, 2015 9:53:02 GMT
"What a nice sight, said Marcel," when he spotted the tail of the landed plane sticking out to the sky. "I do not envy that sucker who's owns this aircraft." "I could tell who the sucker is," said Moira, Marcel's EGO psyche. "Go ahead, Moira. I could use the good laugh.""As you wish. The laughs are on you. It's your plane, sucker." And Moira giggled whole minute. " Merde! Merde! Merde! Whoever did this to me is going to pay," hissed Marcel in his mind like a snake. "Stop the car, Lena darling." "After scanning the plane for the DNA I will tell you who is behind it. And done. It was Volodja Uljanov. You still don't realize that every time you throw something at him, it will turn around and slam you into the face like a boomerang," said Moira. "You try to fool him and you are the one who gets fooled two times bigger just like happened today - you sabotaged his car, he crashed your plane. Simple."
"I am calm," said Marcel. "Calm and concentrated enough to make a list of his deeds today: First he tries to steal my trophy. Then beats me on the race, using my own plane to do it. Now he crash landed it. Hopefully he paid for that."
"Sorry to say but he and Sandy Bell left the plane on their foot. That means no injuries. I could contact them for you..."
"NO!" declared Marcel. "I still have a chance to beat him and I am intend to do it. That will show him." Then he continued: "Lena, my love. I must congratulate you for your decision to leave those two clowns in our hangar alive. They can fix our plane as long as we find a trailer to transport our bird back to our hangar. You can be sure that we will find a trailer. And now we are going to proceed with caution, because lover boy and soldier girl are somewhere near."  |
|
|
|
Post by Vo Kshaa on Sept 5, 2015 10:04:52 GMT
"Much thanks!" Shirra exclaimed, suddenly snapping out of her meditation. With a smile on her face, she put her palm on Vo's forehead, and suddenly all the jungle, the river and the float disappeared. He was back into the world of pain and blinding light. He also felt another needle piercing his brow.
"This should ease your pain some. Shirra was kind to calculate the exact concentration of painkiller which will reduce your pain but not interfere with the rate of your rehabilitation process. I'm afraid I can't do any more for you at the moment as you insisted that your rehabilitation should be given a priority."
"That's fine Doc, I know I called it on myself", Vo answered when Dr. Orion removed a tube from his mouth. "But you still can turn that blinding lamp off my face if you don't need it."
"Mr. Kshaa, there's no lamp aimed at your face right now", Dr. Orion replied with concern, "Moreover, I've placed an eye patch on your eye to prevent the infection. You can remove it in half an hour."
"It's normal Vo", Shirra whispered in his head, "Your brain is still adapting to the signals coming from your eye and given your enhanced senses it might take some more time to recalibrate. I can tone down your sensitivity, but then you'll have to spend one or two days more seeing things upside down with your right eye."
"Leave it as it is then", Vo commanded to his EGO, "But tone it down immediately in case of emergency or a fight. I need to see at least something with my healthy eye then."
He tried to look around, seeing only rough silhouettes, flood-lit with hard white light, and then he felt he still was holding Belle's wrist as she took his one again when she fought back her panic attack with the help of Wolfram. He released his grip and tickled her hand to show he's regaining his composure. As Dr. Orion released him from restrains, Vo felt for Belle's shoulders and then her head as he stroked her hair and pulled her close to his face.
"Thank you Belle", he whispered, "Can't see you now, but Shirra says my vision will be back in an hour or so. Thank you for your help and support. We made it. You can go see Lady now if that's what you planned. I'll stay here and make sure this mission is the only thing you should worry about. I love you so much Belle." Having said that, he felt for Belle's lips and lost himself in the kiss, forgetting about the pain, the blinding light and two doctors around him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kaj Oenfer on Sept 5, 2015 10:30:21 GMT
Watching Dinara smack Atticus into reality when he didn't hear her or his hailer, made Kaj chuckle while he was still talking to Di. After Wolfram ran in and into the Infirmary, Kaj and Di got another chuckle when the usually happy and peaceful young Irathiant/Grid EGO girl made it very clear that she was NOT going back into Atticus' head until she was allowed to hold one of the babies for a while. Di remarked, "They really do act like siblings don't they?"
