RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
"You don't deserve it," Eve said, starring daggers at the Ethereal. "A loathsome creature like you. You don't deserve sympathy, you don't deserve favors, you barely deserve our time. And yet you float there, smug in your manipulative victory, still looking down on us."

Does it fill you with rage, the idea of a creature so beneath you looking down on you? Then you know how I feel. Luxuria bent down, trying to get as close to Eve's level as possible. The irony is, for all your boasting, if the situation was reversed, I would act the same way. Funny, how you look down on me, all the while acting like me.

Eve quickly hit the switch, not letting up until Luxuria was on the floor again. "That's different! Your VICTIMS didn't do anything to deserve what you did to them!"

Luxuria slowly rose up again. And yet... despite your superior attitude... regardless of my guilt... you enjoy inflicting pain on me, don't you?

"Only because you deserve it." Eve snarled. "I can't believe they bowed down to your tricks. So weak..."

Weak? No, dear. I have to disagree with you. Eve raised an eyebrow, and Luxuria elaborated. That I would have to resort to use an illusion of the child is embarrassing. Shameful, even. Her will is nothing compared to that of my people. But comparing her to you is like comparing me with the ones you call Sectoids. Your reliance on that switch of yours is proof enough of this.

"You're full of crap," Eve muttered, but pulled her hand back. "I'd never buckle to you."

Is that so? Then I propose a challenge. Even with these... accused devices draining my power, I wager I can bend you to my will in a mere five of your Earth minutes. Should I fail, I will... no longer see Amelia. I will refuse to see her, in fact.

Eve folded her arms. "And if I lose? I'm not letting you out. What do you want?"

Luxuria bent down again. I want... nothing. The satisfaction of proving you wrong will be enough. That, and the lingering effects should you submit. Nothing dangerous. Only... uncomfortable.

"Really?" Eve chuckled. "That's it? Are we, perhaps, overconfident?"

Are we not confident enough?

Eve glared at the Ethereal. "Give me your worse." The room around Eve suddenly went dark. A moment later, she found herself in a familiar star-filled landscape.

A remarkable ability. I first discovered it when I searched Atka's memories for her powers, then again from Elene. Fear not, I only use it so those machines will not interrupt us, and to assure you that nothing is real. And with my confinement, five minutes is about the limit I have for maintaining it.

Eve scoffed. "Whatever. Just don't use it as an excuse when you lose. Now, when do we start?"

"We already have." Eve spun around to face Desmond, the soldier cracking his knuckles and walking over to Eve.

The young woman laughed. "This the best you got? What, you gonna break me by having my friend beat the mental crap outta me?"

"Nothing so crude." Desmond reached forward, cupping Eve's left breast and lightly squeezing. Pleasure shot through Eve's body, and her knees almost buckled. As Desmond tilted her chin up with his free hand, she tried to push him away, but found she couldn't control herself as they passionately locked lips.

W-what... what have you done to me, I... I can't... resist, I...

I have merely brought up a fantasy of yours, child, and I have made it so you feel everything she does.

Desmond bent down, slowly kissing Eve on the neck, then the chest, as her slowly undid her belt.

S-stop this... I... it isn't fair, I can't...

I can not stop it. As I said, it is your fantasy. Only you can stop it, if you have the willpower. I can stop it by ending our link, if you are saying you give in...

N-no... n-never.


As Desmond kicked Eve's pants to the side, her bent her forward and whispered, "Are you ready? Because, if you don't want this..."

N... no... I...

"Yes... please, hurry," Eve begged. Desmond leaned forward, and Eve;s entire body tingled, shuddering in delight.

No. No, I... I don't want...

This wouldn't have worked if it wasn't already there. I could change it no more then you a movie you watch. All I am doing is making it more... real...

Eve wrapped her arms around Desmond's neck, and her legs around his waist. Desmond easily supported her full weight, and it didn't slow his stride.

Please... p-please, I... you... y-you..


I what?


Eve dug her nails into Desmond's back a surge of electricity shot through her body, collapsing against him as her mind-blowing climax sucked the energy from her.

Y-you... y-y-you... w-win...


Eve fell to her knees, and the android guards rushed to her side. Sweat pouring down her brow, she slowly stood up with the help of one, and asked the other, "H-how... l-l-long... was I just... s-starring at her?"

"Approximately 154 seconds until your last word and your collapse."

Eve glared up at the alien, smugly watching her. The young woman stepped forward, and shuddered, a wave of pleasure running through her. Barely able to stay on her feet, she shakily muttered, "Y-y-you... b-bitch..."

It will pass within a day. Though... if you wish... Luxuria raised a hand. I can make it go away now. You don't even need to ask. Merely nod.

"F... f-f... f-fuck... y-you..." Eva rushed out of the room, wobbling, bumping into the door as she deperatly tried to escape her embarrassment.
 
Last edited:

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
"Bite of the Apple
"

X-COM Headquarters
Primary Rec-Room, The Bar
1800 Hours

Desmond sat across from Elizabeth, a hot cup of coffee in his hands and a smile on his face. “It is true,” He managed to state in between the laughter. “The entire sack of rice.”

Ellie’s face was red from laughing so hard and she wiped her eyes. “That poor guy, I hope he wasn’t mad afterwards.”

Desmond shook his head. “Oh, he was furious. Meditation and training techniques only hold back aggression so much. Got my ass kicked, but he was cleaning the stuff off of his bed for weeks.”

Calming down, Elizabeth sighed. “This is nice, I am glad you got time off of training and stuff.”

The sound of shattering glass rang through the room. “Hey, careful!” A soldier shouted over the music.

Eve pulled herself to her feet and away from the table, her blond hair slightly matted, her face red and covered in sweat, her breathing labored. She searched around the room, her eyes glazed over as if she was in a dream state.

Desmond looked at confusion at the blonde woman who emerged from the table. “The hell…?”

Elizabeth turned and looked and saw Eve. “Friend of yours?”

Desmond sighed, “That is the Central Officer’s sister. Yes, she is a friend of mine.” Desmond stared at her a moment, wondering why she was just standing there looking around.

Eve locked her eyes on Desmond, her expression that of one who had found lost treasure. A drowsy smile plastered on her face, she stumbled her way over to him, not paying attention to where she was going as she bumped past the other patrons. “Des… Des… mond…”

Desmond got up and walked over to the woman, helping her sit down. “You drunk or something?”

“N… no, Desmond, I… only with… w-with…” She shook her head. “I-I’m sorry, D-Desmond, I tried, but… I-I can’t anymore…”

With a raised eyebrow, Desmond sat down back in his chair. “Can’t anymore what, I am not following?”

“I… I want it. I… want…” Eve leaped forward, like a pouncing cat, sitting one Desmond’s lap, grasping his head, and pushing her lips against his.

Desmond recoiled back, eyes wide by the sudden advance and Ellie sat with her mouth hung open. “Wha...uh...there...um, something I don’t know…” She reddened a bit and looked at Desmond and Eve with equal amounts of confusion, betrayal, and a bit of indigestion.

Pushing free of the girl Desmond held up his hand. “This...is not what it looks like!” Looking at Eve, he pushed her off of him and shook his head. “The hell was that!?”

“P-please, Desmond… I want you…” She slowly rubbed her shaking hands. “I… I tried to fight it… a-a few more hours, but… I can’t…” She hunched forward, holding her hands between her hips and shuddering slightly. “I-I’m s-sorry… E-Ellie… j-just… th-this once, I…”

Ellie just stared with disbelief at Eve and she shook her head to break her stunned mind. “Wha-What...you want to...sleep with my boyfriend?”

Eve look down in embarrassment, the sweat dripping down to the table. “I… I’m sorry, I… I… want… I n-need…” She jumped forward again, grinding her hip against Desmond’s leg as she tried to kiss him again. “Please!”

Desmond was prepared this time, and held the woman back, ignoring her movement on his leg. “Where is the coming from? You were never this aggressive before.”

“The… th-the alien… she… I’m sorry, I… was arrogant… t-too p-proud.” Eve pulled herself back, ashamed of her behavior. She wrapped her arms around herself, and tears dripped from her eyes. “I… can’t… s-stop it…”

Desmond thought about what she said and he leaned forward. “Luxuria! You went to her for advice!?” Desmond asked in a hushed tone so others wouldn’t stare more than they already were.

Eve quickly shook her head. “N-no! N-n-never. I-I… was with Aya… a-and Morrigan… th-they left, b-but I stayed to tell her off… sh-she s-said she could easily break me… I-I b-bet her sh-she couldn’t… I-I was wrong…” She looked up at Ellie, and immediately through her face in her hands, ashamed.

Desmond grimaced. “That bitch will do anything to toy with us...that Ethereal really pushes my buttons…”

Ellie was speechless as to what to say, she had never been in this particular situation before. Eve suddenly stood up, and tried to escape from the embarrassment, only to crash into another table. She dropped to the ground, a mug of beer tipping over and drenching her hair as she sat there and sobbed, still quivering and shaking as surges of energy ran through all of her erogenous zones.

Desmond sighed and helped the woman by picking her up with ease. “She has just had one too many, sorry about this.” Desmond apologized to the soldiers. Walking to the exit, Desmond nudged his head for Ellie to follow and she had to wait a moment to register it before she stood up and followed him out. Back in Desmond’s room he sat her down in his desk chair and took a seat on his bed with Ellie next to him.

Eve shook her head, slowly looking up at Ellie. “L-lousy… first impression,..h-huh?”

Ellie gave a nervous chuckle and nodded her head in rapid succession. “Yeah, I would say that is up there.”

“I-I… D-Desmond… is yours… he would never… w-we never… he even turned me down, because he w-was with you. He c-cares about you… a-alot. I-I’m sorry. I-I… couldn’t help myself… e-even now, it is t-trying to crawl past the s-surface…”

Desmond didn’t know how to deal with this particular problem and scratched his head. “Eve I...I just have no idea what to say. I don’t know if I should be mad or disappointed but...I just don’t know.”

“M-mad… disa… disappointed…” Eve nodded. “Those p-pretty much describe how you should feel. Both of you. I… embarrassed you. I ruined your night. I… made you… l-look bad in front of your l-loving girlfriend. I… hate m-myself right now. You t-two should as well…”

Desmond shook his head and rubbed his face. “Just...stop Eve. What's’ done is done, no sense in dwelling on it any further.”

Elizabeth bit her lip and looked down. “Does it...really mean that much to you Eve?”

Eve’s eyes widened. “No… nonono… I-I… i-it’ll b-be over in a few hours anyway, I… I’ve already done enough, I… I just th-thought D-Desmond is… I-I always h-hate when people th-think I’m younger than I am, but… I-I guess I’m not… a-as mature as I th-thought…”

“Eve...is it really that important to you?” Elizabeth asked again with a tone of seriousness.

“Ellie, what are you…” Elizabeth held up a hand to Desmond and looked back at Eve. “Well?”

Eve shuddered a bit. “I… a-are you serious? B-because, I… I-I’d be lying if I… b-but I couldn’t do that t-to you…”

Ellie looked at Eve with complete seriousness, but was having second guesses as soon as she said it. “I-if...it would b-be...beneficial for you...and you promised t-to stop going after Desmond then…” Ellie didn’t finish and her face reddened. “Thanjustthisonce!” She blurted out.

Eve smiled, and slowly stood up, her urges momentarily taking over. She looked between Desmond and Ellie, reaching out for the latter. As she touched Desmond’s shoulder, she suddenly whipped her hand back, as though she had touched something red hot. “No! N-no, I… I won’t, I-I can’t do that to you, Ellie, I… I-I’d rather die. I…” Eve closed her eyes, and took several deep breaths, the sudden realization of what she had been about to do, what she was about to put this poor girl through, knocking some sense into her. “You… y-you’re s-such a good person, Ellie. A-any other woman would probably have attacked me when I… a-attacked him, but you…” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I-I.. would rather be… y-your friend…”

Elizabeth hugged Eve. “I...wouldn’t suggest it if I wasn’t at least a bit serious about it, but if you are that hesitant…” Elizabeth pulled back and held her arm, “We can both...at least just once to get it out of your system...I don’t want you to feel bad and have to deal with this alone and at least if I am here, then it isn’t...that bad, right?” Ellie had no idea what she was saying but this was for the good of her relationship.

Eve slowly looked at Desmond. “Would… w-would that be… o-okay?”

Desmond looked between Ellie and Eve with a very confused look. “Do I have a say?”

Ellie pointed her finger in Desmond’s face, “No, this is my decision. This is for the best.” Elizabeth looked at Eve. “Just as long as you are okay with me...um, involved.”

Eve smiled. “I… I’m not into… but if you weren’t here, I wouldn’t be able to go through with it. B-besides, you… y-you aren’t bad on the eyes, a-and you… know how to make Desmond happy…”

Elizabeth nodded. “Then let us do this before I second guess myself more than I already have!”

Eve smiled, licking her lips. She reached forward, wrapping her hands around the surprised individual and locking lips. Only pulling away after a few seconds, she smiled at Ellie. “Might as well have some fun with this, huh?”

Elizabeth blushed as the girl kissed her, but Elizabeth pulled away, quickly went over to the door, and locked it, running back over. “Yep...I guess.” She said before continuing.
 

Taxor_the_First

Well-Known Member
Out of the Frying Pan...
Taxor the First and Zombiesplitter53


X-COM Headquarters
Office of Commander O’Brien
1300 Hours


Morrigan slowly read the reports from the latest scans from the hyperwave relay, with readings narrowing down locations in America. With Albert still on his covert op, she placed her chin in her hand, wondering if clearing out EXALT and the Ethereal from the U.S at the same time would motivate the American Council members to give her a raise in the air support funds.

It was at that point her computer began to make a loud ringing noise, different from the one the Council usually used.

