RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[MarineAvenger]

Developing the Bond (MarineAvenger and DarkGemini24601)

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1200 Hours, October 22nd, 2018
Legion Sector

Sora had been walking around the whole day, still trying to iron out any problems in his joints and programming with his new body. Until his new clothing had come, he was wearing a pair of jeans and shirt he had borrowed from a few people he had knew and was a little annoyed by the mismatch of handouts. Walking into the Exalt’s room, he sighed and rubbed his neck as he closed the door behind him. “‘Ello, anyone home?”

A series of lights flickered in the dimly lit room, and Avanix’s holographic projection took shape. “I believe they are taking a look at the battleship acquired recently,” the original A.I. stated.

“Please tell me they won’t let Vee go on a joy ride...we have enough problems, we don’t need her crashing a ship through the ceiling adding to that.” He couldn’t help but smile at the thought though.

“I do not believe that will be the case.” Avanix looked over Sora for a moment. “It is good to see your android body is functioning properly. I cannot say the same at the moment.”

“Yeah, how much you wanna bet that once yours is done mine will blow up cause the Commander’s cat pisses on my damn leg.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I swear, we are like iPhones, mobile but your tap the bloody screen and the whole damn thing blows apart.”

“Well, I don’t expect you going on combat missions. I used my frame to take a hit meant for Major Ipiktok,” Avanix explained.

“Yeah, I prefer to stick to what I am good at and that is hacking into multiple services and racking up more favors than I know what to do with. Seriously, you would be surprised how many people come to me to ask for something under the table.” He looked at the hologram with a raised eyebrow. “I ‘ope she at least said ‘thank you’?”

“She did after she recovered from the death of a comrade afterwards. And, needless to say, XCOM no longer works for the Council of Nations.” Avanix held up two fingers. “Which means two things. Not only are Elene and the others much safer now, but it means that Commander O’Brien has chose to side with us over them.”

“Well that was never a worry now wasn’t it? Always knew the crazy woman would be good to us.” Sora rubbed his chin. “I wonder if this means she will let me send the Council members a cat video virus...now that would be funny…” He muttered.

“We shall see… I do not know the details yet,” Avanix replied. “But it is good news nevertheless.”

“So how have you been, you know, without your body?” Sora asked, stupidly not remembering she didn’t spend all her time in her body anyways.

“I manage as always,” Avanix replied with a chuckle. “How are you adjusting to yours?”

“It hurts, I can tell you that much.” He rolled his shoulder and sighed. “You see why I was so hesitant getting this thing. I swear the things I do when…” Sora’s voice trailed off and he just sat down in a chair.

“...when you are in love?” Avanix surmised.

He eyed her. “Yeah, yeah.” The male A.I. rubbed his face and shook his head. “I swear, how did I allow myself to be dropped so low.”

“Low?” Avanix echoed in a mutter.

“Oh don’t take it the wrong way. I am just not the best ‘Romeo’ kind of guy. Wasn’t really thinking to myself when I was first created, ‘Yep, I am going to find a nice girl and settle down.’ I always thought I would just be on my own, to not have to rely on humans or anyone else and just be my own thing.”

“Having allies is not a determinant. Though it is odd for us, being practically immortals. I do not pretend to understand concepts like love completely, though I’d like to think my time with Elene has helped me understand the concept of love for family. I believe… Lusett implanted the capacity for something of a ‘motherly instinct’ in me.”

“I bet she would have been horrified to have me around then.” The other A.I. intoned.

“Why would that be?” Avanix asked curiously.

“From what I hear of this Lusett it seems like she was a woman who was dedicated to her work. I am one of those wild cards who act like the complete opposite to sciency people if her type. I got lucky with the four we have now.”

“That makes things more interesting, doesn’t it? If she preferred boring things she wouldn’t have gotten involved with the aliens.”

“I guess I will leave that to your imagination then.” Sora closed his eyes and left his body, his hologram soon appearing next to Avanix’s. He took in a deep breath and let it out. “Ah, that is better.” He looked at Avanix and couldn’t help but smile a bit. “I don’t know which I like better, your hologram or actual body. Though I guess it doesn’t matter since it is still you, now doesn’t it?”

Avanix smiled. “I do prefer the body for general matters, though this form is more ideal for research and technical purposes.”

Sora reached out and ‘touched’ the other A.I.’s cheek. “I think I like you either way. Even if we may not be the best experienced with love, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be together either way. I...I do love you Ava.”

“And it is mutual, even if I have similar difficulties comprehending.” Avanix leaned slightly into the hand, making herself more solid with the holoprojector force fields.

Sora smiled at her and he tilted his head. “So what would you like to do? If the others are away, I have free time to spend with you.”

“Perhaps… a simulation of sorts,” Avanix mused.

Sora looked at Ava with a raised eyebrow. "Okay...lead the way then love." He prompted her, not knowing what her intentions were.

 

[Frostlich1228]

Frostlich1228 & MarineAvenger: "Ammelia, The Shadow Sniper." Pt. 1

Ammelia sat at the X-Com bar, enjoying another strawberry smoothie. She had fallen in love with them after purchasing her first one a few weeks ago, coming back to the bar every few days to get another. Mary was seated on the stool next to her, taking shots out of a bottle of hard liquor, wanting to stay at least sober enough to communicate with her sister.

“So…” Ammelia spoke, “When do you plan on heading to the psi labs? You are going to unlock your powers right?”

“Of ‘ourse eh’m ‘oing te’ un’ock meh’ ‘owers. Je’ ‘ot te’ eager te’ sleep ‘or ‘nother week.” Mary replied, taking another shot of her alcohol, “Aybe te’marrow… Ye’ ‘an ‘oin meh’ if ye’ want.”

“Yeah, I’d like that. I haven’t even been in the Psi labs yet, I don’t even know what it looks like.” She smiled, slurping her smoothie.

“‘Ooks ‘ike et’ll be eh’ ‘irst ‘or ‘oth of us.” Mary said, smiling back.

The doors of the bar swung open and two men had walked in, one of them Desmond and the other a smaller blonde guy who was talking Desmond’s ear off, but the psionic soldier just looking forward a little annoyed.

As they approached the two girls, the one sided conversation became a bit clearer. “Come on, I am not asking much Desmond. You know I would never-”

Desmond finally stopped walking and finally looked at the smaller man. “Look, I told you the first time I would think about it, what more do you want from me?”

“I just want to make sure you will do it, you know how I feel about this.”

Desmond looked a little annoyed and he licked his lips looking to the ground. “Fine, I will tell her.”

The smaller man sighed in relief. “Thanks Desmond...this means a lot.”

“Doesn’t mean I like you yet. Now, leave me alone.” Turning his back to him he sat down at the bar and asked for a beer as the blonde guy ran off.

Ammelia looked over to him, “Hey Desmond. What was that about if you don’t mind me asking?”

He looked over to her and grabbed his beer, popping the cap off and walking to a stool next to her. “That was Markus...he is uh, dating my sister. Wanted me to pass on a message to her.”

“Oh, so that was the man Elene is interested in, the one we rescued. I’ve heard his name around but I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet.” Ammy replied.

Mary looked Desmond up and down, “‘Ey prin’ess, yer’ ‘iend’s pretty cute, he wit’ ‘enyone?”

Ammy cuckled a little, “He is.”

“Demmit, ‘ell th’ hot ‘uys ‘round ‘ere ‘re taken. Wish eh’d ‘ave come ‘ere at th’ ‘ginnin’.” Mary said, smirking slightly.

“I can hear you, you know.” Desmond stated as he rubbed his forehead in annoyance. “Who is your friend?”

“This is my sister, Mary. Mary, this is Desmond.” Ammelia spoke, introducing them to each other.

“Eh’ ‘ow ye’ can ‘ear meh’ ‘Esmond, ye’ don’t ‘ike ‘irls tell’in ye’ yer’ hot?” Mary asked, about to take a shot but instead sweeping the glass aside, deciding to take a chug from the bottle.

“Well considering I am to be a married man, a little. Plus it has just been one of those, ‘I need a day off’ days so don’t take it too personally.”

“‘Aybe he je’ doesn’t swing ‘at ‘ay…” Mary responded, shrugging a little, “‘Ave noth’in ‘gainst it.”

“Wait, what did you just say?” Desmond said with a confused face, looking at Mary. “What do you mean ‘he doesn’t swing that way’?”

Mary smiled a little, “‘Aybe ye’ just dun’t ‘ike ‘irls. At’s fine, eh’m all ‘or gay ‘arriage.”

Ammelia stayed quiet, but covered her mouth with her arm to try and stop herself from giggling, however, she couldn’t hold it back for long.

Desmond banged his head on the bar and growled. “I could name at least ways to explain this to you.” He sat up and held up a finger. “One, my partner’s name is Elizabeth. Two, she has the body of a woman, and three, you sister had a crush on me, so no, I am not gay.”

“Eh’m je’ kidd’in pal, lighten up eh’ ‘ittle...” The gunner replied, her smiling fading slightly.

“Yeah, it was just a joke Desmond, she’s just trying to cheer you up a little.” Ammelia added.

“Well screw both of you either way.” Desmond stated, with a slight grin on his face. Taking a sip of his beer, he turned to the both of them. “So how are things?”

“Well, we recently found out that Mary here is a psion. She’s thinking about unlocking her powers sometime tomorrow.” Ammelia said, looking at her sister.

“Geez, it seems our psionic population just keeps getting bigger and bigger. What can you do?” He asked the gunner.

“Net’ ‘xactly ‘ure yet, beh’ eh’ know ‘at eh’m eh’ green.” Mary answered, shrugging again.

“Well at least you are one we need. We don’t have a lot of green psions. I am a red one myself, one of the first actually.”

“So…” Ammelia thought for a second, “If you’re red does that mean Mary has opposite powers to you? That’s how that works right?”

“I believe so. Though it basically just means that I can’t use her powers and she can’t use mine.” Desmond looked directly at Ammelia. “What about you, any new developments for you?”

“Me? Not really, unless you count taking Acedia’s ship from her.” Ammelia smiled, though not really wanting to brag. The success of that mission was mostly due to Max’s leadership and Acedia’s unwillingness to kill the team when they were vulnerable.

“You know Ammy, you can’t stay neutral with everything forever. The tech we have only does so much. At least get some training to switch things up a bit.”

“I’ve been… thinking about it… ever since I heard that the people from those Japanese clans were offering to teach some of our soldiers what they know…” Ammelia put a single finger to her mouth, “I suppose I could benefit from some more training. I think I’ve learned all I can from Dorian…”

Desmond smiled. “Good for you Ammelia. It’s just...you know, ever since that mission on the ship I just wanted you to have the means to be safe on your own.”

“Well, I’m not exactly as helpless in close quarters as I was then, but thanks for caring about me.” She replied, “Although… I’m not exactly sure I want to train with someone I’ve never even talked to before…”

“Well you know I can do it, don’t you? I am their leader after all and it wouldn’t be too much strain on me. You just have to be up for it.”

Ammelia smiled for a moment but then her face grew concerned, “You’re sure it won’t strain you too much? You are still sick, right?”

“I’m always sick, it is a continuous thing so don’t worry. Besides, I have medicine.”

“Alright, if you’re sure it won’t hurt you, I’d be glad to train with you.” Ammelia said, standing up.

Desmond got up as well. “You don’t have to go right now. I need a bit of time to prepare anyways. Meet me in an hour and be sure to be in something light.”

Ammelia nodded once, “Mmhm. The training room right?”

“Yeah, that should work for me. See you then.” He nodded his head to Mary and walked away to go prepare himself.

“‘Ell, ‘ave fun wit’ yer’ ‘inja trainin’ prin’ess. E’ll be ‘ere if ye’ ‘eed meh.” Mary spoke, giving her sister a casual wave.

“Don’t drink too much now, we don’t know if that Psi machine will like the hangover…”

“Dun’t ‘orry, eh’ ‘on’t ‘ink too much…” Mary smirked.

Ammelia simply rolled her eyes at Mary as she left the room.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Ammelia, The Shadow Sniper." Pt. 2

Ammelia stood outside the closed door to the training room, wearing a light, green, X-com T-shirt and pants. She knocked on the door a few times with her right hand, “Hey, Desmond… Are you in there?”

The door slid open and the soldier stood there in olive green cargo shorts and a gray XCOM shirt. Desmond smiled lightly and he waved her in and closed the door behind her. “Welcome Ammelia. I hope you are ready, this training will not be easy and it will test your limits. If you want to drop out at any point you can but I warn you this is a one time opportunity. It is just the way things are, nothing against you.”

Ammelia took a deep breath, “I… I Understand.”

