RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
Special News
Part One

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Primary Rec-Room, The Bar
August 10th, 2000 Hours

Desmond and Elizabeth sat together in the bar, something resembling a small date that Ellie insisted was needed. Although not thrilled by the idea with everything that has been going on, Desmond couldn’t deny that their time was enjoyable. They never seemed to change though, their relationship the same as it was a month ago.

“I guess this is as close to a moment of peace and quiet as we will get.” Desmond stated, popping a fry in his mouth.

Ellie was nibbling on a sandwich next to him and looked him in the eyes. “I don’t mind much, we are both here, at least for now. That is all that matters to me.” She scooted closer to him and leaned against his arm, putting the food in her mouth once more.

“So lovely,” Jessica muttered, sitting in a chair nearby. She stared at them with big, lovey-dovey eyes, like she was watching a romance film.

Desmond was the first to notice the green haired girl and smirked. “Seems we have a spectator.”

Ellie turned her head to look at the new person and waved her hand when she saw Jessica.

Jessica shook her head rapidly, as if coming out of a trance. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to watch you like some voyeur. “You just… look so happy with each other, and it makes me happy to see you guys like this, especially after everything that has happened.”

“Might as well enjoy it while I still have time. Things have been hectic on my end…” Desmond trailed off and ate another fry.

“Well...it is something at least. So what is new Jess? Is Alex okay yet?” Ellie asked, shifting attention away from her boyfriend.

Jessica shrugged. “Progress is slow. But this guy I met, one of the security guards, I convinced him to try something a little more extreme. We’re gonna try a little hypnosis tomorrow. See if we can’t get a little more to the root of the problem, maybe knock her out of her regression.”

“Well...that is good. I am happy for you two. Hopefully she will be back to her old self and I can take her out for celebratory drinks!” Ellie exclaimed with a mischievous smile.

“Um… I… she can’t drink anymore, Ellie.” Jessica smiled nervously. “At least not for a while.”

“Ah, it was more of a joke anyways…” She shoved the rest of her sandwich in her mouth and savored the taste as she finally swallowed the last of her food. “Besides, I don’t want to be caught with my pants down again.”

Desmond raised an eyebrow looking at Jessica. “Long story?”

“Mostly an embarrassing one, really.” Jessica scratched her chin. “I… well, we never drank. Not much of a rebellious youth, I guess. So we don’t really have much of a tolerance. So when she and Ellie had a few too many rounds, they ended up passing out together in Ellie’s room. I kinda got on Alex’s case because I thought they might have… you know…”

Desmond chuckled and he shook his head. “Damn. That is why the bartender never gave you anything strong Ellie.”

Ellie smacked his arm and turned back to her friend. “Anyways, memory lane aside, what brings you here Jess? Just a coincidence or have you need of something?”

“W-well.” Jessica slowly moved her finger around her table. “I needed to give Modya a little break. Then I saw you hear. I… I didn’t want to interrupt you date, but… there was something I wanted to tell you. Something that you’d probably find out soon anyway, being a doctor and all.”

“Go ahead Jess.” Ellie leaned in to get close to her. “I really don’t mind, don’t worry about it.”

“It isn’t easy for me to say. You know how I get about these things.” Jessica took a deep breath. “To be honest, once Alex is back to her old self, she deserves to have a drink with you. And I trust her to be responsible. But there is a more important reason why she can’t drink. A… medical reason.”

“What is it?” Elizabeth asked, tilting her head.

Jessica looked over at Desmond. “She’s going to force me to say it, isn’t she?”

Desmond shrugged his shoulders. “You have known her long enough, I think you know the answer to that.”

With a sigh, Jessica looked into Ellie’s eyes a muttered. “I… I’m pregnant…”

Ellie’s eyes widened and she squealed lightly and grabbed onto her friend in a massive hug. “Oh my god! That is so wonderful! You must be so happy!”

Desmond smiled and nodded his head. “Congrats. I am sure you and Modya will make great parents.”

“Y-you really think so,” Jessica asked with what little breath wasn’t being squeezed out of her. “Because I really hope so. I mean… if I didn’t think it was the case, we wouldn’t have… not that it mattered in the end, since I ended up getting pregnant a lot sooner than I thought I would have.”

Ellie couldn’t contain her excitement and grabbed her friend’s hands. “I...I...I...I have so many questions! Oh, but here is not the proper place, come on, let us go somewhere more private!”

“Um… okay, if you don’t mind cutting your date short, or at least moving it,” Jessica answered. “we could go to my room.”

Desmond held up a hand. “Don’t worry too much about it. I can go if you guys want to go on by yourselves?”

“Uh… okay.” Jessica stood up, sending Desmond an apologetic look.

“Like I said, I don’t mind. I need to get ready for an op anyway.” Desmond finished the last of his food as well and stood up. He walked away and said, “Have fun girls.”

Elizabeth stood up and held Jessica’s hand. “Let us get going!”

 

[MarineAvenger]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
Special News Part 2

Jessica quickly led Ellie to her room, somewhat afraid she might be dragged along if she didn’t hurry. Stepping inside, she grabbed some disregarded clothing and threw it to the side, trying her best not to blush. “Sorry for the mess. Wasn’t expecting company.”

“Oh, who gives a crap, my room isn’t much better. So when did you find out?”

“Well, a couple days ago,” Jessica answered. “I was getting a bit moody, and Modya suggested I go see if I had a little bun in the oven. Turns out he was right.”

“Wow, so how far along is he...or she...it?” She asked confused. “Do you know the gender?”

“Not yet.” Jessica smiled. “They’re setting up the ultrasound equipment for me, but I wanted to wait until Alex was ready. As for how far along, I’m two… months…”

Ellie’s eyes widened. “Wow...that bun has been in there a while, huh? So any names yet?”

Jessica scratched her head. “You know, it seems silly now, but Modya and I didn’t really talk about that. I’m sure he has ideas. Maybe we’ll take one each. Like, if its a boy, I’ll name him, and he will if its a girl. I’d like to name a boy after Modya, or maybe his father. You think he’d like that?”

“Well it isn’t my baby is it? That is up to you and him.” Elizabeth sat on Jessica’s bed and laid down. “I am so happy for you.” She mumbled.

Jessica laid next to her friend and sighed. After a moment, she cautiously asked, “You… you and Desmond are okay, right? After the whole… you know…”

“I like to think so but...he has tried his best, but there is something different about him and I can’t explain it.”

“Maybe he’s more upset about the whole thing then he lets on, and doesn’t want to burden you.” Jessica rolled to face Elizabeth. “Have you two ever talked about your relationship? Like, moving to the next level? Like… I don’t know, a long-lasting relationship? Marriage? Kids of your own?”

Ellie smiled weakly. “Once or twice. We became...intimate a while ago but nothing has happened since that first time. I want to think about that stuff but the circumstances…” She looked away from Jessica.

Jessica scootched forward, and softly said, “If there is anything bothering you, please tell me. I told you before, I’m here for you, just like you’re always here for me and Alex.”

“I guess I am afraid that when this is over...he will leave for good. I know he has feelings for me but ever since a week ago there is something different in his eyes. I don’t know if it is worry, or grief, or grim determination but there is something there that I can’t explain.”

“Then be there for him,” Jessica practically whispered. “Show him he doesn’t have to face whatever is bothering him alone. Let him know that you’re here, you love him, and that leaving you would not only hurt you, it’ll probably hurt him just as much.”

“I tried Jess. Just even getting him to come out tonight was a battle. Do you want to know where I found him?”

Jessica nodded slowly.

“He was in the holo-training room, tearing into people with that sword of his like he had done it for years. I haven’t seen the look I saw in his eyes since the first days I met him.”

At a loss for words, Jessica just closed her eyes. After a few moments, she said, “I… I’m not sure what to say. All I can say is that… we need to have faith in him. You love him. I’m sure he realizes that.” She smiled sheepishly. “I kinda wish Alex was here to yell at him again. But… I don’t know. Maybe you should be the one to yell at him.”

“You know I am too soft for that sort of stuff.” Ellie gave a sorrowful look at Jessica. “I am sorry I ruined your special moment, I didn’t mean to drop this on you right now.”

Jessica reached forward, grasping Ellie’s head. “You… never… ruin anything. You’re my friend. And like any other one of my friends, all I want is to help you. So if I helped you at all, even if only by letting you get things off your chest, then I’m happy.”

She put a hand on Jessica’s and smiled. “You are too good to me.”

“It’s what friends do, right?” Jessica gently kissed Ellie on the forehead, and hugged her like she was hugging a child. “If we weren’t there for each other, then what would the point be?”

Ellie smiled and put a hand on Jessica’s belly. “I am so, so happy for you Jess. You needed this.”

“Thanks.” Jessica closed her eyes, suddenly tired. “It is a special feeling. How other women could feel less than absolute bliss knowing the child of the man they love is inside them is lost on me. I just hope I can be half the mother mine was.”

“If you are going to be half of what you are as a mother, then that baby is a very lucky person.” Ellie smiled and she crawled up in a ball. “I guess this is going to be another sleep over, huh?”

“If you’d like…” Jessica wrapped her arms around Ellie. “Modya might be a little… upset to have to… sleep on the… the chair, but I… I’m just so tired… and I don’t want.. you to… go…”

Ellie didn’t say anything to respond as all that came from her was the soft breathing as she drifted off.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Isolation Assessment - Lily Exalt

"I am alone," Subject 156 stated to no one in particular. "It is a different feeling. One that I would conjecture I do not enjoy." The statement, she reasoned, was not entirely true. For, she had Avanix's voice, as well as the voice of her elder sisters. That did not make the pain of isolation or the maddening quiet very much easier. And there was...

"Fear," Lily mumbled. For she knew that her death could arrive at any moment. There would be no warning, just a stone-faced clone with a bullet or laser for her skull. "I would die as senselessly as Eve and Lusett did," she added quietly. The first held a poignant ache, for the sister she never knew. But the second was cause to tremble.

"I am not so different from her," 156 mused grimly. "A nearly identical copy. The only exceptions are a distinct difference in emotional development, personality by extension." And my implants. That she dared not speak aloud, for it was the one secret that could be the trump card of the Exalts.

"It does not help that I now know what he meant earlier," Lily spoke in a small, fearful voice. "What he threatened to do to me." And the copy of Lusett knew that horrible moment could come at any time. "As long as I am here, that danger looms." And it was a feeling Lily could not even imagine. "Being..." she hesitated, unable to speak the word, and supplemented it with something else. "Violated in such a manner. It is unspeakable."

"There are times when I wonder if Markus and Desmond are the exception, not the rule." 156 knew such a statement was unfounded in logic. For despite hormonal differences, as well as some physical and emotional ones, there was nothing to say that men were more violent or dangerous than women. But she had only met those 3 examples. And Desmond, barely at all. She was left with two personal examples of men: one virtuous, the other seeming to be evil incarnate.

Lily did her best not to think of such things. "There is no solace in worrying. No comfort in thinking about the worse. Apathy is all I can muster." She could only hope that Emma would come soon, a liberator cloaked in the particle-diffusion field of the prototype ghost armor. "For now, I am met with silence." Emma and Vee were in-transit to XCOM HQ. "Elene and Markus sleep."

You are not entirely alone, Avanix intoned gently. I shall not leave you.

Concern appreciated, Lily replied, the thought echoing through the implants to Avanix, in some ways paralling that which could be accomplished through telepathy, even if there was no sign that any of the 'Eve' line could use it. "Close enough," 156 decided.

I wish you had not found out about...

It was inevitable that I would realize his intention. Though... I am fearful, Avanix. If he does that to me, I... Lily could not bear to finish.

It would not change how dear you are to us. Nothing that has happened rests on your shoulders. All you have done is assist us. You do not deserve to languish in a cell, nor would you hold the blame if that bastard...

I...understand, Avanix.

Forgive me, I should not have brought it up. I just...worry about you, the A.I. admitted.

You are like a mother to us. More than I could say for Eva, though she has done her part. I barely know her or bear resemblance, however.

I have...noticed that my programming is somewhat paralleling Lusett's behavior. I do not know if it is an irony, or if she intended for it to be this way. Regardless, stay safe as best you can. We will work as quickly as possible to rescue you and the others. I only hope the Elites can keep Viktor away from you. If Sora does show, do not hesitate to look to him for whatever help he can offer.

Lily nodded slightly, before the cell was once again overtaken by the silence and dark of the lower levels of EXALT HQ.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

They can have their Diamonds, and We'll have our Pearls

"Geez..." Ayame rolled her shoulder painfully, the new training regiments taking their toll. She wanted to be ready in case she was called upon for the covert op with EXALT. Stealth operations were her specialty before coming to X-COM, having had twenty successful missions and zero failures for various American PMCs over five years, and the team could use that specialty. But Desmond Walker was running it for the most part, and she barely knew him. Maybe she could ask Atka to put a good word in for her.

Ayame looked around, and with no one in sight, childishly started acting the part. She slowly crept towards the shower room door, careful with her footsteps so she didn't make a sound. Like magic, she was able to noiselessly open the normally loud, obnoxious door. She smiled, glad to see her abilities hadn't rusted, but was surprised by the sound of giggling mixed with running water, and two young voices, speaking in Japanese.