“Hmm… been a while, if it is who I think it is.” The Commander pushed her papers to the side, hit enter, and smiled. “Hello? Commander O’Brien’s Mortuary. You stab ‘em, we’ll slab ‘em.”

The modified voice grunted. “Morbid, Commander. It’s been a while, assuming you remember who I am?”

“Assuming I know enough about you to know in the first place.” Morrigan grinned. “I have enjoyed your reports. Very informative, more so than any other source I have.”

“Now now, Commander. Don’t put your other operatives down. I’m sure they’re trying their best.” The Overseer coughed. “Reports are all well and good, but I thought you might appreciate a more… direct mode of delivery. It must get lonely in that office, after all, with only your two cats for company.”

Morrigan cleared her throat. “One cat, now. The other one was dealt with.” She leaned back, muttering, “And thank you for reminding me of that unpleasantness…”

“As callous as it may sound, infiltrators happen. Usually they’re mine, true, but the damage they do can be considerable. You did well to contain that situation. But…” there was a pause, the Overseer hesitating. “That’s not why I called.” His tone hardened suddenly. “I think you know why.”

Morrigan sighed. “I have an idea… and I don’t suppose a ‘it all turned out okay’ will work here. Especially considering the injuries…”

“The fact that ‘it all turned out ok’ is the only thing stopping me from letting myself get carried away,” the Overseer snapped. “Injuries, I expected. The survivors were lucky. But she was unguarded. Unguarded. Alone until my own people caught up with her halfway across the base, and even then I lost a good number of them chasing her down. My question to you is why she had no protection when I clearly expressed that I wanted her alive!”

Morrigan tapped her fingers, slowly shaking her head. “I’ve done what I can, but she is a fairly independent woman. I sent three of my best guards to get her. And that involved stopping them, in the middle of an attack, and ordering them to find and protect a single woman, with no explanation why. They never arrived, though I do know an Incubator was taken down in the area they had taken to get to her. I could keep guards at her side all the time, if you wish, but as I said, she is an independent woman, and she might start to wonder why she is constantly being watched. And what would I tell her, considering even I don’t know why she needs to be watched?”

The Overseer sighed. “... This isn’t a case of watching an asset. While I understand what you’re saying, logic isn’t playing much into this at the moment. I think you’d understand if I told you.” There was a pause again. “I’m being selfish. Apologies, Commander. I might hide behind firewalls and screens, but I am still human. I feel things. Emotions. This… this felt like an insult. A sign that you didn’t take me seriously, which in hindsight is also understandable. Put it this way - you can’t understand until I bring you out of ignorance, but ignorance is necessary so that you might continue to help me. I only ask that you help without understanding. A vicious circle.” Another pause. “And you raise a valid point. She would notice the extra supervision, and I think almost immediately connect it with me, if she hasn’t already. Just… have someone nearby. Please.”

Morrigan folded her hands and leaned forward. “Mr… Overseer. Or Mrs. Or whatever. Do you remember what you originally did to gain my assistance?”

“I do. Although some would now call that a questionable move given what’s happened to your daughter in the meantime.”

“True… though we can not look into the whatifs. She is here, and… and despite everything that has happened, I can’t imagine how I would have lasted this long without her so close to me. What's more, her presence here has brought me closer to many of my people. I… I can’t thank you enough for arranging that. Please know, I… I would never forget the debt I owe to you. I take you with the utmost seriousness, and simply discovering she had been injured made my heart sink. Not because of what you could do… but because I felt… I knew I had almost failed you.”

“Almost,” the Overseer said, though his tone was lighthearted. “But you didn’t. I just want to make sure we’re never in this position again. At least we know what to expect from the next attack. Speaking of which… our mutual ‘friend’ Mr. Dorian has been hiring a lot of people very quickly. Skilled people. People I myself am wary of. I would suggest he is preparing for an assault, though exactly how long remains to be seen. I assume you have a plan for the civilian staff during that?”

“I do.” Morrigan’s expression turned extremely serious. “We lost too many civilian staff and refugees during the alien attack, and even more guards and soldiers defending them. I have a few plans, some for if I have time to prepare, some if it comes as a surprise. But we will not have a repeat of the last attack.”

“Plans for surprises, hmm? Good. You’re learning.” The Overseer laughed. “I’m joking, of course. I might bemoan your tactics, but you’re the one they offered this position to, not me. I’ll trust your judgement. And I’ll try to see if I can undermine Viktor’s efforts. No promises, but there’s some potential for political sabotage there. If not… there’s always physical sabotage. On another note, I can’t find much evidence of the so-called ‘Four Horsemen.’ They like to hide from cameras and any kind of recording device, it seems. You’re on your own for that one.”

“I expected as much,” Morrigan responded. “At least, for now, they seem to be on our side. Just as long as they help us, and not Dorian. The last thing we need is him getting help from the aliens.”

“On the subject of the aliens, I had a question. Particularly about their ‘leaders’. Did you call them ‘Overseers’, or was that them?”

“I believe they call themselves that,” Morrigan answered. “From what you’ve found, they already found it fit to divide up the world amongst themselves. Of course, we aren’t going to give them that honor, so the Council has their own names for them…”

“So I heard. Fitting in the case of Luxuria, from the impact she’s had since you brought her in.” The Overseer hesitated. “It… is a her, right? No, irrelevant. Nevermind. Although the amount of biblical names you’re giving aliens is starting to make this feel like a crusade.”

“Indeed.” Morrigan shrugged. “I believe the last one was listed in their files as a high ranking general, so they named him after the leader of Hell’s army, or… something like that…”

“And instead of brimstone, they’re flinging plasma at us. Way to modernize. There is… one last thing. Going back to Ms. Anderson. She hasn’t seen an Ethereal yet, and she was going to look at the footage from the attack on your base when she got a spare moment. She won’t like what she finds. Just anticipate that.”

Morrigan frowned. “Does this have anything to do with that mask we were having her look at?”

“If that was your first thought, I’m surprised you haven’t made the connection yourself. Take a look, Commander. When you get the chance.” The trademark green line of the Overseer faded from the screen, and he was silent.

“Hmm…” Morrigan quickly reached for her computer, and started looking for information on the Ethereals, the mask, and Penny Anderson.
 

Dahlexpert

Well-Known Member
DhalExpert & Zombiesplitter53

Two different species same personalty's

Ashley went down to the Alien Containment facility and saw Luxxy. “So you're the Ethereal? I’m not going to lie, you're not what I expected. You're tall for sure, but I’m a little disappointed.”

The alien, slowly turned to face the soldier, any expression it might be capable hidden behind its mask, though the tone of its ‘voice’ speaking volumes

Is that so, human? I believe humans would refer to what you just said as ‘a lousy first impression’. Too bad I don’t really care.

“Relax, I just want to talk to you. See, I’m not like most people on this base. I’m actually interested in you aliens, and since you're their leader, I have a few questions for you.”

Is that so? Interesting. Luxuria lowered herself. If that is the case, I might actually wish to humor you. Please, ask your questions.

“Great. So, let’s start off with this. Why are you so interested in my kind? Humans. And what gives you the right to do what you do?”

Simple, child. As your superiors have all but figured out by now, we wish to add species with potential for the gift to our collective. As for the right, it is fairly simple. We are above you. Stronger, smarter, wiser, deadlier. I will give it to you, most cattle lack your intelligence, your potential, but cattle you are none the less. We are the… shepards, that will lead the sheep on the right path. Though your kind are resisting us where they should be thanking us…

Ashley grabbed a chair and sat in it. “You clearly don’t know humans. First, for you to call yourself the superior race Look where you are, and look what we’ve been doing to your cattle for the past, I’m gonna say, seven months. So clearly you're not superior to anybody. Do you want me to tell you how your plans were doomed to fail from the beginning?”

Oh, please do, please do. Luxuria floated down to the bottom of her cell, into something of a sitting stance, while still floating a few inches up. Perhaps I can learn a thing or two from you…

“Okay, see, humans? We don’t take change very lightly. We want a ruler, but some don’t like to be ruled over. Humans are pretty much outlaws. We will never accept someone else's rule overnight. We’re stubborn, we easily get angry, and as you’re starting to figure out, we’re very battle hardened and hard to kill. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

I believe I do. The question is… do the other humans agree with you? I would think some would argue your species isn’t as chaotic as you picture them, or at the very least, have become more stable. Though you wouldn’t know much about that, would you. You thrive on a lifestyle of killing and maiming. In order for your group, your family to prosper, the majority of them have to kill for a living. A life revolving around murder. In that sense, Ashley… your people are a lot like us. And as a leader of them… well, lets just say you might be right. You might not be beneath us, because you are just… like… me…

“HA HA HA HA…. I am nothing like you. See, unlike you, I let my people chose to become soldiers. They have the freedom to chose to become soldiers, killers, murders as you called them, they can chose to become that. Or, they can chose to be something else. Doctors, scientist, whatever they want, with in legal reasons of course. But you? Did you give the people you abducted a choice to join you? Did you give all the aliens under your command a choice to be what the are now, or did you just dominate them?”

Luxuria brought her fingers together in thought. The… world is a sick place, is it not? Thieves. Rapists. Murders. Slavers. Those who exploit the pain and suffering of others for their own greedy profit. Your clan provides a service, yes? For the betterment of all of humanity. Your people fight against tyrants, hunt down and assassinate evil men. It is quite noble, Ashley. Some others here might not see it, but I do. I applaud your efforts, I really do. Do you… want to hear what the Ethereals do?

Ashley looked at the Ethereal, then looked at the button to zap it. “Okay. Humor me. What does your kind do, huh?”

The… galaxy… is a sick place. Worlds filled with killers. Monsters. Whole species ruled by a select few that only care for themselves. Races of people who could do such great things if they could just stop killing each other. My people provide a service. For the betterment of the entire galaxy. We bring people together, and use our vast knowledge to single out those species that have potential for greatness, and guide them towards it, and those species that would only end up hurting themselves and others, and assassinate them. If you really put your human sentiments aside and gave it serious thought, you would see how truly noble it is. You would see my people do what your people do, simply on a larger scale. To see it any other way, well… that would make you a hypocrite. You are not a hypocrite, are you, Ashley?

 

Dahlexpert

Well-Known Member
Part 2

“See, I believe you when you say that the galaxy is a dangerous place. I believe that. I can also believe that most people do enslave other spices for their own benefits. But I call bullshit on you. See, earlier you said that you are superior to us and that you wanted to add people with the gift to your collection. So tell me, what make you the same as me? I don’t add other lives to a collection, and pick the ones that have potential and take them God knows where, and wipe out those with no potential out. So tell me how are you like me again?”

Scale, child. Scale. You simply don’t have the reach we have. As a human, you are beneath us. But your mentality would fit one of my kinda quite nicely. You remind me of my… of someone once close to me. The fact is, you make decision on humanity. You put yourself above them. You look at someone deemed ‘evil’. And you kill them. No… no, I’m sorry. You don’t kill them. You send someone else to kill them.

Luxuria floated back to a standing stance. Behind Ashley, the voice of her hot-headed cousin said, “At the forefront of your mind is how people seem to look down on me. Talk about how unstable I am. None of them seem to care about the pain I had to deal with.” Scarlet placed her hands on Ashley’s shoulders. “But let’s face it. I’m no different from… what we call a Muton. Raging, fighting, all in the direction I am pointed. No more then an out of control weapon. One that others might have done away with years ago. But you still need me, because I help fulfill your goals. Your life was nothing like mine, and yet you see yourself fit to judge others, and send me into danger to do your dirty work. You’re right. You’re not the same as the Ethereals. They would have disposed on a Muton as dangerous as me already. You are far… far… worse…”

“Really, Ethereal, is that all you got? Ashley uses her psi powers to make the shadow of Scarlet disappear. “See you think you know my cousin. Yes, she is filled with hate and anger, and yes most people would have killed her a long time ago. But me I saw potential in her. Something no one else saw. I saw someone that was honorable, humble, kind, and sweet. See, she will never show it, but Scarlet has another half, Lilly, her nicer more sweet half, and recently they became one being. They’re the same. I gave her a chance and she and she took it. But you? Whenever you see a problem, you get rid of it. I will talk to it and see what’s wrong with my soldiers. My family. Because I love every single one of them, you can’t say the same, can you Ethereal?”

I suppose I can’t. But did you talk to those ‘problems’ you did get rid of? Did you stop to talk to each of those killers and try to get them to turn over a new leaf, as it were. Did you talk to the slave traders, and try to help the see the error of their ways? Or did you simply put a bullet in their heads?

“I killed them, you said yourself that you're kind was like my tribe right? See people that enslave others and do terrible things to other people, don’t deserve a chance to surrender. But after I killed their forces, I give their leader a choice to surrender, and they don’t. So to answer your question, yes, I give the people I hunt down a chance to surrender.”

And thus, we have come full circle. Your people are dangerous, but you have great potential. And no one else has to die. But just as these slave traitors are too foolish to see they are wrong, and continue fighting, ‘forcing’ you to kill them, as you seem to rationalize, the humans are too foolish to see that they are wrong, and lay down their arms. Luxuria shook her head, and turned her back to Ashley. But I waste my time, don’t I? I know you're kind. The kind that populates the majority of leadership on this planet. You are self-absorbed, suffer from delusions of grandeur. You feel your opinion, your way of life, is the only way. It is for this reason that you have butted heads with others. You look down on, you judge. A soldier you insulted by doubting her abilities, simply because she didn’t grow up as a soldier. Another, one insulted by looking down on her tribe's way of life. Amazing, how you accuse us of unfairly putting our species above others, when you put your tribe of humans above others of the same species. The Ethereals would never do that to each other. We are one people. Humans like you make me sick. It makes me wonder why we are even bothering with such a stupid species.

