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Post by Chase Lonehart on Jan 21, 2016 1:08:45 GMT
"Just one thing, Vo," Iri began to tell him. "I'm sorry for that action. Whenever I'm aroused, I tend to be lost in the passion of everything and those moral lines that most people have become blurred. And I'm also sorry if I worried you. I know you're already worried about Belle, just as much as I and Chase are, if not how we all are worried. I say we get this done, so we can find, get Belle and the others back and put an end to this worrying. But if you ever feel that the action was unjust, then you are more than welcome to make out with Chase to 'settle the score' as humans say."
This brought a chuckle out of the Irathient. Iri was glad he found a little humor in her comment, her knowing that sometimes a little humor helped out. She turned to look at Chase, who stared back with eyes wide and blushing a bright red. She knew he was raised to believe in the old-world ways, such as monogamy and he probably never considered any other sexuality other than heterosexual. He was a small-town man, and she knew it. While most men would probably like the idea of having a second partner in the sack, be it male or female, Chase seemed like he was someone who could only handle one person. Iri did hope to expand him pass that staple in his psychology, open him up to more than what the world has to offer from such a singular point of view, but she knew that would have to wait for a time when life and death wasn't hanging in the balance once more.
"I was kidding, Chase," she told.
"Hard to often tell with you on the topic of sex," he replied.
Chase began to dig through his duffle bag, looking for a wide-range weapon to use. He pulled out a BAS-7 Derailer at Blue balanced and a Blackened Hellfire Quick Repeater, purple balanced, placing them on the floor. He knew he had to have an Orange balanced sniper rifle of some sort in his bag. He finally found it, a VBI Sniper Rifle at Orange balanced which he also placed next to the ones already.
"Will any of these do? If not, I know I've got at least one rocket launcher that can be useful. May not be as silent as a sniper rifle, but I figured I'd toss that offer out there."
Chase pulled out a Cataclysm and sat down next to the sniper rifles. Looking at the weapons on the floor, he came to a realization.
"I REALLY need to pair down my weapons cache," he muttered to himself.
He looked over at Iri, realizing she's going to need some weapons for her cache if she was going to be an Arkhunter, though he knew there wasn't enough room to carry half of what he had for her cache. But, he realized he needed to focus on task and that weapons dividing would have to wait until al later time.
"I also have ammo and armor spikes if you want to borrow a couple, give y'all a chance to charge up your weapons and armor if you need them. No matter how much you need, you're welcome to raid the bag for 'em."
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Post by Vo Kshaa on Jan 21, 2016 22:45:32 GMT
From the entire arsenal Chase offered him, a Quick Repeater was Vo's obvious choice. Its lightweight frame and a relatively short barrel made it a perfect weapon to pick up targets on the move, which always was Vo's preferred style of fight. He thought of taking the Cataclysm — the incinerator-type rocket launcher — too, but on the second thought he dismissed it as it would hamper his mobility which was unacceptable for him. In fact he knew he had to lay down one of his own weapons in exchange so that they won't slow him down. He reluctantly took his shotgun from his bag and put it away. Damage spikes went there instead. He was sure he took enough ammo with him, so the damage spike was his choice in case he had to pick armored or shielded targets. Not that he expected to meet them on a raiders' territory, but one can never know. "I'll pick this one," he said taking the Quick Repeater, "But keep the Cataclysm and Derailer handy in case you would be attacked from the road. Those two are good for taking out vehicles, Cataclysm for light ones and the Derailer for armored ones. Feel free to use my shotgun if you need to rip something into shreds at close range because that's what it does the best. So while we're away. Chase you watch the surroundings. Chances are we may kick the hive and provoke them for an attack. Iri, you take a seat by the receiver and set it to scan the airwaves. This way we might catch be something useful for us. If you get attacked, protect yourselves by any means. Retreat if you have to. We'll find a way to hide and regroup with you if that happens." With that said he picked up his newly acquired sniper rifle and his bag and signed to Archer to move out. The hill was overgrown with brushwood, which Vo considered good as it provided many hiding places in case they had to retreat. Vo led the way uphill, carefully pushing branches away and leaving as little traces of their presence as possible, noting if there were any other traces that could signal that someone had already visited the place recently. Finding none, Vo pointed at the big rock near the top of the hill he spotted earlier. "Our second cover point," He noted, "We'll move there once we give our first one away." With that said, he proceeded to the place he market to himself as a primary hiding spot. In fact, it was nothing but a smaller rock sticking out of the foliage, but Vo was not expecting to spend much time sitting behind it. "Watch my back and watch for any movement nearby," Vo