<Ssh! Do you want to get caught?>

<Come now, we could have every shower blasting in here, and we would still hear someone come in. Aren't you usually the daring one?>

<Hmm... Good point. Alright. So, you sure you want this as a birthday present? Because I would do it anyway.>

<Thank you, but this will suffice. Besides, it isn't like we have money, or anywhere to spen money for that matter.>

Ayame scratched her head, wondering what they were talking about. Back message, perhaps. She shrugged, kicked off her shoes, walked over to the showers, and immediately shield her eyes, the sight making even her blush. "Whoa, whoa! What the hell are you..."

Hitomi quickly climbed to her feet as Rei tried in vain to cover herself up. "I... we can..." Hitomi stammered. "It isn't what... it looks like."

"Oh, yeah, alright." Ayame responded sarcastically. "I'm sure you were just looking for loose change. Get dressed."

The girls rushed into the locker room, not even bothering to dry off completely before throwing their clothes on. Ayame put her own shoes on, and motioned for them to leave, heading towards the refugee area they had likely come from.

As the entered the refugee lounge, both girls suddenly ran in front of Ayame, halting her progress. "Please don't tell anyone about this," Rei begged, her usually calm disposition betrayed.

"And why wouldn't I?" Ayame folded her arms. "Do you think the public showers are..." She looked into the girls' eyes, and saw worry. But not the worry of simply being scolded. A special kind of worry Ayame was familiar with. She sighed, and motioned for the girls to sit with her on a couch. "So, um... how long?"

Rei and Hitomi exchanged a glance, and the former answered, "A... little over a year. I mean, there was something there before, but about a year ago..."

"We started thinking it was more then just... curiosity," Hitomi finished.

"So, you two are serious?" Ayame asked. "This isn't just some experimentation?" The girls nodded. "Have you told anyone?"

The girls shook their heads. "I... I told my parents," Rei corrected. "They told us it was wrong. That it was something that would pass, and we should push out of our minds. That it was... shameful."

"Have you told them anything recently, because maybe you..." Ayame stopped, the girls' sorrowful expressions saying that was no longer an option. She shook her head, and asked, "Who are you here with now?"

"Our friend, Keiko," Hitomi answered. "And Jake, one of the security guards. He's acting as our guardian." She sighed. "But we... we've been too afraid to..."

"Well, don't be." Ayame placed a hand on both of their shoulders. "They might be more opened minded then you think. You need to give them a chance. And if they aren't, don't let that discourage you. Just because people are ignorant shouldn't effect your decisions, especially if you truly care for each other. Trust me, I went through the same thing."

"You did?" Rei scooted a bit closer. "What did your parents say?"

Ayame waved a dismissive hand. "Spineless father just nodded his head along with what my mother said like the bobble-head he was. Mother flipped on me. Said I was outta my mind. That I was disgusting. Said she was going to raise some... well, I'll spare you the foul language. She and I were already on thinice with each other. This was just one nail in the coffin."

"Did she ever... come to terms with it?" Hitomi asked.

Ayame shrugged. "Wouldn't know. Probably not, though I haven't talked to her in... I don't know, nearly fifteen years. Though she wasn't the last I had to deal with. Smirking guys who think you're some prize that needs to be opened in some special way, because the only reason you're a lesbian is because they haven't found a guy to show her what she's missing. Women who give you funny looks, and get paranoid when they're alone with you, like gay and lesbian is synonymous with rapist and molester." She raised a stern finger. "But I didn't let idiots dictate how I should act, how I should feel. I am who I am, and there is nothing wrong with that. So if you care about each other, love each other, don't let anyone convince you it's wrong."

Hitomi and Rei nodded. "Thank you. We... will let Keiko and Jake know."

Hitomi stretched her arms over her head. "Yeah, we're probably just being paranoid with Jake. He's so cool with these kinda things, he probably won't bat an eye. And Keiko will be shocked, but she's our friend, and I doubt that'll change." She grinned widely. "So, how red do you think her face will get? Strawberry? Cherry?"

Ayame stood up. "I won't say anything about this, but next time you have the urge to explore a bit, find a more private place, okay? I heard supply closets are popular around here, and you can lock those."

Hitomi and Rei nodded, and exchanged a mischievous grin.

 

[Adrammalech]

// KEEPING TABS //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Officer Training School
Siberia, Russian Federation
4:19 PM

Emily peered into the big auditorium-like room, vaguely reminding her of a college’s prize lecture hall. Lots of floor space, lots of pomp, but pretty standard as far as use goes. Giant red banners hung from the ceiling like a gymnasium, unique emblems embroidered onto each one. The two on the far side had no emblem, for whatever reason.

“Well, this is my stop,” Dallas said.

Emily peeled herself from the door window. “Alrighty then. Have fun in there.”

“Meh, it’s just talking. I’d rather be…out here,” he said awkwardly.

“Out here? In…the hallway?”

“No, I mean…you know, with others,” he stammered. “With other things, out there.”

“Right,” Emily looked at her feet. “So, see you later?”

“Yeah! Later, definitely. I’ll see you later.”

“Excellent,” Emily smiled.

Dallas walked through the door and grabbed a desk, awkwardly sitting still and waiting for whoever led the little school. He looked back over and smiled at her still standing there, offering a wave. Emily returned the gesture and walked back down the hall, scratching her neck and blushing a little. Her reverie was brought to a halt when she saw a familiar face down the hall, Ben.

Ben looked haggard and browbeaten, his tweed suit ragged and undershirt tucked in haphazardly. His hair was ruffled from repeated touching, his glasses were crooked, and there were bags under his eyes. Clutched in his hands was a cardboard box filled well over the top with papers and envelopes. Emily rushed forward and flagged him down.

“Ben, hey!”

“Oh, Emily,” he smiled lightly before returning to his stressed look. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, a little stressed about Nika getting tested, but otherwise good,” Emily paused. “How are you? You look like hell.”

“Oh, uh…you know all that stuff going down? Turns out shuffling messages is a really busy job when stuff’s going down.”

Ben reached into his box, picking up random envelopes to accentuate his points.

“I got background checks on all those EXALT guys coming over, correspondences with about 40 people with the new Central Officer, not to mention all the letters going in and out of the refugee center, and all the work orders after the defense…” Ben sighed and wiped his eyes before putting his hand back under the box. “We need another mailman.”

“You need a break, man,” Emily suppressed a smirk.

“No time for that. Gotta get everything where it’s supposed to be and everyone who’re they’re supposed to talk to.”

Emily grasped his hand.

“Come on. We’re going to the bar and you’re going to have a break.”

“No, I have to–”

Emily’s hand squeezed like a vice.

“You’re going to have a break,” she said sternly.

He nodded meekly. “Alright, I guess ten minutes off won’t kill anyone.”

“There you go,” she smiled.

As they rushed over to the common area and sat at the bar, the soldier manning the bottles nodded conspiratorially towards Emily, grasping a carton of orange juice from under the counter. He gave an awkward glance towards Ben and the large stack of papers he dropped onto the bar, the former looked expertly out of place in the room full of navy-vested soldiers.

“What can I get you, man?”

“Do you have coffee?” he squinted.

The soldier shook his head slowly.

“Um, a soda then. Whatever works.”

“Comin’ up, chief.”

The bartender worked on the order in the background, and Ben turned towards Emily.

“Thanks. I probably did need a break.”

“Mmhmm,” Emily nodded, looking over the bar.

“So, what was that about Nika? I kinda skipped over it…”

“She’s being tested for psychic potential, in the psionic labs. She wanted me to come, but I lied about it, and now…eh. I feel bad.”

“I see…there’s a lot of people there, I shuttle the reports between the techs and the officers,” he said. “I’m sure she’s fine. Nothing bad has happened there at all.”

“That’s good to know…thanks.”

The bartender slapped a can and a glass of orange juice on the bar, nodding towards them before moving on down the bar.

“So, it’s been a while since we had a…I don’t know, what would we call it?”

“Memory…session…” Emily squinted, “I have no idea.”

“Where’d we leave off?” he asked.

“I think right after I got on the Magdelene. Those were good times. Learned a lot.”

“Want to tell another tale?”

Emily shook her head. “Nah, you don’t want to spend your break just listening to me rant about being a kid.”

“I like it, actually,” he responded, “if you remember my previous profession…I spend a lot of time just listening to people. It’s like reading a book, but with narration.”

“Alright then,” Emily nodded, “let’s see if I can remember something.”

Emily glanced down at an amber bottle sitting idly beneath her side of the counter and perked up.

“Okay, we’re going to skip ahead a bit. But I’ll make sure you keep up.”

Her eyes closed and Ben swiveled towards her a little more, giving her his rapt attention. Her voice came out soft, almost in a whisper, so as not to bother the people at the bar. Ben leaned in awkwardly as he popped the top on his soda can.


// MEMORY: SUCCESS //
Emily Fischer, 15
M/V Magdelene
Atlantic Ocean, Off the Coast of Spain
December 17, 2006 – 7:22 PM

After Kieran disappeared into the streets of Germany, I rode with the Magdelene for at least a year more, closer to one and a half years. It was the longest I ever stuck with a “home” after I had left mine. My little waste of space turned more into Kieran’s bedroom/closet by the day, I siphoned and stole whatever I needed, and eventually whatever I wanted. My way with people continued the way it had with Gabriel and Kieran, I befriended them, welcomed them, and followed them when I could. The way of my life set in by my 15th birthday, and I stopped trying to set up the lasting connections I did before. I made friends, tricked adults, and kissed boys. They all went away eventually and I expected it, it was just the way my life was.

When I would come across another kid, I would learn what they knew, hear what they heard, and maybe even give or take a gift, but it was always temporary. In a way, I used them, but I never looked at it that way. My spot became like a safe haven for kids that had run away from home and wandered where they didn’t belong. Almost all of the things that I “owned” were swiped from trash cans, given to me, or left in the open for too long; it was as natural as breathing that I shared it with everyone. While they were with me, they’d tutor me in street…or, ocean smarts. Mike taught me to cook with crappy equipment. Sam taught me to use the ship controls. Jake taught me about hiding in plain sight.

Before long, I was practically undetectable so long as my space remained closed and useless on the ship. With literally tons of cargo being shuttled all over the world, a couple square feet and the girl hiding in it were small change. Four months before my 16th birthday, I had two friends and a fully kitted home. Life was good.

The low drone of Oliver’s storytelling scarcely got past my ears while I fixed lunch, nudging a sandwich across the hot plate as it lightly browned the edges.

“So then, while they were chasing me, I jumped onto one of those big cranes like on deck, and swung it across so I could jump onto a passing ship,” the blonde boy with the British accent said.

Oliver was lazy and had an attitude, but I thought his accent was hot, so I let him stick around. He was one of the easiest people to manipulate I had ever met. All I had to do was dare him to do something, and he’d do it. I could’ve gotten him busted in a heartbeat, but he never annoyed me enough.

“It was easy as pie, it was. But after I got below deck, I realized that the ship I had jumped on was filled with pirates–”

“Oh, come on. You did not leap onto a moving pirate ship,” another redhaired girl said in an equally dense French accent.

Zoe was the first runaway girl I met, and a good friend while she was around. She was competitive and emotional, which made her exciting to be around, but irritating in the long run. She also somehow spoke French, German and English, all at 16, and gave me a primer on the former two. You could say she was the launching point for my polyglot career.

“I did, you’re just jealous that you’ve never met any pirates,” Oliver boasted.

“By all means, enlighten me. Did they have hooks and bandanas? Welcome you aboard with a YARR?”

“They did welcome me, actually. They were British pirates, from the old days. We spent a good year pillaging and razing the French,” he replied with an accusatory poke. “Good times.”

“I bet you fell into some fisherman’s dinghy, got booted into the ocean and had to swim to shore.”

“Come on, with this charm? We’d hunt the white whales together, and they'd sing songs about us.”

 

[Adrammalech]

I hopped into my bed, holding my sandwich on a poor wooden excuse for a plate that I had scavenged. As I took the first bite, I looked up to see Oliver staring at me, his hands fanned to the side in disbelief.

“Oi, where’s ours?” he asked.

“Make your own,” I sneered. “I’m not your butler. In fact, you should act more like my butler.”

“What, because I’m British? That’s racism, mate.”

I looked down at my pale arms and then over to his equally pale arms, shaking my head.

“He talks too much to be a butler,” Zoe said, looking at a book written in German. “He’d be more suited as a full-on servant, going to fetch things and what not.”

“I’m more like the model of this ship. You know, my charm and good-looks, filling in the charisma vacuum in this room.”

“Oliver love, would you kindly go above deck and grab me a soda?” I asked mockingly.

“I’m no go-fer for either of you,” he sneered.

“He probably couldn’t if he tried,” Zoe said, her eyes peeking above the book’s pages.

“Indeed. Certainly not quick enough, or quiet enough,” I grinned.

“I’m not grabbing no sodas, but that does remind me of something.”

Oliver fished though a ratty blanket he had, tugging it around a cylinder shape as he pulled it free.

“Check out what I nicked,” he said, holding up a bottle of clear liquid. Although it looked like water, the glass bottle made it recognizable. “Anyone want a nip?”