“Okay, for the soldiers, the one with another tribe, I have no problem with her tribe. Hell I offered to help them if they need it. As for the other one. I’m not even going to get into that. But here’s something for you. If you are one people why haven’t your kind come down to our base and try to rescue you? I mean since you're one and you care for each other. Why haven’t your people come and save you huh, because if my family was captured I would do everything in my power to save them.”

Avoiding my question by turning it on me, huh? Very well. Since I am above your… self-absorbed feelings, I’ll actually answer your question. And it has a simple answer. You… ‘love’ your family. But what if one of them turned their back on you and the rest of their family? Insulted them, risked their entire existence for themselves? What if they put themselves above the others, and risked their entire reason for being? Would you risk everything to save someone that has put your family in danger, and would likely do so again should you get them back? If no, then you prove my point. If yes… then you are a fool.

Ashley remembers her uncle and what he and his wife did to Scarlet. “OK fair point, I would not save you. But Ethereal let me ask you another question. What makes you think you can win this war? I mean look what we have done so far, Do you think your kind can win this war? Or would you rather ask me a question?”

I am… not privy to such knowledge. I am young, and am not as familiar with all the intricacies of the Path. I only know that what will happen, will happen. And I know that the Ethereals surviving is not the same thing as winning the war. I am… not entirely sure what that means, but I do not attempt to understand things beyond me
. Luxuria turned back to Ashley. I… may have a question for you. I feel I have earned it, after the length with which we have spoken.

“Very well, you have earned it. So, what kind of question do you have?”

“What… what if the person who turned their back on you was close to you?” Cassia placed her hand on Ashley’s arm. “Really, really close to you? What if she did something your tribe believes to be unforgivable? Would you… still not try to save her?”

Ashley looked at her daughter with an almost saddened look on her face. “If it was my child, I would do whatever I could to save her, no matter what. And if my people didn’t like it, they can bite me. They might hate me, but if it was their child, I would let them deal with their child their own way. Are you satisfied, worm?”

Cassia nodded, and vanished. The Ethereal turn her back to Ashley, and fell eerily quiet.

“Are you done Ethereal? Have I satisfied you?”

Luxuria simply floated there for several seconds, not answering. After a while, she finally looked back. May I… give you some advice. Whether you choose to listen to it is you choice, of course.

“I’m always ready to listen to advice. So what do you have to say?”

I meant it when I said your mindset reminds me of an Ethereal. That you would deny this leaves me to believe you see this as a bad thing, as you likely should. Understand, child, just because I see myself above you does not mean I don’t understand why you would hate this view. No one, no species, no matter what their position, likes another looking down on them. Luxuria turned her head towards Ashley. It is even worse when done within one’s own species. You have great pride, and much of it my be deserved. But others do not enjoy such a superior view. I would advise caution in the way you speak to others. Your… murders, your rapist, your slavers. Look down on them. But your fellow soldiers? Look at them as equals, or they might see how alike we are as much as I have.

Ashley rubbed her head. “I….I will think about what you said. But my advice to you will be to try not to act superior to us. Even if you are as you can see we don’t like being talked down to. So try to talk to the humans here as your equals, can you do that?”

An odd guttural sound came from the Ethereal, almost sounding like a chuckle. Interesting how our advice to each other is so similar. Regardless, I will keep that in mind. Luxuria waved her arms around her cell. Believe me, something about being locked in here for so long tends to… humble one.

“That it does.” Ashley walked to the door and left the contaminant center.
 

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
MarineAvenger, DarkGemini24601, & ZombieSplitter53
Hidden Potential: Part One


X-COM Psi Labs
September 8th, 1400 Hours

“Calm down, Jeanne, geez!” Jean watched as his sister rapidly tapped on her keyboard. “You fingers are gonna fall off at this rate.”

“This is our first chance to do something for someone who obtained psionics before coming here. The possibilities for learning and improving are practically endless!”

“Endless, huh?” Jean shook his head. “Don’t tire yourself out. For all you know, they might not come until tomorrow. Or a week from now. Or a month, if at all.” Jeanne ignored her brother’s pessimism, and he sighed, hanging his head in defeat.

“Or a couple of hours.” Desmond stated as he walked into the labs. “You really are excited for this aren’t you?”

Jeanne shot her brother an ‘I told you so’ look, and jumped to her feet. “Oh yes, Mr. Walker. Not only is there the possibility that I will assist you in reaching unprecedented heights, but the data I am sure to collect will further our work here ten… no, no, a hundred fold, I’m sure of it!”

“That may be shooting a little too far,” Atka suggested as she walked in behind the clone.

“Yeah, well…” Jean scratched the back of his head. “Jeanne tends to over exaggerate when she gets excited. And as redundant as the term ‘over exaggerate’ might be, it is the best way to describe it. But, at least you can’t knock on her enthusiasm… I guess.”

“Oh, you hush.” Jeanne stuck her tongue out at him. “I bet these two understand the depths and accomplishments that can be reached with my kind of passion.”

“I know that Sarah has shown a lot of promise since coming here,” the scout captain offered. “Her ESP has been getting better.”

Desmond shrugged his shoulders. “You guys were able to give Elene psionics so I know you guys know your stuff.”

Jean smiled. “Well, if you’re going to compliment us, then…” He stretched his arms. “Of course, to be fair, that wasn’t really us. Who ever she was cloned from must have had potential, and the process to create her was capable of carrying that over.”

Jeanne shuddered. “Oh lord. Can you imagine if the Dorian guy figured that out, and got his hands on the DNA of someone with potential? This war would get a whole lot harder…”

Desmond raised an eyebrow. “Hate to break it to you but Viktor already has psionics. It is in part where mine come from. The cloning process is...very complicated when it comes to psionics.”

“But… he hasn’t been able to make another psion soldier?” Jeanne asked. “R… r-right?”

“We would need to test the Elites but so far...no.” Desmond reassured them.

“What did you have in mind for us?” Atka inquired, changing the subject.

“Well naturally, we wouldn’t need to test you,” Jean started. “So that will save us some time.”

“You’ll need to go into the pods for a while, of course, but not for nearly as long as the others.” Jeanne sat at her computer and started typing again. “Two days, maybe. Three at the most. We don’t need to draw out your powers like the others, only look for psionic energy that is lying dormant and is ripe for the picking, so to speak.”

“So what do you need us to do?” Desmond asked crossing his arms. “Just sit in the pods?”

“Just let me go set up to for you, and you can jump right in.” Jean walked off, grabbing a tool belt.

“Almost ready,” Jeanne said. “Just strip down for me. Any other questions before we begin?”

Atka glanced over at Desmond. “Maybe you should go in first…”

Desmond looked at his friend and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright then.” Desmond took of his clothes and folded them up quick.

“Now, like I said, it shouldn’t take too long, just a…” Jeanne smiled at the two soldiers, then immediately looked back at the computer, her face turning red. “J-just a… a little… a-a…”

Desmond looked at Atka and tried to keep himself from laughing at the scientist’s discomfort. “Come on, deep breaths. No need to be embarrassed.” He tried to reassure the scientist, and Atka.

“Is she a cherry yet?” Jean called over. “For all the trouble she gives me, you’d think she’d be able to handle a little manservice. Why, just the other day…”

“Utter one more syllable, and you’ll wake up tomorrow missing something very important to you, and your lady friend!” Jeanne shouted, rapidly typing on her computer and hoping no one noticed her eyes occasionally darting to the side.

Atka shook her head with slight amusement, before finally preparing herself to enter the pod.

Before Desmond entered his he held out a hand to Atka with a slight grin on his face. “See you in a few days my friend.”

“The same to you,” the Inuit woman replied.
 

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Hidden Potential: Part Two

September 11th, 1500 Hours

Both pods slowly opened as the bright overhead lights shot an annoying glare into the soldiers’ little used eyes. The twins stood outside them anxiously, eager to share the results with the senior psionic soldiers.

Desmond moved his arms back and forth trying to waken up the muscles in the and stared at the twins, “So did it work?” Desmond looked around and down at his body, “I don’t think I feel any different.”

Jeanne smiled. “Well, like we said before you went in, we weren’t unlocking your powers, only searching for untapped potential. But we did find something.”

Jean looked over some papers on a clipboard. “You have a lot of potential for expanding throughout the red spectrum. There seemed to be some blocks on it, though, so no matter how much your energy would grow, it wouldn’t let you use it in other ways.”

“But that shouldn’t be a problem anymore,” Jeanne quickly said. “Now, you can expand your abilities, and use the other powers we’ve seen in red’s, like pyro-conjuring that other soldier can do, the the telekinesis the Commander’s daughter started to tap into. You already have the potential to make them powerful, you just need to start using them.”

Desmond nodded his head, understanding what they meant. “I have a few people who can train me, so this will be easy once I figure out what exactly I am capable of now.”

“What about me?” Atka asked, blinking to adjust her eyes to the bright lights.

“Atka, you’ve had the exact opposite issue so far,” Jean explained. “You’ve expanded your abilities, but have had trouble putting power into them, so much so that you don’t even realize you have the power.”

“I’ve watch some of the feed from your battles.” Jeanne looked at her own clipboard. “From what we’ve seen, you’ve shown the capacity to channel your energy and temporarily enhance yourself. Additionally, you’ve shown a green ability we call imbuing, in which you strengthen a physical object with your power. You remember the fight you had with the incubator in India, yes?”

“The ‘Javelin?’ I thought that was just telekinetic force alone,” Atka explained. “That explains why it was able to tear through that thing without breaking…” Maybe I could use that to allow my telekinetic helixes to cut through more without wasting all my energy.

Jeanne nodded. “Unlike Desmond, who had the potential to power up different abilities but lacked access to them, you had access to them but couldn’t power them up because you were merely using them instinctually. You should be able to use them more freely now.”

“And just as the imbuing is a green ability, you both have the potential to expand into other colors, more so than others because of how long you’ve been at it,” Jean explained. “You’ve gained access to green, Atka. And your ‘Pulsar Core’ seems to tap into the rift ability, which is orange, Desmond. You can both branch into purple if you want.”

Jeanne gave them a cautionary look. “You could try to expand into colors beyond your base and two neighboring, something Atka has done to an extent with telekinesis, but do be careful. We have very little data on what pushing to much into powers so far from your own can do. Even the Ethereals seem to avoid that. It would explain why Luxuria barely used a psi lance, even though it seems to be an ability shared amongst the Ethereals. Don’t… don’t hurt yourselves. That isn’t why we did this. Know your limits.”

“I am sure neither of us will be doing anything too crazy with this new opportunity, at least I won’t.” Desmond assured them, looking over at Atka as he teased her.

The scout captain rolled her eyes. “I couldn’t figure out teleimagery, so I doubt that’ll happen. I have two new abilities to work on now, anyway.”

“And we’re always here to help,” Jean said. “If you need anything, we are constantly gathering data. The labs aren’t just for unlocking abilities, they are also for research and sharing knowledge.”

Jeanne held out a pile of clothes. “A-and next time, you… w-we can talk with your clothes on…”

Atka winced, and quickly grabbed the clothes, putting them back on. “Right…”

Desmond was not as excited as Atka was to get himself clothed but did so in a quick fashion. “I will be sure that, if any fruit comes from my research as well, I will send it your way.”

“I’ve already done so for you, Mr. Walker.” Jeanne smiled, then immediately frowned. “Your partner appreciated it, but your A.I. was… rude…”

“Damn it Sora…” Desmond mumbled. “Yeah, sorry about that his personality is...well let’s just say he is a bit full of himself. Hope he didn’t say anything too offending.”

Jeanne shook her head. “No, nothing bad. He was just… well, like you said, full of himself. He probably just needs some tweaking to his personality programming.”

“Now, now,” Jean interjected, pulling a wrench from his belt and getting to work on the pods. “However his personality is now is who he is. I told you about Dr. Randolf’s A.I. Sunny wouldn’t like it if someone didn’t like something about it and changed her. And I doubt Alice herself would care for it either.”

“I guess,” Jeanne said, mumbling, “Unless she was programmed to like it…”

Desmond shrugged his shoulders, “He may be a bit much at times but I won’t change him. He has his moments sometimes.”

Jeanne nodded. “And Ms. Atka, we have a number of blue psions on base. And I understand your sister has similar abilities as you, just to a weaker degree. With that in mind, I’ll be sure to keep you informed of anything knew we might discover in regards to them, alright?”

“Understood. Anything else you need, or are we free to go?” the scout captain asked.

“Free you are,” Jean answered. “Got lots of work to do on these myself.”

“And I have so much data to go over,” Jeanne answered, sitting at her computer. “Thanks to you two.”
 

Frostlich1228

Well-Known Member
Frostlich1228 & MarineAvenger: Out of the Foxhole

X-Com Training Room
September 12th, 1400 Hours

Ammelia backhanded her combat knife, preparing her stance before driving the blade into the wooden dummy’s throat. Dorian stood next to her, nodding with approvement, “You’re technique has improved significantly since I last saw you.”

Ammy smiled, leaving the knife embedded in the target, “I’ve taken a lot of time to practice my close quarters, it’s where I’m weakest after all. The vets in the training school really helped me perfect my stance.”

“And after seeing that, I can safely say they know what they’re doing here.” Dorian said, feeling proud of his apprentice.

Chief and Fox entered the training room together, Bull and Hawke having another wrestling match in their room. “I know you are a great scout Fox but I just want you to be a bit more prepared after that last mission.”

Fox was silent as he looked at Chief and he nodded slightly. “Okay…”

Rubbing Fox’s head Chief brought him to the treadmill. “You can start with this and we will move on to harder things as we go on.”

Fox nodded again and he got to running, the Elite running as hard as he could.

Dorian turned his head and stared at the two clones.

Clones. Based off the ‘K’ line. Rook stated inside Dorian’s mind.