commanded to Archer and then he proceeded to scan the road and its surroundings for any hostiles. It didn't take him too long to find a first one, although it wasn't of the type he expected to see there. "Dark Matter rover moving up long the road," Vo said, his EGO transferring his words to Chase and Iri. "If those are buyers, we don't have much time." "Dark Matter is an elite division of Votanis Collective army," he explained to Archer, as he was not sure she knew who they were, "There could be only few of them, but even then they could provide a strong resistance." He let the rover crawl, further into the mountains, ordering his EGO to mark its last known spot for him and transfer this information the Chase and Iri too. After that, he continued to scan the area. "One rocket launcher wielder", he reported, "It's strange to see him alone there." He waited for the rover to crawl away from view and then he took aim at the raider's head, making sure his EGO marked all the necessary corrections on his retina. Once he was sure with his aim, he held his breath and pulled the trigger. The now dead raider fell to the ground, but immediately Shirra, his EGO psyche informed her host of a launch of a rocker from the group of trees next to the dead raider. "Move!" Vo commanded, taking several steps downhill and crouching in the foliage. A rocket hit the opposite side of the hill, next to the place he was seconds ago. But Vo and Archer were already regrouping to the marked secondary hiding place. This time Vo acted quicker, peeking from behind a rock and making several consecutive shots at the place Shirra marked for him a the one where the rocket was coming from. After he saw a second rocket launcher falling to the ground, Vo quickly looked around and scanned the area through the scope again, seeing no activity whatsoever. "Chase, move the roller forward and uphill to the coordinates I've sent. Expect the resistance. I'll cover from above," Vo sent through his EGO as he kept scanning the road with his scope, expecting the reinforcements to come. What he didn't notice being focused at the area far ahead of him, was the group of four raiders climbing the hill behind his back. They heard and saw the explosion and were eager to look what remained of those fools who dared to taste their blasters' fire.
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Jan 22, 2016 8:15:15 GMT
After Vo and Archer headed out, Iri took position next to the receiver as she had been instructed while Chase moved into the driver seat. A couple of minutes passed by, both of them sitting and keeping their eyes open.
"Why do we have to wait in the vehicle?" Iri asked.
"Because everyone has their jobs," Chase told her. "Teams work when everyone does their part. Some dive into danger while others cover therm. There are those who have to hold back and wait while there are those who charge forward and take command. Vo asked us to stay, so we stay. You can't expect to get into a gunfight on your first mission. Besides, we might get into one shortly."
She couldn't help but nod at Chase while they waited. They continued to wait.
"Chase?"
"Hm?"
"I noticed that you and Amanda Rosewater seemed rather chummy. Is she an ex-girlfriend?"
Chase laughed, slapping his knee with his left hand.
"No, no," Chase replied. "I protected her sister from a bar fight. As a result, she believes she owes me, like how the Tarrs did."
"You don't find her attractive?"
"Iri, during my one year in Defiance, she was a mayor's assistant. I was a miner working for McCawley. I'm certain we didn't, and probably still don't, have anything in common. So, why would I bother her with such a thing? Even more so, why are you asking?"
Iri went silent, and Chase looked at her.
"Wait... Are you jealous of her? You think she and I dated and that made you jealous?"
Iri knew she couldn't lie to him about it. Even her attempt at denying it would have been seen through.
"Yes," was the only thing she could say. "I've noticed how she acts towards you."
"Iri, you have no reason to be jealous. Trust me, after I dropped you off at the University, I was practically living like a monk. Amanda Rosewater is not an ex-girlfriend."
Silence befell between them once more. At that moment, Iri received information from Vo.
"Dark Matter rover moving up long the road. If those are buyers, we don't have much time."
"You better light the fire under your ass and get in gear, Vo," Chase replied.
They waited until they received word from Vo to move up as the first shots could be heard off in the distance.
"Chase, I have another question."
"No, I wasn't her sister's boyfriend either. Kenya was married."
"That was not my question."
"Okay. What is it?"
Iri had a thought a while ago about wanting to have kids with Chase, but due to an injury she received during the last half of the war, where a piece of shrapnel ripped through her and leading to her being infertile, she knew she was unable to carry a child. But she never really asked him about if he wanted one.
"What would you think about starting a family?" she asked.
Chase looked over at her a moment.
"Are you asking me this because you're-"
"No, no. I'm just curious. I would like to know how you feel about that topic, seeing that we are in a relationship. Would you be interested in starting a family?"
Chase was silent for a moment, making her wonder what was going through his head at that moment.
"Yes, I would," he told her. "I would love to start a family with you, Iri. But right now? I don't know if its a good idea."
"Why?"