Kaj glanced back at the two, then looked back at Di as he replied, "What do you mean?"
Di rolled her eyes and said, "They argue like siblings that grew up together. What's more you can see that he really cares about her and treats her like a baby sister. It just helps prove that he really can be a nice guy and will be a great father to those adorable babies and loving husband to Lady Christianna when she comes back."
Kaj glanced at them again, then as he headed into the Command room with Di following, he said, "I will take your word for it. However even if she is his EGO and considers herself his sister, I still think slapping him and threatening to do so again is not only crazy but also suicidal."
Di smiled and said, "To us perhaps. However as they do have such a close bond she can get away with it."
Kaj said, "Well I still think it was crazy, but you are the shrink, not me. So do all EGOs have a great bond with their hosts like that?"
Di thought for a second, then said, "From what I understand it is different from person to person. They seem to act like siblings. However Volo and Sophie act more like best friends and travel companions. Like I said each seems to be different. It depends on the host's and EGO's personalities, I suppose." As they finished that conversation, Kaj started going over the security systems. Then Di started talking to him about Kara. |
|
|
|
Post by Luuzuk Kshaa on Sept 5, 2015 12:14:17 GMT
"There are much better ways to remove the hostage than shooting them", Lu said, her eyes still staring forward as she maneuvered around bumps and other obstacles on a poorly-maintained road. "Shooting the hostage does not prevent them from being shot dead as a reflective action of the attacker. So I prefer to think on my feet and use the environment to my advantage rather than shooting non-combatants or friendlies. But yes, if that's the only or the best away to solve the situation, then I will shoot. Entrances — there are four like in most Arks, two on each sides. We can create another entrance or exit wherever we want if we need one", she pointed with her thumb at packs of explosives behind their seats. "Vysudium charges which can break any wall or good old C-4 charges in case Vysudium is not applicable for any reason. On other supplies — an ammo crate with any kind of ammo with ammo spikes tuned to it. Protection and damage spikes as well. I'm used to travel alone, so I tend to pack them wherever I go. Use freely of course. As I've said, rebreathers for us, your girlfriend and one in reserve. My weapons are this Mass Cannon, the Havoc AR, Thorny Rose and a Blaster pistol. I also have throwing knives. Need anything of that — just ask." "Guards — there are four in the main shift, another four as a backup shift and a dozen of drones controlled by the Ark's AI. They are mostly focused on guarding the perimeter of the stasis barrier, which we're going to bypass by using the underground route. The downside is that we might be shot in the beck once we give away our presence. Still no information about Inquisitors there as Esthete has no control over the surveillance system of the Ark. I'm afraid we'll have to scan for their EGO units once we get there. Backup — you know about the drug, right? That makes Indogenes unreliable allies. Esthete is not affected but he has some failsafe directive to not attack the Ark and the territory behind the barrier. They are working on removing that restriction right now, so if they succeed, expect the cavalry of drones and a couple of Monoliths coming. The only sane member of their Inner Circle is working on getting some help from the Empire, but I wouldn't rely on that too much. She's using so called personal contacts for that so I can't predict the amount of troops they could spare if any, and if they choose to follow us or stay in Red Deer to maintain some order in case the drug is spread there too. I hope I didn't forget anything. Ah, yes. I tend to keep some MRE packs in my truck when I'm traveling. Not sure how it could be useful information, but you asked to share everything, so I do. You know, in case we get trapped somewhere or have to leave your girlfriend to wait for us for a prolonged period of time or something like that." Once they got to the place she pointed on the map, she jumped out of the truck, scanned the environment for any threats, and then set the Mass Cannon on her shoulder. She fired three rounds in the air, lowering her aim for each next shot, and then turned the magazine switch to detonate them simultaneously. The aiming angles were chosen so that once detonated, all explosive clusters would fall on the same area on the ground. They exploded in a quick sequence as they fell, and Lu jumped behind the wheel again to roll the truck closer to the hole she made.  Once she looked down with her flashlight and made sure there's water underground, she unwound the rope from the winch on her truck and started to move the supplies down the hole. She switched both boats to inflate themselves and then attached engines to both of them. Then she scanned the cave and pointed to a small branch compared to the wide river they were currently in. "That's our way back. This tribute goes all the way to the underground system of under Red Deer. I'll keep one of the boats here. Somehow I doubt my truck will be still here once we return so no point in leaving anything in it. Those Inner Circle paper pushers better appreciate what I've done for them and give me a replacement truck for that. Now let's go save your girl and show those Inquisitors who's boss." At the same time, she also thought that the citizens of Red Deer might also hate her for depriving them from enjoying that drug for the rest of their miserable life. But she pushed that thought away — they had lives to save and goons to kill. |
|
|
|
Post by Belle Starr on Sept 5, 2015 14:12:50 GMT
As Belle Starr regained her composure, she thanked Wolfram and Dr. Orion for their expertise, then kissed Vo Kshaa, saying afterwards with a serious look on her pretty freckled face to Vo, "You don't know how sorry I am that I have to go now, but Atticus and I have to save Lady from herself!"