They seem different though, perhaps those are the elites that Vee spoke of.

Possibly, but there will be no way to tell unless we ask.

Ammelia noticed her trainer’s gaze and followed it over to Fox and Chief, “Those are Elene’s clones right? Maybe we should introduce ourselves.”

The Assault nodded, following Ammelia over to the treadmills.

Chief looked over at the approaching pair and tapped Fox on the back, the clone hopping on the sides of the treadmill and stopping the machine.

“Can we help you?” Chief asked.

“No, we just wanted to talk.” Ammelia gave them a friendly smile, “You’re some of Elene’s clones, right?” Dorian stood straight, eyeing the quiet Fox.

Chief shook his head. “That is a common misconception. We do not serve the Legion Mistress but rather work alongside here and for now, temporarily XCOM. We recently went on a mission to secure that Muton breeding ship.”

Fox didn’t say anything but instead just looked between Ammelia and Dorian with curious eyes.

“So, you’re those Elites I’ve heard about? The ones we brought back from Exalt HQ?” Ammelia responded, holding out her hand, “It’s good to meet you.”

Chief took her hand but Fox still did not budge. “Good to meet you too. Who might you be exactly?”

“I’m Ammelia Cross, my father has been helping Elene and her sisters for some time now.” The Sniper answered, looking up at Dorian, “And this is Dorian, my father’s protector.” Dorian nodded towards the two clones, staying silent.

Chief eyed Dorian with a hint of curiosity but looked back at Ammelia. “Nice to meet you Miss Cross.”

Fox tugged on Chief’s shirt and tried to move away. “Chief...not having good feeling…”

Chief looked at his smaller brother. “Is something wrong?”

Fox shook his head. “Just…” Fox crawled under the railing of the treadmill and walked away with haste.

Chief shook his head. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay,” Ammelia responded, “I guess he’s a little shy then.”

Did he feel my presence? Perhaps he has some form of psionics.

Or he has some kind of heightened perception, probably from gene mods. Dorian responded in his mind.

“My brother has developed a bad habit of doing stuff like this. He is a secluded one, often just sits in a corner drawing. I should go after him.” Chief told them.

“Should we come?” Ammelia asked. It might make him feel better if we stayed behind though.

Chief nodded. “You are welcome to come along, might help, but it might not. I will leave that up to you.” Chief ran off after his brother and didn’t look back to see if the other two would follow.

Ammelia hesitated for a second but took off in a jog behind Chief. The sniper motioned for her mentor to follow but Dorian stood still, “I’ll wait for you here.” Ammy nodded, understanding Dorian’s hesitation to follow along, as she kept jogging behind Chief.

Chief finally found Fox back at the room, Bull and Hawke nowhere to be seen and the small team member sitting in the corner with a notebook in his hand. Chief walked up to Fox cautiously but the small Elite kept going as if they had not entered at all.

Ammelia looked down at Fox and spoke in a soft and friendly voice, “Are you alright?”

The pencil moved across the paper faster than anyone should have been able to achieve and one by one, Fox flipped pages and kept on drawing until after about 5 minutes of silence except for the scribbling of the pencil, the pencil broke and he set it down to the side along with the notebook. “Many things...see many things…”

Ammy shot Chief a concerned look before gently lowering her hand onto Fox’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort him, “What’s wrong?”

Fox looked at her and his eyes darted around her as he recoiled at her touch. “So dark...so cold...don’t want to go back...but I must…”

The Sniper gave chief another look, who was being oddly quiet about the situation.

Chief just stared at Fox, his face was stone. “I was afraid this would happen.”

Fox looked around nervously and tried to close himself off. “It wasn’t me...I didn’t do it...all that pain...it was so cold…”

Chief looked at Ammelia, his expression not changing. “It was the mission...it must have hurt him worse than I thought.”

“What happened? Which Mission?” Ammelia asked, trying to understand at least some of what was going on.

Chief waved Ammelia to a chair at the desk sitting in the middle of the room. When Chief sat down, he folded his arms. “As you can imagine, us Elites are very different from the others that were created. Each of us was specifically designed for a purpose. Fox’s purpose is to be our scout but he has a defect of sorts. He has a very low stress buffer and is prone to do stuff like this. Of what he is talking about...last mission was very hard on him. He was shot, and suffered through multiple psionic attacks. His will must be very low right now, the littlest thing can set him off. Whatever it was, it was enough to trigger him to be like this. The drawing is just a coping method.”
 

MarineAvenger

Operator 21O
Staff member
Frostlich1228 & MarineAvenger: Out of the Foxhole Part 2

“I can understand what he’s going through, I was on the receiving end of a psychic attack when the aliens assaulted our base. It was easily the worst thing I’ve ever experienced...” Ammelia explained, “You have to be there for him, he needs the people he loves to help him through this.”

Chief looked at Fox as he looked around. “He is a soldier, one of the Elites, but to us he is still a boy, a kid brother really. The psionics isn’t what hurt him most but it didn’t help either. He has been quiet ever since he came out of the pod. After we returned to the Exalt base...things when worst.”

Ammy leaned forward, holding her hands together, “Did Viktor do something to him?”

Chief didn’t have an answer and he just shrugged his shoulders. “I-I don’t know. After we returned to base after a mission went bad we were held in the cells for a time. One by one we were questioned but we all had our stories straight before we landed. After that...I don’t know it is just a haze.”

“Maybe… We could have Atka or Desmond search your mind to try and find any repressed memories…” The Sniper suggested.

“It is a possiblility but I don’t think it is anything too bad. We were given sedatives in the cells in case we would try to escape so it must have just been those.” Chief responded. “But it is a possibility.”

Fox seemed to calm down a bit, his eyes no longer darting around and his breathing had settled down. Fox stared at Ammelia with curious eyes and poked her leg.

Ammelia looked down at him and gave him a smile, unsure of what to say.

Chief looked down at his teammate and looked at Ammelia. “Don’t mind him too much, even I don’t know what goes on in that curious mind of his.”

Fox ripped several pieces of paper out of the notebook and handed the paper to Ammelia.

Ammy looked through the pictures with a frown, “I… I can’t see these, I’m sorry.”

Chief took the papers in his hand and looked through each of them, a slight grin that got bigger as he looked through them. “Well, of the four pictures, one is you, one seems to be that Dorian guy, the next one is you two together, and the last one is a bunch of chess pieces...wait, why chess pieces?” He asked Fox.

Fox looked at Ammelia and and back at Chief. “I heard about her around base...and I heard she liked chess…”

Chief smiled at handed the papers to Ammelia. “Well I got my answer. Even though you can’t see them, the pictures are spot on. Fox has photographic memory and enhanced eyes so he can draw almost anything with perfect accuracy.”

“Thank you.” Ammelia said as Chief handed her back the pictures, “I’ll take them and put them up on the walls of my room for other people to see.”

Nodding his head, Fox got up and began to walk out of the room but Chief called out to him. “Where you going?”

Fox turned his head and gave a slight grin. “You promised we would train, remember?”

Chief nodded. “I did, didn’t I?” Chief stood up and he looked at Ammelia. “Care to join us? Didn’t you leave your friend behind in the gym?”

“I’d be glad to.” Ammelia replied, hopping up out of her chair and following Fox out of the room.
 

DarkGemini24601

Well-Known Member
DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Confessions of a Pathetic Soul”

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1330 Hours, September 11th, 2018
Civilian Quarters, Interior

“Alright, then,” Atka said, standing up from the couch as Ipiktok approached. “You’ll be going with Ipiktok now, Brigid. It was nice seeing you, though.”

“For me too!” Brigid lightly squeezed Atka’s legs, and ran over to the Inuit man, grasping his hand and smiling at him.

Around the corner, Jake slowly walked over, a bit tired from a shift that started a lot earlier than he was used to. “The favors I do for people,” he mumbled as he approached Atka, stopping dead in his tracks when he noticed her.

As Ipiktok departed with the Commander’s daughter, Atka turned to face the guard. “Hello, Jake,” she greeted with a pleasant smile.

“H-hey, Atka, didn’t… ahem, didn’t expect to see you today.” Jake scratched the back of his head and returned her smile. “What brings you here?”

“I was just visiting with Brigid, had her meet my sister,” the scout captain replied.

“O-oh really.” Jake cleared his throat, and tried to remember what he was told. Maintaining eye contact and standing up straight, he asked. “How did that go? I mean… I’m sure she loved her.”

“It went well. I just hope Nouja didn’t get any ideas about mind control,” Atka responded jokingly.

Jake laughed. “W-well, from what Brigid has told me, you and her father are good at teaching her discipline and control, so you shouldn’t have to worry about that. You mean a lot to… to her.”

Atka nodded. “If you want, we can sit down here and talk, unless you had somewhere else to chat in mind.”

“Well, I… I probably should…” Jake frowned. Probably what? Go back to your room, read a book, and go to sleep? Stop being a coward! She’s giving you an opening, go for it! “Yeah, I’d like that. I’m not going anywhere.”

The Inuit woman sat back down on the couch. "So, how have things been for you since we last spoke?"

“Good, good.” Jake sat next to her. “I’ve turned into something of an entertainer around here, actually. People kinda treated me like a creeper at first because of the whole, you know… roommates things. But once they realized I wasn’t doing anything bad, they started asking me for help with keeping the kids busy. Not much to do here, after all, especially for kids.”

Atka smiled. "Yeah. I can tell that Nouja and the others get tired out from it, too. Though the Inuit refugees are more easy to placate."

“Yeah, I’ve always respected that about you… um, them. Not as much dependence on ‘things’ and ‘stuff’ to be entertained. Though, I admit, I’d be lost if I didn’t have a good book or two to read.” Jake scratched his chin. “What… what do you do to entertain yourself?”

"I do enjoy reading, but I tend to exercise or practice my powers when I'm not with my friends." Atka chuckled. "Not that interesting, honestly."

“You kidding?” Jake smiled. “It sounds like dedication to me. If I had that kinda discipline, man… That’s probably why the Commander has so much faith in you. She knows you’re keeping yourself in shape and ready for anything.”

"I'm glad to be helpful," Atka replied. "I would thank my upbringing for that. When you live in Nunavut in a small society you learn to depend on each other, and selfishness isn't even a consideration most of the time."

“Yeah. Hitomi could learn a lot from you, though Rei keeps her in line. Of course, Keiko has already taken to you.” Jake rubbed the back of his neck. “She was really touched by how you saved her, even if you would have done it for anyone.” He chuckled. “She… she keeps asking people questions about you, and keeps asking me when…” Jake bit his lip.

Atka tilted her head slightly, curious but not wanting to pressure Jake. "I'm glad she's transitioned from eyeing me like someone would look at a mortal enemy. Though I'd rather not repeat that scenario. I'm fairly certain Invidia has it in for me now."

Jake waved a dismissive hand. “You kicked his butt once, you can do it again. As for Keiko, she didn’t mean anything by it. She was just jealous.”

Atka raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly. "Jealous?"

“Yeah, uh… ever since I protected her when we were on that ship, she’s been infatuated with me, even though I told her it couldn’t happen. Well… she was. Now she keeps telling me I should hook up with the woman she seems to have chosen for me.” Jake chuckled. “P-pretty silly, huh?”

"That depends," the Inuit scout said calmly. "Are you interested in that person?"

Jake swallowed hard. “Um… yeah, actually. I’m not sure how she feels, but I like her. I…” He shook his head, running his hand through his hair. “You know, this whole time I thought to myself, ‘How am I going to tell her how much I like her? What if she doesn’t even realize it?’ It just occured to me that if it was obvious to everyone else, she probably figured it out too.”

"You are referring to someone with the quick wit of a hunter, after all," Atka prompted.

“Yeah… yeah… someone who is smart, strong-willed, and always seems to know what is going on around her,” Jake agreed, somehow finding referring to Atka as though she was someone else easier. “I… to be honest, I didn’t think much about her at first. Kinda hard, considering where I first met her. But when she came to talk to me afterwards, which she didn’t have to do, I… I don’t know, it was weird. I just… couldn’t stop thinking about her. I found I would just… randomly bring her up from time to time. And every time I saw her, I’d get nervous, and tell myself, ‘Today is the day. You’ll tell her how you feel today.’ But only now have I been able to work up the courage…”

"Would you believe her if she said that she'd never really been in that sort of a relationship for any significant amount of time?" After a brief pause, Atka continued, "For a reason, of course. It may be a bad reason, but..." She sighed. "Her tribe wasn't bad about gender roles, of course. Though part of the reason she left is because she didn't have an interest in marrying like most of the others. Why? She was afraid that she would become reliant, and lose her personal strength and independence. Even if it was selfish."

Jake’s eyes darted back and forth in thought. “Well… that… that isn’t that bad of a reason, really. She was an independent woman. Still is. I wouldn’t blame her for not want to lose that. I… I’m sure though, if she met the right man… o-one that truly respected her for who she is, she… wouldn’t need to lose any of that. Especially if her personal strength and independence is what he likes most about her.”

Atka smiled slightly. “I’m as new to this as you are, Jake. People have been interested in me in the past, but I’ve never been able to muster up the courage to take that chance.”

Jake chuckled. “That’s funny, because… I’ve been interested in others in the past, and never had the courage to ask. I… I just figured afterwards that if it was meant to be, I would have asked. But I know I would have really regretted it this time, even if… if you say… no…”

“I’m afraid of the consequences. Should I die… should it not work out. It’s funny, because I can stare into the face of death without fear, fight beings far more powerful than I… but when it comes to this I blanch.” Atka shook her head. “That aside, though, the feeling is mutual. It’s not one sided, Jake. I’m just...nervous.”