"Have you seen the state of the world? And the things we've gone through? Raising a child in this insanity is a bad idea. I can't even recall one time seeing a child in the Bay. In Defiance, yes, I've seen a few of them. But it's like this world is always on the brink. Raiders, Volge, Afflicted, 99ers and lord knows what else could possibly pop up at any time. It's like no matter how good things are going, we're all waiting for the next big terror for us to face. The world's insane right now, and I can't imagine bringing a child into this. When my parents had me, the world was much calmer. And they had to raise me through a war and some of this. And look at me. I'm brain-damaged, missing an arm and no more than a few days ago, I was practically an animal. I commend those who want to have children during this time, but I can't see myself putting a child through this world. Not now. Not until we can at least fix some of it. What about you?"
Iri wasn't sure if she wanted to tell Chase about her condition, about her unable to carry a child or not. So, she did her best to keep some of the information in reserve.
"I would like to have a family with you someday, Chase," she replied. "I agree, this world has been difficult to navigate. As soon as we can get some of the problems fixed, maybe we can revisit this topic. Hopefully, soon."
She didn't like holding things back from him, but she knew when it came to that, it was necessary. Maybe there'd be enough time to find a resolution for the problem. Yes, she was unable to carry a child, but she was a part of a genetically engineered species. She was sure that a solution to that problem could be found.
Probably a lot easier to solve than Chase's memory problem, she thought to herself.
"Chase, move the roller forward and uphill to the coordinates I've sent," Vo's transmission came in. "Expect the resistance. I'll cover from above."
"On our way," Chase replied.
Chase started the engine of the vehicle and they began to move.
"Looks like you might get to get into a gun fight on your first mission after all," Chase told her. "Hope you're ready for it, Arkhunter."
He shot a smile at her. Hearing him call her an Arkhunter made her feel good. She felt like she was taking her first steps to become what she was hoping to be, a woman strong enough to fight along side the man she loves.
Journey of a thousand miles, she thought. First step is now.
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Jan 22, 2016 9:39:32 GMT
"Ehem, ehem. Is this thing working?"
People in the improvised communication centre in Pyotr's compound rose their glances to the radio equipment.
"This is Wolfram von Eschen speaking!" Geran accented voice continued. "United Air Forces of Von Bach Industries and Earth Republic are on their way to Defiance to pick you up. Better start packing...Chloe...not so eagerly, bitte!" After a slight pause Wolfram continued: "Sorry for a temporary...confusion. I repeat - Air transport on it's way into Defiance. Do you copy?"
"You bet, we do," responded Geronimo - descendant of American Indians who was a part of Paradise Protectors Team Vengeance and got a field promotion to the squad leader and a communication officer after Volodja Uljanov and Marcel Lestrange went suddenly missing. Rest of the crew were laughing at that little...erm...confusion.
"You bet, we do, Sir!" shouted Wolfram. "And rest of you maggots can shut your cock holsters, while I am speaking! Verstehen?" Wolfram's command voice became clearer, sharper and full of authority. All that made the crew to use their imagination about what might happen if Wolfram was within communication centre.
"Roger that, Sir! We are ready for them. When is the estimated landing time, Sir?" said Geronimo in the most respectful manner and suppressed an urge to get up and stay at attention. Somehow suppressing that urge seemed to be most popular activity among his men after Wolfram had spoken. Everybody sharpened their ears to hear what else he had to say.
"Birds should be there in about two hours, so be frosty and hold your FLAK fire when you see them," said Wolfram.
"Will be done, Sir. Over and out!" Geronimo turned to the rest of the crew and said: "You heard what old man said! Stop grinning at me and start packing! Move it, move it, move it!"
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jan 22, 2016 12:42:12 GMT
Laying in bed resting with my wonderful wife, Lady, I hear a knock on the door. I gently roll her off my chest and she quickly re-embraces me. As I try again a second time, she tightens her grip and opens her eyes to glare into mine lovingly but stubbornly, as she says, "No leaving! Promised!" I kiss her lovingly and whisper, "I did promise and will always try my best to keep every promise that I ever make you. So don't worry your sexy little head off. I am just going to answer the door, and see what is so important that we are being disturbed. I promise that I will be right back."
I walk to the door and after making sure my mask is fully covering my face I reached for the door, as two slender white arms wrapped around my back and she said, "Me too!!" I looked at her and for a second I was reminded of back during the Pale Wars when I had to track a target through a swamp and got some leeches on my skin and had to forcibly remove them. However Lady was no leech, and I could very rarely tell her no and mean it, so if she wanted to stay by my side then I would let her. As long as it doesn't put her in danger, that is. So I open the door a crack and see Geronimo and he looks at my stern face and Lady now obstinately clinging to my side and the guy says apologetically, "Um...um...um, sorry Commander and Mrs. Batman but I thought you needed a sit-rep."