Lady then kissed Vo again, then frowned leaving the operating room with a heavy ache in her heart but realizing that the faster they confronted Lady the faster she could come back to Vo and spend some quality time together, as she went to Atticus and said, "My equipment and my white redline Challenger are ready to go in the garage! Let's go do this THANG!"
Soon Belle and Atticus were racing towards Presidio bunker, but as Belle drove, all she could think of was Vo, and how he wouldn't have had to go through such pain and suffering if not for her, and who she was, but not sure how to change all that.
*****
As she surveyed what was in back of the Inquisitor's truck, Sandy Bell was surprised by some of what she found, exclaiming to Volodja, "Most of this stuff is just mechanical and electrical parts for making repairs, but there is one crate of... Bazooka Joe's bubble gum?"
*****
As Lena Marr drove Taffer's silver Challenger closer to the Presidio, she remarked to Marcel with a wicked grin, "You know, we don't have to sneak around, we're on the Inquisition's payroll! We COULD just drive up to the front door, go in, and find out what's what with no problem at all! I mean, the worst they could do is tell us to use the employee's entrance!"
*****
As Erika Widowmaker guarded large metal door into the throne room, she grew tired of standing there and realized she had only been ordered to guard the door, not SXTANDX and guard the door, so she sat down with her back against the door. Erika was at the point that she longed for action, but also didn't want her friends to find her at this post at this time, for that would guarantee conflict with them.
"Amber, how goes the message in the bottle protocols?"Asked Erika of her EGO psyche.
"I've sent out a third message, 'Lady's making her move soon', but still no idea if it's getting through Mother," Said Amber adding sadly on a personal note, "And I so miss hearing Dinara's voice.
"Don't despair Amber, I feel it in my bones that the team is coming to rescue us," Replied Erika, feeling only slightly strange that she was reassuring what only months ago she considered a machine.
*****
As Lady Christianna sat on her throne of skulls in the Presidio bunker, sitting straight up with her small chalk white hands clutching the arms of the grotesque chair as her pink eyes watched attentively the five screens set above the throne room's door, each of her Inquisition officers reported to her.
On the first screen, Micor Newlo, the Master of Stealth and her right hand man, said with a self-satisfied grin on his handsome Castithan face, "All is done as you commanded oh Mistress of Sorrow! The citizens of Red Deer do not know that already they are our slaves!"
A frown crossed Lady's pretty teenage face, as she corrected Newlo, "Brain trust, not slaves!" Then turned her pink eyes to the next screen.
Doppler Ganger reported from the ark fall in Canada in a raspy voice, "The sheep here have almost got the spire ready as you wish Mistress. It was in remarkably good shape all things considered, and I think we'll be ready before schedule."
Lady's frown grew bigger, muttering under her breath, "Brain trust, not sheep," As the commanding Inquisitors of the terra-spire reconstruction projects in San Diego, Alaska, and here in the San Francisco wasteland all reported that the terra spires were ready to be triggered.
Lady bit her lower lip and narrowed her large pink eyes as she stared at the large red button installed in the right arm of her throne, forcing herself to dismiss any doubts she had as to her plan, thinking to herself, "All that's left once Edmonton is on line is the synchronization of the four spires, and then the Utopia of Attica will be born! When the world's see the Eden I've created, they'll flock to give me their hidden spires too, and soon the whole world will be my Utopia! The twins and children everywhere will be safe and happy! Atticus will love me even more for I'll have proven myself to be somebody worthy of him! And I'll leave a legacy that everybody will remember forever! I may be considered the villain today, but I'll be remembered as the savior tomorrow! Ends justify means!"