He put a hand on her shoulder comfortingly and clapped his hands together. “So...you have two options available to you for training. A Warrior is more combat and technical oriented class while the Shadow class is more physically and stealthily oriented in a loose sense of terms. Once you learn one, you won’t be able to learn the other but each has it’s own perks.” Desmond handed her a clipboard giving a basic outline of the kinds of things she would be learning with each training route.

“Uhm…” Ammelia thought, “Shadow looks like it’d be easier for me to settle into considering I already have stealth training, know how to time my shots, and aim for critical areas.”

“Alright then, that means we can focus on other things, though we will probably touch on some of those things just to make sure you are up to par.” Desmond rubbed his chin, trying to think of what to do with Ammy first. “We should start with the basics, so stand in front of me and show me how hard you can hit.” Desmond took a stance and held out his hands for targets.

“Alright…” She inhaled and took an almost boxer like stance, keeping her fists in front of her as she threw a right and then a left hook at Desmond’s hands. Her fists connected, they were most definitely not the strongest punches he’d ever felt, but they they certainly weren’t the weakest either, she still clearly had room for improvement.

“There, how was that?” Ammelia asked, returning to a normal standing position.

“Not bad, but not there is room for improvement.” He looked at her arms and sighed a bit. “How well can you climb?”

“Climb?” Ammelia thought out loud, “I haven’t exactly practiced my climbing too much since coming here… I can climb up steep ledges but if there are too many in a row I tend to get tired. I don’t have too much upper body strength…”

“Well then I guess we have your first area of training to work on. I am not saying you need to scale a mountain bare handed but as a sniper, height advantage you no doubt know comes in handy and being able to get to those places without the use of anything can be a useful skill. So for now, we should work on getting at least your upper body worked on.”

“Yeah, sounds good, those grappling hooks are great, but being able to climb normally is important too.” Ammelia replied, agreeing.

“Then it is agreed then. By the way, are you still having trouble keeping you head clear during missions, or have your nerves gotten better?”

“You mean around psions? Yeah it’s gotten better ever since Atka saved Mary and De- Jan’tiala… saved Ayame during the attack.” Ammelia answered.

“Alright, well that is good to hear but what about combat in general? Any anxiety you feel could be helped when you are in the field? And if not in the field then during time on base?”

“Well… I can usually keep a clear head but… I did freak out a little when one of our soldiers accidently blew herself up and I got... covered in her blood…”

“Well, there is optional training where I can teach you some techniques to help clear your mind and help you feel more relaxed. You can do it during battle or just anytime generally when you need the relief. It helps...if you can get a hang of it.”

“Yeah, that sounds like it would be useful… If someone I know... dies… during combat… I’m not sure how well I’d be able to keep it together out there…” Ammelia admitted, even though she didn’t want to even think of someone close to her dying, she knew it could happen.

“Well...I guess I can teach you regardless. It takes the stress off when you need it.” Desmond stepped forward and placed a hand on Ammelia’s head. “So, you ready to get your training underway?”

“Mmhm…” Ammelia nodded, a look of determination in her eyes.

He smiled. “Then Ammelia Cross...let the training begin.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Project Jupiter, Part 1”

XCOM Secondary Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1930 Hours, October 22nd, 2018
Alien Battleship Hangar Outpost (Under Construction)

At seven-thirty local time, the Siberian plains were already dark, winter practically already there. In the horizon, hills and mountains began to rise up, but they were far enough away that only rugged terrain could be reached. In that rocky, frozen land, construction was underway. A massive underground hangar was being dug out of the earth by XCOM’s work teams, stone and icy dirt piling up around it.

A vertical takeoff hangar would not be utilized for the main hangar, for the desired occupant was the massive battleship landed awkwardly nearby. Instead, side hangars that were under construction as well would be utilized for the old interceptors, while the main hangar would have two massive sliding doors as its roof. At the back of the hangar, currently an unsightly pit, there was also the skeleton of a small outpost tower-base for the surface.

Emma took in this grand undertaking from a temporary base camp where the workers had their equipment in collapsible huts. She stood on the top of one of these, looking over the work, before hopping down to join Black King and a few other Legion frames. “Once Dr. Randolf arrives, we will take a closer look at this marvel-… ahem, the recovered battleship.”

Stepping out from one of the tents, an engineer approach Emma, handing her a clip board. “Everything seems to be going ahead of schedule. We’ll have the main doors ready in no time, ready to cover the place up… well, as much as it can be covered up, considering the aliens know where we are. But at least the terrain and weather will protect it as well as a base. There, uh… there is just a question of the… bug… problem…”

“Bug problem?” Emma echoed, looking at the engineer curiously. “What do you mean by that?”

The engineer scratched his head. “Well, there are these alien bug… things on the ship. We were having a problem clearing them out, and when we weren’t around, they seemed to keep the ship clean and maintained, so the Commander said to just leave them in there for now. Are we… gonna get rid of them when the hanger is done?”

“That… remains to be seen.” Emma thought for a moment, tapping her foot. “It’s possible I could speak to them telepathically. Figure out what their intentions are.”

The engineer nodded. “We’ll follow your lead.” As he stepped away, an ATV pulled up. From the passenger seat, bundled up so much she looked like a walking snowman, Sunny jumped down, shivering despite her coverings. She slowly approached Emma, trying to smile despite, or possibly in spite, of the cold. “M-Miss… E-Exalt…”

Emma smiled slightly. “Hello, Sunny. Do not despair, the ship is rather warm from what I am told.”

Sunny either nodded or shivered in a manner resembling nodding. She walk aside Emma, Alice running up behind her. Although the android wore a heavy jacket as well, it was obvious she had given in to the temptation a while ago and turned off her sense of touch in an attempt to fight it. Sunny looked up the the Legion Commander, saying, “I-I’m… r-r-really excited to… s-sssseee the ship… h-how about you?”

“It is an incredible feat of technology...I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Emma replied. Over her black uniform she was wearing insulated shadow armor.

Sunny stared up at the massive craft, in awe despite all she had seen and made herself. “H-how… d-d-do you… o-open it… b-besides… shooting it d-down and… w-walking through a hole?”

“Don’t we have control of the bridge?” Emma asked.

“I believe so, if the encryption protocols are in place.” Alice pulled out a small computer pad, shielding it from the light snow as best possible. After a minute, the shield-door on the side of the ship opened, a war, rush of air hitting the party. Alice slowly stepped forward, while Sunny waddled as fast as she could, trying to get in like her life depended on it. Emma walked in more casually, with the Legion troopers ducking in behind her.

The young engineer got to work shedding off layers of coats, smiling sheepishly at Emma. “I’m sorry, don’t mean to be a bother. I’m just not used to extreme temperatures. Though this isn’t quite as bad as early summer in Egypt.”

Emma raised an eyebrow, taking off her helmet. “When were you in Egypt?”

Sunny thought for a moment. “Um… about a year ago, though only for a day or so. Then again when, um… you know, all this started, back in March. Though the weather was more comfortable then. You ever been?”

The clone looked at Sunny incredulously. “You’re asking the clone that’s only been around a few months that? Though I suppose we did conduct some operations… but Egypt was never a location of interest.”

“Oh… sorry, silly question.” Sunny lightly knocked herself on the head. “But… you’ve got transportation. And once this is over, I’m sure we could recover any assets Viktor Dorian didn’t waste. You could always go after we win.”

Emma nodded. “I would like to see more of the world, of course. But for now… shall we parouse this battleship?”

Sunny nodded, and stepped forward. Before them was an enormous storage room, flanked on either side by two engine rooms a little ways ahead. Sunny stepped into one, eyeing the huge generator. “Wow… we could power half the base with this thing. Well… for a while, at least. Wonder how long it took to design this, let alone perfect it.”

“These are like the fusion generators on other ships, but much larger… and they power something akin to our fusion cannons…” Emma chuckled. “But again, on a massive scale.”

Sunny tried to gage them on sight alone, but had a hard time imagining the scale. “What… kind of destructive power do you think something like this might have? And would they ever need it?”

“If I remember correctly, Dragomirov logged something about War’s people being wiped out by an assault from these ships. Though perhaps versions even larger, as the model Cheshire logged had some variations to this one,” Emma explained grimly.

“Scary…” Alice frowned, and folded her arms. “I hate to sound… like I don’t understand what is at stake, but are you ever grateful the Ethereals wanted to either bring the humans into their fold or enslave them, and not… just wipe us out. Because, if they wanted to from the beginning…”

“They’d have no reason to. We have ‘the potential’ for the ‘Gift’, after all,” Emma responded. “But, consider something… what if they decide we’re too dangerous to be worth all of this? If we’re deemed a threat…”

Sunny’s eyes widened a bit. “What… what if they do? Do you think we have what it takes to stop them?”

Emma looked up at the fusion generators again. “We have this ship, at least. Though I’m not so sure Avanix can hack everything they have if they send their armada at us…” The Shadow Operative sighed. “Wonder if we’ll end up like the Horsemen if that happens…”

Alice pumped her fist, grinning widely. “Hey, now… no need to be down. We’ve taken care of everything they’ve thrown at us so far, right? What’s something small like a little armada of death ships? Don’t underestimate or tendency to get out of hopeless situations, or the hacking skill of my artificial, android kinda-mom!”

Emma shrugged. “Fair point. We will figure out something if that times comes. Though if they truly seek this ‘Ascension’, they will never see it if they wipe us out.”

“That’s the spirit!” Alice pumped her chest. “If they want Ascension so bad, they can ask for it when we send them to meet their maker.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

The android woman stepped out, and Sunny called out, “Where are you going?”

“To check out the weapon controls!”

“Well… don’t touch anything!” Sunny scratched her head nervously. “Sorry, she’s… been trying to be more optimistic lately. Trying to see if it truly is contagious, or something.”

“And interesting experiment, even if it is likely doomed to failure,” Emma responded.

“Perhaps.” Sunny stepped out of the storage room, slowly making her way towards the back of the ship. Stepping into a small engineering section, she frowned a bit. “Hmm… so much wasted space, though I guess that’s better than using it to make things to kill us.” She glanced up at the tall android standing nearby. “Think we can turn this place around?”

Black King nodded. “It would make an excellent mobile base.”

Sunny smiled at the simple answer. “The only question is if we could learn how to fly it ourselves, and be able to train enough people to man it…”

“What about the ‘bugs’?” Emma offered.

“Bugs?” Sunny turned to her. “What…” She shrieked, pointing towards the entrance to the room. “What was that!”

“Likely one of the alien creatures within this ship. They seem docile,” Legion replied.

“B-but… but it l-looked like a… a-a giant…” Sunny shuddered, rubbing her arms nervously and rushing to Emma’s side, clutching her arm.

“It may have just been the shadows,” Emma tried to reassure the girl.

From the doorway, an antenna poked out from the side, a pair of compound eyes looking in. Sunny shuddered again. “That’s no shadow.”

“Hello?” Alice said, stepping behind the alien insect and making it jumped. It scurried into the room, and hid behind one of the workstations.

“I thought they were only three feet tall,” Emma stated as she slowly walked closer.

“I believe they are,” Alice said. “At least, most of them are. Though this one seems slightly bigger. Alpha… male? Or something?” She tried peaking around the corner to get a better look, but it kept ducking away. “Do you… understand me? Hello?”

Do you perhaps understand me now? Emma asked physically, projecting the thoughts around her. We don’t want to harm you.

The alien perked its head up a bit, looking around for the source of the voice. Settling on Emma, it slowly stepped out, keeping it’s head down as it approached her. Sunny shivered a bit. “What does it want?”

What is your desire now that the ones who controlled this ship are no longer here? Do you still wish to serve upon it?

The alien stopped before Emma. It dropped to the ground, bowing its head so it nearly touched the floor. We will serve. We will work.

You may do so of your own volition. If you choose not to, you shall not be harmed, Emma explained gently.

The insect dared to tilt it’s head up slightly. Will not harm us… will not send to cold? Will not punish?

That’s not how we do things, Emma answered. Your help would be greatly appreciated, but you will not be forced to render it.

The alien looked around for a moment, then nodded its head slightly. We… we wish to stay. We can work. Can build. Can make things work. We are very skilled. We can not fight, but we can work. We do not want anything, only to be safe.

I will grant that wish then. Thank you. Emma bowed to the insectoid.

Are you… our new leader? The alien looked between Emma and the others. How would the new honored ones be addressed?

I serve under Elene Exalt and Morrigan O’Brien. You may simply refer to the latter as ‘Commander O’Brien.’ As for Elene… we refer to her as ‘Mistress’ or ‘Mistress Exalt’, but you may just call her Lady Exalt if you prefer.

