RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[Dahlexpert]

A day in life of the super soldier Eva

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
November 2st, 2018


5:23 AM Eva get's out of bed, put's on her training gear and grabs her I pod and head to the training room. Once she's in the training room She get's on the treadmill and runs on it for three hours. People start coming into the work out room Eva get's off the treadmill, when she get's off she sees that she ran 66 miles in three hours. Satisfied with result Eva goes to do bench presses and gut's two hundred pounds on the bar and lift's the bar fifty times. She then takes a break for 20 minutes and continues to work out.
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10:15 AM Eva goes to the holographic room, and trains with the new titan armor and her new customize plasma rifle. after her training with some of the other soldiers on squad formations and her getting used to leading. She asks the rest of the soldiers to leave, and restarts the training so she can do her own training with the armor and sees how it holds up with her restrictions.
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12:00 Eva goes to lunch and sit's next to Legion , Eva talks to her daughters about Lusett. Eva gives a photo of Lusett to her kids and she continues to eat along side her kids. and eat lunch with them and enjoying there company.

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13:27 Eva goes to the civilian barracks and sees Jessica she quickly gives her a hug being careful not to squeeze her to tight.
Eva goes to Jessica's room and tells her a few lullaby's her mom and dad taught her. She also gives her a cd with some of her music, Eva explained that it's calm music and even has Jessica hear some of it, and nods her head in approval. Eva explains that for her baby, she explains that she could put the headphones on her stomach so the kid can grow up to like music. Jessica laughs at Eva's suggestion and says that she will think about it.
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14:12 Eva goes to the engineering and helps Jean out with some of his work. Even though it feels like she's really helping Jeanne moving the heavy parts of the psi pods around the facility, Jean looks at his girl friend lifting some of the part's and helps her out. Eva get's a big smile on her face and kisses Jean on his cheek, his sister rolling her eyes after seeing them.

18:47 Eva is training with Ayame ,and complements her fighting saying she's gotten better since they last fought. She picks Ayame off the ground and pats the dirt off of her. Eva and Ayame smile at each other and Leave the holographic room.

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20:15 Eva sit's in her bed and grabs her guitar to just past the time until she fall asleep. Eva set's her timer to 5:23 Am to

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Turning Point

Ethereal Overseer Base 112-5I Somewhere in Australia
November 3rd, 1200 Hours, Local Time

Xifeng sat before the thrown, coils of psionic energy wrapped around arms for no reason but to stretch her psionic muscles. Invidia sat above her on the throne, slowly brushing her hair with her lower right hand. Her upper arms hovered above Xifeng's head, sending waves of green energy into it while waving her fingers. Xifeng wore skin tight leather pants and a snug, reveling tank top, as well as the outer part of an Ethereal's robes.

"Mother?" Xifeng asked. "Why do the humans resist so much? It just doesn't make sense to me..."

Ignorance, child. One must not confuse sentience with wisdom. The humans are a simple people who fight against their clear superiors. We do what we can, but I fear we can do little for them at this point.

"I see." Xifeng frowned. "And you must look down on me. I curse the fact that I must be cloned from such an inferior race, and then soil your image by calling you mother."

Invidia flinched as Xifeng's negative emotions sent a small shock through her hands. She had done this kind of mental reprogramming so many times before, but doing it on a species so adept with psionics was proving difficult. So much for her plans of doing this during an actual fight. How she had hoped to twist Atka's mind and force her to kill her teammates. Oh well. If she can be captured alive, with enough time, she could be programmed to be Invidia's most loyal dog.

Worry not, my child. It does not matter where you came from. You have been granted the grand intelligence of an Ethereal. And once you mission is complete, you shall be given the body of one.

Xifeng's eyes widened, and she turned around, Invidia quickly ducking her upper arms down. "R... really?! You could do that?!"

Invidia chuckled. Of course, child. It is a simple matter. I mean, if that simpleton Luxuria could figure out how to place the vastness of an Ethereal into a human body, do you really think I could do the opposite? She placed a hand on Xifeng's cheek. And your body shall be cloned from my own, and then you will truly be my child.