More sure of that what she was doing was the right thing than she had been in days, Lady smiled enigmatically from her throne of skulls, ordering in a regal tone, "Get the three finished spires synchronized, the add the fourth when it is done! Bwa HA ha and all that!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Volodja Uljanov on Sept 5, 2015 14:39:48 GMT
"Nothing really heroic in liberating crate of gum, but we still captured their essential supplies," concluded Volodja. "That's Lady's favourite brand. We captured quite valuable loot, plus couple of Inquisitor costumes for a masquerade. That truckload might help us in reasoning with Inquisition and convince the Mistress of Sorrow to exit her bunker. Juno’s sacred geese on the Capitoline Hill supposedly saved Rome from the Gallic hordes. Crate of bubble gum might have a same effect.
Seems hard to believe, but...Credo quia absurdum est. I believe because it's absurd. It is a paraphrase of a statement in Tertullian's work "De Carne Christi" and the original statement sounds..."Prorsus credibile est, quia ineptum est (It is immediately credible because it is silly)." So I prefer to believe in bubble gum at moment. Especially when it tells us about something - Lady is still in that bunker. Do they have some portals in the truck by any chance? I'd hate to go and look for a spare one further away. Bloody convenience, I know, but I won't enter there without emergency exit."
_____________________
"You are right, Lena darling. We can enter right away." said Marcel. "That's our advantage. Hope they have nice rooms for house guests. Preferably without any locks outside in case we would like to go sightseeing on our own. I wonder how much they will pay for lover boy and soldier girl, because I have a temptation to sell them to Inquisition. Maybe they need a new human pet. Volodja would be perfect Court jester."
Marcel grinned. The revenge for his crashed plane will be sweet and humiliating. Just like Volodja deserved to have. Laughs will be on him, not on Marcel.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marcel Lestrange on Sept 5, 2015 17:18:47 GMT
"Hello plane breakers," greeted Marcel after Taffer's silver metallic Dodge, driven by Lena Marr, stopped by the truck. There wasn't any moment of surprise because Sarge and Sophie kept observing vicinity and warned their hosts on time.
"What do you have to say on your defence lover boy and soldier girl? Nothing, I assume. I wonder who the pilot was? That adorable looking soldier girl seems to be responsible for the plane crash. You do not fly, Volodja. Usually. Perhaps I should carve something to her doll face as a punishment?" sounded cold voice of Marcel Lestrange and he grinned when Volodja stepped in front of Sandy to protect her from possible attack. "Chivalrous as always, eh Volodja? Do not worry. I do not touch your girl, but Lena might want to do that."
"You bet I can do it!" exclaimed Lena Marr reaching her white hand into her cleavage and bringing out the knife, Marcel gave her as a token of their love. "Maybe I should cut your smile wider, Sandy baby. It's hard to compete with all the beauties around, so reducing their amount makes things a lot simpler. What do you think?"
"I think that you will have to put your knife back, Lena," said Sandy in firm voice and removed safety from her Piper. "Before I take it from you and stick up to your a..."
"No need for that, my girl," said Volodja. "I think that Marcel wants to humiliate me as he usually tries to do. Am I right?"
"You bet, Volodja. I am in competitive mood today and can even forget that incident with my plane. As long as Lena and I will enter into the bunker first. Then we have won the race. Fair and square, as Americans would say."
"And then we can arrange a welcome party to the fancy lover boy and his adorable soldier girl," was his EGO message to Lena.
"If I was you, I would not enter to that bunker. It's a trap." warned Volodja. Sandy nodded in silent confirmation. Even if they didn't liked the Devilish Duo, that didn't meant letting them run into the trap without trying to stop them first.
"Shut YOUR trap, Volodja, and let me finish," snapped Marcel. "We can enter wherever we want to, including to that bunker, and nothing happens to us. Right, Lena darling?"
"Yep. Unlike you we are always welcomed everywhere! Without us there isn't a party!" declared Lena Marr. "Let's go my foreign lover! Don't waste your time with these misfits."