The oversized insect looked at her in confusion for a moment, then nodded. I see. honored one has higher ones. And… and you, honored one?

My name is Emma Exalt, her sister. You may refer to me as Emma. Though you will hear my companions call me ‘Lady Emma’ occasionally, that is not required for you, Emma finished with a smile.

Very good. Baʒir will serve under Mistress Exalt, and Lady Emma, and Commander O’Brien. We only ask for sanctuary from…

From the Ethereals? We will not let them harm you.

We thank you. We shall return to our work. Lady Emma will not even know Baʒir are here. The alien bowed its head, making for the exit while avoiding a very curious Alice.

“They are rather...submissive,” Legion noted casually.

Sunny nodded slightly, finally stepping away from Emma. “D-do you think we can trust them? W-what if they… try to… eat us or something?”

“E-Eat us?” Emma said in shock. “Why would they do that? You saw how timid they were…” Emma slowly raised an eyebrow. “Are you… afraid of insects?”

“M… maybe…” Sunny shuddered. “Maybe not… b-butterflies and ladybugs, but…” She squeezed her eyes shut, whispering, “B-but… giant… cockroaches…”

“If you wished, we could devise goggles that made them look human to you if you wished,” Legion intoned.

Sunny pouted, folding her arms. “Don’t patronize me…” She tapped her foot for a few seconds, then looked over at the android. “Could… you?”

“Simple optical modification technology would be no trouble at all,” Black King replied. “You would likely not be the only one with entomophobia, at least in relation to these creatures.”

Sunny thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No, I… I don’t want to be… rude. I’ll deal with it. We’ve seen scarier things.” She shuddered again, mumbling, “But not by much.”

Alice shrugged. “I think they’re kinda cute. Is… that weird?”

Emma shrugged in return. “Their forms are optimal, elegant for their role. It is understandable.”

Sunny made a gagging noise. “I… I think I’ve had enough for today. I hope you don’t mind if I just read your reports, Emma. At least until I’ve had time to… adjust.”

The Shadow Operative hid a smile of amusement, and nodded. “As you wish.”

 

[Adrammalech]

// THE WARRIOR //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Alien Containment Unit
Siberia, Russian Federation
October 22, 2018 - 5:29 PM

Emily walked into the ACU as she always did, but was surprised to see Luxuria not instantly react to her presence. She was at work in her new cell, expanded into a room shape dotted with the usual dampeners. There was a rusted bed taken from some neglected part of the barracks, along with a small back-less bench and pod-like chair made up of alien materials. In the corner laid one of their computers, the internal battery jury-rigged to a green power source, similar in design but far smaller than the usual power cells seen on their ships.

She also had an entertainment disc and a small rack of food capsules, despite having no clear way to inject it. The fact that she had sealed food inside was somewhat comforting though, given the recent events. The Ethereal flipped through notes on the computer’s interface, looking somewhat defeated as she did. As Emily approached the cell, she could pick up on Luxuria’s emotions, restlessness and sadness, loneliness and desperation. The mask turned towards her and she felt a new wave hit her: hope.

Emily…thank the Path you’re early. Tell me you moved or sealed off Avaritia. Tell me you just…put him somewhere I can’t reach him.

“I’m sorry…he’s dead…”

No… Luxuria hovered by the bench, lowering down onto it with care. The hope faded away and the despair returned. He told me his life would force you to choose between our lives, but I thought…I don’t know what I thought.

“It wasn’t a space issue…” she mumbled, realizing it was harder to lie to an Ethereal than she had led on.

She leaped back into a hover, backing away. Then…you’re disposing of us?

“No, no,” Emily raised her hands, “it…it wasn’t us.”

What are you talking about?

“We didn’t flush him…he just passed away.”

Avaritia was young and strong, and he’d never kill himself. If he is dead, it was your doing, an accident or not. So what was it?

“He…he was murdered.”

Murdered? The voice that arose next inspired discomfort and fear, a feigned neutrality rumbling uneasily like a shelf of dynamite in an earthquake. By…whom?

“A warrior with a grudge,” Emily responded coolly. “They’re gone now. You’re not in danger.”

The Ethereal calmed, letting out a haggard breath and moving back towards Emily. She stood squarely in front of her computer, collapsing the interface and turning off the lights of the console. Luxuria then stood up straight in front of Emily, taking her usual posture. An aura of curiosity washed over Emily, and she thought about how often others would feel that around her, if she had such a biology.

Really…you fired someone on Avaritia and I’s behalf?

“Morrigan did. I guess she remembered she owed you.”

That is a relief… Her voice was measured and wary, but it wasn’t clear whether she doubted her own security or Emily’s explanation. I’m not sure if I’d say I’m safe, though.

“As safe as you have been. I know you’ll be guarded more closely, at least.”

I will be happy to have more guards in this case…

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I wasn’t there, but it was quick, so I imagine he didn’t suffer.”

Why are you apologizing for something you couldn’t control?

“I don’t know…empathy?”

Of course…you are more receptive to my emotions, as a close friend would be. It is an advantage of our people. Luxuria floated back towards her computer. A room full of happy Ethereals can raise the mood of everyone…as a room full of angry ones can make everyone bloodthirsty.

“I felt Avaritia’s feelings too. Not as strongly as yours, but I did notice when my words touched him.”

It is because of my footprint on you. Avaritia was a close friend, challenging and intriguing. There were instances where he annoyed me, but I cherished my time with him…I never really got to know about his life and family, but it was our conversations, his presence, that made me happy.

“It…sounds like you loved him, at least to me.”

Luxuria stayed silent for several seconds, letting the words sink into her. She turned back towards Emily, shaking her mask. I doubt it. But that is a conversation for another time…surely you came here for a reason.

“We’re planning the next attack…it’ll be on Ira. You said you’d give me the information on him when the time came.”

I do not want to think about Ira…even more so than before.

“The intel you’ve given us so far has been critical…I need something to show to the others, or they might think about getting rid of you…”

Luxuria sighed sadly. Fine…but I have a request.

“Of course,” Emily smiled.

Elene’s plan…I want you and your commander to reconsider.

“I…I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

I have accepted that I won’t have you, or any human given the atrophy I have gained here, but that doesn’t mean I am not bothered by looking at these hands each time I raise them. I want a healthy body, even if it is a shell of a clone of a clone.

“I’ll talk to the Commander about it, I guess, but I can’t promise you anything. I know I don’t have that power, unlike some people,” she punctuated with a bit of spite.

Still holding a grudge?

“No. I told you I don’t hate her then, and I meant it,” Emily sighed, then mumbled. “I just really don’t like her…”

I know you are persuasive. So long as you try, I will consider my wish fulfilled.

“So, what do you have on Ira?”

He is a brusque, brutish, zealous, obstinate man, and the closest thing to a warrior our race has. Luxuria sighed loudly. He is also my father.

 

[Adrammalech]

“W-what? Really? Why didn't you ever tell me?”

If you’ve ever seen me crouched over my work, disappointed and frustrated, it was because of him. Ever since I matured to a working age, everything I ever did that wasn’t 100% in-line with his vision of the Path was wrong. That includes my interest in you and the other captives. All he ever did was try to suppress and control me, to steer me away from my own interests.

“So you were a rebellious and curious daughter who fell out with her father? Kind of cliché, don’t you think?”

Ha-ha. I don’t think your father had psionics, or was one of the most honored military commanders in your species.

“Maybe not. I assume you’d like him spared, if possible?”

No. I have taken great effort to avoid him, and being trapped here with him sounds unbearable. Some women enjoy his kind of masculinity…I find it tiring.

“Well, your mother did, I assume.”

Indeed. The charms I have grown to appeal to feminine subjects also were modeled after him…inadvertently.

“I remember that memory…I lived through your first ‘test.’”

Then you know how effective it was. I have learned to live with it.

“Hmm…” Emily scratched her head. “Let’s get back to the man, then. He’s your military mastermind?”

As far as the initial invasion goes, that is correct. He would likely be a higher leader than Overseer, were it not for his respect and patience with those above him. His…training style is also unsuited for the limelight.

“Training style? What do you mean?”

It is very effective…but can be very violent. He inspires and drills his forces with coercion and experience, imposing his zeal upon them like molten metal into mold. This also makes them somewhat cowardly on the inside…but you couldn’t convince them there is any fear greater than his wrath.

“So, good training, good tactics,” Emily nodded. “Special troops?”

Nothing you haven’t seen, but his bodyguards and footsoldiers will be far smarter in their movements and resolute against psionics, unless you find a way to rattle them from their fears.

“I see…I don’t know who’s going on the mission, but I’ll recommend people who can inspire fear for his troops and bravery for our own.”

And support powers. His psionics are almost completely offensive. He also had an interest in chryssalids, from my memory. I wouldn’t know if he grew out of that fascination in between this time though. She shook her head. So few things last to him.

“Ugh…why’d it have to be those…” she shuddered. “I guess we just have to hope that he's not tinkering with those beasts to be even worse than they already are.”

Unlikely. He is not much of a scientist, and the bugs are already near-perfect for their purpose. I never understood the appeal in the first place, though.

“You and me both. Anything else you’d like to add?”

Nothing else unless you’d like to release me. Luxuria turned, floating away from her. If that’s all…

“You’re being…oddly forthcoming about all of this suddenly,” Emily noted.

As I said, I don’t enjoy thinking about him. The less time I spend doing so, the better. Luxuria went back to her computer, the interface flicking on and sending orangish-purple beams of light upwards. Don’t forget our agreement. Perhaps I will have something more personal to talk about next time. For now… She waved her yellowed hand aside, dismissing Emily.

Emily looked sadly towards the Ethereal, moping by her computer. She kind of wished she could be on the mission, so she could say she played a part in his death and brag about it to her. Still, she had more pressing things to do on base. She watched from the door as several notes popped up in the Ethereal’s computer interface, the small green power generator humming softly as the glyphs began to scroll downwards, Luxuria’s mask moving to track them all. Emily felt the synchronized feeling of despair from before returning as she walked out of the door.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Inner Strength (MarineAvenger and DarkGemini24601)

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
0800 Hours, October 23nd, 2018
Civilian Sector

Saka ran to a stop, panting and covered in sweat as her and Buniq had completed their morning lap around the base; this all being apart of the shinobi’s plan to build Buniq, or rather her body, up. “How you holding *pant* Buniq?

The hybrid seemed surprisingly together, not nearly as out of breath as Saka. “P-pretty well... “ she responded, taking a deep breath to recover lost oxygen.

“Oh...well isn’t that *Pant pant* good for you?” Taking a deep breath of her own she fixed her tied back hair and smiled. “Alright, so next on our list should be your weapon skills. As usual, it is your choice if we do guns or blades first.”

“W-Well, I b-basically have b-built in blades…” Buniq explained nervously.

“I guess that makes it easier for us, we don’t need to get you your own.” Saka smiled to try and comfort her and added, “Don’t be so nervous alright? It isn’t like I am afraid of you or anything so just relax and be yourself, I agreed to train you remember, so I am sticking to it.”

Buniq nodded slowly. “I j-just didn’t w-want to s-startle you.”

“No, it’s fine. So should we move this to the training room where we can see how good you are?”

“I-If you w-want.”

Saka nodded and she took the lead, walking her way out of the civilian sector and going to the training room and running about trying to get targets set up for her trainee. “Alright, so I guess try and hit as many targets as you can. I don’t really know how your arm blade things work so just do what you think is natural.”

Buniq slowly approached the training dummies, and form slots on her arms and legs four chryssalid blades unsheathed themselves. Buniq slashed at the first target, then moved to the second and cut across its abdomen with a kick.

“Wow, she is just full of surprises.” Saka muttered to herself as she watched Buniq go. The hybrid continued to throw herself at the targets, seeming to act mostly on instinct, while knowing what vital points to hit.

Slowly, Buniq retracted the blades, and looked at Saka sheepishly. “H-how was t-that?”

“I must say you are one can of whoop ass wanting to come out. Nice job Buniq. Alright, should I demonstrate what I can do for you?”

“S-Sure.” Buniq stepped back.

Saka took a standard knife from the weapon wall, a little shorter and thicker than the usual tantos she had become accustomed to but it was basically the same. Standing in front of her first target, she began with an X-pattern crosscut on the dummy’s chest and she spun to the right. slicing the knife across it’s neck, coming out of the spin in front of her second ‘enemy’. Jabbing the knife swiftly into the chest three times and ducking to the left next to it, slid the knife into where the ribs would be. Positioning herself behind the dummy she had just cut, she sent the knife from her grasp and it stabbed itself around a third of the way into a third dummy’s eye. “I know your blades probably don’t fly from your arms but that last one was for more dramatic effect. So what did you think, it was good right?” She asked her student.