“It… you… you really…” Jake smiled. “Even… e-even if we didn’t go anywhere from here, that you would say that…” Jake turned away, and closed his eyes. He desperately tried to compose himself, not wanting to make a fool of himself when he had come so far. Finally, he turned back, and chose his words slowly. “I… I would never force you into anything you’re uncomfortable with. But… risks are part of life, right? You took a risk when you left your village, another when you came here. I… I know I’m not the same as completely changing your lifestyle or fighting aliens, but… if you are willing to take the risk, so am I.”

I did resolve to try, after all. Atka took a deep breath, and then nodded. “I would be willing. After all, I doubt I’d find someone better than you.” And still be a guy.

“You would? Really?” Jake cautiously reached forward, grasping Atka’s hand. “Because I meant every single thing. I think you’re smart, and strong, independent, and… a-and so beautiful. I… I’d do anything for you. Listen to you, talk to you, be there for you. Protect… well, you’d probably be better at that than me, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t risk my life for you.”

“A lot of those things apply to you, you know,” Atka responded. “It took a lot of bravery to do what you did in the defense of our base, and you’re intelligent, able to help people like Lily recover. That’s just as noble as the cause that I fight for.”

“Oh, I…” Jake rubbed his neck nervously. “I didn’t know you knew about that.”

“I heard that you had been visiting the Exalts, and I figured that’s what you were doing. I have talked to them a bit, as well. Elene wanted to thank me for defending them…” Atka’s expression brightened. “Though, to be fair, I might not have beaten Invidia without you. He had beaten me down...and I thought I might be spent, but I heard your voice...and it motivated me to keep fighting.”

Jake nodded, wanting to insist it was all Atka, but remembering he needed to be confident. “Thank you, Atka, that means a lot to me.” He looked down at her hand, still wrapped in his. “So, uh… what now?”

“Well, it is past lunch, but I wouldn’t mind having a companion for dinner,” Atka suggested.

“Okay.” Jake’s smile widened. “We could get to know each other more. I want to hear everything there is to know about your family.”

“And I’ll get to learn more about you,” Atka responded. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
 

Adrammalech

Well-Known Member
// LABELS OF LOVE //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Secondary Computer Room
Siberia, Russian Federation
11:28 PM


Emily smiled mischievously at the note that had brought her here. “Meet me here, – Jack.” She tucked it into her pocket and opened the door, seeing him sitting on one of the tables inside. He smiled modestly as he saw her.

“Hey, can we talk?”

“Mmhmm,” Emily winked, sauntering over. “I always like to talk.”

“No, I mean actually talk.”

Emily’s expression turned to concern and she locked in place. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Calm down, nothing bad, but I just want to get a feel of…where we are, you know?”

She stepped over and sat next to him. He grabbed her hand and laced his fingers in with hers, smiling comfortingly.

“I don’t know if I ever mentioned this, but I like you. A hell of a lot,” Dallas grinned. “But I’m well past the playing phase, and I’m kind of a boring, traditional guy when it comes to this. We’ve had fun a couple times, and we’ve flirted for much longer than that. I want to know if what we’re doing is leading into something or…if I’m just stress relief.”

“I think it might lead into something, and you’re definitely not stress relief. I’ve liked you since I got into our room, and that’s only grown,” she replied.

“So…uh, when you said you loved me the other night, did you mean it?”

“I…I did, I-I think I do,” Emily crossed and rubbed her arms, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable again. “I like you a lot and I don’t want you to stop liking me.”

“It’s okay if you’re not ready to really say it.”

“I-I want to, but…” she paused and cleared her throat. “This is…new to me. I haven’t had a family in a decade, barely had a home, and it’s hard for me to just charge in,” her hand roamed up to her cheek, touching the scar. “I-I’ve been hurt before.”

“I see…I’m sorry…”

“I like you a lot Jack, and I do want to say I love you more than anything, b-but I barely know what love is anymore, or trust, or selflessness, or anything like that…I’m still trying to figure it all out an-and I don’t want you or me to get hurt.”

Dallas leaned towards her and hugged her, Emily nuzzling happily into his embrace.

“I don’t need you to rush into anything, Em,” he said. “Take your time, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Thank you, Jack…that’s what I needed to hear.”

They kissed lovingly, Emily holding him tightly as if he would float away if not tethered to her. When they separated, they got up and headed towards their room. As they walked through the hallways, they would pass a soldier now and then with a straight posture and a curt nod. After they passed by, they magnetized back to each other and held each other’s hands, laughing and smiling dopily. Then another person would approach, and they would be separate again. They knew it was obvious to anyone watching a camera, but they enjoyed the dance, reveling in their new relationship.

As they reached the Barracks, they looked at each other before heading in. Emily looked around and peeked over his shoulder, a smile creeping across her face. Dallas gave her a light peck and smiled. Emily grabbed onto his waist and pushed him into the wall, giving him a long and passionate kiss, then grinning mischievously as she pulled her lips from his. The door hissed open and they walked inside, only a little activity inside.

“Evening, guys,” Nika said, paging through a book on her bed. “Did you two have fun?”

“Just training, making sure everything’s in good shape,” Dallas smiled.

“Mmhmm, I’m sure,” she replied.

Emily dropped onto her bed, letting out a small sigh as her cheek sunk into the firm barracks-issue pillow. She imagined the idea of having a real, stable boyfriend, maybe making a peaceful life of her own. Her feet gradually kicked off her boots and then she scrambled beneath the blankets, her eyes drifting closed in a matter of moments.

“Looks like you did well,” Nika glanced at the sleepy Emily and then smirked towards Dallas.

“Really, we just talked.”

“Must’ve been a hell of a ‘talk’ then,” she chuckled.

“She hasn’t been sleeping well…just keep it down.”

Nika nodded, getting ready for sleep as well. Emily dreamed of a domestic life, free of aliens and military, an idea that never popped into her head until today. The hours went by and Nika went to sleep, then Dallas, then Ammelia. It was hard to imagine a world where she didn't pluck the strings of others, where she was happy in one place and where she stood. Sven came back from the shooting range, and Sunny from engineering, each of them yawning and going to sleep. She was always manipulative, always ambitious. Was she the kind of person who could really do that? Did she even want to be? She searched and questioned herself, trying to learn what she was. What priorities and memories mattered, what didn't. It didn't matter how she judged, because the alien-stained sectors of her mind intruded before long.


// MEMORY: AMBIGUUS //
Luxuria
Luxuria’s Home – Laboratory
Ethereal Homeworld


The steel container hisses and roars, steam and vapors blasting from the side. The lid opens and my hand brushes away the ethereal smoke, revealing a small holder in the center. In the cage lies the final draft of one of my pet projects, a single cyan pill, being wrapped by the continuing vapors rising from within like something from an occult ritual.

I point to my guard, a well-modified female of the Balmadaar. She glances at me impassively, immune to my specialties, but tied to my side by honor. No being but one as studied and perceptive as me could tell the poor woman is in heat. It is only through years of my conditioning that she is so composed like me. She is a fine servant. I demand she look away and she does. The seals around my neck hiss as I pull the mask from my head, and I cradle the pill in my hands. With only a moment of hesitation, I pop it into my mouth and swallow. The next thoughts are decipherable by any being.

BREED! FUCK! HUNT!

The pill makes me stumble as my chemicals change, and I fight back my new undiluted instincts, battering my head with their primality. I feel an insatiable lust, true and almost magical in its strength, as if held back for tens of cycles. The most desirable voices of my kind whisper in my head. The males urge me to breed, the females beg to be bred. It is nature. It is their place.

BREED! OWN! CONTROL!

I forcibly calm myself, my muscles trembling with effort and then ceasing, my body regaining my composure. The Balmadaar sniffs the air behind me, sensing that something has changed. She checks her armor and glances towards me, looking at me as quizzically as one so primitive can. I sense my animus inside my head, letting loose the correct pheromones and taking the necessary form to breed the female. She wanders over to me and continues taking in my scent.

I speak into her mind with the tonality of one of their alpha males. I sense her desires, both animal and deviant, and recite them to her. I offer temptations and fulfillment. I promise absolute ecstasy.

The guard breaks down to her knees, tearing pieces of her gear from her body as though her hands moved on their own. Her mouth begins to water and she crawls to my leg, her eyes locked on mine with total desperation. My hand glows faintly green and I pet her affectionately. She tugs harder at my robe, her eyes softening with gratitude for my touch, despite its condescension. A little more power and she crumples to the ground completely, her body writhing and her mind locked in bliss. She chants tones of worship and obligation as she tries to strip more of her gear. It must be hard to be a lesser race, a slave to such desires.

I turn and leave her to her designs, putting my mask back on. The male voice lingers in my mind and I amuse myself with what it could’ve been, if not a tool for my power. A hunter, a warrior, a seducer. No doubt a masterful breeder, one that would make a more impressionable female its willing mate. Such a man is better harnessed under my ambitions, for it would make a rabid ally and an even poorer family figure. I grimace at its reminder.
 
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ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Ethereal Base RMNA-414
48° 59' 43.2852'' N, 115° 37' 26.2632'' W
September 12th, 0300 Hours, Local Time

You... you can't! I need everyone I have here. What if the humans attack while you have them? Can you not...

If the eyes on Ira's mask could narrow, they would have. Can I what? Send the forces from my base? As it stands, they are already outnumbered by yours two to one. I am not as big a coward as to need as many. His hologram pointed to that of Avaritia. The Overseer of Europe has the largest attack barge, and he is willing to lend it to our plan.

As long as I get it back in one piece, Avaritia 'mumbled', folding his four arms.

And you have the largest number of personal guards. You can grow a spine, and part with some of them. You are one of the Highest Beings in the Universe. Act like one! Have them ready to depart within ten rotations!

The hologram of the wrathful Ethereal vanished, and Gula's fists shook in rage. Without even looking at it, the head of a nearby Thin Man exploded, and the nearby Sectoids scattered to escape the release of noxious gas.

Whoa, dude! Chill out! Think of your blood pressure. It isn't like you have enough blood to dick around with.

Do not test me, Avaritia!

Oh, scARy. Where were your balls when Ira was here? Gula only starred at the hologram, and Avaritia shrugged. Whatever. Just be careful who's head you pop. You don't want your temper losing you any more guards, right?

As the image of the Ethereal in Europe disappeared, Gula turned to his Commander. Is it feeding time yet?!

The over-sized Sectoid nodded. Combining the feedings with your experiments in human willpower has worked nicely so far, High One. A genius idea.

Of course it is. Gula floated past the timid alien, ignoring the paranoia that its praise was false and it should be done away with. I will personally conduct today's experiment.

Y-you will? I mean, of course. It is your right, of course.

*****

Your orders are simple, human. Gula carefully watched the young man standing before him. Even your limited mind should be able to understand them. Push the button before you, and you live. Do not press it, and you die.

"What... what are you talking about?!" The man pointed through the glass at the small female, crying on the other side of it. "What are you doing with my sister?!"

This is a simple experiment to test your reaction to... your... reaction to... Gula tilted his head towards the child, her insensate wailing irritating him. Silence! A violet strand of energy shot from Gula's head to the girl's, and she immediately stopped crying, simply starring forward in silence. Much better. Now, choose who dies. Press the button so my pet may devour the female, or I shall kill you myself.

"What are you, crazy?! I'm not going to..." Gula fired a psi lance, striking the human in his left arm. Her howled in pain, collapsing in pain and grasping his gushing wound. Taking several minutes to weep at the pain, he finally found the strength to shake his head and mutter, "N... n-no..."

Interesting. The Sectoid Commander addressed Gula privately. This one's father acted the same. Confusion, refusal, then anguish from our discipline. But then he willingly killed the mother without further provocation.

Really? Can we tell him that? I want to see how he would react.

I... I am afraid that might contaminate our results.

Hmm... a shame. Gula lifted his hand, and with it, the man lifted into the air. Turning him towards the button again, Gula's voice rang out in anger. Push it, or die! If you press it, I might even let you go.

"W-will... y-you... let her g-go..."

What?

"I-if I refuse... a-and you kill me, w-will you let her go?"

Gula thought for a moment. Finally, he placed the human on his feet, and telekinetically pushed him towards the button. No. Push the button, you live, she dies. Don't push the button, you both die. I believe the choice is simple, even for... what... what does this gesture mean?

I believe it is called 'flipping the bird'. I am not clear on its origins, but I believe it is an insulting gesture in this part of the planet.

"I-it means g-go fuck yourself!" The man spit at Gula. "No matter what you do, you could never get me to..."

I beg to differ.

Another strand of energy flowed from Gula to the human. He slowly turned around and pressed the button. Gula released his control, long enough for the girl to scream in terror, and long enough for the man to watched the crimson spray coat the window before him. His eyes filled with rage and sorrow, the man rushed Gula, raising his good arm. His fist stopped inches from Gula's face. 'Y-you... I-I'll kill you, you son of a..." The man screamed, the bones in his hand being pulverized. He collapsed to the ground, starring in horror at the limp appendage that had been his hand.

I think not. U-14, was this a successful test?

Quite so, Honored One. This was quite an interesting result. We shall have to attempt to replicate it, if we can.

Indeed. In the meantime, that human was not nearly enough for my pet. However... Gula waved his wrist, and the man's neck snapped. Bring him another. This one is not worthy of him. Feed it to the Jie'los. Gula slowly floated away. He wondered if he would have got such pleasing results if he hadn't been in such a lousy mood. Perhaps there was an actual purpose behind Ira's constant rage, though Gula decided he didn't want to think of said Ethereal any more.
 
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Adrammalech

Well-Known Member
This is a collaboration between Adrammalech, ZombieSplitter53, and DarkGemini24601: Anxious Questioning, Part One
Emily Fischer / Morrigan O'Brien / Elene Exalt
XCOM Headquarters – Alien Containment Facility
Siberia, Russian Federation
September 12th, 2018 - 4:19 PM


As Emily walked towards Luxuria’s cell, a model of herself manifested in front of the controls, smiling warmly to her. Emily walked directly through the illusion and looked up at the floating Ethereal, eying her mask with irritation. The illusion behind her sighed happily. Luxuria’s voice came from behind her in Emily’s mind.