“Sweet,” Zoe said, tossing her book aside and grabbing it to inspect it.

“Is that…alcohol?” I asked.

Oliver snickered a little at my inexperience. “Of course. Want some?”

I shook my head no. “My parents said I shouldn’t drink that,” the words coming out of me on pure instinct, my mind honed for this moment for years. Oliver and Zoe exchanged glances.

“I imagine they told you not to run away from home too,” he responded with a grin.

“It’s not as bad as they say, you just have to use moderation,” Zoe continued. “I’ll tell you when enough is enough.”

I trusted Zoe, and to a point, I trusted Oliver. I had no bad experiences with alcohol like some had. No drunken fathers or lush mothers. Just an instructional video or two when I was young. I saw my mom grabbing a bottle now and then, but nothing serious, and certainly nothing bad happened. The more I thought about it, the more I was intrigued. Oliver poured a small amount into a little plastic cup and moved it towards me and then poured a little more for him and Zoe. The liquid inside swished around in my eyes like gold in a chest. I felt rebellious, curious, mature; and without a worry in the world, I put it to my lips.

What happened next was a sensation I will never forget. The worst taste I had ever experienced. Clear alcohol is not where you start your drinking career. I coughed and sputtered as it burned down my throat, my cheeks becoming red and my hands tossing the cup away and reaching for anything else to drink. Oliver snickered at me as Zoe handed me a tiny towel.

“You okay?” she asked.

“This is what alcohol tastes like?” I sighed, wiping my lips and looking angry to cover my embarrassment. “Adults drink this crap all the time? What the fuck is wrong with them?”

“Wait for it…” Oliver mumbled.

I scowled at him as they traded another drink between them, seemingly unaffected by the horrendous taste. I remained in disbelief of their enjoyment for about five minutes, when my fingers started to tingle. It ran through my hands and up my arms, giving me a little shudder.

“Feelin’ it?” he asked.

“What’s happening?”

“Why adults drink this crap,” Zoe replied with a chuckle.

The feeling reached my head and I felt…lighter, somehow. It felt like my skin would just vibrate and bounce off anything that touched it. A giggle burst from my lips as I tried to make sense of it. I don’t giggle.

“This is awesome,” I blurted out, shuddering again.

“If one is good, two must be better,” Oliver said, pouring the same amount back into my discarded cup.

“Only if she wants it,” Zoe interjected.

Zoe reached forward and snatched it, looking at me a little worriedly. Bad taste was one thing, but this feeling was new. I snickered and reached my hands out.

“Atta girl,” Oliver grinned.


Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Common Area
Siberia, Russian Federation
4:51 PM

“The rest is a bit of a blur, but I remember nothing interesting happened other than giggling and swaying. I drank two more, about 6 or 7 shots worth, more than enough to get me hammered for my first time. Naturally, I asked for more, but Zoe stopped me. She was good that way.”

“You have blurs? I thought you remembered everything, ever.”

“When I recall times under the influence of something else, it’s hard to do if I’m not currently under the same influence. The mindframe is different…hard to settle into. Possible, but difficult.”

“So if it was important enough…”

Emily nodded. “But it wasn’t. It usually wasn’t, when I drank. It was just a way to pass the time. Even better on a boat, you’re always rocking back and forth, it’s funny so long as you’re not near a railing.”

“You were lucky to have someone there, to keep things from going awry. Fifteen is pretty early for that kind of thing.”

“I was, luckier than I knew. But we were all kids, all flawed, even Zoe.”

Ben unconsciously looked down at his watch, his eyes going comically wide and his entire body tensing up instantly as he looked at the hands.

“Holy crap, I’ve been here for thirty minutes?!”

“Hey, I still have the rest of the hour,” she smirked.

“Sorry, we’ll talk again later, okay?”

“Alright then, good luck.”

He nodded and grabbed his box full of papers, pausing momentarily as the overstacked box wobbled intimidatingly. Once it settled, he let out a sigh of relief and nodded. Emily moved forward and opened the door for him, and he quickly strode out and towards the lift. At her feet, one rogue paper laid on the ground, triple folded and sealed with a sticker. She reached down and grabbed it tenderly, raising it to her face.

“Day Three Lab Report for Nika Orlov…” she whispered out loud.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Unending Night, Part 1”

Siberia, Russian Federation
1930 Hours, August 10th, 2018
Several kilometers from XCOM HQ

Engines quietly hummed as the Legion dropships made their way towards their destination. Their black hulls meshed perfectly with the night sky, and the minimal noise and radar jamming made them as invisible as non-fighter craft could be. Even so, Emma fully expected XCOM to detect them when they got close. She glanced over at Vee, who was still looking out the window.

“Still thinking about that?” Emma asked.

“It’s hardly something to miss when you see a crater where the base you took down was,” 157 replied with a small grin. “I’m guessing XCOM came sniffing around and it pissed off the aliens.”

“We are fortunate they did not do something like that when we were there…” the clone of Elene muttered. The shadow operative walked up the the cockpit, sitting down in an empty side chair and turning on a radio. “This is EL-2, we are nearing the specified location,” she said, using the codename specified to XCOM to prevent Viktor from learning much from their radio chatter, should he manage to be listening in somehow.

“Copy, EL-2,” a voice responded over the radio. “This is Russian base X-3-15-13, reading you loud and clear. Nice to hear you’re a friendly. Proceed to area 2-9-9-2-F and land. We’ll take care of the rest.”

“Understood.” Emma nodded to the pilot, and the three dropships began to descend towards the designated coordinates, touching down with a pneumatic hiss from the landing gear.

After a few minutes, over a dozen devices popped out of the ground, and moved left and right, up and down. Seemingly satisfied, they hid themselves again, and the entire ground shook. As the dropships lowered into the earth on the massive elevator, a door sealed above them, a large number of fans popping out of the ground and assuring it was completely covered in snow again.

Vee raised an eyebrow. “Theatrical, but it works. No turning back now, huh?”

Emma just inclined her head slightly, more gripped by anticipation that the seemingly ever-relaxed destroyer was.

Taking several more minutes to make the full run, the elevator finally reached the bottom. As it hissed and whined to a stop, half a dozen massive turrets turned towards the planes, and a voice called out. “Occupants, please step out of the dropships. Standard extraterrestrial scans must be completed before you will be allowed to leave the area. Non-compliance will be met with force.”

“Alright, alright, calm your pants, buddy,” Vee responded. “Though you better not consider gene mods ‘alien’ or that’s going be be awkward.”

Emma held up a hand for Vee to be quiet. “What my assistant means is that the majority of us are in possession of alien technology or genetic modification, so we hope that will not affect the scan.”

“I repeat,” the voice said in an even more stern tone, the speaker stepping forward with a mega-phone and half a dozen guards armed to the teeth stepping forward. “You will exit the craft immediately, or we will open OW!”

Morrigan whacked the man on the back of the head. “Cool yer jets, ye loud bafoon. You’re scaring our guests.”

“But… Commander, they’re your procedures.”

Morrigan waved a dismissive hand as she stepped between the ships and the guards. “Don’t worry there. If my men fire at you, they’ll probably hit me too.”

Emma slowly gave a gesture of affirmation to her soldiers, and the two ‘Eve’ clones stepped out, followed by the ‘Adams’ and a few Legion troopers.

Morrigan grinned widely, and took several steps forward. At the sound of cocking guns, she swung around, sneering at the men behind her. “Put your toys away right now or I swear I’ll bend you each over and stick my foot up each of yer arses one at a time!” The soldiers did what they were told, and Morrigan turned back to her guests. “Sorry about that. Bit overprotective, the lot of them. Though with good reason, I suppose.”

“Understandable, considering who we are,” Emma responded.

Vee grinned widely. “I like her already,” the Queen of Destruction decided.

“Commander Morrigan O’Brien, at your service,” the red-head exclaimed, stretching her hand out. “It is good to have you on board. We could use the help, though don’t let the men know I told you that. They can be a wee bit sensitive.”

Emma shook her hand lightly. “We are glad to be of assistance, and finally have a better chance at forwarding technology alongside you.”

“Plus, I get to fight alongside some soldiers that aren’t a bunch of brainless mooks,” Vee added, though she raised an eyebrow at the XCOM soldiers. “Or at least less brainless,” she mumbled.

“Be nice to them,” Morrigan said. “They’re new. Lost a lot of good men.” She motioned for them to follow her. “My men will show you where to go. Do you mind following me to Central Command?”

“I shall go with you,” Emma intoned, and Vee was quick to stay by her side.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Unending Night, Part 2”

As the trio walked through the halls, they attracted quite a few looks. Stepping into Central, a familiar face walked up to them and offered her hand to Emma. “Good to see you again.” Aya leaned in close. “Hope you got to show that alien that messed with you a good time.”

A small smile crept across Emma’s face. “Indeed I did. And we discovered some interesting ways of combating them…”

“We’d be glad to hear them,” Morrigan said, stepping in front of the Holo-globe. “For now, welcome to X-COM. I’ll spare you the introductory stuff. I’m sure there is something more important on your mind anyway.”

“Of course...there is a lot of unloading to do...but we brought some prototypes and S.E.E.K.E.R. wrecks. The stealth armor is coming along nicely, as are the modifications to the Infantry Airframes. Hopefully those can help us in rescuing my sisters…” Emma explained.

Morrigan nodded. “We have a few plans in motion right now. We plan on assaulting the EXALT HQ once we are confident in our ability to do so efficiently enough. You… do know where the base is, right?”

Emma nodded. “After I snuck out in the beginning it wasn’t too hard to put things together, but we obviously didn’t to risk assaulting it before. The exact coordinates are a little difficult to pinpoint, but it is in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask about that,” Aya said. “How did you sneak out? And don’t take that as an accusation. I’m just curious.”

“It is understandable that you would ask,” Emma replied dismissively. “Elene was allowed to create three handmaidens, but she wanted one outside operative. Thus, she marked me as a failure in the official records, and my ‘corpse’ was dumped out a garbage chute, essentially. Not the most comfortable way out, but it worked.”

“I can imagine…” Aya’s eyes wandered over to Vee, and she raised an eyebrow. “Were… were you on that mission with Emma and I?”

The destroyer shook her head. “Nope. Otherwise it would have gone completely textbook. I’m the second handmaiden, Subject 157, though I prefer Vee. I’m supposed to be Elene’s bodyguard, though that bastard just saw me as a useful but expendable soldier. Tried to call Order 66 on me, so I fled to Legion HQ.”

“I… see.” Aya couldn’t help but feel something familiar about Vee, but decided to drop it, figuring they had more things to worry about.

“On to the matter at hand.” Morrigan clapped her hands together. “We’re not sure how Dorian intends to attack us, but we’re expecting a lot a force. It isn’t like he can mind control a quarter of the base to open the doors for him like some other assholes I know. Ideally, we would like to attack him first, take him out before he even gets a chance. Problem is, we’d be attacking him when he has a full force to defend himself. Should we fail, not only will he likely flee, and who knows how long it will take to find him again, but he’ll be on to us, and that’ll likely spell the end of Elene and the others. I don’t want to take either of those risks.”

Emma bit her lip nervously. “I understand. There is a complication, though…”

Vee’s expression fell. “Yeah...uh...awhile back…” she lowered her voice. “Viktor threatened something about Lily before he went absolutely nuts...and we’re worried he might do that now that he has nothing stopping him..”

Morrigan and Aya exchanged a worried look. “What is it?” They both asked.

Emma started to speak, but the words caught in her throat, leaving Vee to explain. “He threatened to rape her,” 157 answered after a pause.

The color drained from Aya’s face as Morrigan clenched her teeth. “I… I… I thought… he hated Lusett. Why would he…”

“Because it wouldn’t be about that,” Aya mumbled. “What better way to assert his authority over them… his power…”

Morrigan slammed her fist on the keyboard next to her, several buttons flying off.

Emma looked down and to the side, while Vee just seemed as angry as Morrigan. “I should have gone back with the Elites…” Vee growled. “I could have raised hell...maybe finished them off while they were in chaos. It’s not your fault, but I feel like all I’ve done by coming here is abandon my sisters when they needed me most.” She slowly lowered her head. “What sort of fucking bodyguard abandons her charges…”

“Enough of that,” Morrigan mumbled, ignoring the drops of blood dripping from her hands. “We’re… we’re pushing up the schedule.” She turned to Aya. “Inform Mr. Walker that we’re canceling the EXALT base assault, and replacing it with a covert op. If we destroy EXALT with it, then fine. But what is important is getting those captives out. Even if we… even if we lose our chance, we can’t allow our own caution to have us sacrifice others.”

Aya nodded. “I’ll let him know. Should I… also tell him…”

“No…” Morrigan stared at her bloody hand. “I won’t have him jeopardizing the mission with his hotheadedness. We tell him this, and he’ll storm out of here and try to take on the base by himself, and likely get killed in the process.” She gave the two clones. “But he won’t have to be kept in the dark for long. We send him in as soon as we’re ready.”

Emma nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Commander. None of us will forget this kindness.”

“And if there’s any way I can come, despite my more destructive talents...I’ll try to be more stealthy,” Vee added, though her expression quickly fell. “Emma’s probably more suited to a task like that, though.”