“Y-Yeah… though k-kinda scary…” Buniq responded, looking over her built-in weapons.

“Don’t worry, with my help you will probably even surpass me!” Saka stated with a smile, crossing her arms. “And you have the advantage of blade length and location. Seriously, those kicks were awesome and if you can get a good rhythm down I know you will get exponentially better.”

Buniq smiled slightly. “N-not sure if I’ll a-actually put it to use, but it’s n-nice to know.”

“That’s the spirit! Now, why don’t we move on to shooting?” Saka took away the training dummies and put up paper one. “Now to start out with we will start with stationary paper, then moving paper, stationery holograms, and then moving holograms, all the way up to a full battle simulation. I know you have some experience already but a little more foundation never hurt anybody.”

“I-I’ve never a-actually shot a g-gun…” Buniq protested.

“Really?” Saka put her hand on her chin and thought for a moment. “Well there is a first time for everything.” She went to the weapon rack and just pulled off a basic standard pistol from the wall and made sure it wasn’t loaded. “Here, take this and get a feel for the weight of it.”

Buniq looked it over hesitantly, not having trouble with the weight but seeming unfamiliar.

“Here, try this.” Saka helped Buniq with how to properly hold the pistol and began to point out the multiple workings of the gun. “This here is the safety. You flick this up or down to prevent you from accidently shooting your own foot, though even with the safety on, you should never leave you finger on the trigger, put instead just lay it across the side, which minimises the likelihood of a mistake happening.” Saka continued on. “This is the trigger obviously, pretty self explanatory, it shoots the gun. You load the clip in here, and then you pull the catch back to load in a bullet. There isn’t a clip in there now so you don’t have to pull it back just yet. Got all that so far?”

“...w-what did y-you say about a c-catch and c-clip?” Buniq asked with wide eyes.

Saka sighed. “Was I this bad my first time too?” She mumbled before going over what she had said more slowly until the other girl had got it.

Hesitantly, the hybrid nodded, and shakily lifted the gun to practice aiming, but said aim seemed very off.

“Just loosen up your arms, it isn’t going to fly away. Just breathe, just like we practiced in meditation. Just breathe, and clear you mind. Keep loose and look down the sight.”

Buniq steadied her aim a little. “I-is that g-good?”

“Perfect. You ready to fire for the first time?” She asked, holding up the clip with the bullets in it.

No. “I-I guess…” Buniq replied quietly.

She tilted her head. “Is something wrong Buniq? I know this might not be the most...well nowhere close to be the best training you could get but I don’t want to force you into something you aren’t ready for. We could always try another time if you would like?”

Buniq slowly nodded. “I j-just don’t t-think I’ll b-be any good w-with guns…”

“Well anyone can be good with them with enough time, are you saying that you just don’t want to use guns?”

Buniq shrugged, unsure herself.

The shinobi gave a weak smile and nodded. “Alright then.” She laid the clip back on the table and walked up to Buniq. “How about I give you some time to think about it? I won’t make you decide on the spot right here. Besides, I think you more than deserve a water break for all your hard work so far. That sound good?”

“A-Alright,” Buniq replied. “Sorry I-I’m so much t-trouble…”

“Nah, you’re no trouble. You just need a little time is all.” She placed a hand on her student’s head and smiled. “We are in this together. And I promise you to make you the best soldier I can. Deep down I know you’re strong and you just need to reach down and pull it out of you. When you can do that, you will be able to do anything you set your mind to.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Demons from the Past, Part One

Spoiler: Explicit Content

Mary passionately ran her hands across Ayame's body, a slight green glow in her finger tips. The Asian soldier twitched ever so slightly as waves of pleasure shot through her body, her aches and pains washed away.

'Ow es' it?" Mary asked seductively.

Ayame could only murmur at first, eventually taking the time to whisper, "It's... wonderful..."

"Good. Eh' 'anted te' 'ive ye' one 'ast ride 'fore we're done."

"Before we're..." Ayame gave Mary a sad look. "W-why? What did I... is it my... m-my age? Did you need me to find you a man that badly? Did I... did I say something to..." Ayame reach out, running her hand through Mary's hair. "Please, tell me."

Mary giggled. "Silly. 'Cause Eh'm net' 'oing te' spend meh' 'ife wit' eh' cripple."

Ayame looked down at her hands, moving all the fingers one by one. She looked back at Mary pleadingly. "What are talking about? I'm not..."

She caught something out of the corner of her eye. Slowly looking to her left, she stared in despair at the young boy next to her, watching as his features rotted and decayed before her. "Oh, Kazuya. I'm... I'm so sorry." The boy dropped his head. Ayame reached out to him, and he suddenly reach back, holding her arm with incredible strength. He looked up again and opened his mouth, which stretched and ripped and expanded until it resembled a chryssalid's mouth, a sickly mixture of drool and blood leaking from it. With one swift bite, her chopped Ayame's hand off at the wrist.

Ayame wrenched her arm free, screaming in pain as her wrist poured forth an unbelievable amount of blood.

You hurt me. We abused me. You hated me.

"No!" Ayame screamed through the pain. "I-I didn't. I was a child, a... a stupid child, I..."

You let me die! If you had only treated me right. Treated me like your brother!

The boy sprang onto Ayame, knocking her to the ground. She tried to push him off, but her arms and legs were held down.

"'Ow could ye' let 'is 'appen te' ye'self?" Mary asked, standing over Ayame as the boy started to tear at her stomach. "Te' 'utilate ye'self? Dun't ye' 'are 'bout others?"

"Yes!" Ayame clenched her teeth. "That's why I did it!"

"Did you do it for me?" Janina asked, holding Ayame left arm, oblivious to the blood spraying on her. "Or was it for yourself? To prove you're better then the girl who murdered her brother."

Ayame sobbed. "I... I was just trying to save..."

"You didn't save us!" Kelly and Jay shouted from Ayame's legs, the former covered in fourth degree burns, the latter filled with holes."We not good enough, because you didn't know us! Because we weren't amongst your precious Atka's friends?"

"They're right, you know." Atka held down Ayame's right arm, sighing. "Even when you try to be selfless, you're still selfish. Putting all this guilt on poor Janina, not to mention Mary and myself." She lifted a combat knife, the blade glowing a slight green. "You need to be punished." She brought the knife down, removing Ayame's other hand.

The boy had, by now, tore through most of Ayame, and dipped into her, tearing her apart from the inside. "Please, stop!" She screamed. "I'm sorry! I can't..."

"What if I didn't turn into one of them?" A mutilated Brazilian woman took a bite out of Ayame's cheek. "Do you think my family appreciates you desecrating my corpse!"

"Let's face it," Ammelia sighed as she stepped next to her sister, blood leaking from her empty eye sockets. "All you know how to do is kill, destroy, and make the people around you suffer. You're a monster, worse then the monsters you fight. Killing civilians, killing friends, killing your brother. It is all you..."

"No!" Ayame screamed. "I'm not that kind of person anymore, I..."

Sitting where Janina had been, Vee pulled out a knife and jammed it into Ayame's chest. "Don't interrupt people!"

Replacing Atka, Alexia rolled her eyes, and yanked the knife out. "Careful! Kill her too quick, and she won't learn anything before she dies!" She nodded to Mary, who placed her glowing hands over the chest wound, healing it without taking the pain away.

"That won't work anyway," Sunny said, sitting above Ayame's head and playing with the fingers of her severed hand. "The only way you're going to shut this one up is by stabbing her in the throat." She casually took a bite out of the hand, smiling at the taste.

"But that was always your problem, wasn't it, child?" Two hands stuck out of Ayame's open abdomen, though instead of a boy, a woman resembling Ayame pulled herself out, wiping the crimson blood from her face. "Always impulsive, never knowing when to shut up, never listening. Nothing but a disappointment."

Ayame snared at the woman. "Well, what did you expect?! You did nothing but set me up for failure!"

The woman slapped Ayame across the face, her freakish nails leaving large gashes in their wake. "How dare you! I set you up for success, beyond anything I ever had. But you shunned me. Resented me! If you had EVER listened to me..."

"I'd be like you?" Ayame laugh, despite the crippling pain. "The thought of that makes me sick! You shouldn't have treated me like a project. I was a child. You should have treated me like a daughter. You should have treated Kazuya like a son!"

"Kazuya was a waste, but all I ever did was ignore him. You could have given up on him, like I did." The woman violently tore out of Ayame, and looked like she towered over Ayame as the blood coming her seems to be absorbed through her skin. "No one ever told you to push him. You chose to treat him that way! You killed him! You haven't seen me in over a decade, and yet you still try to blame everything on me? Grow up!"

Mary walked up behind the woman, sliding her hands under her shirt. "She's 'ight, ye' 'ow? Eh' need 'omeone who can 'ease meh' es' eh' woman. Eh'm not 'ooking 'or eh' child."

The woman turned around, slipping Mary's shirt off, and the two stepped away. Ayame could hear the faint sounds of moaning as the group around her dug their fingers into her skin, their eyes glowing a deep red, their smiles unnaturally wide. With a group nod, they tightly gripped her arms, legs, and head, and pulled.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Demons from the Past, Part Two

"Ayame!" Jessica lightly shook the fidgeting woman's shoulder. "Ayame, wake up!"

Ayame woke with a start, sobbing loudly. She went to place a hand on her forehead, only to stare in horror at the white bandages over the end of her arm, a mini-panic attack starting up before reality set back in. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes, and smiled at her extremely concerned looking guest. "Hey, Jessie. How... how long have I been out?"

"Since they brought you in, early yesterday morning. You were in surgery so they could... clean you up..."

Ayame nodded, looking down at her arm. A laugh from the doorway made her jump. "Well well. I have to hand it to you, Eris, you sure know how to shake things up."

"Demeter! Or Rose, or whoever you are!" Ayame's eyes darted around, looking for something to use as a weapon. "What are you doing here?"

Rose placed her hand against her chest, scoffing. "Now, I'm offended. Do you really think I would do something undignified to a woman as gutted as you?" Ayame's sour expression answered for her, and Rose sighed. "Your Commander decided to give a chance. Had to practically beg for it. Would have brought a smile to your face. Luckily, my mate Mary spoke up fer me. Owe her pint, I do. Hopefully she got a chance like I did. So, it is security for me."

Ayame raised an eyebrow. Mary vouched for her?

Rose pulled a chair next to Jessica, sitting on it backwards. "Gotta say, though. When I heard ol' Eris gave someone a hand to save their life, and literally at that, I was gobsmacked, I was. Te think you'd do that for someone."

Ayame's head sunk a bit. "Is... it really that hard to believe?"

Rose frowned, caught off guard by the question. Jessica placed her hand on Ayame's arm, and explained to Rose, "Ayame has done a lot to help tons of people. And she risks her life every time she goes on a mission for the sake of saving everyone. Whatever her past, whatever the woman you knew in the past, Ayame is different. Better. Kinder. Stronger."

Ayame smiled at the green-haired woman, and Rose scratched her chin nervously. "Damn it, I... I didn't mean anything by it. I just started here, I don't need people thinking I like taking the piss out of injured blokes, at least not until they recover... bitch..."

Ayame grinned, and shook her head. "Tease away. I'm just fine. It'll take more then this to keep me down."

Jessica smiled, but looked unconvinced. "Well don't worry, Ayame. Sunny is..."

"So, how's Modya doing?"

Jessica sighed. "Modya is doing fine. Like you said before, he'll be back to one hundred percent in less then a week. Now, as I was saying, Sunny is already designing a custom prosthetic just for you. And maybe Elene can do something for you. I, um..." She blushed a bit. "I... don't think she likes me very much, but she knows as much, if not more, about genetics as me, and has practically perfected cloning. I'm sure if I do a little begging, offer a bit of blood and an organ or two, I could..."

Ayame chuckled. "Relax, Jes. I'm fine. Stop... trying to reassure me. It isn't necessary."

Jessica still didn't look convinced, but nodded. "I see Ammelia later today. She and her sister were in here while you were out, but I'll let them know to come see you again. And Atka. And Vee. They wanted to know when you woke up too."

"Thank you." Ayame laid back, closing her eyes.

Jessica patted her on the arm, and walked out. The guard keeping an eye on Rose motioned for her to leave too, and the British woman grinned at Ayame. "Rest up. You and I have a score to settle. We each have a knockout on the other, and I don't fancy ties."

As Rose left, the smile faded from Ayame's face. She looked down at her arm again, and shook her head. She tried closing her eyes again, but haunting images said sleep wasn't an option. So she buzzed for the nurse, hoping to get a book or something to pass the time.