Xifeng wrapped her arms around Invidia, and the Ethereal resisted an irritated groan. As they resumed their previous positions, Invidiva's Commander slowly walked in. Honored One, you... you have a call over the hyperwave...

You may tell Superbia that I have nothing to say...

I-it... isn't Superbia...

Then tell Desperatio that I am busy as usual! Must I tell you the same... simple... things, over and over...

Is there a problem, Aphte'thonus?

Invidia's heart almost burst from her chest. She waved her hands over Xifeng's head, knocking her out. H... H-honored High Commander Thantos'mictlanmacaria! Invidia fell you her hands and knees before the hologram appearing in the center of the room. The other aliens in the room wisely left, knowing they would not live to tell anyone what they saw. What... w-what can this One... th-this humble One...

I thought you might want to know I am on my way to you location. I will been there with twelve paralets. I will need a place to stay. And as you are... my most loyal, generous general...

O-of course, Honored One! Please, mine is yours. Use my base, use my men, use me! Anything you...

Enough! You are one of the Honored Ones, chosen by the Path. Do not be so absorbed with you... pathetic attempts to gain my favor that you embarrass our people!

I-I... I apologize, Honored Commander. Invidia quickly climbed to her feet. What... brings the Honored...

And do not insult my intelligence. I know all to well of how many of our people we have lost, including five of my generals. I shall come to fix the... Phobos tilted his head slightly. Is... who is that?

Invidia looked back at the sleeping woman. Th-that is... a clone of one of the resistance's officers. I am... grooming her to take the original's place once I am able to eliminate the original.

Interesting. And an interesting coincidence. Surely, it must have been the will of the Path itself that brought he to me.

I... do not understand what...

You should know that the home world was attacked, Phobos added nonchalantly.

I... what?! By who?

Some resistance group. They gathered quite the force, I must say. Two dozen ships from across the known galaxy. All destroyed before they could cause any significant damage. However, a single ship made it to the planet itself. It was only able to circle the planet twice before it was forced to retreat, but in that time, it launched a series of missiles, missiles that detonated in the air. They released a cloud of self-replicating nano-machines that spread across the planet, infecting anyone they came in contact with... something that stopped their psionics from working.

I... I-I... Invidia dropped into her throne. She slowly removed her helmet, and ran a hand over her clearly shaken face. H-H... h-how... many...

65%. Quite impressive, I must say...

And the Council?

Phobos was silent for a moment, and Invidia thought she noticed his shoulders slump a bit. The... the Council of Elders is well. We were able to evacuate them, as well as all of the survivors we could safely get. They are on the Temple Ship. But the planet is uninhabitable for the time being. Until this can be rectified, we will need a new planet.

I... I see. Shall we... clear out this planet, then?

Phobos considered for a moment, then shook his head. If these humans are as interesting as the reports claim, I am sure we can find some use for them.

Invidia nodded. I... how... did... my... my family...

Phobos stood as stalwart as ever. Your brother is with us. Your mother is not. Our research into correcting genetic mutations will suffer greatly. I will see you soon. Do not worry about the others, I shall inform them myself.

Invidia starred in silence at the spot where the Phobo's hologram was. She reached down, and placed her helmet back on. She propped Xifeng up, holding her in place with forcefields, and continued her biokinetic work, her hands shaking ever so much.

 

[Adrammalech]

Adrammalech, DarkGemini, and ZombieSplitter: “Clean Slate”
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1330 Hours, November 3rd, 2018
Legion Command Center

Emily walked towards Elene’s room feeling happy and carefree, even knowing she was a couple days late for checking on the clone and even knowing she would soon be dealing with her antagonistic clone. She fiddled with the silverish ring on her third finger, twisting it around idly as she thought with anticipation and trepidation about her new bond. Snapping out of her reverie, she arrived and knocked on the door, waiting for someone to respond.

The door opened, and Emily found herself greeted by a woman with black hair and orange eyes. “Ah, it’s you. You’re late, ya know?”

“Mmhmm,” Emily nodded casually. “It’s ready then, I assume?”