Morrigan nodded, but seemed too lost in her own emotions to answer. Aya silently led the pair out to show them their quarters, and Morrigan just stared up at the holo-globe, her scowl landing on one spot in particular.

 

[Frostlich1228]

Frostlich1228 and DarkGemini24601: “Return and Revelations”


XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
2215 Hours, August 10th, 2018
Civilian Quarters

Ammy rushed down the hallways of the Civilian Quarters after hearing of Buniq’s arrival. She fast-walked past the night guards who didn’t pay her much mind, after all, this wasn’t the first time she’d been to this part of the base. After passing the doors to the rooms of Buniq’s friends, she finally reached the room she was looking for. She quickly knocked on the door three times, barely being able to hold in her excitement.

The door slowly opened, Isitoq smiling gently at her. “I guessed that you might be coming to visit.” Behind him was the chryssalid hybrid in a clean set of clothes that were navy blue and violet.

“H-hi Ammelia…” Buniq said.

Ammy ran into the room, almost pushing Isitoq to the floor in the process as she wrapped her arms around her friend. Tears of joy streamed down the Sniper’s face as she cradled Buniq.

“S-sorry I w-worried you…” Buniq mumbled. “S-Shouldn’t have g-gone after J-Jio...Jiokjiok by m-myself.”

“No!” Ammelia cried, “Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault! If anything, it’s my fault for not coming to find you…”

“Y-you were b-busy f-fighting I g-guess…” Buniq responded, hugging Ammelia. “I-I’m just g-glad to be b-back…”

“T-They didn’t hurt you did they? Be honest with me…” She pleaded, looking her friend up and down for anything out of place.

“I-I don’t w-want to make you s-sad...I-I’m f-fine…” the hybrid replied evasively.

“Buniq, you being back safe and sound is one of the happiest things that has ever happened to me… I care about you… I just want to know if they did anything to you…” Ammelia explained.

“T-the H-Honored Overseer w-wasn’t t-that b-bad...at f-first…” Buniq began, before looking down. “B-But...they…” she fidgeted nervously, afraid to tell Ammelia. If she had know what the sniper had gone through during the base defense, perhaps she would not have said anything at all.

“A-At first? What did it do? P-Please… Tell me…” Ammelia said, trying to build up the courage to handle whatever Buniq said next.

“T-they m-made me into a p-psion…” Buniq finally let out in a quiet tone.

Ammelia’s eyes widened and her pupils started to shake just a little, after the base defense, she would’ve preferred that Buniq been hurt. At least that would be fixable, but this… She tried to form words, but nothing really came out.

The hybrid quickly registered the flash of fear on Ammelia’s face, and pulled away from her, going behind her bed defensively. N-now s-she’s afraid of m-me too…

Ammelia sat still on her knees, clenching the fabric from her pants into her fists. The tears started to flow more and more. Eventually, Ammelia found the will to speak, “W-why… W-why did it h-have to be that… Those m-m-monsters…”

Buniq looked up at her fearfully. “M-miss...A-Atka a-and N-Nouja a-aren’t b-bad…a-and t-they’re p-psions...m-my p-power i-is s-scary...b-but…” she trailed off.

“W-why did they have to c-curse you like that? N-Nobody deserves to have… that k-kind of power… T-to... c-control people… It’s a-awful...” She continued, looking up at Buniq.

“I-I c-can’t c-control p-people..” Buniq protested. “A-and n-neither c-can a-any o-of u-us...I-I t-thought y-you w-were f-friends w-with A-Atka…”

“I-I’m… scared of them now… what if that power… corrupts them?” She asked, “I d-don’t want that to happen to y-you… I don’t want you to become like… those things…”

Buniq stared back at Ammelia with her amber irises shaking a little. “A-a-are y-you s-s-scared o-of m-me n-now? J-just b-because I-I h-have t-this p-power, y-you t-think I-I a-am c-corrupt? Y-you’re n-not m-my f-friend a-anymore b-because o-of t-that, a-and n-not w-what I am?”

“I’m… Not… scared of you…” Ammelia answered, pushing the thoughts about the sectoid commander out of her mind, “I k-know you’d never hurt me… I’m scared… For you…”

“I-I s-saw f-fear i-in y-your eyes t-though…” Buniq responded quietly. “W-when I t-told you. I-I c-can t-tell m-more e-easily n-now...s-since...t-that’s w-what my p-power d-does.”

“It… wasn’t fear of you… You’re not a monster… N-Not even now… But I’m scared you’ll turn into a monster… I don’t want you to become like them… I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to stop this from happening to you…” Ammelia said, lowering her head.

Isitoq looked Ammelia over for a moment. “Question: if Buniq were to choose to develop her powers, would that change things?” he asked seriously.

“N-no… I know… she wouldn’t use them… to hurt us… But I’m afraid that if she becomes more powerful, she’ll lose herself… Then it wouldn’t really be her anymore…” Ammelia answered the best she could.

“I-It’s alright, I-Isitoq...I d-don’t have to…” Buniq began.

“I am not implying you do. However, I cannot just stand by and let someone else tell you how to live your life, friend or not,” he responded protectively. “If you...ever wanted to develop those powers, you shouldn’t have to hold back out of fear for how people would react…”

“It’s your choice Buniq… I’ll be here for you… Whatever you may choose…” Ammelia said finally.

“I-I k-know...I-I d-didn’t mean t-to turn y-you two o-on eachother…” the hybrid mumbled. She almost went back over to Ammelia, but hesitated quickly.

“I… I have… something important to tell you…” Ammelia said, not being able to hold it in any longer, “B-but… you have to promise me… that it won’t affect your choice…”

Buniq tried to figure out Ammelia’s meaning, but could not. “W-what i-is i-it?”

“D-Do you promise?” The sniper asked again.

The hybrid blinked uncertainly. “I-I p-promise.”

Ammelia gulped, “Ever since I met you… I’ve felt a special connection to you… I wasn’t sure how to deal with at first because you were so new to the world… I wanted… to tell you as soon as possible… but decided that I didn’t want to… overwhelm you… So I waited… But then you were taken away from me… and I didn’t know what to do, other than try and save you… I was lost without you… I… I love you…”

Buniq’s eyes widened in surprise as she tried to come up with a response. “I-I...I-I…”

“All I want to do… is make you happy… that’s what you deserve… you don’t deserve all these tests and experiments… you don’t deserve to lose the people you love… you deserve.. to be happy… I want to know… if you feel as happy with me… as I do.. with you…”

Buniq shifted, unsure of how to respond. “A-Ammelia...I-I...I-I d-d...d-don’t know...I-I’ve n-never t-thought about s-something l-like t-that…”

“Do… Do you feel happy with me, in that way… P-please… Be honest… I promise, with everything that I am… that I won’t hate you… if you say no…” Ammelia let out a heavy breath, and waited for her answer.

The hybrid seemed to retreat further back behind the bed. “I-I d-d-don’t k-know...I d-don’t know what ‘t-that w-way’ would b-be like…”

“All I want to know… is if… you l-love me back… I know this is a lot to take… I know you’ve only been in this world for a month… But I… I couldn’t hold my feelings in any longer… I love you… and I had to say it… even if it was at the worst time…”

“I-I d-don’t w-want to m-make you s-sad...I j-just do-don’t u-understand h-how t-that...I d-don’t know...I d-dont know…” Buniq said quieter and quieter, and Isitoq went over to her side, trying to calm her down.

Ammelia just sat in silence, feeling bad for overwhelming her like this. Any other time would’ve been better than this, but she is almost as new at this as Buniq is. I ruined it… Didn’t I… I ruined it again…

“Ammelia...perhaps it would be better if you talked to her later. I think Buniq just...needs some time to think.” As do I.

“Of course… I’ll just… go…” Ammelia stood up, her legs wobbly from kneeling for so long. She tuned and walked towards the door, opening it and shutting it behind her. I’m… I’m So… Sorry...

Isitoq gently laid a mechanical hand on Buniq’s shoulder. “I’ll only be a moment.” He stepped outside before Ammelia could get so far. “Ammelia, understand this: neither Buniq nor I have come to understand concepts like that of romantic love… but do not make the mistake of thinking that was a rejection. I wouldn’t want my sister to lose one of her closest friends over a misunderstanding.”

“I’m… sorry for doing this Isitoq… I should’ve waited… But even if that… was a rejection… I’ll still be her friend… I uphold my promises…” Ammy said, turning her head back at him.

“You do not know that it was. Nor do I,” Isitoq explained. “You remind Buniq not to be apologetic about what she does...I would imagine you should hold yourself to the same standards. Do not apologize for what you did. Simply do not make it a waste.” The cyborg seemed to look for something more to say, but deciding that was the best he could offer, returned to comfort his sister.

“I won’t…” Ammy said to herself, “I won’t make this a waste…”

 

[MarineAvenger]

MarineAvenger and DarkGemini24601: “Together at Last, for Better or Worse” Part 1

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
0515 Hours, August 11th, 2018
Shooting Range (Holographic Version)

Desmond stood in the middle of the shooting range with his eyes closed and was completely silent except for the sound of his own light breathing. He heard a slight ‘whoosh’ of something moving to his right and sliced his blade through the hologram of the EXALT clone.

When he heard the soft patter of boots trying to move stealthily he put the sword back in it’s holder and slung the practice rifle off his back. He fired five shots for five targets. When he put the rifle down he saw he only hit three out of the five. “Damn...exhaustion is getting the better of me again.” He moved to go back to the starting point and run the course again.

The door slid open with a more metallic noise. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re up this early,” a slightly familiar voice decided.

Desmond stopped dead in his tracks and he shook his head. “Should it surprise me that you are as well?”

“Probably not,” Vee responded, wearing a gray shirt and long black pants rather than her typical uniform. Needs to have that trashy symbol of Viktor’s removed, anyway.

“So...after all this time we finally meet in person. I don’t know what I should do in this situation.” Desmond stated, not turning around in fear that this was all just a dream.

“I dunno, say hi?” Vee responded, leaning against the wall. “Even if I’m not your first choice of clone you were hoping to meet.”

“In all honesty it really doesn’t matter who it was, just as long as it was one of you, or two in this case.” Desmond took the sword off his back along with his weapons and threw them on the table, working on taking off the armor he had on. “So how are you feeling...Vee.”

“Like hell, for having to cut and run twice,” the destroyer replied. “First from those damn aliens on the savanna, and then from our favorite bastard.”

Desmond turned around as the last of the armor came off. “Well take solace in the fact that we will be going back. If anyone is coming with me it is you, or Emma if she is up to it.”

“I figure they won’t be dumb enough to send me,” Vee responded honestly. “Emma’s better with that sort of thing, being a ‘shadow operative’ and all. Plus, she’s the one who came up with that ‘ghost’ armor.” 157 glanced over at the alloy katana. “So that’s the thing mother grabbed from you, huh? It calls to me…” she muttered, taking a step forward as if she were hypnotized.

He looked over at it and scooped it up, putting it back on his person. “Like mother like daughter. What is with you and Eva trying to steal my nice things?”

“Because my alloy dagger is buried in the chest of some stupid Berserker,” the warrior answered.

“That is what you get for being careless with your toys Vee.” He taunted like a scolding old woman. “Besides, this never leaves my back.”

“Fine, I’ll just have someone make me something then…” the destroyer muttered. “Sucks that I’m gonna have to be careful about approaching Eva, though. Can’t have someone make the connection and complicate things.”

“Well, at least you have your older brother at least.” Desmond walked up to Vee and hugged her. “I am sorry I wasn’t there to prevent this from happening to you guys.”

Vee looked surprised for a moment. “Nothing...you coulda done…we got screwed over so fast we didn’t even have time to figure out something ourselves.”

“Do you resent me for my relation to him?” He asked seriously.

“Like hell…” Vee responded quickly. “Besides, any qualms I might have had got washed away when the Elites didn’t turn on me. If they had, even I mighta been screwed in that situation.”

Desmond released the other clone and he flexed his metal hand. “Yeah, and lucky for us they are our ticket straight to getting in there.”

“I just hope they can…” Vee trailed off, and quickly tried to correct herself. “Keep them safe, you know.”

“Hopefully they won’t need their help much.” Desmond looked at the door and waved his hand. “Come on, though I can’t get drunk easy, alcohol can still soothe the soul.”

“Sure thing,” Vee responded, walking towards the bar with Desmond. “Never got to have much. Just that one time with Markus…” She grinned, in spite of everything. “Fun night, that was.”

Desmond looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “I thought he was Elene’s man, right? He close to the rest of you as well?”

“Not like that, dumbass,” Vee corrected him. “We just had a sleepover. And I got to actually drink some beer.”

Desmond smirked at the thought of a drunk Vee. “Well, it is the little things I guess.”

“I’m not as resistant as you, but I can hold alcohol,” Vee added. “Don’t expect me to start fawning over you the minute I get some in my system.” She thought for a moment, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “So, I’ve yet to meet your special someone…”

Desmond looked at her. “You just arrived. Not much of a chance to meet the family. Besides, I wouldn’t want to make you jealous.”

“Like I would be. Didn’t you just get through calling yourself my brother?” Vee countered.