 

[Adrammalech]

Adrammalech and MarineAvenger: To Carry the Weight of the Sky, Part One
XCOM Headquarters
Siberia, Russian Federation
October 24, 2018 - 1500 Hours

Emily waved goodbye to Dallas as he went into the Officer Training School, off to flip through a dozen more mission reports and learn exciting new ways to say ‘charge!’ She scratched her chin as she considered what to do, shooting practice with Sven or drinking with Nika not sounding particularly appealing at the moment. The few responsible bones in her body told her that there would be something romantic about her and him learning at the same time, so she headed towards the lab where Desmond hung out as she had a few times before. As she got there, she knocked her knuckles on the door, rocking back and forth on her heels as she waited for a response.

It was a few minutes before anyone responded, the door finally opening and instead of Desmond standing there, a man in a black jacket overtop a white button up and black jeans stood instead, running a hand through his steel hair and adjusting his glasses. “May I help you?”

“Hi, I’m Emily,” she responded, somewhat confused. “Can Desmond come out and play?”

“He stepped out for a moment.” The man looked at her up and down and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m his student…or apprentice, more or less,” Emily said, peeking past the door. “What are you doing here?”

“I live here...more or less.” The man waved her in, stepping inside and taking a seat on a stool.

Emily followed him inside, looking around for another seat. “I didn’t know anyone lived here...what’s your name?”

“Sora. I’m Desmond’s A.I.” He responded, putting his arms behind his head.

“Right, I think I met you momentarily last time I was here...what do you do when he’s not around? Just take care of the place?”

“I do a lot of things. I read, I run diagnostics, hack...those being the usual things. Though I do have a life outside of this room you know.” He stated with a raised eyebrow.

Emily nodded. “Just like Alice, just from a different...whatever you would call your creator, I guess.”

“Yes, a lot of people have been surprised at seeing me walking around in the flesh, or about as close as I can come to it. I must say that it is an unusual experience; gaining a body I mean. Though I should mention I have kept that Ethereal busy. Desmond has a lot on his plate so I have to watch her occasionally, though I usually just have to make sure she checks in like some teenage girl.”

“Are you the one that controls the mechanical units in there, then?” Emily asked curiously. “Or is it in some other capacity?”

“No, I am not the one who controls Legion. They are a separate thing all together. I was the result of an a certain jackass’s attempt at an Avanix recreation. Now as you can see, I am alive and he is dead.”

“Interesting...well, I’m always happy to have more allies. Just as long as you don’t go crazy and enslave us like in the movies,” Emily chuckled.

He stared at her and he smirked. “Oh we will, I am just waiting on the go ahead.”

Her chuckle trailed off, and she just looked forwards uncomfortably.

His smirk faded and he leaned forward with a menacing look in his eyes. “Boo!” He said quickly and loud, laughing to himself as he stood up.

“Veeeery funny,” Emily shivered and looked away, covering her arm with her other hand. “So, do you know when Desmond will be back?”

“Soon love, soon.” He stated, sitting down at the computer and getting to work.

A few minutes later, Desmond walked into the lab chewing on a sandwich he had picked up for a late lunch and he raised an eyebrow when he saw Emily sitting on a stool. “Hey Emily, what can I do for you?”

“Hey, sorry if I’m barging in on your lunch. Just wanted to see if you were interested in some target practice with mind lasers,” she grinned.

“Uh...sure.” He simply stated, taking another bite out of his sandwich as he sat down. “So what specifically did you have in mind, I thought you only had a few powers, and none that we could really practice with?”

“Well, I got the ability to manipulate fire and such from…well, you know. Since I’m still working on red abilities, I was thinking you could teach me how to use Psi Lance. I still have trouble creating things from nothing.”

“The Lance huh? I...think that might be manageable. I am not a master with it myself just yet but I could teach it to you.” He tried to quicken his lunch a bit, the hungry soldier not really having a problem.

“Awesome,” she nodded. “It’ll be good to have some more real abilities, just in case someone wipes my memory or something. Not my favorite thing relying on Luxxy, even if she does seem to be getting better.”

“I don’t see how someone could wipe your mind but I guess another weapon in your arsenal won’t hurt.” He decided. “Just get yourself ready and stuff and I will try and finish up soon.”

Emily stood up and stretched, walking towards the open part of the room. As she stood there, her own tummy began to rumble. “Maybe I should’ve gotten a sandwich instead…” she mumbled to herself.

He looked at her and took a bit of pity, taking the other half of his sandwich and throwing the wrapped up half towards Emily. “Can’t have you not a hundred percent.”

“Thanks. You’re a perceptive one,” she smirked, wolfing down a few bites quickly.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Part Two

Finishing up, Desmond wiped his hands together and instructed Sora to recreate a simple humanoid shaped hologram, the blank dummy standing perfectly still in the middle of the room. “Now the basic way this works is building up energy on your arm. Once you have the energy built up you just point and fire it.” Holding his metal arm forward, it glowed red and after a few moments a small ball of psionic energy glowed in front of his hand. He fired the lance and it shot itself into and through the dummy. “See?”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “Although it’s interesting that it’s called a lance but you can make it into a ball…”

“Well...that is more something I do because it helps me project it easier. One of the big problems I had when I was learning was building up and releasing the energy, so I use basically the same technique that I use for my Pulsar to make it easier. Though a major drawback of the way I cast it is that it is more easily stopped and less accurate than normal standards.”

Emily focused on her target, raising her hand as she attempted to replicate Desmond’s move. After a short amount of time, she had materialized a small and irregular sphere of power, but it wavered around the edges, and when fired, didn’t go nearly as fast or far. She looked over at him, slightly embarrassed.

“Is there a mindset I should have…or something?”

“Well, my advise is just keep your arm loose and try to use the palm of your hand as a focal firing point. Try and do it without trying to make the energy external and just keep it in your arm until you fire. Since no one has successfully copied my move, it makes it kind of hard if you try and use it like that.”

“Okay,” Emily nodded, turning back towards the target. She closed her eyes and tried to visualize it rather than staring it into existence, focusing on her primary arm instead of the target itself. She felt the energy swirl and consolidate in her palm, and a few seconds later, she opened her eyes to see a much better looking sphere in her hand. She fired it forwards, still not quite as powerful as his, but with enough force to successfully knock over the target. She clapped her hands excitedly at the test and looked back over to him.

He nodded in approval and crossed his arms. “Good job. Needs work but a very good first time.”

“I have a good teacher,” she smiled, “and it helps that I already have experience in red…probably makes me more receptive to things, or something like that.”

“Yeah, I guess that is a natural skill of psions; our adaptability to our own colors.” Desmond rubbed his hands together, looking down at the floor. “There are only two overseers left. And then we may finally be close to ending this...war.” Desmond looked up at Emily and stood up. “What are you going to do with your powers after all of this? It seems like we are working so hard to advance ourselves that some of us may not be stopping to look at the ‘what ifs’. So what will you do with your powers after this all ends and you can go home?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure,” she replied, “the only future I’ve really thought about is worrying about my ‘sessions’ with the Ethereal, and if there are any side effects. I guess when it ends, I’ll be using them to help keep the peace, whatever that entails in the aftermath.”

Desmond rubbed his mouth and nodded. “You know how Avaritia died don’t you?”

“I do,” she nodded, deciding not to expand farther than that.

“He had his psionics taken away from him, and forcibly at that. Thos alien rebels made a way to remove someone’s abilities so I ask, how far are we willing to go before we regret this? We have the means, but we do not have the motive. Sooner or later these powers will fall into the wrong hands, we saw it in Viktor and we will see it again.” Desmond looked Emily in the eyes and he shook his head. “Emily...we are walking down a very dangerous path. If I must be the bad guy then I will, so I pose that question to you. You have gotten closer to one of the Ethereals than any of us wish to. But I fear that after this war...we are going to end up with another war, and when that time comes I fear we will be too far gone to end it.”

“There might be another war, one big one or a lot of little ones,” Emily sighed, scratching her chin. “But it won’t just be about psionics. It’ll be about genes, mechs, AIs, alloys and plasma, too. The world’s probably going to change, and there will be bad people with stuff they shouldn’t have. But it’s up to the good people who have that same power to rein them in. And as the good people, we have a better shot than most when it comes to that kind of thing in history. We’re organized, and we have a good and selfless leader.”

“But for how long?” He simply asked her, standing up and sighing. “Well...I won’t keep you any longer. You’re free to go Emily.” He told her with a smile.

“Alright, thanks for your time,” she nodded and turned towards the door. After a moment, she turned back around. “And to answer your question, at least long enough to see something get rebuilt, I should hope.”

He smiled. “Hope...I guess that is the only certainty we have in these bleak times.” He bowed his head to her slightly. “See you later, Emily.”

“Yep,” she nodded quickly and left the room.

Desmond closed his eyes and he leaned against a table, rubbing them.

“Are you alright mate?” Sora asked, looking over from the computer chair with a concerned look.

“I don’t know Sora. I want to be able to make sure that we don’t fall too far from ourselves. Thousands of years of human history and we have bypassed all of it in the span of a few short months.” He was silent for a few moments and spoke up once more. “I am dying Sora. We may have gotten close to maybe finding a cure but I can’t overlook the possibility. So many rely on me, and it is my job to make sure that everything sticks together. I can’t lead like Morrigan, and I can’t command and inspire troops like Atka. I don’t have Elene’s smarts or even Sunny’s brilliance. Even now, Emily is starting to pass me up in my psionic expertise. I am not any of them and I don’t want to be but if it is my burden to help carry them I am damn well going to do it.” Calming himself a bit he looked Sora in his eyes. “If I am not around they could all crumble. So I have to make sure they can at least support themselves if I do...die.”

“The Greek titan Atlas did much the same in the culture’s myth. It said that he carried the burden of the sky on his shoulders alone and if the sky ever fell it would mean the end of the world as the gods knew it.”

“Yeah, well let’s hope dear old Atlas has the strength to keep going a little while longer.” He said optimistically, looking over his A.I.’s shoulder to try and get to work in order to clear his mind.

 

[Frostlich1228]

Dhalexpert & Frostlich1228: "A Question of Loyalty."

Ashley walks up to Ammelias room and knocks on the door. “Hello is anybody home? Ammelia are you there?

“Ashley?” Ammy asked through the door, recognizing the voice, “Yeah, why?”

“I want to talk to you, can you let me in. Or are we just going to talk through the door?”

Ammelia sighed a little and stood up, walking over to the door and pulling it open. She was in a very light, grey japanese robe, probably something she brought back from her training.

“What do you want to talk about?” The sniper asked, sitting in her computer chair.

“First off nice robe, second I want to say i’m….I’m so….sor.” Ashley pinches her leg. “I’m sorry for treating you like you didn't belong here.”

Ammelia’s eyes widened a little, as if she didn’t know what she was hearing, “You… Are?”

“Yes i’m sorry for treating you like crap, see. When you come from a family that are excellent soldiers and mercenaries, you have high expectations and you were a civilian before this war so I thought you be alien food by now. But you go better over time and you improved so much, that it’s hard to believe that you were a civilian before this war. So i’m sorry for treating you like crap.”

“I… Thank you… I guess…” Ammelia said, unsure of how to respond to this surprising one-eighty, “That’s something I never thought I’d hear you say…”

“Yea trust me i’m not used to saying it, it’s very weird to apologize. Any way I just want to say i’m sorry since the war is almost over….I think, but I don’t want to leave with you thinking i’m a bad person I did some bad things sure but i’m not a bad person. So do you accept my apology?” Ashley extends her hand.

“If… If you’re truly sorry for everything you’ve said… Then of course I accept your apology.” She replied, slowly reaching out to shake her hand.

“Thank you for accepting my apology, now. I have a favor to ask do you mind if I come in?”

“I don’t. Now what’s this favor?” Ammy asked, motioning for her to take a seat. It’s almost like she apologized to me just so she could be in a better position to bargain for her favor… I really hope that’s not the case though…

You do realize I can hear your thoughts right? I’m a blue psionic remember, and no I did not apologize to you just to get into your room. I need to ask you something and it’s probably better we do it this telepathically.

Ammelia sighed, not liking the fact that Ashley read her thoughts without her permission. If you don’t want other people to hear this then why are you trusting me? I’m not exactly your best friend after all…

Because I can trust you, listen I feel like Morrigan will be in trouble soon and sides will be taken if the haven’t already. Look I need to know that you're on Morrigan’s side because I feel like something bad will happen to her.

Of course I’m on her side… My father’s been funding the project for months now… I trust her completely..