I glared sternly at him and said, "Alright young man, what is so important?"
He said politely, "Sorry again to disturb you Commander, but I thought you should know that the retrieval fleet is on it's way. So we are packing things up."
I said, "Did you notify Slipknot?"
He nodded and said, "Yes. He said he will have everyone gathered so they can all go to the pickup site right away to await the fleet."
I said, "And did you make sure to notify the fleet of the marked pickup zone that the Mayor appointed them?" He again nodded an affirmative. So I said, "Alright, make sure everything here is ready. However nobody here in the compound is scheduled to leave with the fleet. You and your team will stay here to keep guarding and will leave on the Vigilant. The same goes for Doctor Orion. If the Vigilant arrives and leaves before Vo's team gets back, we will have the town doctors treat any injuries they may have endured during their little expedition.
One more thing. I plan on taking that tank back to Defiance. So make sure it is prepared to load onto the Vigilant with the rest of our vehicles as soon as they arrive. They will be landing near the compound. They have the co-ordinates and they are written next to the comm panel if you need them. You can just send me a hailer or EGO message when Slipknot and the fleet leave, as I know Slipknot will also do so. However when the Vigilant or Vo's team arrive please let me know personally and if Doctor Orion needs me, make sure he knows what room we are using. So he can find us easily. Also when Taffer returns, please tell him to come see me, as I need to talk to him."
Geronimo agrees and politely leaves to have everything including the tank prepared to load onto the Vigilant upon it's return and then he goes back to the War Room where he is in charge until Taffer or I take over.
I close and relock the door, then look down at Lady and say, "Well my lovely little snuggle-bunny shall we lay back down for a little while? And don't worry. We may not be leaving with the fleet that's taking Kaj's "army" back to Paradise, however I know how bad you want to go home, as do I. So I promise that we will hitch a ride with the Vigilant and go home at that time."
I then walk back to the bed, with Lady still holding onto me. I completely remove my mask and lay back down with her. As soon as she snuggles comfortably into my chest again, I kiss her lovingly and wrap my big arm around her in a loving embrace.
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Post by Taffer on Jan 22, 2016 22:26:14 GMT
Taffer entered the compound grounds after checking again he was not being followed. Not that it was really necessary as anyone in Defiance could know where the Protectors had set their base, but he was so caught up in his thoughts that his old habits kicked in. His trip to Defiance took much more time than he expected but he was sure it was worth it. In the end he got the precious information on whereabouts of at least one of their missing family members and some additional information that could be useful too. Once he got inside, he was met by Geronimo who relayed him Batman's order to come see him and pointed to the room Atticus stayed at. Taffer knocked at the door and waited for answer. When the door opened, Taffer smiled, seeing Lady with her hands around her husband. It was not news for him that Lady had returned as Dinara informed him of that, but he was glad to see at least one couple reunited.
"Glad to see you back Lady," he said to her, but his smile vanished when he turned his head to Atticus. "I got some news which I wouldn't call ultimately good. I've pulled some strings in the underground so that any information about our missing girls would come to me, and today I received a message. Or, to be precise, only a notice that a courier was waiting for me. I went back to Defiance to the designated place, only to see no one was there. I've started to look around only to find the courier dead and stripped of anything that could give me any clue on what the message was about. Of course I've started snooping around and asking questions. The courier didn't come from outside the city; he appeared to be a local messenger. Finally it led me to the communication relay where he supposedly received the message he was supposed to deliver to me. After I've downloaded the logs from the station and while my EGO started decrypting it, I tried to find some more information on who might be the one who intercepted the courier. The guy had drugged himself into unconsciousness after the successful job, so it wasn't difficult to pick his scrip chip and analyze it. The latest incoming transactions were made from anonymous accounts, but I managed to find out what network they belong to. It was Montero's, that old slave-holder. Of course I got quite interested why that old goat would hire someone in Defiance to intercept a courier with a message to me. But right at that time Em Dash finished decrypting the logs and found that message. It's an invitation to the auction held in Lima and the lot is our Sandy. The message was anonymous as well, only a place and the contact address were specified. Of course I've replied that I'm in so that we could win us some time, but I can definitely smell a trap there.
I have two ideas on who the organizer is. First it could be our friend Governor Skarr. But it looks unlikely he would contact me personally as we all know he despises humans. He would contact you Atticus instead. My second guess is it could someone remaining from the Askaru Ivu's gang who seeks revenge for their leader. Anyway, now we got Sandy's presumable location and she could lead us to Erica's location too as they disappeared together. So, I guess we need to gather our team, we need a transport and we need a plan to yank her from their claw unharmed."