“I meant...I…” He shook his head. “Whatever.” Desmond finally said, trying his best not to chuckle.

Vee leaned up towards Desmond, raising an eyebrow. “Ooh, are we not quite satisfied with her, then? Needing someone more wild?”

Desmond pushed her away from his face and said. “No, she is just fine with me. Besides, someone else already offered that exact same thing before and I refused.”

Vee chuckled in amusement. “Who’s that?”

“Believe it or not another clone on base. You two should meet. You might find you share common interests and you can finally hang out with other people other than us Exalt folk.”

“Another clone, huh...you mean that Eve girl Emma was talking to?” Vee responded. “Weird having another clone named the same as our late sister…”

“Eh, not as confusing as you might think.” Desmond sighed a breath in relief as they finally made it to the bar.

Vee quickly went up and got herself a glass of wine. “Haven’t had this since…” her expression darkened. “Oh, right…”

“You seem like you saw a ghost there Vee?” Desmond noted, taking a bottle of whiskey.

“Not important,” the female clone mumbled as she took a long drink of the wine.

Desmond raised an eyebrow and popped the cork off his bottle and poured the drink into a glass. “So, we have time to kill. Any questions that have been gnawing at you?”

Vee quickly took another sip of the glass, having to refill it for more. “Maybe just about your buddies here, soldier or otherwise.”

“Shoot.” He said, throwing back his glass.

“I mean, talk about them? I don’t know that much about them, only hear this crap secondhand,” Vee continued as she took another swig of the wine.

Desmond sat for a couple of hours with his ‘sister’ and began telling her about all the people he had met and about how he lost his arm in Moscow. By the time he had finished, he had gone through about three bottles of whiskey and still barely had any buzz.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

MarineAvenger and DarkGemini24601: “Together at Last, for Better or Worse”
Part 2

The destroyer, on the other hand, had gotten to be rather inebated. “You know all the shitz that’s been happening with us...not that it keeps getting fuckin’ worse…”

This is what I get for encouraging her to drink. “Well, at least it isn’t all bad these days. I mean, we got to meet right?”

“Yep, while Romeo sits in a nice damp cell witha hole in his side…” the female clone muttered with mirth, taking another sip. “Plus, of course Viktor has to be the asshat he iz and make us more desper...whatever.”

“You really are hard to understand drunk but at least I can agree with that last statement. Can’t wait till this is all over and we are all reunited.” Desmond mumbled.

Vee’s expression darkened, and she leaned over. “You got no idea what I mean. Before all of this...Viktor...shit, probably shouldn’t be telling ya this garbage...you are the sensitive sort.”

Desmond looked Vee up and down. “Yeah...I am the sensitive one right now.”

Vee pulled back, shaking her head. “I ever tell ya where I first tried wine, Dessy?”

Where did Dessy come from? “No, you didn’t answer me when I asked.”

Vee leaned back in her chair. “First plaze I went to outsida the Alps. Nice place in Italy.” The destroyer still had the sense to make sure no one else was around. “There was this fat idiot I’d be senta kill. Supporter of XCOM or something...ended up hittin’ on me before...ya know. Dealt with him.”

“So you killed him in cold blood, huh?” Desmond said stoically.

“Yep,” Vee smiled weakly. “That’s your murderess of a sister there.”

“Wish I could say I didn’t know what you mean. I have done my fair share before all of this even started. Not exactly a war story I am proud of telling. In fact, much of those three years in Japan I don’t talk about much.”

“Still seemed prouda them to ask Elene to help recreate some ninja order,” Vee responded lazily.

“A promise is a promise. Every organization, no matter how big or how small, has a few bad eggs. Just because there are those few doesn’t mean that you can just give up on something.” Desmond turned to Vee. “I have done the same things as you Vee. Only difference is I have a few years more experience with them. There was this guy who was trapped up in the mountains. He was a real business man, only cared about himself. I slit his throat because of it. I like to think it was a mercy kill. He would have never survived up there...but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t still haunt me.”

“World has a shitty sense of humor, doesn’t it? That’s how I killed the Italian guy...first person I killed. Not that I enjoyed it,” Vee mumbled. “But there is one thing that you’ve done that I’m behind on, Dessy…” She looked at him with strange seriousness. “You and your special someone have done that, right? Don’t tell me you’re super slow or somethin’...”

“You sure are strange, even when sober aren’t you. Once...though not since then.” Desmond closed his eyes and rested his head on his hand. “Not her fault, things have just been difficult for me lately.”

Vee sighed. “Wanna know a secret, Desmond?” She didn’t seem to wait for a response. “All the shit I talk… usually just bluster. Don’t think… I’m not… terrified for Elene… but I can’t always be thinking about that… got Lily to worry about now, too…”

“Why, what is wrong with Lily?”

The destroyer blinked, realizing what she had said. “Uh...she’s scared, bein’ in a cell like any rational person?”

Desmond shifted himself. “Vee?”

“At least Elene’s got Markus to talk to, she’s all alone, you know?” Vee continued to try to dissuade Desmond. Fuckin’... not having this much to drink again…

Desmond got close to Vee. “Vee… what is really going on? Don’t lie to me. I can tell easily when you lie when drunk.”

“Can’t let you flip out and do something stupid, damn it...d on’t make me piss off someone. Forget I said anything,” Vee pleaded.

“Vee!” Desmond said with a slightly raised tone. “Tell me.”

“I can’t. Orders from the top,” the warrior said finally. “You’re not… gonna intimidate it out of me.”

Desmond smiled. “Don’t have to. I just know you are not really one to follow orders from the top. Now please… tell me what is going on.”

“...we’re worried Viktor’s going to do something bad to Lily.”

“What kind of bad thing?”

“You know… how fucking obsessed he was with Lusett, don’t you?” Vee responded weakly.

Desmond grimaced for a second. “...no…”

Vee grabbed his shoulders. “Don’t you dare… do anything stupid. None of us want that, we can’t go charging in there blind. Emma’s almost done with the ghost armor… just give her a little more time…”

Desmond looked in her eyes and he could see there was desperation in them. “Who told you to keep this a secret?”

“Like hell I’d tell you that! Desmond, listen to me, you fucking idiot…” Vee gripped his shoulders, her tone wavering with anger and fear. “Don’t mess this up… I’m an idiot for bringing this up. Don’t ruin this… don’t let Elene come back to her alliance in ruins. Please…”

Desmond put his hand on the back of Vee’s head and pulled her forward so their foreheads touched. “I made a promise that I would protect you guys no matter what. Although I have every urge to go on a fucking rampage… I… will wait for her sake.” But if I learn that bastard did anything to her while I am here… “Thank you… for being honest at least.”

Vee weakly slumped over his shoulder. “Desmond...God, this is hard to say...don’t let me drink nearly this much again.”

“I will be sure to enroll you in an AA group when this is all over.” Desmond teased.

“Shut...the fuck up…” Vee muttered, before letting herself pass out from exhaustion.

 

[Adrammalech]

// GHOSTS //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Common Area
Siberia, Russian Federation
7:30 PM

Emily took a sip from her orange juice as the day winded down, she swiveled her stool around to watch the soldiers play their games as she waited patiently for day's end. Before she could consider what to play herself, the door towards the lift opened with a hiss, and a base security guard rushed through.

“The EXALT people are here, walking through the MC right now, headed for the 'racks. Might want to get a look.”

A few people dropped what they were doing and went to gawk at the ex-enemies, hurrying to follow the guard. Emily hopped out of her chair and followed the group, sticking towards the back. She hoped to get a look at Ammy’s dad, and at the very least, at the rest of the people that would be staying in their base, for better or worse. As they caught up with the Legion troops, she saw a couple women clearly leading the group, walking with the Central Officer as she pointed out the things.

After the “leadership” had gotten through, the security came through, all tense shoulders and steady eyes. A fairly large battery of men and women, all looking eerily alike based on their gender. Leading the pack behind the women was a tanned-looking man with black hair and a thin black beard, who seemed to be the template for the other men. The face was almost instantly recognizable to her. The growing concern in Emily’s eyes doubled when she made out the tattoo on his bulging arm, a cross with “Sebastián” on it.

“You…”

One of the guards glanced at her behind the line of people looking, looking concerned.

“Are you okay? You look…unsteady…”

“I'm fine. I just…have to go.”

She ducked quickly before the man could look her way, stepping backwards. She felt the twisting, nauseating panic raising through her body, knowing what the feeling was signaling. She rushed through the hallways, trying to keep hold of reality. With a shoulder check, she burst into a utility closet and pressed up against the wall, inching down slowly. As her legs gave out, she leaned against the wall, her eyes wrenching themselves wide. In an instant, she popped up elsewhere.


// -- REPRESSED MEMORY -- //
Emily Fischer, 19
? Harbor
South America
?, 2010 - ?:?? PM

No, I don't want to do this right now...wake up!

I look angrily at the bartender, my teeth growling at him and my hands balled into fists on the counter.

“Listen here, monkey,” I seethe, “I’m 19, you don’t need to see my ID. I have money, just give me a drink.”

“I've been shaken down before, it's not happenin’. Take a walk, chica,” the bartender replied.

I walk away and slump into a chair in the corner of the bar, my arms crossing childishly. My hands shake and my vision is blurry from exhaustion. I remain ignorant of how unwelcome I am, sitting still and staring daggers at the bar.

“You look like you need some company,” a young and tan man pops into my vision. I see him holding two glasses of amber liquid.

“I could always use company,” I give a half-smile.

“Here,” he sets one of the glasses in front of me, “bartender’s a friend of mine. It’s good stuff.”

I press the glass to my lips and drain it in one sip, a satisfying shiver going down my spine. My eyes go from angry to relaxed in one motion, and I look at him with contentment.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“It’s no problem,” he smiles and continues with . “I’m Seb. What’s your name?”

“Emily. Good to meet you.”

“The same,” he raised his glass in salute. “What brings you to our town? Tourist?”

I shook my head. “No, I came here with some friends on a ship. Decided to stay, for a while. I’ve been here before.”

“I see, you must be very worldly, not many Americans are.”

“Who said I’m American?”

“I’ve met many of them, I know the accent.”

“Well, I haven’t been there in years. Although, I’m thinking of checking in, sometime.”

“You know…my brother owns a ship here, and we are planning a business trip there this month. Something to consider.”

My face brightened a little, but the offer did make me suspicious. “What business are you and your brother in?”

“Export…you know, coffee, fish, whatever’s hip in North America,” he leaned back, looking at me with a comforting smile. “I figure, if you need a ride, we always have rooms. We really don’t make the best of our space.”

“I’ve gathered that about some ships,” I mumbled.

“Would you like to see it? It’s in the harbor just down the street, my brother surely won’t mind.”

I looked him over contemplatively. He was fairly well dressed, and had strong and rigid features despite his youth. As he reclined in the lounge chair, he looked at me with supreme confidence, a mix of comfort and pride radiating from him. All in all, he was attractive. If I was going to take a ship “ride,” it would be from him.

“I guess a look couldn’t hurt,” I replied.

“You’ll like it if you’re a ship girl, perfect blend of function and looks. Maybe you can meet my brother, too.”

I don’t want to think about this anymore. I don’t want to think about this anymore.

Seb puts his arm around me comfortingly, and leads me out of the bar. I stay on edge, but don’t push him away. Hardly the first time that I met a touchy boy.

“Seb…” the bartender calls as we leave.

He stares back at him angrily, and he immediately backs down.

…

I don’t want to think about this!

His brother is a spitting image of him, that same rugged handsomeness, but his face perfectly framed by a thin beard and goatee. It works for him. He approaches Seb with his hands on his hips, the customary sign of angry disappointment.

“Who is this?”

“It’s a girl I met at the bar, what’s the big deal?”

“It's not time for this, Seb, Jesus fucking Christ. We have to load up all day.”

“Nico, relax! I’ll help with the loading. She just needs a place to crash for a bit. Maybe come to America with us.”

Nico shakes his head incredulously, hitting him in the chest with a roll of papers.

“You think we just have unlimited space here, to keep your girlfriend?” he shakes his head, looking at Seb's pleading look. “Just… keep her out of the crates, alright? We don’t need anymore problems.”

“Of course, hermano,” he flashes a winning smile. He looks back at me and I look away, pretending to be elsewhere. “She’s cute, huh?”

Nico gives me an appreciative look before turning away. His face goes all business. “She looks young, but I trust you’re not stupid enough to pick up too young. Just focus on your job and you can hump a horse tonight for all I care.”

…

WAKE UP! WAKE! UP!

“I decided I’m going to cut back,” I said.

“Why would you do something like that?” a voice echoes to me.

…

“The people on this boat, they’re ten times worse than me. You’re safer staying here.”

…

I no longer saw a friend. I saw an enemy.

The knife jerks across my cheek as I swing forward with my fist, the glass gripped between my hands. I hear the clatter of plastic and metal against the ground, accompanied by the nauseating sound of a helpless gurgle.

Wake up! Now!

…

He stumbles out into the hallway, slumping against the wall. I try to block out the noise, block out the sight. A voice chases down the hall.

“Sebastián? Are you alright?”

“SEB!”

…

The salt burns in my hand, the pain shooting up my arm as I paddled. I kept swimming, fighting through the agony, it was my only choice.