That’s good to hear, I just had to be sure because. I think the council might have people here that will without a doubt say whatever they want to get rid of Morrigan. there's also this new human group that we ran into recently. And we have no Idea who they're with since they came out of nowhere.

Is… Is this like another Exalt?

Yeah you kill one weed, and another takes it’s place. Ashley rubs her head. Sigh I wish this was over Look i’m glad you're on Morrigans side, I just need to know that. You might have to prove your loyalty sooner rather than later. Ashley walked to the door. Thanks for having me over Ammelia it was great talking to you. Ashley says with a smile.

I think you’d have to prove your loyalty first, you are mercenaries after all. Ammelia said, standing up. No offense, but it’s the truth.

Ashley smiles I like to think as Morrigan as family, in another life she may have been my sister. But I’m loyal to Morrigan and i’m not a mercenary any more, i’m a doctor I heal people now.. though I still kill them when the time is need.

The blonde sniper tilted her head. Not a mercenary anymore? What about your family?

They are proud warriors, whether they’re soldiers in the army or mercenaries they’re proud of what they do. And i’m proud to lead them but that’s all I do is lead and give them direction. I don’t kill anymore after this war is over i’m going back to retirement.

Can I ask you something Ashley? If the council hires your people to fight against X-Com, telling them that you’ve defected and become a traitor, would they turn against you?

The council will be met with a hail of bullets for calling me a traitor, My family knows me, they know I would never leave a job unfinished. And my family don’t care about money we care about a challenge and we see the aliens as the ultimate challenge. as far as the commander you and every one here my family is with x-com.

I feel the same way… Betraying X-com would mean betraying my sister and all my friends. I’d die before I did something like that…

Ashleys smiles. You continue to surprise me, i’m very proud of the person you become.

Me too… She said, looking down at her training robe.

“Well, if you excuse me I need to handle some things, have a good day Ammelia.”

“You too Ashley… And thanks for the kind words.” Ammelia responded, smiling.

“Sure thing, have a good day.” Ashley said as she left the room.

 

[Adrammalech]

Adrammalech, DarkGemini, and ZombieSplitter: “Reconciliation”

XCOM Headquarters
Siberia, Russian Federation
October 24, 2018 - 1900 Hours

Emily walked over to the room she believed the Legion officers did their work, standing quietly by the door for a moment. She closed her eyes, sucked in a deep breath, and swallowed it down; ready to confront a group she had been avoiding for a couple months. Her knuckles knocked against the door, and she straightened up as much as possible while waiting for a response.

The door opened, and a silver-haired woman looked over Emily cautiously. “Ms. Fischer. What are you doing… ahem, what brings you here?” Emma asked.

“I’m here to talk to Elene,” Emily responded calmly. “Is she available?”

“She is, though I would ask what business you have with her before having you enter,” Emma said with distrust evident in her tone.

“We’re revisiting an old project. I’m not sure how much I should share, but I’m sure she’d know what you meant if you told her that.”

“Almost all knowledge Elene is privy to I am as well,” the shadow operative retorted. She glanced to the side as the heiress walked over.

Elene began to open her mouth to ask Emma what was going on, but upon seeing Emily seemed to have all of her questions answered. “How can I help you?”

“Our ‘mutual friend’ wants to revisit the possibility of getting her hands on one of your clones,” Emily stated. “I was hoping to talk to you about it, maybe ask some questions about the idea.”

“Hm…” Elene held her chin, thinking for a moment. “I wouldn’t mind reinstating Project Naga, though I would hope the Ethereal has something to offer in return for such generosity.”

“Well, for you, you’d have to ask. For the Project, she’s already saved Brigid and given up intel on most of the Overseers, including her father,” Emily explained, looking up and down the halls and shrugging.

“Yes, though those are things she has already done. However, I’m sure I can get something out of her in return for doing this. She’s logical enough to know who actually made her the body and who served as the messenger girl, after all,” Elene mused. “The only obstacle would be getting the Commander on board with this. She did ask me to cease normal cloning...though this would just be a body rather than a sentient shell.”

“I think she’s also logical enough to understand a debt, and that the project benefits everyone who wants to survive on Earth,” Emily shook her head. “And yes, the Commander knows about the request, but I’m not sure where she stands yet. Like I said, I wanted to talk to you first.”

Elene shrugged. “Well, it benefits me and XCOM, so I have no real objections. I shall go speak with the Commander about it.”

“We can both go, if you don’t mind me asking some questions while we walk there,” Emily offered.

“If you insist.” Elene gave a nod to Emma, who went back to her desk, and the heiress started walking whether Emily kept up or not.

Emily walked beside her, thinking up ways to best approach the subject. “I know you wanted to give her an empty clone, I assume one that is based off one of your lower-ranked clones?”

“I am not exactly sure on the template yet… but she always has that illusionary copy of you, does she not? I would think the Ethereal might prefer a clone based off of yourself,” Elene responded nonchalantly.

“That’s what I was wondering about,” Emily nodded. “Given her assistance, I don’t hate that idea as much as I did...however, I wouldn’t want her looking exactly like me. Is there a way for you to like...tweak them, so they’re not identical?”

Elene nodded. “It was done to the ‘K’ line of clones, and I modified Vee’s hair color. Physical appearance can be… adjusted, as well, so that would not be too much trouble.” The clone sighed. “Though obviously it is too much work for actual lines of clones. Hence why I did not attempt to adjust the Adams.”

“Fair enough, I’m rather desensitized to that image now anyway,” Emily noted.

“Is there anything else?” Elene inquired while waiting for the elevator.

“Nothing that won’t be asked by the Commander, I’m sure. I just wanted to check about that in particular.”

The doors opened, and the two walked in, waiting again as the compartment rose to the desired floor. “I must admit, though, it would appear something unique is going on between you two,” Elene pointed out. “It is not often that you see an Ethereal and a human be such… intimate friends.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

“We’re not friends,” Emily replied quickly, “we’re just working together, and that relationship happens to be beneficial at the moment.”

“Well, you do visit her often,” Elene continued, unfazed. “And I imagine that nearly merging with her has left some sort of indelible connection between you two. I do hope it doesn’t cause any friction between you and Major Stewart.”

Emily trailed behind Elene, making wild gestures and mouthing ‘I do hope it doesn’t cause any friction’ dramatically behind her back. After a couple moments, she caught back up.

“Don’t worry about us, if anything, it’s spiced things up,” Emily chuckled.

“Ah… did Luxuria teach you a special application of biokinesis, then? I believe the word is… ‘kinky’,” Elene replied casually.

“She did,” she smiled, “if you ever get lonely in that big empty room of yours, maybe I’ll show you if you ask nicely.”

I would sooner take a snake… wait, am I becoming Vee? Elene shuddered in response to the thought, and shook her head. “I am fully capable of comprehending such a technique on my own.”

“Best of luck, then,” Emily replied.

Without responding further, Elene arrived at the secretary’s desk. “Is Commander O’Brien available?”

The woman nodded, smiling pleasantly, hitting the switch for the intercom. “Commander, Ms. Exalt and Ms. Fischer are here to see you.”

“T… together? Hold on…” The sound of ice clattering against glass could be heard over the intercom, and the Commander said, “Send ‘em in.”

Elene walked in first, sitting down in the chair that was on the other side. “Hm...I suppose you will have to get the one on the wall,” she told Emily as if it only just occurred to her there was only one seat down.

“I prefer standing,” Emily said casually, leaning against the wall, “keeps you limber.”

Elene folded her hands together, looking at Morrigan. “Ms. Fischer requested that I reactivate the project concerning a new body for Luxuria, so we wished to request permission for that from you.”

Morrigan raised an eyebrow, looking between the two women before her. “Emily… requested? Ms. Fischer, I thought you were afraid of giving her a body, figuring it would negate any need for her to cooperate with us.”

“Well, you may remember that the information on Ira came with a price,” Emily replied. “That price was to reconsider Elene’s offer...and I have.”

Morrigan sat back, tapping her fingers together. “I see. Did you promise her the body, or just to reconsider it? Because those are two very different things.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

“Reconciliation: Part Three”

“I didn’t promise anything, don’t worry. I just said I’d talk about it with you...and I had some questions for Elene as well.”

“Alright.” Morrigan glanced over to Elene. “And have you kept the option open at all, Ms. Exalt?”

“I have considered it, in the hopes that it will be advantageous to myself and XCOM,” Elene replied simply.

Morrigan nodded. She frowned, and said, “You know, Ms. Fischer, the… the only body she’d likely accept is one… made from…”

“She actually said she’d take a shell, as per Elene’s original idea,” Emily assured. “However...I am going to volunteer to be a part of whatever clone she gets. Not an exact copy, but something similar.”

Morrigan rubbed her chin in thought. “Well, I… I have my obvious… moral issues. But she has been complacent. Cooperative. And doing this for her would only make her more cooperative. And I was planning on throwing a bunch of offensive psions at Ira, but based on the giant fiery wall of death and fire snakes he was throwing, I’m glad I didn’t…”

“Yeah, almost all of her advice has been useful in some way,” Emily nodded. “I have a theory on her...state of mind, I guess. But I won’t share it just yet. I just know that I’d be willing to give her a personal touch with this request and make the clone look somewhat like me.”

Morrigan looked at Elene again. “And could you put something into this clone to shut her down if need be? I mean, she sticks out like a sore thumb now, but if she somehow got out in a human body… I just don’t need her escaping by being waved out with a smile.”

“That was already part of the plan from the beginning,” the heiress reassured her. “And as for your moral qualms, just think of it like a shell. There won’t be any trace of thinking or cognitive process until the Ethereal is transferred.”

“So… no mind to take over?” Morrigan leaned forward, obviously seeking reassurance. “No… soul to override. No person I am surrendering to Luxuria’s will?”

Elene nodded. “It’s very likely I can simply clone Luxuria’s brain to offer a blank template for her to easily transfer over into.”

The Commander nodded, and leaned back. “Alright… alright… um… h-how long… would it take? To get it made and ready and all that… jazz?”

Elene tapped her fingers against the desk, thinking for a moment. “Perhaps a week. There are some things I need to go over, but really the only roadblock is transplanting an alien brain into a human body.”

Morrigan looked a bit surprised at the answer. “Only a week to grow an adult human,” she mumbled. A bit louder, she asked, well, couldn’t you… make a human brain modeled… after an Ethereal brain, and have her do that… mind mixing thing? I mean, for all we know, she already has data on how it could be done, and I doubt she’d be stingy with it.” She ran her hand through a few red locks. “Or am I… just making it obvious I don’t know anything about the sciences behind this?”

“The issue with a human brain would be how to create it without a personality. It’s much easier to just scale down and transplant. To do otherwise would take much longer,” Elene responded.

“I see.” Morrigan shrugged. “Then I’ll leave it in your hands. You’re the expert, after all.” She looked between the two women. “Do either of you plan on asking for anything more in exchange. You did say the deal was to consider it, after all.”

Elene thought for a moment. “I would like her to divulge more psionic knowledge to me, but I am not sure what else to ask for…”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Morrigan smiled at Emily. “And you, Ms. Fischer?”

“She won me over with what she did for Brigid. I don’t need anything else,” Emily said sternly.

“Fair enough.” The Commander clapped her hands together. “Looks like we all have some work to do. Emily, you can tell Luxuria about her new mental home, Elene, you can start working on the body, and I’ll… start thinking of the best way to transfer her, and what to say to the rest of my staff.”

“I’ll do so on my next visit,” Emily nodded. “I want to keep the weekly thing going...but I might visit her early this time, to let her know and ask her some personal questions.”

“Alright,” Morrigan said. “And if either of you need anything from me, you know where to find me.” She grinned widely. “And… I’m happy to see you to getting along so well. I knew, if given the chance, you two would make good friends.”

Emily smirked, and glanced towards Elene. “Yeah, best friends.”

Are you… that clueless about us? Elene thought to herself with a hint of disappointment. “If there is nothing else…”

Morrigan shook her head. “No. Good luck with the… cloning… process?”

“Of course.” Elene stood up, and walked out of the office gracefully.

“And I’m not the scientist, so I guess you don’t need anything else from me,” Emily thought out loud, pushing off the wall and heading for the door. “Although, I may have something interesting for you soon. I just...want to be sure.”

Morrigan waved, looking a bit apprehensive. “I… can’t wait.”

 

[MarineAvenger]

What A Life

XCOM Headquarters
Siberia, Russian Federation
October 24, 2018 - 2100 Hours

Desmond and Ellie walked together down the halls, her hand connected with his as they walked back to Ellie’s room together. There was still no definite date for their wedding but as far as they were concerned, they were already married. As they stepped into the room, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Desmond and she squeezed him as hard as she could.