Emily…I thought I might have lost you.

“So long as you’re useful, I have an obligation to see you. You’re going to keep helping me develop my powers though, and you’re going to keep giving me information.”

Emily, why aren’t you looking at me?

“I am.”

No, I’m behind you. Please look at me.

“What’s wrong with you?”

I crafted this avatar so that I may speak to you more clearly. Please, look at me.

Emily gave a look of resignation and turned towards the illusion behind her. The illusion’s frown turned into a smile again as it locked eyes with her. It was perfectly sculpted in her image, the shape of her body, the smoothness of her skin, the details of her face. Her red hair was tamed in a thick ponytail and her eyelashes appeared even thicker. Her body was clad in a beautiful princess dress of red with gold frills, mixing outdated human clothing with the Ethereal’s robe. Emily couldn’t deny she liked the look.

Thank you.

Emily walked through the illusion again, turning towards Luxuria and her avatar. Luxuria’s voice was mimicked by the illusion’s lips.

Why must you taunt me? Luxuria frowned again. You know I can barely simulate touches with your contraption, much less make something solid.

“Because I do what I want. Now, are you ready to help?”

I suppose. She waved dismissively. You should be friendlier to me, Emily. I’ve done so much for you.

“You’ve only done anything because I captured you.”

True. You took me from my home, put me in a glass cage, and now you’re forcing me to help your little project. Who does that remind me of?

“I didn’t turn you into a breeding monster, incapable of thought.”

Would you like me to apologize for giving them a world of happiness?

“Shut up.”

Emily’s mirage laughed loudly and dramatically. Oh, oh, first question. Do you think awakening them to their changed bodies will make them happier than a life of chemical and natural bliss? I wouldn't be surprised if some of them came back to beg me...

Emily moved towards the shock button. The illusion tracked her angrily as she marched towards the controls.

When will you humans realize that no shock will make you right?

She raised her finger towards the button before the doors hissed open. In the shadow of the doorframe stood the silhouette of Morrigan, flanked by a figure who was clearly Elene as she stepped into the light. Emily saluted rigidly and shot Elene a wary glance.

Commander. The illusion saluted sarcastically. To what do I owe this intrusion?
The Commander raised an eyebrow at the fancy-dressed illusion. “Interesting look for you. Are we intruding on anything?”

Emily and Luxuria spoke at the same time. “No.” Yes.

Morrigan shook her head, not wanting the double image that was unsettling, and annoyed by the knowledge that the mind-reading alien likely knew it. “Emily, you may recall some talk about giving your… extraterrestrial stalker a body, yes?”

“I do,” Emily crossed her arms, “are we doing that now?”

Emily’s doppelganger angrily looked away, and Morrigan ignored it. “No. I’ve decided doing so would likely take away our ability to get her to cooperate, even for you. However, as Ms. Exalt has already started research and work into it, we may reconsider it in the future.” Morrigan looked up at the Ethereal. “If the alien continues to cooperate, and stops molesting everyone that she sees.” The illusion waved its hand dismissively, but said nothing. Waving her hand towards Elene, Morrigan asked, “You remember Elene, yes? I’m afraid your first introductions weren’t on the best of terms.”

“You could say that,” Emily replied, trying not to let her emotion show.

The heiress raised an eyebrow. Rather hostile for one whose life I spared, Elene thought to herself. “I am confident that future encounters shall be on much better terms.”

“I’m sure they will be,” Morrigan said, trying to sound more confident than she was. “After all, you two have something in common. An interest in what Luxuria can teach, yes? I’m sure, with Emily’s help, you can get the information you are looking for, Elene.”

“Indeed. As I discovered in Texas, my command over mesmerism is more than adequate. Yet there is still much to be learned from the knowledge of an Ethereal,” Elene explained. “Confirmation of the ‘color wheel’ theory, specifics of abilities and powers we do not yet know of… The list is staggering, but intriguing.”

“Right.” Morrigan clapped her hands together. “Then, I will leave you to it. The alien… doesn’t seem to like me. I can’t imagine why.”

Your sarcasm leaves much to be desired, Commander.

“Whatever.” The Commander pointed her finger, first at the illusion, then the Ethereal, and finally dropped her hand, unsure where to direct her words, and not caring enough to ask. “Now, as I explained, the decision to hold off on your body…”

Was not Elene’s decision. Yes, I am aware. I scanned her mind when she first came in here. Even with your… blasted contraptions blocking my abilities, I could sense that she was unhappy with the situation. I am happy that she is almost as displeased with this as I am.

“Whatever,” Morrigan repeated. Turning to the two women, Morrigan said, “Now, we had to turn up her dampening thingys to keep her from scanning everyone’s minds and messing with them. I understand that you might need to turn them down to get what you want, but please… just… be careful, alright? I trust you two to not let curiosity override your judgment.”

“I am aware of the risks, and shall act appropriately,” Elene responded. Especially after last time.

Morrigan nodded, and took her leave, though not before shooting the Ethereal one last look. Once she was gone, Emily’s illusion smiled at the original.

Is this really necessary? We could just tell your Commander we cooperated. It would be our word against hers. When Emily didn’t answer, Luxuria sighed in their heads. Very well. As I have been ordered to ‘play nice’ in order to get what I deserve, I shall answer your questions, Elene. However, this is an exchange. You must answer my questions, and truthfully, if you wish for me to answer yours. Agreed?

“As long as it does not compromise the security of my organization, we have a deal,” Elene replied.

Very well. First, my question.
 

DarkGemini24601

Well-Known Member
Adrammalech, DarkGemini24601, and ZombieSplitter53: "Anxious Questioning, Part 2"

The illusion put her hand on her chin in thought. She smiled. Tell me, my dear. The man that caused you and your clones… your family such distress. Viktor, yes? What do you have planned for him, should you get your hands on him? And please… do be as detailed as you can be.

I am going to end his life in the most agony possible. Perhaps...piece by piece, Elene answered simply. Starting with the non-vital areas, of course.

Splendid. Luxuria tapped her fingers. Though I do understand. That he should do what he did for any purpose other than pleasure was… such a waste. How is your sister, by the way?

Elene stared at the Ethereal impassively. “She is recovering. I do find it odd that you take an interest. Is it possible that you actually care, or are there more...base reasons for it?”

The illusion grinned. Let’s just say I take a vested interest in such matters. And I care, but… not for the reasons you might think. She folded her arms. Now it is your turn.

“Are we correct in our assumption that the different variants of psionics, the ‘colors’, function in the spectrum we understand visible light to?” the heiress inquired.

Indeed. Luxuria lifted the illusion’s index fingers and traced a circle. It is a cycle, everything coming full circle. One color leading into the next. Each color connected to the next, directly or vicariously. Why the Gift should choose to manifest itself in such a manner is anyone’s guess, though should one be able to Ascend past the limitations of the circle, all would be revealed, including this. For now, it is well know that the link allows for us to push beyond the limitations of what you might call our ‘base’ color. And one day, we shall find one who can wield them all equally.

“If that is possible, of course,” Elene pointed out. “Theoretically, it would seem difficult, considering that our blues are practically incapable of wielding orange, for instance. Such a being would be of immense power, should they exist.” Seeing she was getting lost in thought, the clone quickly composed herself. “In any event, it is your turn.”

All this business talk is quite dull. Let's explore something interesting. The illusion turned with a malevolent grin. Emily, how do you feel about the Commander forcing you to work with a person who let a woman with a grudge put a gun to your head? Emily shook her head and the illusion smiled. Just imagine, that Emma woman shaking with rage, just a couple more pounds of pressure and then POP! Your entire life, ending meaninglessly.

“Fine, the Commander trusts her, so do I,” Emily replied calmly. “Technically, the Commander did the same thing.”

“I would not hold such a needless grudge over a hired gun,” Elene added. “The only reason Emma was truly upset is because of the bond of battle.”

Is that so, Elene? The illusion walked over to Emily, moving her hand across her cheek as though she could touch her. Are you telling me you believe her? Would it surprise you to know she doesn’t believe herself?

“Little surprises me,” the heiress replied. “Even if that is the case, I value the Commander’s trust more than I value the opinions and grudges of a simple footsoldier.”

“And as a simple footsoldier, I would have no concerns about the Commander consorting with people who hire and clone drug running mercenaries, or used to work for our enemies. So we’re all friends,” Emily said spitefully.

Aw, the picture of professionalism. The dedicated scientist, pushing on with her work, even when held back by someone who thinks they can order you around, all for the sake of a single soldier. And the warrior, willing to keep going even as her Commanding officer sells her and her loving Comrades out to her enemy. So… inspiring.

A smile found its way onto Elene’s face. “Is there a purpose to this, Luxuria? It would seem to me like you are trying to create dissent in the ranks… and while you may have proven there is lingering… irritation, ultimately I could care less.”

Is that so? The illusion shrugged. Very well. I’m sure you are just as apathetic as you act. The thought of your only hope being this… footsoldier, doesn’t bother you at all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe I owe said footsoldier the answer to a question. I will get to you when we are done… probably…

“Do you know anything about creating a ‘dreamscape?’” Emily asked.

The avatar nodded, looking at Elene again. I got bits of the ability from the one called Atka, and then from Elene when we first met and were able to get… close. It took some practice, as I only got a general idea from them, but if there is one thing I have in here, it is time. I was able to use it quite successfully just the other day. I could teach it to you. I doubt Elene would make you such an offer.

“It would not be particularly useful to a soldier that typically operates alone,” Elene mentioned evenly.

“So it’s not yours, it’s human-made…” Emily noted. “Interesting. I think I’ll learn it on my own, in that case.”

But… Emily’s copy shook her head. But I can teach it to you. It may not be of my creation, but if we learned about it together, we could make it so much better than this woman and her… associates ever could!

“Oh, I believe Captain Ipiktok could teach it to her with much more ease,” Elene replied. “And it was my operative that invented it, after all,” she noted cheerfully, redirecting her ire towards the troublesome Ethereal.

“Your operative said it would take months,” Emily responded, glancing over. “But I’ll stick with the source. I’ll keep your…‘offer’ in mind.”
 

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
Adrammalech, DarkGemini24601, and ZombieSplitter53: "Anxious Questioning, Part 3"

Emily 2 stepped away from Emily 1, Luxuria’s pride turning her away from the object of her desire for now. Elene, I have another question for you. Tell me, considering your sisters and forces, you have no qualms over cloning, but I am not sure if the Commander feels the same way. I feel the cancellation of your… promise… was at least partially motivated by that. How would you react should she order you to stop such research entirely?

“I...would do so, for the benefit of the alliance. I have enough troops, anyway.” For now, at least, Elene added, trying her best to mask the reflexive thought from the other two psions.

Luxuria sensed the slight hesitation, but was distracted by the prompt, unsatisfactory answer. You… are no fun. Both the illusion and Luxuria raised a hand. We can have some fun, if you wish. Like last time. You need but to turn the power down. Though we can try with how they are now.

“I have no real desire to repeat the experience,” Elene quickly said. I would rather figure out that ability on my own terms.

Emily glanced towards Elene and whispered towards her. “If you want powers or something from her, you should probably ask for them now, before she gets too bored of you.”

“I do not believe your method of leaching power from an Ethereal would work for me,” Elene replied. “Luxuria, I can lower my mental barriers so that you can scan a memory I will bring to mind. I am curious if you can think of any...improvements to my use of mesmerism.”

Very well. Luxuria extended her hand. I will try to restrain myself from doing anything else, lest you rely on that accursed red switch. A tendril of energy flowed into the scientist, and Luxuria had to resist the urge to humiliate her in front of Emily. Finding what she wanted, as well a few other snippets of memory to look over later, Emily’s illusion frowned. Feeling, child. It is not enough to simply want those you control to do as they are told. You have to need it. It has to be your every desire. To use it in battle, your closest ally will be anger, hatred, malice. The angrier you are when you command your enemy, the quicker they will be to point that weapon towards their head and fire!

Curious, Elene decided. “I shall keep that in mind, then. Such a fire can only be stroked in the heat of dangerous battle.”

Emily. How goes your training? Surely, you have been practicing since last we met. Please, give me all the details.

“Everything is a lot more stable now, I’d thank you but that would imply you didn’t cause it,” Emily sighed. “I’m practicing with another psion, but I can’t really branch out past panicking and the rift.”

Of course no one else can help you. Only we can… together. Emily’s copy smiled seductively. Would you like us to come together again, one do you have some other question?

“Are you saying I can’t learn other colors without you? That seems unlikely, everyone else can. Even Nika is starting to.”

I am saying you could not learn them right.
Luxuria’s tone sounded a tad irritated. You need me to unlock the Path we started together when we were one. Please Emily, let us continue.

Emily scratched the back of her neck and looked over at Elene as she considered the risks. “I’ll think about it.”

Luxuria let out what sounded like an annoyed grunt. Very well. You, Elene… do you have any more questions for me?

“None in particular at the moment,” the scientist replied. “I think I shall depart for now.”

“One more thing. Gula,” Emily stated.

He is a weak-willed quivering pile of waste! Luxuria spit the words like venom, antipathy bursting out of her. A pathetic male that disgusts and offends me. I only tolerated him because my superiors demanded it, the idea of him being called my equal makes my skin crawl!

“I sense anger,” Emily stated plainly, taking some pleasure in an outburst from her usually composed captive. “Tell me what you really know about him.”

He shares qualities with Avaritia, but he has none of his charm and ambition. He is cowardly, introverted, and takes joy in the torment of others, when he can button up the courage to act. He will not be missed by anyone, and he likely has nothing of worth.