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Post by Archer, Frankie J. on Jan 23, 2016 0:11:33 GMT
"Dark Matter is an elite division of Votanis Collective army," he explained to Archer, as he was not sure she knew who they were. She had memories of tangling with one of their kill teams. Archer nodded while loading a box magazine into her Saiga-12 and chambering a shell, "They were pretty lethal."
"There could be only few of them, but even then they could provide a strong resistance... One rocket launcher wielder", he reported, "It's strange to see him alone there." Keeping low and pivoting her head around she half watched Vo take an accurate shot at the 'Votanee.' When that drew return fire Archer followed efficiently.
Keeping close to Vo she was faced in the rear direction of him. She raised unnatural noises and sounds coming up the hill. The warrior turned her chin over her shoulder and reported to Vo calmly as per usual, "Contact rear." It wouldn't be long before those Votanees could see Vo and her. Sliding the safety down her gun came to the high ready. She didn't fire until she could visually verify hostile target. When they were in sight Archer plugged their holes with automatic shotgunfire. Half of them managed to not get killed, taking some weak cover and shooting back. By choosing her opportunities wisely, not spraying-n-praying the way they were, they were dead too in a couple seconds, "Zown." Canted Archer. 'Elite my ass.' She thought, giving a quick glance at just some of their work behind her in the hill.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Jan 23, 2016 7:28:27 GMT
Lady Christianna smiled enigmatically when she saw Taffer at the door, but the smile vanished as she heard what he had to say. She clung to Attucus' side all the harder the further Taffer went with his report, until by the time he had finished, she was sure she was probably hurting Atticus with her fingernails. She clung to him as tightly as a barnacle on the bottom of boat, for she knew what Atticus would want to do - if not want, at least feel necessary to do. Lady knew that as Commander of Fortress Kshaa and as the leader of the Bay Area Protectors her husband would have to investigate the reappearance of one of their missing team mates. More importantly, she knew that as the brave man he was, Atticus Batman would have to investigate it himself, if for no other reason than out of a sense of responsibility and duty. Lady forced herself to break away from Atticus, then looked up at him with large pink eyes and a look of determination on her pretty chalk white face, whispering in a low but audible tone, "Have to go check it out Atticus. Go with you if you want, or go home if I'm too... distracting, but you have to go... find our friends... bring then back!" Having said that, Lady looked away and hugged Atticus once again, but not so hard or so desperately this time, but only hard enough that he would know she loved him and supported him no matter what his decision was. Still, Lady was glad he could not see the pink tears welling up in her eyes, for she was positive that if he left without her, he would never see her again.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jan 23, 2016 12:26:54 GMT
When there was yet another knock on the bedroom door, I had my EGO, Dinara, do a quick scan and she informed me that it was Taffer. So I put on my mask. When I answered the door, Lady was again next to me with her arms wrapped tightly around my side. It was Taffer returning and coming to see me as I requested, but with news of his own to tell me before I talked to him about anything else. After listening to Taffer and then Lady, I hugged her back when she hugged me.
Then I said, "Taffer you are probably right about it all. If it was Skarr, then he would have contacted me to gloat or something. If Ivu's gang sound logical. Besides revenge is a very common motive these days. However we must also find out why Montero is so interested in Sandy that he would try to stop you from hearing about it, as well. So you are right that a team needs assembled and we need to get there soon.
As for transports, we have two current possibilities. First is the Vigilant as they will be landing here soon. However they have severe hull damage. So I was going to load our current protective detail and Doctor Orion on the ship with all our vehicles, when they land. Then send them back home for repairs. So the Vigilant is not the best choice. The second choice is the smaller vessel that you and Lu crashed in the Marketplace. However that depends on Vo's team, as they went to get parts for it. If they can get them and Vo can get it working again soon enough, then that will be our best choice. However if they can not, then it is hope we can find another ride, or hope the Vigilant can do it, but again I would prefer to send the Vigilant back home for a complete repair and maintenance session, as they said they had to reroute extra power to enhance the shields in the severely damaged areas. So our best chance is for Vo to get the smaller ship running and if he can't then we must find another way."
Then I said to Lady, "Snow Angel, I said I will go home with you. So I will not send you away without me. However some of us do need to go investigate. So our team will definitely go back to Lima."
I then have Taffer come into the room so we can continue the conversation in some privacy and I close and lock the door behind him.
Then, while still hugging Lady back, I said to both Taffer and Lady, "Taffer I was planning on going back to the Fortress with Lady, as I just got her back and her and the kids need some quality time with me. However the main team is pretty short-handed with Belle, Erica and Sandy missing. Volodja MIA, presumably off with Marcel somewhere. And although Lady insists she go where I go which I find comforting, she just went through quite an ordeal so she should go back home on the Vigilant, which is why I wanted to see you in the first place. I was going to tell you that Lady and I were returning to San Francisco on the Vigilant and I wanted you to stay to fill in and help Vo and his team when they got back here. So let me think for a second."