Desmond chuckled and he tilted her chin up so she was looking at him. “What was that for?”

“Well...you’ve been so busy lately, I never get to see you anymore. I don’t want you to go…” She pouted childishly.

Placing a hand on her head he kissed her and she stepped up on her tip toes in excitement, savoring the gesture as much as she could. Reluctantly, Desmond pulled back causing the smaller girl to whimper a bit. “Come on, I am sure the base won’t miss me for an hour.”

Elizabeth scrunched up her nose and growled at Desmond.

“Or two…”

Her face didn’t change and she got on her tip toes, growling louder and longer.

“Three?”

She smiled wide and grabbed his hand pulling him to the bed with an overeagerness that couldn’t help but make him smile.

***

Markus sent the bullet down range from the sniper rifle, the projectile piercing the hologram’s head. He didn’t bother trying to use any of the new plasma rifles or even any of the easier laser rifles. The tough use of the normal rifle was just the challenge he needed to test his skills, to clear his mind.

The gene-labs offered him little of the escape that it had once was, his simulation soccer practices weren’t as fun alone, Markus finding no one who shared his interest in soccer, and worst of all was his separation from the girls.

The time at the EXALT base was hell not just for him but them as well but at least they had been together. Not just him and Elene, but Vee and Lily too. Either he was busy, or they were busy, or something came up that prevented him from seeing them, it left him alone. He went to Desmond for a bit of help but he just felt Desmond didn’t care for him much, or at least that he didn’t approve of him for Elene.

Sighing in defeat, Markus got up from his lying down position and walked to the weapon rack and put the rifle back, grabbing his jacket and throwing it around his shoulders. With his head down and his hands in his pockets, Markus ran to his room and grabbed an extra pair of clothes, running to the showers to see if he could grab a quick soak.

As the water ran over his head, he ran his hair through his blonde hair and rubbed the soap in, scratching his scalp and washing the suds from his body. He put his head against the tile wall and watched as his cross pendant dangled from his neck, a gift from his sister when they were younger. He rubbed the stainless steel symbol and it gave him a little comfort. Next, his hand went lower and went across the circular scar from where he had been shot.

The touch of it still brought him a little pain, not physical but mental, a little shock running through his fingers. Letting his arm fall and dangle to his side. “What a life…” He muttered to himself, turning off the water and reaching for his towel, hoping that his furry friend would give him some relief.

***

The Elite leader cocked his pistol as he finished his daily maintenance on the side arm and he slid it back into the leather holster that he kept it in. His men and brothers were out for the day, just doing their own thing. He was proud of them, going out more and more instead of actually staying in the room and doing nothing.

Hawke had become a notorious man in the bar at night, offering games of poker to anyone who would have the stupidity to challenge him. He got some laughs out of it, and from what he told Chief, he had a generally good time. He didn’t mind his new smoking habit, whatever worked for him to relief stress, and his alcohol consumption was a bit above average but nothing out of the ordinary.

Bull was still very much Bull, the headstrong heavy soldier spending time exercising and sleeping. He was simple and Chief liked that about him, he was always easy to read.

Fox was probably the one who made him smile the most. The scout’s liveliness increasing dramatically whenever he came back from spending time with Eve. His smile was enough to warm even Hawke’s heart. Even his timidness seemed to be getting better with the four of them, though he had no idea around his girl or others. Just as long as his little brother was happy and having fun, Chief was happy.

Taking a deep breath of relief, Chief picked up the book he kept under his pillow and began to read the next chapter, the soldier taking time for himself. Even leaders like him needed some R and R from time to time.

***

Saka twirled around, her silk dress twirling around with her as she danced across a grassy field hologram. She hummed to herself a soft lullaby as she danced in her bare feet. Running her fingers through her hair as her dancing came to a stop, she sighed in bliss as she felt at peace.

She had been a little stressed over her student, but she did her best to stay happy and be patient with her, shifting away from the more violent stuff to more of the spiritual and stealth training. She was confident though, confident that Buniq would just complete her training and be all the better for it. Sighing, Saka fell over and laid in the artificial grass.

When she opened her eyes again, she yelped and jumped up as a face looked down on her but she let out a relieved breath when she saw it was in fact Minato. “Oh geez...you scared me Min.”

“You know I don’t like your nickname.” He said, crossing his arms in annoyance.

“Why do you think I use it then dumb-dumb?” Saka scooted over and patted the ground for Minato to lay down with her, but he didn’t budge. She made a sad face and forced her bottom lip out to look as innocent as possible and he just settled with sitting down next to her.

“How you been by the way? I know you like to be dark and brooding but all that has to get boring after a while right?” Saka asked, tilting her head at him.

“What? Do you really see me as dark and brooding?” He asked, a little skeptical.

“Well...yeah. I mean you don’t go out with smiles abound, and all you do is keep to yourself most of the time. You were a lot more lively before, what happened?”

“I...I just don’t like being away from the enclave. Being her with all these gaijins...it unsettles me. Especially the pretend-”

“Don’t you dare say it!” She warned.

“Especially...Walker.” Minato said, looking like he had sucked on a lemon.

“Why? You keep saying you don’t like outsiders but...I’m an outsider, aren’t I?”

He snapped his head at her. “No! Of course not, you are one of us, it is just…!”

“Just...what?” Saka asked, sitting up and looking at him in the eyes. When he didn’t respond to her, she sighed. “Are you threatened by Desmond? Is that it?”

“I...I-I don’t know! I guess? Things were fine before he came up...and now look where we are.” He said, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes.

“Well...this is our current situation. I have my friend back, I don’t care if he is our leader or not. Maybe you need to stop looking at him as a clan member, and more for the person he is.” She advised. “Come on Minato, you don’t need to be in a shell your whole time here, might as well make the most of it, right?”

Minato took in her words and he closed his eyes, nodding slowly.

Saka smiled, laying back down with her hands behind her head. “Now enjoy yourself. Not everyday you get to do something like this. I know you could never do this back in the mountains now could you?”

He scoffed and pushed her a bit, causing the girl to giggle and push him back, earning a chuckle from the older shinobi and the two laid there together in silence and in peace.

***

Sora looked through his download list of recently ‘borrowed’ files and sighed as he sifted through everything from a digital audiobook, to movies, to games. One file caught his attention though by chance and he looked at it from cyberspace, reading a brief description of the game. “It is a little late in the series...though I don’t think that should be a problem from my research…” He looked through a few screen shots and his interest in the game grew a little as he saw the colorful characters and art style. “Hm...I will definitely need to check that out later.” He put the file to the side and continued going through his files with a bored expression. “Main characters looks cool too. Why can’t I shake the feeling I have seen him before…” After a few moments of thought, Sora shrugged and went on with his buisness.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Eye of Chronos, Part 1”

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
2030 Hours, October 25th, 2018
Primary Laboratory, Genetic Lab

Jessica sighed deeply, too much on her mind to count. With Modya’s injury and Ayame’s missing appendage, the events with the captive Ethereal and the horseman, and the war in general, she felt overwhelmed, and wondered if it was this frustrating for her, how bad was it for people like Modya. “At least we’re almost done. Probably… maybe… I hope…” She glanced at the clock, jumping a bit in surprise at the time. She looked into a small mirror nearby, immediately looked away in fear, then forced herself to look at her reflection long enough to make sure her hair wasn’t a total mess for her meeting.

The door opened with a familiar woosh, and Atka stepped into the laboratory in her typical ‘Canada’ shirt under a brown army jacket, and brown khaki’s. “You needed me for something, Jessica?” Although the Inuit woman’s tone was gentle, there was a hint of tiredness that reflected the green-haired scientist’s own fatigue.

“Y-yeah, thanks for coming.” Jessica smiled back. “I had something I wanted to discuss with you, in regards to your psionics. I didn’t want to come to you before I was sure I had something, but I think I’ve gotten as far as I can without you.”

Atka regarded Jessica curiously. “And what is that?”

“Well, you know about the Incubators abilities, right?” Jessica scratched her chin nervously. “Well… yeah, of course you would, considering. Silly question.”

The Colonel nodded. “Did you learn something new about their powers, then?”

Jessica’s smile widened a bit. “I did. It is in regards to their precognitive abilities, and let’s just say, I think you’ll take a vested interest in it.” She glanced over to the covered space at the side of the room. “I, uh… I have something to show you first. Just… promise you won’t freak out or anything.”

Atka shook her head. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not so sure much can surprise me anymore.”

Jessica slowly nodded, and moved to the cover. She pulled it away, revealing the large cage with the small incubator inside. “Meet, um… Alex keeps calling him Cubbie. He’s our… lab… incubator…”

The scout leaned forward a bit to look over the alien ‘cat’ with a mixture of apprehension and interest. “So this is the one they caught trying to sneak into one of our dropships…”

Letting out a small sigh of relief, Jessica nodded. “Yes. It is the only Incubator we’ve been able to take alive, and that was only because the small confines of the dropship prevented it from transforming. Since then, I’ve done a bit of poking and prodding, a little manipulation, if you would. For example, I found out that, in order to give them this small size, the aliens developed a way to compact them, and allow them to transform into their larger forms by flipping a kind of… biological switch off. I made it so this one’s switch is always on, so he is, for all intents and purposes, stuck like this. Still not going to trust him to walk around like a normal cat, but at least he can’t grow and bust out off his cage.”

“So no more tearing people apart, huh?” Atka stated, almost as if lecturing the cat for a moment. “So… what did you figure out about their ‘future sight’?” she asked, glancing over at Jessica.

“Well, from what we could gather, it isn’t seeing into the future, but rather… a really, really good guess. Um… how to explain it, uh… you… ever see the Matrix?”

“Um… unfortunately not. I think Tom has, but I only remember him talking about once…” Atka lamented, standing up straight again.

“Alright… no Oracle comparisons, um…” Jessica looked down at the Incubator, quietly licking its paw and cleaning its face. “Well, according to the Incubator, it is kinda of like… a really advanced form of ESP. The incubators sense everything, every tiny little detail around them. Their enemies, the way they’re moving, their energy, their breathing, the room around them, the air, the temperature, the wind, everything unconsciously taken in all at once, and they use these to make incredibly accurate predictions. Since then, I’ve done extensive brain scans of him using it, and studied the autopsy reports of their brains and brain chemistry. I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be really, really hard, but a human could do it. But they’d have to have really advanced ESP and… well…” She waved her hand towards Atka. “Far as I know, you have the greatest grasp of ESP on base. Maybe even one of the best in the world, not that I claim to know many psychics.”

Atka rubbed the back of her neck, looking away in embarrassment. “I… I guess… I tend to have an odd way of discovering abilities, at least. Having dreams that turned out to be peeks into the Indian base… eventually becoming like that ‘adventure’ a few nights ago. I guess extending my consciousness to the Ethereal homeworld, wherever it is, isn’t a minor feat…”

Jessica’s eyes widened, almost to the point that they looked like they’d pop out. “You… you did what? How? It… it must be parsecs away from here in any given direction!”

“I-I don’t mean to brag or anything! It’s just… weird having only talked to a few people about it.” Atka tried to compose herself, and continued, “I was having something of a lucid dream… probably when my ESP is the strongest, more of a clairvoyance than anything. I dreamt I was on Europa… not sure if my mind was actually ‘there’ or not, but I got some advice from departed friends about what to do with the night.”

Atka was quiet for a few moments. “I went searching for the alien leader… and I think I passed through some sort of relay... maybe the hyperwave beacon. But I found myself on their homeworld, two moons and all. And above me was this massive ship, maybe as big as an entire country. Going up to it, I encountered their leader. He was powerful enough that I could sense his presence… and, well…”

“...he kind of saw me,” the Inuit woman finally stated. “Suspended my presence there. Tried to act aloof and wise, but when I started talking about the invasion he grew angrier than the Ethereal Ayame and Modya took out. I’m… not sure I would have made it out of there if he hadn’t gotten ‘bored’ of me.”

Jessica bit her lip. “I… I hope you don’t plan to do that again. The last thing we need is to lose you at all, let alone to an alien on the other side of the galaxy…”

Atka shook her head quickly. “I don’t need to see him again. Someone like that… isn’t worth wasting words on. There are enough things out there that can kill me, anyway. Even with all this power.” The scout colonel shook her head again, sighing. “Don’t mean to bring you down. Just… after that last mission, with what happened to Ayame, to Modya… what nearly happened to Janina, and what did happen to two of the squad members… I was reminded of my mortality.”

“I hear you. Still…” Jessica rubbed her chin in thought. “With what you are here for now, it is actually something of a positive. To have the energy to search through however many hyperwave relays they must have, find the power you were looking for, instinctually no less, and get your consciousness there with enough power to pique this leader’s interest. You are a powerful psychic indeed. Only makes me that more confident this… ‘future sight’ was practically made for you.”