“So he won’t be well guarded?”

On the contrary. Gula has more status than he deserves and he uses it to take anything he can. He'll be well guarded. I couldn't guess to his troop count. Emily’s illusion pointed towards the cell I've been in… this for too long.

“His base, then. What surprises are there?”

I… don’t want to upset you.

“I’ve seen worse in your home.”

No, my experiments were to cause pleasure and obedience. It was to manipulate you, and it may have been an ethical gray area given our experience in my base. But there is truth in this. My subjects were enjoying their capture.

Emily clenched her fists, barely holding herself in place. Her eyes went wide with rage and she grit her teeth at the Ethereal’s avatar.

His would be more barbaric, on ones smaller and weaker than him. And I fear that they were likely unnecessary, vain attempts to prove his worth. He would not care about making them happy like me.

“Happy?” she glared.

I have upset you. I only meant…

You tore them apart! You drugged them and kept them in cages!


Emily, calm yourself, please. I do want to help.

Do not say my name!


I only wanted to find what made them feel pleasure, so that I could protect you when I-


When you ENSLAVED me like THEM?


In the end, I helped them too, with you.

That was NOT your decision.


Emily’s link with the Ethereal broke apart and she stormed out of the room, Luxuria’s avatar then dissolving into the air. The mask of Luxuria stared at Elene expectantly, waiting for her to follow.

Elene sighed. “A lack of professionalism from that one.” Spinning on her heels, she walked out the door.
 
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Dahlexpert

Well-Known Member
The super soldier meets a robotic ally

X-COM Headquarters
Main Engineering, Rear of the room
September 12th, 1700 Hours

Alice sighed, and messed a bit with the large electrode poking out of the open panel in her head. "Do you think they're too small?" Alice asked, looking down at her chest. "I mean, they work for what I need, but that doesn't mean..."

"Who put these thoughts in you head," Jean asked, fiddling with a small electronic gizmo.

"Just... some of the guards. They were asking why we didn't..."

"Psh!" Jean quickly turned to Alice, looking annoyed. "You don't listen to them. Your body is a work of perfection. If they are a fan of over-sized fun-bags, let them sneak peaks at that lab tech with the double Ds. I hear with her pregnancy, they have grown a bit. But you? As I said, perfection." He scooted a bit closer. "Are you aware why Sunny requested my assistance?"

Alice shook her head. "Though I did find it... odd..."

Jean smiled. "Sunny does not know of these things, as she should not at her age. Any other man could not be trusted to be... decent..." He waved his hand forward, Alice wearing only some underwear. "And a woman could not be trusted to not only care about practicality. But me? I am the perfect blend of instinct driven, slightly perverted man, and engineer perfectionist." He lifted one of her arms. "See this? Smooth, supple skin, perfectly mimicking a person. But notice the slight blemish here and there. No need to make you look like a doll." He motioned towards her backside. "Your buttocks are perfectly capable for supporting your frame while keeping the soft, smooth, and plush feel of the real thing."

The android giggled. "You sure have a talent for detail."

Jean scoffed. "To small? I think not. These breast are perfection. Do not let anyone tell you different."

Alice crossed her arms. "Is that an objective view."

Jean scratched his chin. "Weeell... I'll admit, I am partial to this size. Why, this woman I am... well, you do not want to hear such things."

Alice tilted her head. "What?"

Jean grinned. "Only that you are the closest thing to perfection man can make. But her? In my eyes, she is the closest thing to perfection God can make." He shrugged. "But I digress. Can you slip that off? I wish to make sure the adjustments I made are in order."

Eva head down to the engineering bay to ask questions about her weapon.

"Wow, so this is were all of our weapons and armor come from. This place is really impressive."

One of the engineers approached Eva. "Can I help you, miss?"

"Yea I need to talk to." Eva notice Jean working on something." Jean what are you doing here?"

Jean looked past the partially opened sheet acting as Alice's means of modesty. "Eva?" He quickly stepped out, doing his best not to let her see within. "I am... working, my sweet. Helping with one of Sunny's inventions."

Eva raises her eyebrow. "OOOK, so who is this sunny person? she might just be the person I need to talk to about my weapon."

"Sunny is one of the robotics specialist here. Child prodigy. Weapons aren't her field of expertise, but she might be able to help. It's her day off though. Maybe you could come back when..."

"Oh, oh! I can help!" Alice stepped out from behind the sheet, holding her partially removed bra against her chest. "I know a lot about the weapons!"

"Well thank you for yourrr." Eva sees Alice "Ah Eva pull her rifle off her back and points it at Alice. "What the fuck is that thing?"

Jean turned around, and quickly pushed Alice back inside. "Whoa, calm down Eva!"

Alice poked her head back out. "I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?"

"Well let's just say, I faced to many robots. So excuse my hesitation but right now I don't trust robots."

Alice frowned. She quickly pulled out the electrode, and closed the panal. "Is that better? Now I look completely human, right?"

Jean smiled nervously, and whispered, "Doesn't really matter much when she already knows you're an android." He took a cautious step towards Eva, his hands raised. "Just calm down, dear. She is Dr. Randolf's A.I. and personal assistant. Please do not shoot her. I don't want to lose my job." Alice angrily cleared her throat, and Jean added, "And I don't want you to hurt her, either."

Eva's eyes start to twitch. Sigh Eva lowers her weapon "your lucky I like you jean other wise I would ignore you and possible shoot that thing. " Eva walks towards Alice "look, personally I have nothing agents you. But I faced to many robot enemy's trying to kill me and my friends, so excuse me for being rude."

Alice looked down. "Oh... I... I guess I understand..." She looked back up, trying to smile, though obviously having a hard time at it. "B-but... those robots were programmed but the aliens, and were bad robots, right? I-I'm good. I-I love humans! That's why I asked for this body in the first place."

Ou crap I hurt it's feelings, well the fact that this Ai has feelings says that's trying to be human wait I know how to fix this.
"And your body looks amazing, is splendid you look incredible your body reminds me of E.D.I from mass effect 3 one of my favorite video games, actually E.D.I is my favorite character in that hole series. she's an Ai trying to understand humans kinda like you."

Pleas tell me this is working?

Alice's eyes lit up. "You... you really mean that?" She took a cautious step forward. "I-I asked them to make me look as real... no, be as real as possible. And I wanted a body so I can help you and the others more. Then last thing I'd want to do is scare you."

"Ou no no no your body looks great, and just like my favorite character your being just like her. See E.D.I. got a body so she can help my main character on the front lines,and defend humanity. So i'm not scared of you like I said your body looks great."

A big smile on her face, Alice leapt forward, wrapping her arms around Eva. "I'm so happy! I love making new friends!" Her bare chest pressed against Eva, and several heads turned in their direction.

"Um OK friend would you mind getting off me, your naked and you pressing your chest on me. And people might get the wrong idea."

Jean shook his head. He quickly grabbed both of their arms and pulled them both behind the sheet. "Get dressed," Jean told Alice, motioning towards her clothes. Turning to Eva, he said, "This... this isn't what it looks like, by the way."

Eva put's her hand on her forehead. "Jean, why do think i'm going to get anger with you over the slights thing? you should know by know i'm not going to get angry over the slightest thing. Eva hugs Jean like I said i'm your and your mine so quiet worrying."

Jean smiled. "Sorry, you're right. I guess it was a good thing you saw she was an android at first. Otherwise, you would have walked in on me with a half naked woman."

"Why? Would she be upset about that?" Alice asked, slipping her pants on, her chest still bare. "You were only making sure your work on my breasts was complete."

"WOULD YOU PLEASE PUT ON A SHIRT. Eva rubs her head at the though of jean working a androids breast. Jean why do I get the feeling that your going to kill me before the aliens do."

"Don't say that, love." Jean snuggled against her. "It is only work. Alice asked.."

"Why don't you make them like hers?" Alice asked, slipping her shirt on.

"U-uh... Alice, I..." Jean shook his head.

"If God made her perfect, then she has perfect breasts, right? So why not make them like hers?" Alice tilted her head, genuinely curious.

Eva shakes her head."OK Alice i'm not perfect no human is perfect,and you want to be human right? So just keep your breast just like the way they are."


How does this shit happen to me?

Alice shrugged. "Okay... though Jean is right. You are very pretty." She looked at Jean. "She is the one you were talking about, right?"

"Yes, Alice," Jean answered, covering his eyes to hide his embarrassment.


"Ou Jean was talking about me huh. I would love to hear what he's been saying about me. Alice can you tell me what Jeans been saying."
 
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Dahlexpert

Well-Known Member
Part 2

Jean's eyes widened. "Alice, no, that..."

"He said, in his eyes, you are the closest thing to perfection God can make." Alice answered bluntly.

"Alice, please." Jean's face started to turn red.

"Ou did he now." Eva looks back a Jean and sees his face turning red.

Maybe just one more, then i'll get back to my business and analogize to jean.

"
Can you tell me one more, and please make it a very good one."

"Eva, please, I..."

"Well, after he started going out with you, he always has this big smile on his face." Alice smiled. "And he doesn't flirt with any of the other girls anymore."

OK, now I can stop right here and Jean is getting really nervous. but I get the feeling i'm about to here something that I don't want to hear should I let Alice go on or stop this.

Sigh "Ok Alice that's enough, but i'm going to give you your first human test." Eva points at jean "Now you see jean his face is turning red, which means your about to say something really imbersing now you can stop right now or you can keep going. And jean don't say any thing to her."

Alice frowned. "Oh, I... I-I'm sorry. I thought I was helping." She rubbed her arm nervously. "I remember when I was embarrassed, and I didn't really like it. I-I'll stop now."

"Thank you and Jean thanks you to, now back to the reason i'm here. My weapon is pretty good but I would like to extend the clip, of it so it can hold 70 bullets do you think you can do that?"

"For your Gauss weapon? Sure, but wouldn't you rather use a Pulse rifle. Same penetrating power of the Gauss, with the overall punch of the lasers. And I can make you a modification to increase the number of shots you get."

"Hum me and this Gauss have been through so much, so I think i'll keep this one. But yes I will take the pulse rifle. I always wanted a pulse gun ever since I was a teenager, So Yes can you please give me a pulse rifle with an extended clip?"

Alice took Eva's hand. "Why don't I make you both?" She pulled Eva out, leaving an sheepish Jean behind, and bringing her to one of the work stations. She took the clip from the Gauss rifle, and grabbed several parts lying around. "I'll make you a nice, compact extension that'll work for your weapon. I learned everything I know from watching the others. They let me practice, too. I know they're just having me do their work, but I don't mind, because I like helping people. I..." She started to slow down. "I... I do love humans, you know? I... I-I'm not... I'm not like..."

"Relax, I know you not a terminator I know. And trust me with my life me meeting an AI that has a body, is about as normal to me as breakfast. And I know that were away from Jean and I don't want him to be embarrassed,but what was that last thing you were going to say about him, and please don't be so blunt about it.and before you say it, I want you to check my heart rate when you say it."

Alice shook her head. "Um, I... I, um... I was just going to say how much he keeps talking about the girl of his dreams. He said he felt bad that she had to protect him, and there was nothing he could do to help. And he... he asked if I was ever out on the field with her, to watch her back, and make sure she comes back to him..." She looked down at her hands, watching them as she finished the modifications. "He... h-he really likes you. Not... n-not the fake, programmed love... I..."

Eva's face looks like a cherry. I.... Jean ..... That damn fool, so he does fell that huh, Sigh well that's nice to know Well. Eva get's a smirk on her face well it's nice to know he feels the same way as me, It's probable best that you never tell him about this OK. I want him to say those words him self."

"Okay," Alice practically whispered, not looking up. She finished with the clip and put it back on the rifle. "I-I... I'll... work on your pulse rifle extension once I... get a chance. I... need to go..."

"Yea and I need to process all of this, maybe train a little bit and get my head on straight. Now remember what I said don't tell Jean about this OK."

Alice slowly nodded. She rubbed her eyes before getting up and slowly walking to the back of engineering.

Approaching Eva a moment later, Jean said, "Well, it took me a bit of searching, but I think I finally found my dignity again." He looked around in confusion. "Where did Alice go?"

Eva pointed towards the back."She's working on my gun. Jean can I tell you something?" Eva's face lightly turning red.

Jean raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Eva looks on the ground and says "Look I know I've haven't been deployed ever since the base was assaulted,and I enjoyed the time we had together. But when i'm deployed and when i'm out there I will do every thing in my power to not die. Why do you think I've been training so hard lately it's because I don't want to die. Eva kisses Jeans cheek and don't worry about me I will come back to you, no matter what do you understand?"

Jean nodded. "Okay, Eva. I trust you. Just don't forget that your teammates will keep you safe, just like you'll keep them safe. And that includes Alice." He ran his hand through her hair. "I know you can take care of yourself, better then I can. I don't mean to worry. Like I said, I trust you."

"I know you do, and I trust you to and you've been proving that trust every day. Now if you excuse me I have some training to do."

Jean nodded. "All right. I'll meet you later for dinner."

Eva nods "Ou I can't wait."
 

ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
When Good Men do Nothing
Part One


X-COM Headquarters
Main Gym
September 12th, 2200 Hours

Jake slowly pushed up the weights, his face turning beat red as he struggled with all his might to get that tenth rep. One-twenty might have meant nothing for most of the soldiers here, but as Jake was quickly realizing, he was sorely behind them.

The bar only halfway up, the guard clearly stuck, Terry Finch, a soldier, shook his head and lifted the weight up with him. "Geez, man, slow down. Why the sudden emphasis on getting in shape?"

Jake hid a grin. "Well, I... I don't know. Just feeling soft, you know. Wanna get in better shape, wanna... wanna look good..."