"You heard what Milady said. You are not worth our time. But I am willing to compete with you from the pity. Lena, show some true compassion to them."
"Did I heard decompression? I can do that," said Lena and pushed her knife into the front tire of the truck."Here you go. Happy tire changing, losers!" was her victorious remark when she hopped into the Dodge, leaned over to other door, pushed it open, pulled Marcel in and kissed him passionately with a tongue involved before they drove away after demonstrative burnout.
|
|
|
|
Post by Volodja Uljanov on Sept 5, 2015 19:23:34 GMT
"I am sorry, my girl," said Volodja "If I only didn't had that idea taking Marcel's plane. Now you had to witness quite an awkward scene. I feel responsible for creating that situation. Can you ever forgive me for causing all that trouble? I will start making it up to you with changing the tire myself. You can have some rest."
Volodja rolled out the spare wheel. Lena did way too good job with her knife so there was no hope that tire will last long because damage she caused was way too big. But whatever one may say about Inquisitors and their fanaticism, they knew for sure how to use their common sense and provided the truck with everything Volodja needed for the job. He put the jack under the truck and started to rise it. Slowly. Really slowly.
After messing with the lug wrench and wrestling with the spare wheel (it was really heavy) the tire was changed and Volodja could lower the truck again, He sat down and caught his breath, saying: "They say - more haste, less speed. I wonder does it applies to Lena and Marcel as well. We lost some time, but do they gain something from speeding?"
He looked at Sandy and smiled encouragingly. Hopefully she wasn't too upset after Volodja put her through an plane crash and meeting with Lena and Marcel - the couple straight from the Hell. And that incident with the tire. Sandy performed great, Volodja admitted, but he was right about one thing - where is Volodja, there is always bunch of problems and obstacles on the path. And now she had to experience them too because of him. But if she forgives him, then they can keep going and reach their goals.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chase Lonehart on Sept 6, 2015 1:03:18 GMT
"Now let's go save your girl and show those Inquisitors who's boss."
"Time for a bit of the old ultra-violence,' he said as he pulled the strap of his duffle bag over his head.
He kept watch as Lu made her way down first. Chase believed her when she said that she would do what she had to if the situation called for it. He hoped that she was a woman of her word, because he knew that there may not be much options and a whole lot of blood to spill.
"I'll follow your lead into the Ark," he told her. "Hopefully, we can put a stop to this before it gets any worse."
He climbed into the boat as she began to pilot it in the direction of the Ark.
"Can I ask you something?" Lu asked. "Why is it just you?"
"They were worried that I would kill Lady Christianna," Chase answered. "She's the one responsible for this whole situation. The drug, the kidnapping of the Indogenes and now this."
"Why would they think you'd kill her?"
Chase looked back at Lu.
"Because I told them that was the only way we were going to stop this whole situation. And, I reckon, they sent me out here so to make sure I didn't use my size eleven boot to crush her throat."
He turned back to focus ahead of them.
"You must really love her if you're willing to kill for her."
"To kill and die for her," he replied. "It's what I have to do to save her."
Chase looked back at Lu.
"Let me guess, I'm stupid for being so invested."
Lu only smirked at him.
"We're all stupid when it comes to things we do for love. I can attest to that."
|
|
|
|
Post by Atticus Batman on Sept 6, 2015 5:00:27 GMT
While I was just spending time with the twins and listening to Dinara's heartache, hoping that focusing on them will keep me grounded and help fight the darkness that is always dwelling in my harder and growing stronger by the moment, I noticed the door to the Infirmary open and Belle stepped out.
Frowning, she came over to Atticus and said, "My equipment and my white redline Challenger are ready to go in the garage! Let's go do this THANG!"
I nodded and Dinara and I got up and put the twins in their cribs. As Dinara gave Belle a huge sisterly hug, I stepped into the Command room and said to Kaj and Di, "Vo is out of surgery. Doctors Orion and Von Eschen are still in there with him. We are leaving now. So take good care of my family or your line will no longer be endangered, but EXTINCT! Do I make myself clear lieutenant?"
Kaj said, "Of course Commander. But do hurry back, I do not want to become a permanent nanny, even for Lady Christianna's kids. So bring her back as we do all miss her."