After a few seconds I say, "We definitely need one of the members of the main Command team to go back to base, as Chloe MacGyver and Doctor Von Eschen are currently in charge there, so they are splitting their attention more than what is fair to them, the base, or Wolfram's patients. Although I do trust them to do their best, I think it would be better to have one of the main Command back there, given all the issues happening lately, and so they can resume their regular duties and not have to handle mine as well. First let's discuss the team currently in the area.
Here in Defiance it is you, me and Lady, and her and I both need rest and perhaps a visit with Haele and Dr. Orion. I hate to admit it but I almost ran myself into the ground by repeatedly overtaxing my powers since we arrived here and then even more from worrying about Lady, our children, Erica, Belle and Sandy. Then there is Vo, who has a small team with him in Oklahoma somewhere. So of our main team counting Lady and myself that is four. Then there is Chase if he is willing. What Miss Seweul decides is up to her and Chase, as well. However Vo, Kaj and you seem to think this Frankie Archer is very capable and may make a good addition to the team. So we can add her to the available team as well, if she is also willing.
However as the Vigilant will be back here soon, that means that both Kaj and Lu will be back and it seems Kaj found two very capable new team members that he said were integral in helping him and Lu with everything in Russia. Not to mention one of them was responsible for helping Lu fix our communications blackout. So they may indeed be as capable as Kaj seems to believe. So if we wait for the Vigilant which will probably be back before Vo, then that is four more we can count on, as it sounds like the Constantine twins already asked Kaj about any job openings with us. Then if they are all in that adds 7 more members, so we wouldn't be short any numbers from our usual strike team and would actually have three extra, if you are just going by our 4 missing teammates. So here are the choices I came up with.
One: Kaj takes the Vigilant back to Fortress K'shaa and we hope he can handle any issue that comes up there, and he leaves Lu and the Constantine twins here to help us and Lady and I go with you and Vo's team to lima. However I would be distracted the whole time; as my focus would be split between Lady, our twins, my own poor health due to my neglecting it recently and our mission to find and save Sandy and the others, as well as our home Base.
Two: Very similar to one, but Lady goes back to the Fortress with Kaj and the Vigilant. However that still leaves me on the team as a liability in my current state.
Now Choice three: I take command of the Vigilant and Lady and I take the Vigilant back to Fortress K'shaa. Then I leave Kaj, lu and the Constantine twins here with you. So between those four and Vo's team, if they are all in agreement, that gives you a 9 person team counting yourself. Seeing as our usual strike team consisted of 6 or 7 people, I would say that 9 is more than enough. Besides any more than that and your ship would probably be too crowded, and on such missions too many people can be a major liability. And honestly even though I feel that as the main Commander, I should go with you I am starting to realize that as leader of our group that it is not always the best choice anymore.
Face it, what used to be a small group of individuals trying to make their little corner of the world better has since evolved into a full organization of people fighting to make the whole world a better place, not just the Bay area. So that means I need to think about everyone, not just our little 6 to 7 man group anymore, and sometimes that means that one of us should stay back at base to Handle things. Miss Macguyver says the Fortress Morale has been extremely low since the bomb evacuation and Lady presumably sacrificing herself. So not only would Lady returning help base morale some, but their main Commander would help a lot, which would once again make them more productive. So I hate to say this, but this is one of those times I should pass on potential battle and return to Fortress K'shaa with the love of my life instead. Besides I promised I would go home WITH her, and do not want to break that promise.
So if you are fine with taking command of the strike team, then my choice is number 3. Think about it. As I will be back at the Fortress, I will of course resume command so the team will not have to worry about our home's safety. Lady will be at the Fortress so I will be less worried about her. I will be at the Fortress with her, so she can make sure that I finally rest and get my strength back up. And I will be able to personally oversee the repairs to both the Fortress and the Vigilant and fully restock the Vigilant. I will also be able to get things there back in order, after their bug-out. That also means that if something else is found out about Belle or Erica or Volodja contacts the base needing help with whatever he snuck off to do, that I as Commander will be there to handle all of those things and any other issue that may come up.
So there you have it. 3 choices As well as why I think the last Choice, number 3, is the best choice this time. So when the Vigilant arrives here, I relieve Kaj of Command for now and I take command to get the Vigilant, it's crew and passengers and my lovely wife back to Fortress K'shaa. Once there I return to Command of all normal Fortress Operations and get repairs of the base and the Vigilant started. Then you lead the 9 person strike-team to Lima to locate and rescue Sandy Bell.