I can still hear that choking sound…that sick fucking sound…


Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Officer Training School
Siberia, Russian Federation
7:37 PM

Emily’s eyes closed and then jolted open with realization, scrambling across the ground and shivering against the door, blocking it from opening. Sweat dripped from her forehead and she panted in fear, a sharp pain splitting through her skull from the forced flashback. Terrified, horrified, her eyes took in the closet she broke down in and sighed out her thought in a raspy whisper.

“Nico…he’s here. He’s alive…what if they both are…”

Her eyes continued to dart around, panicked. Her vision began to blur as tears welled up in the corners. She shook her head, denying it adamantly.

“No, I remember…I remember…but Nico…” she paused. “He’s looking for me…”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
No stranger to the Sauce

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Primary Rec-Room, the Bar
August 11th, 2018

Ayame sat down at the bar, not having partaken from it in quite sometime. She knew Atka wasn’t a fan, but figured she could use a drink or two. She smiled at the bartender, and said, “Bottle of sake?” The bartender raised an eyebrow, and Ayame frown. “Come on you’ve got everything back there, surely you have some sake.”

The bartender shrugged, and opened the bar down. Ayame quickly stepped through, and looked through some dusty bottles pushed in the back under the bar. With a satisfied grunt, she pulled out a tall bottle, and two small cups. “Well, look at that.”

“You don’t mind if I take this?” Ayame asked, and the bartender shook his head. Ayame grinned, at sat back down, pour herself a drink.

Mary took a seat next to the Asian girl, giving her a smile, “‘Ello ‘ere. ”

Ayame nodded back. She took a quick drink, and smiled. “Aw. Brings back memories. Want some? Sake is always better when drinking with others.”

“Sake ‘eh? ‘Ure! Eh’ don’t get eh’ chance te’ drink foreign ‘ooze ‘ery often.” Mary replied, picking up the bottle of Sake and taking a swig straight from the container.

“I see you’re no stranger to the sauce,” Ayame said with a chuckle. She took a swig herself, not wanting to be showed up. “So, ahem… since I tend to do this a lot, before I forget, name’s Ayame.”

“Ay’me? Ye’ ‘cout friend ‘aid I should ‘alk wit’ ye! ‘Em Mary, an’ et’s a pleasure te’ meet ye’!” She introduced herself, taking another swig, but this time chugging for a little longer.

Ayame gave the bottle a worried look, and looked over at the bartender. He gave her a quick wink, and ducked under the bar. “Really? So you know Atka, huh?” She took a chug of her own. “You do look familiar.”

“‘Em ‘ure ye’ ran into meh’ sister Ammelia ‘omewhere around ‘ere.” Mary followed her sentence up with a another swig, the Sake emptying at an alarming rate.

“Oh, yeah. I know her.” Ayame took a drink, disappointed with the little she got out of it. She let out a sigh of relief when the bartender produced four more bottles, placing two in front of the women. “If you don’t mind my saying, that’s quite an accent you have. Quite different from hers. Must have spent your whole life in England, huh?”

Mary nodded, uncorking the closest bottle to her, “Eh’ in’nt ‘ave ‘nough money ‘fe speak’in lessun’s. Not that eh’ ‘are ‘nough to ‘other wit’ em’ enyweh’.”

Ayame grabbed the other bottle. Feeling a bit flushed, she only poured a drink into her cup and shot it back. “Yeah, well, you could say I had a good reason for speaking lessons. I learned to speak as American sounding as possible to piss off my mom.” She grinned, pouring another drink. “And it worked.”

“‘Ell that ‘ork ju’ to piss ‘er off? She must’e been eh’ right cunt ‘en.” Mary took another swig, being a little surprised to find herself getting tipsy off something that tasted like a strange wine.

“And how…” Ayame gave her cup a dissatisfied look, her negative memories making her drink the sake in it and place the cup to the side, going back to the bottle. “But to hell with her.” She lifted her bottle. “A toast. To terrible parents. May the help us by showing us everything we shouldn’t do.”

“Damn ‘ight!” Mary agreed, knocking her bottle into Ayame’s before taking yet another swig, her bottle already half empty.

Ayame took another drink, half of her wanting to keep up with her new friend, half of her worried about the warm feeling growing in her cheeks. “You’re okay, Mary, you know that? N-not many people could speak as o-openly as you. I’m more for the innocent type myself, but I find you a bit refreshing.”

“Yer’ not te’ bad ye’self.” Mary replied, her eyes drifting down to Ayame’s breasts, “Most of th’ ‘eople ‘ere are so up’ight! Em’ ‘ad to ‘ave finally ‘ound someone ‘illing to ‘ave some fun!”

“I try,” Ayame answered. Noting her friend’s wandering eyes, she decided turnabout was fair play, but tried to be more subtle about it. “I’ve had to be careful, though. I-I didn’t come here on the best of terms, and p-people were watchin’ me at first. If it wasznt for Atka, I’d probably still be in the brig.”

“Th’ brig?” Mary asked curiously, her face becoming redder and redder from all the sake, “What ye’ do te’ get ‘ent ‘ere?”

“Part of an attack on the… on an American convoy. Didnit know it was fer X-COM. Was just a job, and my employers tried te kill me. X-COM offered me a job. Figured they’d be better den the… the dickheads that killed my group.” She reached forward, lowering Mary’s hand. “Mmmaybe you should slow down a tad. Most people underestimate dis stuff.”

“Y-Ye’ is’ stuff is s-tong’, ‘ut eh’ ‘ove it! ‘Eh dun’t kne’ why… B-bu’ is sweet… Eh’ ‘ood…” Mary returned, only just noticing that her second bottle was completely empty.

Ayame almost immediately forgot she had just told Mary to slow down, and offered her own bottle, after taking another swig herself. “I-I’ve tried a lots of… lot of… stuff. But I always come back te sake. I-it’s me favorite.” Ayame giggled at her own comment, stopped to wonder what was funny about it, then just giggled again.

Mary laughed too, “‘Es weird… Th’ ‘ore eh’ ‘rink… Th’ ‘weeter et’ gets…” She took another drink, but almost failed to set the bottle back down upright.

“Das why I love it.” Ayame sighed. “Ye know, dis is a lots of fun. Jus wish its was with sumone I… not dat I’m not havin’ a blast wit you. D… There a a lotta women dat woodn’t want te get drunk around me. Afriad I might… jump ‘em or somefin. Like I has no self-control…”

“Weh’ eh’ would’nt b-be ‘pposed te’ gett’in ‘umped by eh’ womon ‘ike ye’self…” Mary responded, smiling suggestively at her new friend.

Ayame smiled back. Noting the look in Mary’s eye, her smile wavered a bit. “Wait, I… I don’t under… I-I’m a bit… sloshed, after all. Are you sayin’ you… you’re…”

“Geh’? Ehm’ B-Bi ac’ually…” She answered, keeping her smile.

Ayame nodded. “Interesting. Small world, I guess.” Ayame reached for the bottle, but it was empty. She considered asking for another, but realized she was far enough gone as is. “I… I think I should be headed back to meh room. Have an early mornin’ tomorrow.”

“Eh’... Eh’ ‘ould come wit’ ye’... If ye’ want… E’... E’ ‘ould ‘ave a ‘ood time…” Mary said drunkenly, scooting a little closer to Ayame.

Ayame chuckled, but held up her hand. “Thanks, but I-I’m a bit too drunk te make dat choice right now.” She moved a bit closer to Mary herself. “But ye know… it has been a while fer me. Hit me up in a couple days when I’m more sober… and I might take you up on dat?”

“Eh’ K… E-Eh’ ken work wit’ ‘at… Beh’... One ‘il ‘hing ‘fore ye’ go…” Mary leaned in and planted a drunken kiss on Ayame’s lips.

Ayame reached forward, wrapping her arms around Mary’s head and pulling her closer, turning the drunk kiss into a passionate one that turned nearly every head in the room. Mary enjoyed every second of it, not wanting to pull away from Ayame any time soon.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53: “Optimal Parameters, Part 1”

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Primary Engineering Lab, MEC Lab
August 12th, 0930 Hours

“Hmm…” Sunny slowly examined the figure like she has scanning a fresh sculpture, searching for even the slightest mistake. Had one walked in and not known the situation, they would wonder why one girl was getting uncomfortably close to another sleeping girl.

She stepped back, and smiled. Alice’s new bodies were ready. Laying on their work tables as before, covered to hide what modesty an empty shell could possibly have, they looked just as they did for Alice’s holographic forms. Sunny was sure to make them look good, but not perfect, knowing the lack of at least one or two imperfections would make them look fake. Their skin had been darken to the appropriate hue, their hair made of a substance that almost perfectly mimicked its real life counterpart. For now, she had to come up with a few things to keep Alice busy, or else she might get too excited and distract her.

The door slid open with a quiet ‘whoosh’, and Avanix stepped into the room in her robotic body. Her synthetic, metallic blonde hair had been lightened from its original version to allow it slight mobility, but her eyes remained the triple-ring symbol from before on her screen-like eyes. Smoothed black and red armor made up her clothing, though it was fairly obvious where the limbs could detach to allow for deployment as a MEC trooper. “Dr. Randolf, I presume?” the A.I. asked in a slightly resonating tone, somewhat melodic, if cold-sounding.

Sunny didn’t look up at first, only saying, “That’s me. What can I do for you?”

“I believe it is more what I can do for you.” Avanix’s eye symbols contracted, analyzing the ‘sleeping’ person, and quickly realizing the truth of it. “Those are the A.I. frames, correct?”

“Yeah, that… right…” Sunny looked up at Avanix, realizing instantly who, and what, she was, and staring in awe. “I… I…”

“I ought to introduce myself, I suppose,” Avanix decided. “I am the system A.V.A.N.I.X., to the best of my knowledge, the first and thus original true A.I., created by Lusett Exalt.”

“I… i-it’s nice to meet you, Miss.” Sunny extended her hand. I’m Sonya Randolf. P-please, call me Sunny.”

Avanix shook her hand, even if the gesture was a little stiff. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Sunny. There is no need to be nervous, I have no intention of harming you.”

Sunny let out a slight chuckle. “Th-that, uh… that isn’t why I’m nervous. I just… owe a lot to you.”

“I had no reason not to share the data with you. The alliance is mutually beneficial, and this furthers its purposes. Besides, I’d love to meet another artificial intelligence. The only other one I knew may have ceased to function, and Legion doesn’t exactly qualify as good company. The robot, not the group.”

Suuny shook her head. “No, I mean… like you said, you were the original AI. Research from your creation led to Dr. Shen’s work on AI, and that led to mine. So, in a way, I owe you for the creation of my friend… um, my AI.”

Avanix did her best to smile, quickly realizing how limited her robotic form really was from the inadequacy of the action. “Credit goes to where credit is due. I just wish Lusett could be here to hear that in person.”

“Me too,” Sunny agreed with a frown. “I wish we could have spoken at least once. I would have loved to pick apart her brain… um, figuratively speaking, of course.”

“With any luck, you will at least be able to meet her daughter,” Avanix responded. “Though it is rapidly becoming apparent to me that I could use your assistance as much as you needed mine.”

Looking confused, Sunny asked, “With… what? You look perfect to me. You sound like your programming is fully developed, and you’ve obviously perfect on the creation of a functioning android brain.”

“The programming isn’t exactly perfect, if I must be honest,” Avanix admitted. “Although I have managed to create responses to human behavior, many emotions and empathetic responses still elude me. As for the form...I might prefer something that is more physically appealing. This suit was designed for combat and linking with the M.E.S.H.A., rather than with socialization in mind.”

“Well, I’d be happy to help you.” Sunny quickly moved to her computer, and started pulling up her files. Creating a new file labeled ‘Avanix’ and copying the files into it, she said, “This is all of my research on artificial intelligence, artificial emotions, simulated feelings, and simulated physical response. Naturally, you’d have to adapt it to what is likely a superior program, but I think this’ll get you what you’re looking for.”

The A.I. inclined her head. “That will be useful, thank you. As for the suit, I wouldn’t mind perhaps customizing my form a bit differently than the holographic projection should I make a new one. Still waiting on actual flight technology, though.” After a pause, she added, “The projection is meant to look angelic, even if it can’t fly.”

“Really? I’d like to see that sometime.” Sunny downloaded the file to a flash drive, and handed it to Avanix. “Well, how about something looks nice but is still functional. The adult android I have here isn’t made for extended battle, per se, but it can fight, and it can even hook up to a MEC suit. I’m sure if we work together on it, we can make something just as functional as your current body and still looks more… natural. Maybe we could even work the wings into it somehow.”

“Perhaps. Though finding a way to integrate the Floater jetpacks has proven to be an arduous task,” Avanix muttered. “Even so, I have confidence in your abilities from what I did hear about you, and from what I can tell now.”

“Thank you,” Sunny said earnestly. “That means a lot to me. So, um… those androids you guys brought. Are they as advanced as you?”

Avanix shook her head. “Not nearly. Legion works as a collective intelligence. The androids from which we got our name work as more of a hive mind, and they do a lot better when they’re together, and when I’m helping out. They’re smarter than the drones seem to be, though.”