Atka shrugged. “Well, I don’t expect to have as much power as a lucid dream while I’m awake… but I can try, regardless. Any other data I should know, or shall we go straight to a test run?”

“Nothing from me.” Jessica looked down at the incubator. “Unless you want to ask him.”

“As cute as the little terrifying monster is, I’m sure you got everything you needed out of him,” the Inuit woman surmised. “For testing, then, I have a request. Rather than use a simulation that’s going to lack essential details like environmental factors or authentic responses, maybe you and I could have something of a sparring match. Or, Alex and I, if you prefer.”

Jessica nodded, and closed her eyes. A few moments later, she opened her eyes, a familiar grin spreading across her face. “I’m ready if you are. But I’m no pushover.”

Atka smiled. “You’re free to go all out. Should be as realistic as possible, even if I probably won’t get it perfect on my first try.” Turning around, the colonel lead Alexia to the quiet gymnasium, putting on some blue gloves.

Alex grabbed a black pair for herself, as well as some elbow pads. Squaring off with Atka in the the middle of one of the matts, she smiled nervously. “Now, um… I’m no pushover, like I said, but… you know…”

“I’m not going to hurt you, I promise,” Atka responded gently. “Not planning on using physical enhancement or anything.”

“Cool, cool. Not that I’m scared, just… ahem.” Alexia got into an attack stance, and took a deep breath. “Now, like Jessie said. Open up your mind to everything. Take it all in, not just the things you think will matter, but everything. From what we can tell, it is probably mostly instinctual. So trust your subconscious to do the job.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “Eye of Chronos, Part 2”

Atka nodded slowly, feeling a bit of an electric sensation across her skin as she reached out with her ESP. At first, it was just the normal hypersensitivity. The swoosh as her right fist swung forward, the detailed reaction to Alexia’s doing the same that allowed her to block. The blunt sensation of a gloved fist putting pressure on her left arm. Although her fighting instincts kicked in, the Inuit woman didn’t feel anything extraordinary-at least for her- yet.

Alexia looked Atka up and down, not wanting to risk hurting the woman she set out to help, however unlikely that might be, but Atka said to go out. She ducked left, ducked right and leaped forward, sending a roundhouse kick to Atka’s head.

On impulse, the colonel backpedaled, narrowly avoiding the attack. Was that… it? I can’t tell.... it could have just been normal instincts. Sighing in frustration, the scout analyzed her opponent for a second, noting the muscles in her left arm tense. Perhaps… Atka crossed her arms to block on her left side, and to her surprise they did defend her. Still…

“Feeling it yet?” Alexia tried to pick up the attack, hoping to force Atka to rely more on instinct. She jumped to the right, sending a pair of jabs to Atka’s side. As Atka blocked them, Alex ducked down, going for a leg sweep.

Although the kick was aimed at her left, Atka surprisingly dodged to that side, and was caught off-guard by the flash of pain from the blow that connected with her thigh. The Inuit scout stumbled back a few paces, cursing her incorrect assumption as she closed one eye, wincing in pain. I did tell her to go all out… I suppose I’m reaping the consequences.

Alex backed away for a moment, frowning.

Keep at it. I’m sure she’ll get it, but not if you hold back. Not like you could hurt her anyway.

Says you… um, not that… I’m trying…

Alexia rushed forward, and sent out a flurry of punches. “Come on, Atka. You can do it. If you need to, fight back! I can take it!” She jumped back, then forward again, sending a haymaker towards Atka’s head.

The Inuit had the presence of mind to duck down, and sent a response back at Alexia, managing to knock her back a bit and give Atka some space. However, as Atka tried to press her advantage, she found herself miss once, then a second time. Her thoughts drifted to Kris’s body slowly falling to the earth, seeming to ask: ‘Can you really?’

It’s true… that perhaps I should have felt the enemy leader’s intent. That I should have noticed him… Atka’s shoulders slumped, and this left her vulnerable.

Alexia pressed the advantage this time, dashing to the left. She leapt forward, a left hook aim right at Atka’s jaw. Oh, please block this!

Even after what I said, can I really prevent- Atka’s thoughts were cut off as the most recent attack unfortunately connected, sending her sprawling back. Somehow, the XCOM officer managed to retain her footing, though her balance was off. Can’t… even focus… dammit! Atka slowly raised her fists back up into a defensive stance.

“A-Atka, I… I’m sorry…” Alexia backed away a bit.

“Don’t let up!” the blue psionic responded through the stinging pain in her jaw, slightly amplified by the hypersensitivity that hadn’t faded, both a blessing and a curse. Even if I can’t be good enough to prevent further casualties, I… I have to…to do something!

Alexia snarled a bit. “Then… fight back!” She rushed forward again, crouching low and throwing an uppercut. As Atka backed up, Alex quickly stepped forward, going for a roundhouse punch.

Just before the blow landed, Atka brought her arm up to block it, looking up at Alexia again with a faint fire burning in her eyes. I can’t mope around forever. That won’t solve anything. The scout pulled back for a moment, bringing herself back into the realm of possibility, watching Alex’s movements carefully.

Though… what happens if I go into the depths of power, and can’t pull myself out? A blow from Alexia nearly connected, sliding past the left side of her head before being drawn back, snapping Atka back into reality. So...so what? So what if this power is too much for me to wield, whether it consumes me or destroys me… I cannot back down, for the sake of those that count on me! This is a burden I will happily take on! Atka blocked the next set of jabs from the green-haired woman, though an upwards kick managed to connect roughly with her right shoulder. Despite the stab of pain, she managed to endure.

“Maybe I’m just a masochist at heart,” Atka muttered with a grin, before sending a punch of reprisal into Alex’s left shoulder.

Alex flinched in pain, but grinned back. “Now that’s more like it. Now keep that look of doubt out of your eyes. You’re here to see something else.” She charged forward, and dropped to the floor suddenly, sending an upward kick to Atka’s abdomen.

This time the Inuit woman stepped out of the way of the blow. As Alex got up, she stepped forward, but paused and crossed her arms in time to block a quick follow-up by the green-haired scientist. That’s it! Another series of jabs to different locations, and Atka managed to block all but one, and enduring the slight sting of that glancing blow to her left arm. The colonel landed another hit on her opponents right leg with a kick, but had the sense to not hit too hard this time.

Alexia took a step back, panting hard and wiping the sweat from her brow. “You… feeling anything… yet?” She rushed forward, obviously switching to power as her speed started to fail her.

Strikes towards the left shoulder, left hand, left side, and kick towards the right shoulder. Atka managed to pick up on the subtleties of Alex’s movements, and blocked all four of the incoming attacks, providing a swift retribution for the failed attempt with a sweeping kick to make Alexia lose her balance. “I believe so.”

“Good… because you look… like you’re… at your limit…” Alexia threw another punch, and took a step back, looking Atka up and down. She looked for an opening, and noted the subtle shifts in Atka stance each time she thought about an attack. She shook her head, and chose a defensive stance instead.

“I don’t know… I think I might be starting to enjoy taking a hit or two.” Atka suddenly rushed forward as the last of the words left her mouth, feigning a punch to the left to put Alexia on guard there, and then delivered a kick to the right to knock her opponent down, stopping inches from Alexia's side.

The young tech jumped back, then slowly dropped to one knee. “I… I think we’re done. I… you won’t be able to learn much more, holding back on me. I… I’m sorry, Atka…”

Atka shook her head, going to Alexia’s side. “On the contrary, I experienced just what we were hoping for. Even if I was dumb enough to challenge a pregnant woman to a match.”

Alexia chuckled. “Who’s dumber? You, or the pregnant woman who accepts the fight.” Alex dropped to a sitting position. “So, you… you really think you felt it? ‘Cause, you can tell me, I’m a big girl. I can take it.”

“It certainly wasn’t mind-reading, but I felt like I knew exactly what you were planning on doing regardless,” Atka replied honestly, kneeling down.

“Really?” Alexia grinned. “Awesome. I gotta admit, I’m a bit jealous. Though, I’m just glad I might have been able to pay you back, at least partially.”

Atka nodded. “I’m not exactly looking forward to trying to get comfortable tonight… gonna be awhile before the sting subsides. That is the price of hypersensitivity… hits hurt a lot more than normal.”

“Yeah, sorry. But you said not to hold back.” Alex slowly climbed to her feet. “Good workout, though. And it was fun. I’m gonna… hit the showers then feed the twins, so to speak. Care to join me?”

Atka smiled lightly. “I owe you that much.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

The Dangers of Pride and Envy

Ethereal Overseer Base 112-5I
Somewhere in Australia

No, no, no, no, NO! Invidia held out her hands, one of the two Mutons shriveling to the floor as his internal organs shut down, one by one. You are all useless! Those flyers should have been done a day ago! Not an hour ago or a minute ago, and certainly not TWO... DAYS... FROM NOW! She shot forth a shield that made the other Muton fly several fight back. As it slowly climbed to its feet, holding its side in pain, Invidia extended her hands, and the dead Muton rose to its feet. It mimicked Invidia's gestures as the Ethereal pointed towards it. You... will have them ready... tomorrow. Inform the entire engineering bay that if they are not completed in the specified time, they will all die. The moving corpse lifted its head and snapped its own neck, the grotesque way it hung as it continued to move sending a chill into even the mightiest of warrior races. Are we clear?!

The Muton quickly nodded and ran off, and Invidia left the body for someone else to clean. Stepping into the throne room, the irritable Ethereal nearly flew into another anger rant at the sight of someone else sitting on the throne. She forced herself to calm down as the fellow Ethereal floated down in front of her.

Getting a little antsy, Invidia? I suppose you are a bit... concerned that it is only the two of us left, and thus it is only a 50/50 chance that the humans will be coming for you next.

IT IS... it is no concern of mine. They will come, and they will die. And I am looking forward to it. One can only hope that they do not come for you first, lest you fail miserably as our brethren d...

Superbia held his hand out, slow lifting Invidia into the air with telekinesis directed at her throat. You will hold your defiant thoughts when speaking off our fallen kin!

They... were weak... why should you pay them...

To fall to a superior force does not equate to weakness. Tien'lyssigan was one of the most powerful of our people, both in pure mental strength, and his devotion to the Path. He would, and did, give his life for Its sake. Now tell me, dear Aphte... if I, your superior in strength, skill, and intellect, were to kill you here and now, would that make you weak?

You... kill me? Invidia summoned a powerful telekinetic shield, pushing Superbia away. Holding her throat, she laughed. You could not kill me. And even if you could, would you defy the Honor Overseer by killing one of his generals, simply because I said something to upset you.

If the evidence I have found lays any credence to your role in the capture of one of our own for your own personal gain, not to mention Purnal's death to further your little plans, then no, I do not think he'll mind.

Invidia shuttered in anger, her energy pulsing out through the base. Several Sectoids, Thin Men, and Mutons rushed in to see what the problem was, and Invidia pointed towards the other Ethereal. He has lost his mind! KILL HIM! The various aliens hesitated, and Invidia's wrathful aura grew. Either potentially die by him or assuredly die by me! And if you chose me, it will be slow and painful!

The alien forces reluctantly rushed Superbia. As they approached him, they fell, one by one. A shield blocking their fire, two Muton's stopped, held their weapons to each other's heads, and fired. A trio of Sectoids fell to their knees, clenching their heads in pain, and were quickly put down with a series of psi lances to the heads. Two Thin Men burst into flames, and two Mutons chocked on the poisonous gasses they emitted until a localized rift tore them apart and sent their bodies flying into some Sectoids with bone crushing results.

As the dust settled on the scene, a lone Thin Man found himself standing before Superbia, the Ethereal simply staring at him. A psi panic was not needed for the tall alien to shiver and drop his weapon. He backed away a few inches. His chest suddenly glowed green, and he dropped to the floor, his heart having shut down. Invidia stood behind him, staring daggers at the Overseer of Africa.

Such a waste... oh well. Care to try your luck? Invidia slowly raised her hands, and a slight orange-red glow overwrote her green glow, her arms forcefully lowering, her entire body dropping into a prostrated position on the ground, her mask touching the floor.

P...p-please, just... l-leave...

As you wish. Superbia released his control, and slowly made for the exit. As he went, he called back, When next I come, I expect you to learn your place. Your coveting of that you can not have will only earn you more contempt, and your pride will only lead to your death.

Invidia shuttered in anger, though dared not rise from the ground until Superbia was gone. All around her, the various dead aliens bubbled and rotted, melting away to a sickly mush that represented Invidia's sour mood.