Alright you two. You know my choices and my reasons for thinking my third choice is the best option. So what are your opinions or ideas, as well as anything that I may have left out?"
Just then Taffer and I both receive a message from Geronimo, stating that the Vigilant has returned to Defiance and is preparing to land at the designated location just outside the Compound.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Jan 23, 2016 14:51:31 GMT
Lady Christianna scrunched up her chalk white face in thought. Her pink eyes went narrow but then grew wide in a moment as she decided which of the three choices she thought best. Lady thrust her small hand up vigorously above her head, showing prominently three alabaster fingers. "Want to go home," Whispered Lady as the only reason she had for picking the third option, unabashed at how selfish it may sound. With her choice made known to both men, the enigmatic smile returned to Lady's lips as she went back to hugging tightly to her husband. However, once Taffer had left and Atticus and her were alone again, Lady said with a frown, "Wish we wouldn't go until Chase and Iri are back. Need to explain. Need to apologize." Lady wasn't looking forward to that encounter, nor did she have any idea how the couple she had wronged would receive her, but she felt a strong need to do it, to do it in person, and to do it before too much more time had passed.
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Post by Vo Kshaa on Jan 23, 2016 23:37:31 GMT
"Contact rear," Archer' voice made Vo turn around and switch to his SMG, but in fact it wasn't necessary as Archer' precise fire ended the so-called "precise attack" before it could start. After the short fight was over, Vo switched back to his sniper rifle and briefly looked at corpses through the scope.
"These were not Dark Matter," he said returning to his position as the roller with Chase and Iri in it started moving. "Just simple raiders scavenging around. It proves that elite forces are here only as guests." He continued watching the road through the scope, following from the moving roller to the point where the Dark Matter rover disappeared and back. Suddenly he saw a spark from a laser on the roller's body.
"Tracking... Done!" Shirra whispered in his head, marking a direction from where the laser beam originated. Vo looked at the designated place through the scope and saw a slight shivering of the air right near the rock by the road. He aimed at the upper part of the illusion and pulled the trigger. The illusion shattered, revealing a human-shaped silhouette which immediately fell to the ground. Vo didn't stop at that, turning the scope to the other side of the road where the similar illusion could be noticed. He made another shot, but this time it was followed by a distinctive flash of a high-capacity shield absorbing the damage and the silhouette disappeared from Vo's view in a split second.
"Cloaked snipers, one down, one still hiding by the road," Vo said, his EGO transferring his words to Chase and marking the sniper's last known location, "Can't see him from here. Chase, take him out before you proceed!"
Vo turned to Archer and pointed consecutively at several rocks between their current position and the road which he had chosen as good points for cover.
"Let's move," he said, "We'll get closer to the roller. Keep your eyes peeled."
But before he left and started his way downhill, he set a damage spike at the spot where he was shooting from. The spike was creating a force field which made a speed boost to outgoing bullets, increasing the damage dealt by them, but the downside was that it emitted a good amount of light, thus revealing the shooter's position. This time Vo decided to use its downside to his benefit. It looked logical that inexperienced ark hunter, after he failed to destroy his target, could try again using the damage spike. If the enemy sniper thought that way, he could reveal his position to Vo or his teammates while shooting at the place where none of them were.
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Post by Chase Lonehart on Jan 24, 2016 1:24:16 GMT
"Cloaked snipers, one down, one still hiding by the road," Vo said, his EGO transferring his words to Chase and marking the sniper's last known location, "Can't see him from here. Chase, take him out before you proceed!"
Chase brought the roller to a stop, taking a moment to see if he could spot what Vo was talking about. It was then he noticed the laser sight cutting through the glass of the windshield. He instinctively located the direction, threw the truck into gear and floored it. In the short distance, he picked up enough speed and made impact with the cloaked sniper, it's cloak dropping as the body soared through the air and crashed lifeless into the brush.
"Did you just hit that sniper?" Iri asked.
"Sometimes, you got to do what you gotta do."
He backed the roller up until it was back not the road again, turning the wheel and slowly proceeded up the path it was originally on.
"Vehicular weaponry," Iri said aloud. "Never would have expected that from you."
"It's common place for me, honey," he responded with ah chuckle. "The only thing it doesn't work on is Volge. But average targets like that? Not a problem."
Chase took a moment to transmit to Vo.
"Hey, if you see any more incoming you need me to take out, y'all let me know," he sent to Vo. "Hopefully we can get this done without much resistance."
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Post by Taffer on Jan 24, 2016 10:41:38 GMT
"Third option then," Taffer replied after Lady stated her opinion. "Go have some rest, set the base back on normal, get the Vigilant running again and don't forget to have some quality time for yourself." He smiled and added, "And make us feel we always have a place to return to."