“It’s been ready,” Vee replied, stepping a few paces back. Behind her was an orange vat on the back wall, containing a clone of Emily. As requested, some of the facial features were modified slightly to be ‘different’ enough to lessen the uncanny resemblance, but it still looked like it could be Emily’s twin sister nevertheless. The most notable difference was a slight deepening of the curves, and a chest that was a size larger than the template.

“One empty copy ready to be rolled down to the holding cells,” Vee stated, proud of her sisters’ work, even if she didn’t have a hand in the clone’s creation. “The one and only of the F line… maybe.”

Emily inspected the clone, noticing the differences, but was immediately distracted by the ‘maybe.’ “Let’s keep it one and only…”

Vee slapped the other woman on the back. “Just screwing with you…”

“In any case, we are ready to transport the clone,” Elene intoned from her desk, pulling out the chair and getting up. The heiress snapped her fingers. “Avanix, if you would.” The rebuilt android gave a nod, and moved behind the canister, detaching it from the wall.

“Thanks for your help,” Emily offered a smile. “You didn’t have to make it so...uh, busty, but I’m sure Luxuria will appreciate it.”

Elene shrugged. “I merely made improvements that I am sure will please the Ethereal.” Avanix started to push the vat on a cart out of the room, Elene and Vee stepping out of the way and following behind her.

Taking the vat to the Alien Containment Facility, Emily was surprised to see Morrigan already there, waiting for them outside of Luxuria’s holding area. The Commander smiled at the three, and looked up the clone as Avanix pulled the covering away. “Not bad? I… um…” She chuckled a little. “Wow, Ms. Fischer. Looks like Elene did you some justice.”

“Hero worship, maybe,” Emily smirked.

Elene clasped her hands together. “I appreciate the praise. Have you reminded our guest that there will be no going back from this? Once her psionic powers are no longer sustaining her Ethereal body, that form will likely decay at an astounding rate.”

“She seems so set on this, I hardly think she cares. At least now.” Morrigan shrugged. “Not much we could do about it. It is taking everything we have to keep the limbs of our MEC soldiers preserved, and there is still no guarantee we’ll be able to reattach them in the end. I doubt very much we could keep any alien body preserved, let alone one as poorly held together as an Ethereal. I’m sure Ms. Fischer will provide her with an adequate warning.”

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind losing that body, after all, that’s why this whole thing started,” Emily noted. “As long as we’re all agreed on giving her the body in the first place, everything should go according to plan…”

“I have no reason not to. I just thought we should make sure she knows the potential consequences of this transfer for our own safety,” Elene responded. “Shall we go in?”

Morrigan nodded. “Yes, let’s.” Morrigan stepped forward, she and Elene holding the door open for Avanix. As they wheeled it up to the cell, Luxuria turned off her computer and rushed towards the glass, her mask fixated on the vat and her mind remaining speechless.

“I think she likes it,” Emily whispered over to the others with a smile.

“Indeed.” Luxuria, the body you requested has been completed. All we need do now is transfer your brain into the empty cranium of this body, and you will have full control over it. Elene looked at the Ethereal seriously, making sure to get her attention. There will be no going back once we begin the operation. I imagine your old body will fail by the time we transfer the brain.

Luxuria continued staring for a few moments, then composed herself, turning towards Elene. I assume you have made the accommodations for size, and other trifles…

Of course. The Tz6 will provide the means to connect the nervous system properly, which is slightly different than the normal human’s to accommodate you. As for the variances in skull size, the Tz6 will compensate for that as well, shifting the size without compromising anything at all. Elene bowed slightly. It was certainly an interesting endeavor, but I assure you this operation will succeed.

I have no reservations then. How soon can we begin?

“Now, if that is acceptable,” the heiress replied as Emma and Lily joined her to assist.

Emily walked a little closer to the cell. Are you sure about this? When they say no going back, it means no going back…

Luxuria looked over to her. I have never been so sure in my existence. She turned back. Do whatever you must, I am ready.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Elene glanced at Lily. “We will go to the medical ward. The equipment is set up there.” Morrigan stepped up to the cell, and began typing in the complex codes to open the prison for one. As the nodes powered down, the Legion guards raised their weapons, but a quick look from Elene was all that was need to get them to relax. Luxuria slowly, gracefully, floated down from her cell for the first time since coming to the base, but was too excited to say anything in regards to it.