I shot him a dirty look, then stepped out and headed to the out. As I did so, Dinara popped back into my head and Belle quickly caught up with me and we went to the garage. She got into the driver's sit and I quietly climbed into the passenger's seat.
Soon Belle and I were racing towards Presidio bunker, with Belle driving. I sat in the seat in silence as I was, once again, mentally fighting my battle against my dark nature, afraid that I may lose the battle at any time and somebody I care about could be hurt because of it. And worse is the knowledge that I knew that if, and WHEN, I completely surrender to the darkness within, that I will no longer care about such a thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marcel Lestrange on Sept 6, 2015 5:13:19 GMT
"Here we are," said Marcel. "Right at the gates. Your move with their tire was brilliant, Lena! They are back there and we are right here. And there was no need to take their truck, because they will deliver it here themselves. That is the right policy - let others do the dirty work. We, my love, are the top of the food chain. They are not. We win, they lose. Good is always so....dumb."
They were ready to make the glorious entrance. Good guys were left behind and for the certain price Lena and Marcel could sell them to the Inquisition. Maybe not for the scrip this time but as a barter deal - lover boy and his soldier girl in exchange for a trailer. That seemed to be reasonable. Really reasonable. Time to knock the door and find it out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kaj Oenfer on Sept 6, 2015 11:18:13 GMT
Atticus Batman stepped into the Command room and said to Kaj and Di, "Vo is out of surgery. Doctors Orion and Von Eschen are still in there with him. We are leaving now. So take good care of my family or your line will no longer be endangered, but EXTINCT! Do I make myself clear lieutenant?"
Kaj said, "Of course Commander. But do hurry back, I do not want to become a permanent nanny, even for Lady Christianna's kids. So bring her back as we do all miss her."
Atticus Batman shot Kaj a dirty look, then stepped out of the Command Room and headed to out on his mission. After he left Kaj looked at Di and said calmly, "Was it something I said?"
Di replied, "Not really, but in his mind you did. You see, historically speaking, savage beasts make very protective mates and fathers. I have heard how he talks about himself, a little from him directly, but mostly from others. I have also read his psychological and medical files. Well the ones that aren't redacted or missing anyway. So I know that he is definitely considered a savage beast by most including himself. So in his eyes you had the audacity to not only insult his children by implying that you are too good to be their guardian but also his ability to get through to his wife and convince her to come back."
Kaj looked at her with confusion and said, "Did I really do all that?! I did not mean to. I was just trying to lighten the mood, and also assure him of how much we care for Lady Christianna. I guess I am naïve."
Di smiled and said, "Relax you didn't mean anything by it, and if he were thinking clearly, he would have known that. Don't worry Mr. Oenfer. When he succeeds, his mood will improve and your perceived transgression will be forgiven, or at least forgotten. I am sure that if Doctor Von Eschen were in here right now, that he would agree with everything I just said about it all."
|
|
|
|
Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Sept 6, 2015 11:34:27 GMT
"Hush, hush," said Wolfram von Eschen. "Be still and do not rush. Verfluchte rhyming seems to be contagious. Nice to see my runaway patient again. I wouldn't worry about Attius now. He is there and you are here, and more than able to fulfil your duty as a guardian. Atticus is paranoid at moment and suspects almost anyone, even his own reflection in the mirror. On other hand he trusted his babies with you, so he is confident about your abilities, Herr Oenfer. And as Fräulein Di already pointed out - his condition is temporary and ends as soon as he gains back his trust to himself. That won't depend on you, Herr Oenfer. It's his business....and Lady Christianna's. You don't have to worry about them and the rest of the world, but your own relations and duties. And what is your duty now? Your duty is to watch the babies and...and those other tasks, hehehehe. And since you are their security, I would suggest you to arrange a baby monitor. They were quite a hit back in my time. All you need is a wireless web camera and a portable screen.Then you can watch them in more comfortable manner."  |
|
|
|
Post by Lena Marr on Sept 6, 2015 12:57:39 GMT