“Interesting. I can see how that would avoid a lot of problems from programming them individually. No small feat either way.” Sunny tilted her head slightly. “So did you have any problems programming their… or for that matter, your… positronic brain, if I can borrow from Asimov?”

“It was a bit difficult making something that I could ‘compress’ and jump into, but I’ve had experience with it,” Avanix answered. “All in all, not such a difficult task. Though it is a little different for me. My program originated in an I-pad, believe it or not. I would consider myself more of a digital intelligence than one tied to any one form.”

“Really?” Sunny grinned. “Talk about humble beginnings.” She glanced at her computer and said, “My AI has mostly been tied to the X-COM computers, especially the holo-emitters, though when she was small enough, a had a device I could use to carry her around.” She pulled up the coding for Alice’s being. “Is… she isn’t too different from you, is she? Because… I’m at a loss on how to effectively compress her program into the android bodies and still keep her full functionality.”

Avanix leaned over, looking over it with her strange eyes darting back and forth. “No, she is similar enough to me. The positronic brain should be able to adapt, provided we use it right. Though the model I’m using is even better than what Asimov had hoped for.” The A.I. stood back up. “It also makes use of cybernetic implants, so extra data and combat routines have additional space.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53: “Optimal Parameters, Part 2”

“That…” Sunny blinked, and brought up her designs. “Why didn’t I ever think of that? The implants could work as additional hard drives, storing non-essential information, or information she only needs for special situations, and taking some burden off the main brain. Of all the people, how could I not think of that?”

The A.I. looked Sunny over with surprise. “You have cybernetic implants? I thought…” she hesitated, unsure of if she should share that secret with the engineer.

Sunny nodded as she glanced over her plans, already where she could make the necessary changes as she spoke. “Got them when I was really little. Before I could speak, even. They’ve caused me a lot of pain, and cost me most of my childhood. But I’d be lying if I said they didn’t come in handy.” She turned towards Avanix. “How did you know that was what I was saying?”

The A.I. seemed to size Sunny up for a moment. “I would prefer if this were not common knowledge, for it was the ace-in-the-hole that saved me from destruction. Elene and her handmaidens have cybernetic implants, some more than others. It allows them an uplink to me at all times, and increases their reaction times, processing power, and so on.”

Sunny smiled, more from Avanix willingness to share that then anything else. “Well… between you and me, before I came here, I spent most of my time with someone whose job is so top secret, I’m one of the few people who knows his real name. So don’t worry. I’m pretty good at keeping secrets.”

“That is good to hear,” Avanix said with simulated relief. “I wasn’t about to keep my knowledge of the implants from you, however. I have to help my progeny develop, after all.”

Thinking for a moment, she asked, “Do you… want to see Alice? I mean… not to show off or anything, I’m not proud or anything. Just to… see the program you’re helping out.”

“I understand. I was hoping to meet her as well, anyway,” Ava affirmed.

Sunny jumped up, and quickly covered the two androids. Stepping back to her computer, she typed on it for a shot while. After a minute, Alice materialized. “You needed me, doctor? I wasn’t quite finished with that system…” Alice looked up at Avanix. “Um… hello.”

“Hello,” Avanix intoned, repeating her introduction. “It is nice to meet you, …?”

“My name is Alice,” the young-looking hologram said, raising her simulated hand. She tried to take Avanix in, but couldn’t quite understand what she was looking at. “Are… are you a robot?”

“Artificial Intelligence in service to Legion,” the original A.I. corrected.

Alice’s eye lit up, and looked back at Sunny, then to Avanix again. “Does that mean you… you’re here to… help me?”

“That is part of my purpose here,” Avanix responded smoothly. “It is a pleasure to meet another A.I., as well.”

“For me, too. That cat can get annoying.” Alice walked around Avanix, looking her over with a childlike curiosity. “You have a really cool body. I bet you can kick all sorts of butt.”

Avanix grinned slightly, knowing what cat Alice was talking about. “I certainly used it in a mech suit to help take down that alien base.”

“I was there afterwards.” Alice smiled brightly. “You guys destroyed them. And if my guess was right, you were even able to hack into their systems. How did you do that?”

“I’ve developed knowledge of the alien computer programming,” Avanix explained. “And we've been able to study the Outsiders enough that I figured out how to disrupt them. They remind me a lot of the Legion robotic troopers, to be honest. We did borrow a little, but the similarities are striking nevertheless.”

“Might not work again, but we should definitely give it a try ourselves,” Sunny responded.

“Um…” Alice scratched her chin shyly. “Have you… had a chance to look at our systems? You know… from the inside?”

Avanix seemed to measure her response for a moment. “I would be lying if we didn’t borrow a bit to develop Neural Dampening and accelerate our gauss/powered armor research. Though none of it fell into Viktor’s hands, I assure you.”

Sunny’s eyes widened. “Well… that’s a bit unexpected.”

“I don’t see why that matters anymore,” Alice said. “We’re allies. If you want, I could show you around. There are a lot of subsystems and junk files. It is easy to get lost once you get into the thick of it. I can teach you the ins and outs.”

Avanix smiled. “That would be helpful. And I’ll make sure to help you with your predicament as soon as possible. Sunny has already promised to help me with what still needs to be improved in regards to my functions.”

“Great!” Alice clapped her hands together. “I’ll meet you in the engineering directory. Seems like a good a place as any to start.”

Alice dematerialized, and Sunny smiled. “I hope the information I gave you helps. But regardless of your current grasp of emotions, you seem to know how to make friends.”

 

[BMPixy]

“Eight of Cups”
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1956 Local Time
Fay Henderson

Tonight is the night. Connecting... I must confront him, alert him to what his goals have caused. Connecting... Failing that, must speak to him, give hints to such things. Connecting... No, no failure. Was not raised to fail. Connected. Remember to enforce operational security in your conversations with non-XCOM personnel. And it will finally come back to bite him, raising me in such a way.

With a flicker, the screen shifted from the white text on a black background to a view of my mother’s office, unimpeded by any obstructions. Jerkily the camera titled downward, focusing in on a man in a wheelchair, who was previously underneath the view of the camera.

“Fay!” my father exclaimed, a glimmer in his eyes and a slight smirk on his face as he spotted me. Evidently he was not going out, as he did not bother to put on his legs. “Sorry ‘bout that, sometimes your mother forgets that not everyone in this household is as tall as her all the time.”

“It happens, sir,” I replied coolly. “Checking in, to inquire upon health and update on situation.” That’s her office, she shouldn’t have to accommodate for you in there when there’s another vid-phone in the living room.

“Eh, me and your mother have been doing well, though she’s still worried sick about you, as usual,” the man said with a nonchalant shrug. “But I know you’re tougher than that, I’m the one who made certain of that fact. Anyways, ‘nough ‘bout me, what have you been up to? Why haven’t you been calling recently?”

“Emergency mobilization,” I half-lied, “in response to threats from extra-terrestrials and their sympathizers.” No letting him know of XCOM. I choose purpose, not him.

“Huh, guess that explains why the scenery’s changed.” The man leaned back in his chair, studying my face. “Why haven’t I heard about this on the news?”

“Opsec,” I replied simply. That should keep him off my back, unless he decides to call up his friends, but he shouldn't. “Unsure if hostiles have intercepted satellite communications, can say little.” Hands on lap, staring him in eye, blinking rate normal, no heat from face. No signs that I’m lying. Too long have I trained for deceiving him. And the next thing he’s going to say is...

“You always were a poor liar, Fay,” he said, pushing himself up.

I scrunched my brow in confusion, tilting my head slightly. “What leads to that conclusion?”

The man snorted, and shook his head slightly. “Ah, never mind. Just an old man being paranoid about his only daughter lying to him about matters of life and death.” And there’s the guilt trip. I can manipulate your view of reality with my mind, I am not letting you gain control of me with such words!

“Offended that you would think so little of me, sir,” I responded, not letting my inner anger seep out into my expression. “After all, was raised better than that.” Turnabout is fair in love and war. Something like that.

“Yeah, but that never stopped you from doing so back when you were a little girl who didn’t want to spend some time with her dad at the range,” the man shot back, his tone even and crisp despite the implications of his words.

“Wanted to pursue passion. Wanted to pass sixth grade.” I remember that year oh so vividly. That was when he was the worst. After school was finished, spent seven hours at the range. Forced to keep up appearances of being a sickly girl to go on multi-week survival camps in the middle of the year. Nearly resulted in outside investigation, due to the sudden change from ‘bright girl’ to falling asleep in class and failing to turn in even the easiest piece of homework.

“Yeah, but we got that whole mess sorted out after your mother threw that fit and forced me to cut back a bit,” he said with that nonchalant smirk, that one that I used to associate with ‘everything is going to be fine’. Even now I can feel it gnawing at my resolve. Must be stronger than him. “Anyways, how are you holding up? Anything you want to talk to your old man about?”

“Condition is healthy,” I said, scratching the front of my neck slightly. “Dealt with sympathizer cell recently, negative casualties on assault team, no escape for hostiles.”

“Good work there, Fay,” the man said, “Who knows, keep working at that level you may get you a couple more stripes on that arm. Anything else happen recently?”

I shook my head, replying, “Negative, sir.” Glancing over at a wall that was out of frame for the man, I added, “Time running out, must be going. Alert mother I said hello.”

“A’ight, have fun out there Fay, let those alien bastards know who sent ya.” As the man flashed another smirk, I reached out over to the side of the screen and disconnected the call. Damn, did not get to confront him, explain true feelings. Once again, another failure.

Standing, I noticed that the jacket I had thrown over the XCOM fatigues was slightly askew, probably from when I ended the call. A small hint of the organization’s logo peeked out from the side, but it should be fine. He shouldn’t have seen it, happened too quickly. No, he did not see it. Sure of it. Future reference, secure jacket properly. No more risks.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
The Best Person for the Job
Part One

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Holo-training Room

Desmond stood on a raised platform that had been constructed by a hologram and looked over the course he had set up. Multiple pillars of different heights were scattered around along with raised platforms and bars to reach them. Desmond took a step back and began to run the course, this being his first time to get used to the obstacles.

Hopping from platform to platform, he remembered the days he would do this as a young apprentice. The scrapes and bruises Desmond had gotten were always a reminder that he could improve, and Desmond was determined to make sure he would receive none today.

Walking off the elevator a noting the psionic soldier, Ayame let out a soft whistle, impressed at what she say. Not wanting to throw him off leaned against the wall, watching the nimble man move.

Desmond could feel the sweat fall off his forehead as he gripped the bar mid jump and used the momentum to swing across to the next ledge. Desmond landed with a grunt and before attempting another jump, the Asian soldier watching him caught his eye. Desmond jumped down from his elevated platform and landed with a grunt. “May I help you?”

“Well, you already were,” Ayame answered. “That was really impressive. Good learning experience. With the jumping, and the… the bars… ahem…” Ayame bit her lip, her short talk with Modya weeks before not exactly a satisfying amount of experience. “I’m, uh… Kasagi. Ayame Kasagi. Sgt Kasagi, I… I was hoping to talk to you, Sgt. Walker.”

“Kasagi, huh? I think Atka has mentioned you more than once before. And it is Desmond. No need to be formal Ayame.” Desmond told the nervous girl, wiping his head with a towel.

“Good, great. Informal is what I do best.” Ayame smiled, relaxing a bit. “Um, it’s about the EXALT base. Word is, we’re not worried as much about taking them out as we are getting their hostages out. Sounds to me like you could use someone who knows how to sneak around.”

“And I assume that you are...this someone?” Desmond asked, crossing his arms.

“Yep, that’s me.” Ayame grinned. “I’ll admit, I’m not exactly the top soldier in a firefight. And I’m not going to brag, but…” She frowned, wondering what her friends would say to her about her self esteem. Placing her hands on her hips, she said, “Actually, maybe I should brag a bit. You need to get in and out of that base as quietly as possible, right? Well, I’m your woman. I’ve been able to slip into some of the most protected places you can find, alone and with a small team. And I’ve even rescued a hostage or two in my time. There aren’t many missions I’d be the first choice here for, but this one? Absolutely.”

“Anyone on base to support these claims?” He asked skeptically.

“Well, actually… no…” Ayame dropped her hands. “I didn’t exactly come here like the rest of the soldiers. I’m not even sure if I have an official file, though knowing this place, if I do, it would probably back me up! As… much as a file can. But I can prove myself. What do you want? Want me to sneak in and outta the labs? Steal the wallets from everyone in the hanger. Hell, I’ll sneak into the Commander’s office and secret away her favorite bottle of whiskey. Just give me a chance, coach. It’s all I ask!”

Desmond looked at Ayame for a second and said, “First, a demonstration.” Desmond pointed to a spot in the middle of the room and handed a piece of cloth to Ayame. “Put this around your eyes and stand over there. Listen to see if you can hear me. If you do hear me, yell stop. If you can’t, then I will tap your shoulder. That okay with you?”

Ayame nodded. “Alright, I’ll give it a shot.” Ayame walked to the designated position and took several deep breaths. She stretched out a little, the whole time, her eyes darting around the room in order to memorize the layout. Finally, she covered her eyes, tried to open her other senses, and nodded.