The Legion group lead the others down to the location specified, where there was a medical table designed for the Ethereal plus one designed for a human, a set of computers that Emma sat down at, and other miscellaneous equipment. Chandra was there as well.

“Ready then,” the green psion asked. Receiving an affirmative from Avanix, she turned to the Ethereal. “Lay down on the table there, we’ll handle the rest.”

Luxuria laid down with ease, and not the worry one would expect from someone about to have their head cut open. She looked over to the human body laying in the other table, an aura of gratitude and happiness emanating from her, strong enough for even the non-psionics in the room to feel.

Chandra knelt down by the body, her hands glowing a soft green as she regulated the life functions of the body, assisting the computers and synthesizing machines that were in shorter supply outside of the tank. “Don’t take too long, got it? Maintaining involuntary functions for two isn’t exactly what I call fun.”

“Of course,” Elene replied. “Emma, monitor vitals. Lily, you know what your role is.” The heiress stepped over to Luxuria, and administered anesthesia that put the Ethereal out like a light.

Avanix handed Lily a surgical tool looking suspiciously like a bone saw, and the android proceeded to remove the mask for the brown-haired copy of Lusett. Once this was done, Lily glanced up at Morrigan and Emily briefly. “If you have a weak constitution it might be better if you wait outside.”

Morrigan let out a soft grunt. “Trust me, dear… you aren’t in this business for as long as I’ve been with a weak stomach.”

Like a husband waiting for their child to be born, Emily felt she had to stay, but wasn’t crazy about watching everything. She found the dimmest corner to slouch in. “I can handle it…” she weakly said.

Vee disguised a grin, and gave a thumbs-up to Lily. “Alright then, proceed.”

Lily disappeared behind the Ethereal’s head, and began the process of opening up the skull. The bone gave way surprisingly easy, and soon the clone of Lusett was ready to begin the more delicate portion. With a different tool, she set to work injecting the brain stem with a Tz6-derived messenger that convinced the brain to separate itself from the nervous system of the Ethereal.

Elene held her chin after a few moments, the body of the Ethereal seeming as if it was slowly starting to dry up. “Truly held together by psionic power, hm…”

Once the artificial lipid had done its work, Lily safely removed Luxuria’s brain, carrying it over to the copy of Emily as if it were a thousand-year-old treasure. That is to say: carefully. Avanix had already opened up the cranium of Emily’s doppelganger, which was unnerving hollow. Placing it inside, the two stepped back, resealing the skull and leaving the rest up to Emma.

The shadow operative stared intently at her screen as small nanites within the Tz6 tubes connected to small incisions in the skull of Luxuria’s new body got to work. “Body is attempting to reject the brain, despite the similarities placed within. Correcting…”

The Tz6 soon forced the body to obey Emma’s wishes, the nerve endings connecting with the brain stem and starting to pass information to and from the brain as they should. Chandra stepped back from Luxuria as if touching a stove. “Alright, I think you did it… that body certainly doesn’t want me helping anymore.”

Vee looked over Luxuria’s new form curiously as Avanix retrieved a set of underwear and Legion military fatigues and Elene attempted to wake Luxuria up. “You in there, sweetheart?” she asked somewhat sarcastically as the clone started to open her eyes.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Luxuria’s eyes opened up and instantly began to glow violet, trying to use whatever psionics required to sustain her body before realizing that it wasn’t needed. She looked around carefully, adjusting to the new vision. Her lips parted, and a human voice spilled out, much more pleasing and even than the few times the Ethereal had used her old voice. She seemed pleased at hearing the first syllable, and continued using it.

“It worked…?” she asked tentatively.

“It would appear so,” Morrigan remarked, smiling despite herself, more so at the fantastic accomplishment than anything else. “You feel… I don’t know, whole?”

Luxuria swept her feet around and got off the table, her feet hovering over the ground with her toes pointed down. She stood beside the table holding her old body, placing her hands at the side to see if she could sustain it. Curiosity, solemnity, and happiness all came in measures as she looked down at her old form, already badly damaged if not irreparable. Although most of her existence was spent loathing it, it’s disappearance from her life only now felt permanent.