When Marcel and Lena drove up to the front door of the Presidio, they saw an unexpected sight. First of all, There were no red armored guards outside. Second, there were hundreds of cameras scattered around the entrance of the Presidio. Most were regular surveillance cameras of all brands, but there were disguised cameras too: one poorly disguised as a rock, another hidden in a plastic owl, another crazily hiding a smaller camera inside a larger one. Third, there was a huge movie screen above the Presidio's entrance that activated like an old fashioned Drive-in Theater when Lena stopped the car within proximity of it. The screen suddenly lit up with a pre-recorded recording of Lady regally sitting on her throne of skulls who smiled enigmatically, then said with a pout and a threatening look in her narrowed pink eyes, "GO AWAY! Plan about to happen! No more deliveries, no more visitors, until utopia formed, until Attica formed! Um... bye!" Then the picture changed to a live scene, with Broderick Smythe without his glasses in an obviously fake white beard wearing a worn purple pointed hat and robes, adorned with stars and crescent moons, saying, "Heed the warnings of the Dark Lady, adventurers! If you proceed, you will surely die, for there be three dangers you must overcome if you seek an entry to the gateway of Eden! Brody suddenly squinted into the camera, then took out his thick black rimmed glasses from under his robes, and put them on and stared out at them, saying, "I know you two! Lady told me she hired you! Sorry, but we are under lockdown! Can't let you in, so go away until after the transformation to Attica. This is for the people who might try to stop Lady's plans, not you!" "Wow," Said Lena, "That's crazy, even for me!" ***** Sandy and Volodja watched the scene through binoculars from a grey peak above the Presidio where they were hiding doing their recon, then she said as she watched, "You know Volodja, you never have to ask me to forgive you! There used to be an old saying, 'Love means never having to say you're sorry!' I used to think that silly, but now... I think I understand it. Anyway, what do you want to do now?"  |
|
|
|
Post by Luuzuk Kshaa on Sept 6, 2015 15:27:18 GMT
Lu went silent as she steered the boat down the big underground river. She scanned walls and the ceiling constantly for traces of anyone else's presence and was actually pleased to find none. She started to scan them even more thorough when the ground structure started to show signs of damage dealt by the Ark's impact. Klimi, her EGO psyche, informed her she had calculated the direction the Ark hit the ground in, so she found a crack in the wall wide enough so that the boat could squeeze through and aimed it there. Once the light spot of her flashlight caught a glint from a material which seemed unusual for an underground cave, she turned off the engine and let the current carry the boat further downstream until the boat bumped into a wall made of material, chunks of which usually could be found at arkfalls. Lu pulled the boat onto a small patch of the mud ground which was likely brought there with the water flowing through the cave for years. Once the boat was secured, she made its way to the wall of the Ark and touched its scratched and damaged surface with her hand, while her EGO analyzed the structure. "Looks like the water did most of the work for us. See the welded seam? Someone sealed the crack from the inside to stop the water from entering the Ark. Enough for water, but definitely not enough to hold us here. A couple of explosive charges and we're there. The obvious downside will be the noise. By using the explosive, we'll inform all inhabitants that we're here. Given my EGO does not detect any activity in this section, we could use some more quiet means of infiltration. And I think I've just found us one." She tuned her ammo spikes to the crate she left in the boat, took several explosive charges and then she climbed up a couple of hexagon bumps. She felt for the thinnest part of the wall and then said to Chase, "From this place, press your shoulder firmly at the wall and send a Decoy. It should come inside, and then you switch places with your Decoy. This way we'll be inside without making a sound. I'll go first and then I'll send you a confirmation message when I see it come through properly. That's in case you're not familiar with this type of infiltration."  Having said it, she did exactly what she told Chase to do and found herself inside the Ark. Her holographic silhouette was left standing outside, marking the best place from which Chase could start his Decoy from. When Chase appeared inside as well, she started to place explosives at what seemed as a welded crack in the wall. "I'll leave them here", she explained, "In case we'll need to escape the way we came. We could just blow up this wall right before we come back to this room, so we could be out of the Ark in no time and also take anyone who has no such convenient Decoy under one's belt. But I really hope it wouldn't be needed as the best way for us will be to lead all the captured Indogenes out of one of the main exits once we deal with the resistance. This part of the Ark seems to be abandoned, so we could use it to start our infiltration and possibly eliminate a guard or two quietly before the hell break loose." With that said, she readied her throwing knives and sneaked to the door leading out of the empty room to the more populated sections.  |
|