"For your girlfriend?" Airi Akizuki asked with a sly smirk.

"You have a girlfriend?!" Her sister asked excitingly. "Who is it?!"

Jake waved his hands in embarrassment. "No, what, I... I-I don't... I mean, I..."

"No need to be shy," Airi said, nudging him. "You got Atka. Quite a catch. I'd be bragging if I were you."

"No way." Terry rubbed his chin. "I didn't think she had any interest in anyone. Might have introduced myself if I did..."

"Plus she's one of the highest ranking soldier, and Jake is..." Marina's eyes widened. "No, Jake, please, I-I didn't mean anything by that! You just... I didn't think..."

"Come on, sis, you aren't give Jake enough credit." Airi ruffled the guard's hair. "Sure, even I could kick his ass." Jake raised his eyebrow at the four foot, eleven inch woman, but said nothing, lest she prove her words. "But he's got that hidden, shy-guy charm. The kind that says, 'look, might not be the macho type, but at least I'll always treat you like royalty'."

"Thanks... I think..." Jake shook his head. "But Atka and I...

Airi slugged Jake in the arm. "Quiet, you! I saw you two, chatting it up over dinner, smiling, laughing. You reaching out to touch her hand, and her letting you."

"Dude, just take the compliment," Terry insisted. Looking at the sisters, he said, "He probably doesn't want to 'embarrass' her. That's why he's pushing himself."

Marina rolled her eyes. "You need to be confident in yourself, Jake. Trust me, women..."

"Like a confident man, I know." Jake stood up and grabbed a twenty-pound free weight, slowly pumping it. "Emily said the same thing. I'm working on it. And I figure if I get in better shape, it'll make me more confident."

"Good point." Terry sat next to him, grabbing another twenty-pounder.

"As long as you don't push yourself." Airi grabbed a forty-pound weight, grinning as she pumped it at the same speed as Jake.

Marina lightly yanked on one of Airi's long, blond pig-tails. "Don't show off."

Airi opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off by the loud, obnoxious laughter of a group of four soldiers walking in. They walked over to the punching bag, three standing aside as the fourth, the loudest of the group, started wailing on it. Airi stepped forward to say something, but her brown-haired sister shook her head, and the four did their best to ignore them. They quickly found that easier said then done.

"There is too many of them!" The loudest, Reginald Burton, said. The other soldiers, three obvious yes-men named Stanley Griffith, Joe Thomas, and Zack Oliver, simply nodded like bobble heads, big, stupid grins on their faces. "If we gotta have these chicks here, then a few to pacify them is fine. But the Commander and Central officer and a Captain?"

Jake's eye twitched, but he kept his mouth shut. He noted Airi pumping the weights faster and faster. Opening his empathic abilities, he noted the rage building in her. "Airi," he said, having to speak just loud enough to be heard over the laughter. "It isn't worth it."

"I mean, do we really need any of them anyway? We could wrap this whole war up in a matter of weeks if we just picked out the best men and sent them out. Like that Walker guy."

"Just relax," Terry muttered. "It isn't like paying them any mind will..."

"Labeled a traitor and still walking around? Because she knows who she needs around here. Probably regretted locking him up in the first place." The man laughed heartily. "You think she keeps calling him back to look after that brat of hers.? She's probably begging him to spread her..."

Airi's free-weight hit the floor with a loud thud, causing the four men to turn towards her. "Y... y-you..."

"See what I mean?" Burton waved his hand at her as he walked over. "Little girls playing with the big boys. You didn't hurt yourself, did you, little girl?"

Airi turned to him and folded her arms. "You're a pompous ass, you know that?"

"Airi, don't," Marina begged, placing her hand on her sister's shoulder, but Airi brushed it off.

"You think you can do this all by yourself, huh?" The short, blond woman asked, pointing an angry finger at the much, much bigger soldier.

"That's right." Burton grinned. "I can probably pick out a handful of guys and rip these aliens to shreds. But our Commander is too soft, and surrounds herself with equally soft, pathetic little bitches. That's why there are so many women on the big missions, and guys like me are stuck running errands for that half-Jap." Airi snarled, and the man only laughed. He took a step forward, making sure Airi knew full well how much he towered over her. "You have something to say... little girl?"

Airi looked down. She silently cursed, knowing she wouldn't be able to compensate for the size difference. She jumped a bit at the gentle hand on her shoulder, Jake stepping forward. "I got it," he whispered.

"No," Airi whispered back. "No offense, but I have a better chance..."

"Doesn't matter." Jake folded his arms, and tried to hide how intimidated her was. "It's too bad you're stuck with Colonel Brea, huh?"

Burton grumbled, not liking Jake's sarcastic tone. "Don't worry about that, little man," he said, shoving Jake a bit. "Already demanded I be resigned. We'll be on a regular team next mission."

Jake shook his head. "Too bad. As far as I've been told, everyone going on missions with her is too weak to be trusted not to die without her constantly protecting her." Burton practically growled, but Jake continued, trying to hide the shake in his voice. "W-we need everyone, even you. But I guess you'd rather die, then live with the knowledge that you're only alive because a woman is protecting you."
 
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ZombieSplitter53

Game Master
Staff member
When Good Men do Nothing
Part Two


Burton grabbed his collar, and got right in his face. "You have a big mouth for someone with such weak knees! And based on that uniform, you're not even a soldier!"

"Get your hands off him!" Airi rushed forward. Burton extended his free hand and shoved her, the young woman being flung back into her sister's arms. Jake renched himself free, and turned to check on his friend. Burton grabbed his shoulder, turning Jake back towards him and connecting with a solid fist to the stomach.

Jake collapsed to his knees. As he desperately tried to catch his breath, he fought off the urge to cry out in pain, lose consciousness, or vomit, if not all three. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the three lackeys blocking his friends. All three of them, even Marina, looked ready to explode, and Jake held up a shaking hand. "D-don't..."

"Come on, Jake, we can take them," Terry said, though he didn't sound so sure."

"I'd like to see you try," Burton responded, folding his arms.

"NO!" Jake slowly rose to his feet. "I-I told you, he's not w-worth it."

"Jake, huh?" Burton placed a hand on Jake's shoulder, squeezing hard enough to bring a tear to the guard's eye. "Weren't you the one always talking to that Indian-chick? Atka, right?" He let out a loud, obnoxious laugh that only exacerbated Jake's growing headache. "You know, I didn't bother with her because since she hung out with that lesbo, and I figured she was a carpet muncher herself. Seeing her hang out with you doesn't really help with that theory!"

As Burton let out another round of laughter at his own joke, Jake shuddered. "Y-you... leave her..."

"But maybe having one of the Commander's lapdogs at the foot of my bed could do wonders for me." Burton shoved Jake to the floor. "When I'm finished with you, she won't want to look at you. And she'll need someone to console her. To hold her. To caress her." He grinned. "And of course, to fu..."

Jake shoot up to his feet, so quickly he caught Burton by surprise. Shoving the larger man into the wall, he raised his arm, reached back, and sent his fist sailing towards the soldier's face. Jake stopped millimeters from contact, and simply held his fist in place. "I said... leave... Atka... out..." A right hook floored him again, and Burton stepped on his shoulder, a loud pop ringing out as the man's weight dislocated it.

"You're gonna wish you took that punch, you little bitch!" Burton grabbed Jakes collar and lifted him into the air with a single hand. "If this is all Atka has to protect himself, I'm surprised she's lasted this long!"

"A-Atka... doesn't need me... to protect him." Jake grinned, ignoring the waves of pain flowing throughout his body. "A-Atka... c-could kick... you ass. But I know... if she was in my place... she wouldn't b-bother with you. Because she's smarter then that, and you're... not... w-worth..."

Another heavy punch to the gut, this time with Jake suspended, and the guard practically flew eight feet. Crumpling to the ground, he did finally lose his lunch this time. Horrified by the display, Terry sneered at the man holding him. "Let me go," he growled through clenched teeth. Joe Thomas, seemingly as put off as Terry, slowly nodded, and released the man. Terry rushed to Jake's side, and helped him into a sitting position. "Damn it, man. You should have taken that punch."

Jake shook his head, and wiped the spittle, vomit, and blood from his mouth. "He isn't worth it."

"Say that to me one more time!" Burton pulled out a large combat knife and pointed it at Jake as he quickly walked over. "I... FUCKING... DARE YOU!"

Jake starred up at the enraged soldier with drooping eyes. "Say... what? That... you aren't..." Burton suddenly swung the knife to the side, and it came to rest in front of Marina's throat. "No!"

"Don't you dare hurt her!" Airi screamed. "I'll fucking kill you, I swear to God!"

Griffith released Marina and slowly backed away. The young Japanese woman swallowed hard, and gave Jake as brave a face as she could. "Do it, Jake."

Airi's eyes widened, and she struggled in Oliver's grasp.. "Oneesan! Shinai!"

The loud click of a pistol's hammer rang out through room. All heads turned to Thomas, a gun raised and pointing at Burton. "What the fuck are doing, Joe?"

"Out!" Thomas motioned for the door.

Burton's eye twitched. He sheathed his knife and took a step towards Thomas. "Come on, man. Stop taking this so serious. I wasn't really gonna..."

"I said out!" Thomas glared at Burton, has aim unflinching. Burton, Griffith, and Oliver raised their hands and slowly backed out of them gym without another word. Slowly holstering his weapon, he looked as though he wanted to say something, but only gave the others an apologetic look before rushing out himself.

Marina rubbed her throat as Airi ran up to her, wrapping her arms around her. "I-I'm so sorry. This is..."

"My fault." Jake shook his head. "I shouldn't have left it up to you to say something."

"I shouldn't have said something in the first place!"

Jake slowly stood up with Terry's help. "I-Irish philosopher Edmund Burke said..." Jake closed his eyes, the ringing in his head messing with his though process. "H-he said... um... 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil... is... is for good men to do nothing.' I shouldn't have just sat there, saying nothing. But..." He gave Marina a sad look. "I shouldn't have egged him on either. That was almost as bad... if not worse, then just hitting him."

Marina scoffed. "Damn it, meathead insults you, beats the crap out of you, and holds a knife to your friend, and your immediate reaction is to blame yourself." She carefully rapped his sore arm around neck while Terry supported the other.

"Lets hit the infirmary," Terry said.

"Then the bar." Airi added. "I think Jake needs something to eat to make up for what he lost.

The four slowly walked out, Jake wondering if he should report this, and ultimately deciding not to. He didn't wish it, but he meant what he said earlier. If they were working under Aya for so long, it was probably with good reason, and he was afraid they'd be lucky to get through their next mission. Hopefully they'll be humbled when they actually have to fight for themselves and depend on the rest of the squad.
 

MarineAvenger

Operator 21O
Staff member
Pictures of the Past

The holographic workout program materialized in the middle of the lab, Desmond shaking out any kinks in his system before picking up the bar that laid on the ground. Moving his fingers along the projection like a piano, Desmond jumped up and got the bar in the first rungs.

Swinging his legs forward, he jumped up the with the back swing and connected with the second set of rungs, already his muscles working hard from this workout. Of all his time of being, the one workout that always pushed Desmond to his limits was the Salmon Pull. Every time he attempted it, he tried to go higher, the strain on his body an odd mix of pain and satisfaction.

He swung up again and landed on the third set of rungs.

Clear your mind. The only way to achieve victory is to clear you mind. A distant voice called out.

I keep doing as you say but it is impossible, I will never get there! Desmond responded.

You can and you will. The voice demanded. Empty your mind like a void. In that void, picture nothing but a single flame. Use that flame as your guide. Focus on that one spark.

Desmond did as the voice instructed. Metal on metal sound, the fourth rung achieved.

Can we go up into the mountains today? There is something I want to show you! A different voice requested.

What about my lessons? Master would literally kill me if he found me away from my studies.

You worry too much! Come on, it won't be there forever. The female voice pleaded. You won't get caught, you can't, you are the best there is!

Clang Fifth rung reached.

See! Isn't it beautiful!

It...sure is something. I have never seen a flower grow up in these areas. I wonder how it got there?

Who cares! The female voice exclaimed. It is so cool!

I really should be getting back...

Yes...you should. A gruff voice responded.

Desmond nearly missed the sixth bar, taking a moment to catch his breath.

Thi-this isn't...I know I shouldn't be away and...

There was a moment of silence and the gruff voice spoke up again.
What did you find child?

Look! It is a flower that I found while exploring. I thought it was pretty and wanted to show Desmond...please don't be mad at him, it was my fault for distracting him!

There was another brief silence.
There are lessons all around us. Humans are constantly gaining knowledge, even when they may not know it. The lesson here young one, is that no matter how harsh the situation, life always finds a way to blossom into something wonderful. And for you young man, it is that you will need more training before you can escape my sight. There was a brief chuckle. You may stay for the time being, but I expect you back soon. Both of you have chores to do and training to accomplish.

Yes...Master.

Desmond reached the seventh rung, his muscles nearing the point of screaming out, but he wouldn't stop.

You need to hide, now!

But I can fight! Why don't you trust me? The female voice asked with confusion.

I do trust you, but this is not a fight you can win. Too many have fallen already.

Desmond...please, don't go!


I have to. Just stay here and keep low! I will come back.

You promise?

There was a long period of silence.
I promise.

Desmond reached the eighth rung, one left to go. As he went to jump, there was an explosion, and Desmond missed the rung, falling down a ways and landing on the floor hard, getting the air knocked out of his and causing him to grab his chest.
Saka! The psionic soldier managed to regain his breath and managed to get himself up, shaky legged off the ground. "It has been years...I always assumed she died...and now she is the leader of her clan after all this time."

Desmond wiped his wet head and threw his shirt on top of him, ending the simulation and rushing to take a shower to try and clear his head.
 
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