He looked out of the window towards the direction the Vigilant was going to land at and a thought came to his mind which made him stand up.
"I'll see if I can find anything which might get us a clue on where Volodya went to. I'd better do this before the crews here and on the Vigilant get busy relocating."
He went out of the room, leaving the reunited couple to have some time in private and went to talk to Dr. Orion and Tic Tac as they were the ones who had seen Volodja and Marcel just before each one of them left. Then he went out of the compound to the improvised landing runway to see if there any traces left that might give him a clue.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Jan 25, 2016 13:04:07 GMT
Lady Christianna scrunched up her chalk white face in thought. Her pink eyes went narrow but then grew wide in a moment as she decided which of the three choices she thought best. Lady thrust her small hand up vigorously above her head, showing prominently three alabaster fingers.
"Want to go home," Whispered Lady as the only reason she had for picking the third option, unabashed at how selfish it may sound.
With her choice made known to both men, the enigmatic smile returned to Lady's lips as she went back to hugging tightly to her husband.
I wrapped my arm lovingly back around Lady as she clung back into my side.
"Third option then," Taffer replied after Lady stated her opinion. "Go have some rest, set the base back on normal, get the Vigilant running again and don't forget to have some quality time for yourself." He smiled and added, "And make us feel we always have a place to return to."
I replied in my usual gruff tone, "Don't worry. I have learned thanks to both Belle and this WONDERFUL little snuggle-bunny currently attached to my hip..." I squeeze Lady gently, then continue with, "...that we all need friends and family, even if we don't realize it yet. So of course all of you will always have a home at Fortress K'shaa for as long as I am in Command there." Taffer then looked out of the window towards the direction the Vigilant was going to land at and a thought came to his mind which made him stand up.
I'll see if I can find anything which might get us a clue on where Volodya went to. I'd better do this before the crews here and on the Vigilant get busy relocating."
"Please do. I know my favorite Fool can handle himself no matter what is thrown at him, however I also know that sometimes a little outside help is needed to get favorable results. Besides Lestrange was involved and I would not put anything past him, especially since Volodja and him do seem to have a checkered past with each other. So I am certain something is amiss there.
Oh and one more thing.. I also know that Doctor Orion and the Sensoth, Tic Tac were the last two to talk to him here in the compound and Lestrange had a plane land here while I was still in the War Room. So I suggest you talk to those two first."
Taffer agreed and left shortly after, with me shutting and locking the door again behind him. Once Taffer had left and Lady and I were alone again, Lady said with a frown, "Wish we wouldn't go until Chase and Iri are back. Need to explain. Need to apologize."
I leaned down and gently kissed Lady and said, "Do not worry Lady. The Vigilant's small crew will probably want to check it over again and do some more diagnostics before taking to the air again. So we can probably wait until Vo's team returns, before we leave for home. Besides that will give them and the others time to visit the Vigilant's Mess and Armory to get some supplies or different gear before they set out again. As well as giving them a little break before they leave again. So shall we go back to enjoying each other's company on the bed for a while longer, since all of that will take a while yet?"
I then walked back to the bed with Lady still snuggled into my side. I once again removed my mask and laid on the bed, pulling Lady back into my chest as I did, and kissing her passionately and lovingly as soon as I had pulled her back into my broad chest.
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Post by Vo Kshaa on Jan 25, 2016 17:37:15 GMT
"Hey, if you see any more incoming you need me to take out, y'all let me know," Chase replied to Vo. "Hopefully we can get this done without much resistance." "I'm detecting an active Dark Matter chatter," Shirra reported, "guess that sniper managed to set off the alarm before Chase finished him off.""I wouldn't be so hopeful about it Chase," Vo said and switched to Iri's hailer, Iri, I'm sending you a couple of frequencies. First is for setting it to the transmitter and switching it back to jammer mode. Let's see how they will react on having their communication suppressed. The second one is for our communication to bypass the jammer. Tell Chase about them too." When it was done and the chatter ceased, Vo continued following the roller, jumping from cover to cover. Next time he peeked from behind a rock, he saw a group of raiders running downhill along the road towards Chase and Iri. Vo took a couple of seconds to watch them running through the scope of his sniper rifle and caught a glimpse of a gray Dark Matter armor flashing through the foliage at the side of the road. He changed his cover again and a second glimpse confirmed his suspicions. "Raiders ahead, Dark Matter close behind," He sent to Chase and Iri. Then he turned to Archer and said, "Dark Matter are using raiders as a decoy. Let's flank them. Target armored soldiers." He continued moving forward, drifting slightly away from the road and watching its side where the Dark Matter soldiers could appear at any second now.
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