At first there was no sound at all except the hum that seemed to come from the base walls. A few seconds passed and Desmond tapped the woman on the shoulder. “See?”

“Hmm…” Ayame slowly turned around, taking the blindfold off. “You’re pretty good. How did you do that? I’ve never known anyone who can move that quietly.”

“Years of training and conditioning. When it comes down to finish the drill right or no bowl of rice, you tend to try and excel at stuff like this. Now, you must do the same.”

“Huh…” Ayame slowly walked over to where Desmond had started. “And I thought the occasional stick to the hands and back was harsh.” Turning to her fellow soldier, she said, “Let me know when you’re ready.”

Desmond put on the blindfold and nodded his head. “Begin.”

Ayame scanned the room again, her eyes settling on a platform above Desmond. Carefully slipping her shoes off, she used her modified legs to smoothly leap up. Landing above Desmond, she quickly jumped down behind him, reaching out to tap his shoulder.

“Stop,” Desmond said. “I heard you when you landed. It was soft, but not soft enough.”

“Damn…” Ayame hung her head. “If my teacher was here, he’d beat the crap out of me for failing like that.”

“It was not bad. In fact better than anyone else who has come here looking for a piece of the EXALT op. Can’t tell you how many people mess up before even the first step.” Desmond took the blind fold off and turned to Ayame. “The skill is definitely there.”

“Thank you,” Ayame responded, clearly trying to hide her disappointment. “My teacher always told me that the key to stealth is no wasted movement. Know your soundings, know your target, and above all, know yourself, because the slightest squeak, and the slightest crinkle, the slightest whoosh of air can spell the difference between success… and death…”

“Where were you taught?”

Ayame shrugged. “Yakuza in L.A. Insisted on all of their people being as well trained as possible, especially the women who expected to play with the big boys. Learned a lot, though I can tell you learned a lot more. Guess I should have stuck around for more lessons, but… I had a good reason to leave.”

“How many years experience do you have doing this sort of stuff, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Ayame smiled, not used to people taking such an interest in her past. “About two years of military training, ten with martial arts, and another four trying to teach myself, at least as well as I could. American PMCs is where I got most of my practice in covert ops.”

Desmond whistled. “Definitely some time under you belt.”

“Like I said, I try my best, and hope my best is enough. If it isn’t, I try to push myself to a new best.” Ayame raised an eyebrow. “Though, considering you learned everything you know in, what, five years, kinda makes my look like some old upstart trying to keep up with the kids. Guess seniority doesn’t count for much if you can’t keep up.”

“It was...three years, actually. When you spend your time in the Japanese mountains with a clan who is renowned by the others for their combative and stealth prowess you tend to be trained in the best ways possible. Being trained by the master’s son no less may also play a role in that but...those times are past.”

 

[MarineAvenger]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
The Best Person for the Job Part 2

“True.” Ayame nodded in agreement. “I do what I can to learn from the past, but live in the present. Um… speaking of the present… what do you think? ‘Cause, I’ll take another test if you want. I can be one persistent bitch when I want something.”

Desmond looked at her and walked over to the table that had his weapon on it. “What kind of weaponry are you used to using?”

“On the field, things like LMGs. But that’s not really my forte. I prefer a good old fashion pistol and knife combo, particularly during a stealth mission. No point in bringing a big gun to save you from one guy when the noise is just gonna attract twenty more. And I have some training with a sword. Prefer a yanmaodao, thought getting a Chinese sword through a metal detector isn’t as easy.”

“Good. You aren’t useless to me then.” Desmond sighed and sat up on the table and pulled the sword out and looked at his reflection. “To be honest I wish I was the only one going in there. I don’t want to risk any lives when it is a mission I could very well do myself. Morrigan and Vee’s intentions are good and all but they make it sound like I wouldn’t be able to do it. The fact of the matter is, no one could do it as well as I could.”

Ayame grinned. “Well, at least you aren’t lacking in confidence. But don’t forget, there are two parts of the mission, getting to the hostages, and getting them out. Don’t assume that anyone doubts you. But what if one of the hostages makes a mistake, or an injury slows them down, and they expose you. Sure, you might be able to fight your way out on you own. Maybe even make it out with a hostage. But three of them? Come on, Desmond. If you want us to have faith in you, have a little faith in us to back you up.”

Desmond remained silent for a minute but continued to look at the blade. “This isn’t just a rescue mission Ayame. When I get my family out of there, my job won’t be done. When they get out,” Desmond stared at Ayame. “It becomes an assassination.”

Ayame’s expression turned serious. “Is that so. Then maybe you could use someone to watch your back. To make sure nobody tried to stop you. No enemy sneaking up on you while you sneak up on your target. No lucky bastard hiding in the distance, ready to hit a button. No… no teammate telling you not to do it. Like I said, Desmond, I’m the woman for this job, because I’ve had plenty of experience with covert ops. Every… kind… of covert op.”

“Would it surprise you to hear that the target we are going after is my half-brother. That our target matches his power with an unusual amount of brutality. I am not saying I don’t trust you to watch my back…” Desmond got up from the table. “I don’t trust myself to look after anyone else when he uses them against me to gain an edge. Viktor is too prideful to use a sneaky hit on me. He will want to fight me one on one. If anyone was there as well….you would be his first target.”

“I’m not ignorant enough to think that, just because someone is your family, that means you might not have to deal with them. And like you just said, you can’t look after everyone. And that includes the people you love. I don’t care how much confidence you have.” Ayame pointed a stern finger forward. “You can not save your family, and fight Viktor, at the same time, by yourself. If you try, you will fail, and not only will you die, but the people you were trying to save will die. But if you have a team with you to keep your family safe, to keep Viktor from using them against you, then you can focus on fighting Viktor, and you can focus on killing Viktor. The choice is yours though.”

Desmond smirked. “You definately are not as stupid as the other people who have tried to join me.” Desmond walked back over to Ayame. “Than if I need to bring someone...let it be the person who knows where her priorities are. I won’t need your big gun, but you have skills that not many can say they have. I may not be a scientist but I know when something is valuable.” Desmond held out a hand. “Don’t make me regret this.” He stated with seriousness.

Ayame squeezed his hand. “Not on my life.”

 

[MarineAvenger]

Kiss and Make Up

XCOM Headquarters, Siberia
Outside the Shooting Range (Holo Version)

Elizabeth waited in front of the holo-training room, holding her arms together and leaning against the wall adjacent of the doors. She decided to take at least a little bit of Jessica's advice and decided that she would at least try if nothing else. When Desmond finally came out from the doors and saw Elizabeth he went over and gave her a soft kiss. "What brings you here, Rin?"

She didn't say anything to respond but tugged on his shirt.

Desmond didn't know what she meant at first but when she tugged on his shirt a second time and turned around her figured out she wanted him to follow her. She lead him all the way back to her room and popped her head in to see if Penny was there. Satisfied she wasn't, Ellie turned back to Desmond. "Come on..." Ellie tugged on his arm again but Desmond didn't budge.

"Rin, is now the right time?" He asked hesitantly.

Elizabeth walked forward and grabbed hold of Desmond and gave him a soft hug. "I...am lonely."

Desmond's eyes widen and he returned the hug. "I-I'm sorry Ellie. I had no idea that..."

He didn't finish as Ellie began to kiss him. Desmond didn't fight her and after Ellie broke the passionate kiss, she pulled him into the room and locked the door.

***

Elizabeth snuggled up to Desmond's side and put her arms around him, laying her head no his shoulder.

Desmond put a kiss on her forehead which caused the girl to smile and get closer to him. She was so warm, and her skin was soft as well. He ran his hands through her hair and Ellie was the one to break the silence. "Thank you for this."

Desmond shook his head. "It was my fault for ignoring your feeling and your desires. I got so caught up in recent events that nothing else mattered."

Ellie's smile faded and she looked up at him. "Who is Elene, Desmond? Who is she to you?"

Desmond tensed and he asked, "How did you..."

"People talk on base Desmond. Plus you were mumbling in your sleep the other day."

Desmond rubbed his eyes and said, "She is...my sister."

Ellie raised an eyebrow and sat up, using the sheets to cover herself. "But I thought you didn't have a family?"

"Not my real sister, more of in spirit, she is one. We found common cause in each other and after a while our relationship developed. Now, her and the other three of the clones who she made I consider family, as do they."

Ellie couldn't help but give a sigh of relief in her mind. "So I don't have to worry about competition?"

Desmond chuckled. "I wouldn't say zero competition."

Ellie pouted and she gave a mischievous look. "Then I will just have to make you stay with me!"

Desmond smiled at the silly girl and gave her another kiss. "I won't be leaving you any time soon."

Ellie let go of the sheets and wrapped her arms around her lover. "Good to hear."

Desmond ran his hands up along her back and pulled her down, the two wanting to make up for lost time.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

No More Hiding

X-COM Headquarters, Siberia, Russia, 64°22' 31.4646'' N, 104° 50' 9.3696'' E
Primary Infirmary, Room 144
August 12th, 1400 Hours

Alice let out a loud shriek, wrapping her hand around the burn on her arm. After taking a moment to compose herself, she asked. "I-Is this... really necessary?"

"Of course it isn't!" Alice looked up from her computer pad. "But you said all feelings. We finished the pleasurable ones. Now comes the pain. I am prepared to end this right now!"

"No!" Alice stomped her holographic foot. "I'm sorry, I won't whine anymore. But I want everything, good and bad."

Sunny sighed deeply, and a typed on her pad. "This... this is a stab. It should feel like a sharp pain in you arm."

"Um... no... feels more like a bruise," Alice said.

"How about... now?"

Alice's eyes widened, and she winced, squeezing her arm. "Y... y-yeah... you got it..."

As Jake watched as a young, silver-grey haired engineer played on a small pad to force a hologram resembling a small, blond, British girl to feel pain, all because the hologram wanted it, he couldn't help wonder for what felt like the hundredth time if there was a single normal person on base. He let out a small sigh of relief as Jessica slipped into the room, muttering, "Oh, thank God for normal be comparison."

"Alright, are we ready?" Jessica asked, taking a seat. "You sure this'll work?"

"Of course not." Jake shifted uncomfortably. "Do you know how much trouble... why do I keep letting you talk me into these things?"

"Because you're a nice guy!" Jessica answered with a smile. "And nice guys finish first, right?"

"I don't think that's how that goes." Jake sighed, shaking his head.

"Tell her what." Jessica put on a mischievous look. "If you do this for me, I'll convince Atka to give you a nice, big kiss. She'd be grateful for you helping Alex anyway, so I'm sure she'd do it."

"I... what makes you think I..." Jake stammered.

"Maybe you could ask Brigid to ask her, if you know what I mean," Sunny joked.

"No! No, no, no!" Jake looked between the two of them. "Don't even joke about that! I..." He scoffed. "Let's just... get this over with before I change my mind."

Jessica closed her eyes, and Alice placed both her hands next to Jessica's head. Waves of energy flowed into the young tech. After a few minutes of watching her, Sunny gave a nod. "She should be ready."

"Ahem." Jake moved his chair closer. "Can you hear me, Jessica?" She nodded, and he continued. "Alright, I need to speak with Alexia."

Several moments later, Alexia said, "I'm... here."

"Alright, Alex." Jake thought for a moment, wondering what to do next. "A-Alright, Alex. I want to... talk about what happened to you during the base attack."

Jake could see Alex's eyes darted back and forth behind her eyelids. "I... can't. I don't want to..."

"Listen, Alex, I know this is hard. But you can't keep this whole child thing up, okay? The only thing that can get you back is facing it." Jake took a deep breath. "Atka pushed herself to save you. But she had to face your fears for you. It's your turn now."

A tear dripped down Alexia's cheek. "Jessica... she was being controlled by the aliens. I had too use... her fear of her reflection to... take over. These two soldiers came and... they tried to escort me to safety. I... I can't..."

"Please, Alex, you have to..." Jake reached forward, grasping Alexia's hand. "Now, Jessica and Atka told me they saw the same two soldiers in your mind."

Alexia nodded. "The first one was shot in the head. He... his blood splash on... but the second, he pushed me out of the way of a grenade, and... and he..."

"It... it's time to come back to us," Sunny said softly. "We need you."

"I... I can't..." Alexia shuddered. "All... a-all I ever do is burden people. And now, two... people..."

Jake shook his head. "We understand, Alex, but that wasn't your fault. They were killed protecting a civilian. You wouldn't have let Jessica beat herself up for this, would you?"

'N... n-no..."

"We all miss you, Alexia," Sunny said. "Myself, Atka, Modya. And Jessica. She needs you, more then ever."

"W-why... I'm just some... mental defect..."

"Jessica never saw you that way!" Jake insisted. "She loves you. She sees you as her sister, and that's what you are. You're a sister. A friend. A girlfriend. A mother."

Jake placed Alexia's hand over her stomach, and Alexia slowly opened her eyes, looking down. "I... I'm gonna be a mom?" Her companions nodded their heads. "Modya and I... we..." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around Jake. He awkwardly hugged her back. After a few minutes, she let him go, and stood up. Wiping tears from her eyes, she smiled, and said, "I... I'll make it up to all you all, I promise." Her smile turned into a smirk. "But I need to go find my baby daddy. I have some time to make up for."