“Something like that,” Luxuria mumbled. She shook her head and looked down. “Perhaps it is better it is gone. Clean slate, yes?”

“Perhaps.” Morrigan frowned. “But different body, same mind. You’re still not off the hook for you actions.” She sighed, and smiled again. “But far be it for me to ruin your moment. Congratulations on a new existence.”

Emily pulled herself off the wall, still feeling queasy from all the sounds of the tools and the surgery, but recovering quickly. She placed her hand on Luxuria’s new shoulder. “You okay?”

“Yes,” Luxuria replied, reminding herself of all the things about the Ethereal body that angered her. “At least I am free from one of my prisons.”

“That’s a good way to look at it,” Emily gave a sad smile, not really knowing the right thing to say.

Luxuria backed away from the table, bringing her arms tightly against her sides and still floating, the posture looking odd with human arms and without the Ethereal’s robes. She looked over to her surgeons. Thank you for all of your assistance.

Lily, Emma, Elene, and Avanix bowed or nodded. Our pleasure, the heiress stated. “This was a successful experiment that is very much a breakthrough in how we view the brain and consciousness. To think that brain transplants are actually possible using psionics to maintain a sense of ‘self’...” Elene shook her head. “In any case, I hope you enjoy your new form.”

“It will take some adjusting,” Luxuria replied, turning towards Emily. “I do like the voice though. I see the appeal.” She then turned towards Morrigan. “I suppose I’m ready to go back now, unless there is something you need from me.”

Morrigan’s smile widened, and folded her arms. “So… no crazy escape attempts or anything like that?”

“No,” she raised her chin, “I understand my imprisonment.”

Morrigan nodded. “And… now that you no longer need Emily, will you still cooperate with her? And Elene? After all, they both made this possible.”

“I will cooperate in the limited scope I can, for the sake of your trust,” Luxuria stated, looking over towards Emily. “I would hope that Emily still visits, though.”

“Of course,” Emily nodded.

The now-human Ethereal gave a small smile.

“Alright then. The guards, and Emily I imagine, will walk you back. And I imagine Elene will be visiting regularly to assure there are no… complications.”

The leader of Legion nodded. “Of course. And to gain any further information and instruction I can.”

Luxuria gave a curt nod and went along with the guards, following along with Emily. She began to wonder if they still had the clothes she had made for this moment stowed away as evidence or something else.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Telepathic Jessie, Cutie Alice

X-COM Headquarters
Primary Laboratory, Workspace of Sonya Randolf
November 3rd, 1400 Hours

"So, I heard they were doing that... body transfer thing with the Ethereal now," Sunny muttered without looking up from her work.

"Really?" Jessica tapped her chin. "I didn't think we were really going to go through with it. Why give her what she wants?"

Sunny shrugged. "I don't know, because... she been giving us a lot of information, and the Commander wanted to reward her to keep her talking."

It is a basic strategy with prisoners, Jan'tiala added. With as much time as she has, she could spend it devising some kind of escape, but if she is satisfied with her condition, she will not resist as much.

"I guess." Jessica looked back down. "I just don't like the idea of giving her a human body. Does she really deserve it?"

"She did save Brigid, right?" Alice smiled. "And all she asked for was some stuff to fight away the boredom. And Emily was saying how she's becoming more human. Imagine if we could redeem such a person. Isn't that worth the risk?"

Jessica thought for a moment, then smiled back. "Yeah, I guess it is." She turned her attention back to her work, what appeared to be a headband, though the inside appeared to have a great deal of circuity and electronics. "Damn. I'm just not that good with machines."

"Can I see it?" Sunny walked over, and looked at the headband. "You said this was for the Baʒir?"

"Well, I'm sure it could be used for other things, like the Ethereals and Sectoids, but I started it for them." Jessica scrolled through some notes on her laptop. "Unlike the more advanced psions, Nūnū and the rest of the Baʒir only have enough psionic potential to send and receive telepathy to and from other psions, and they don't have the capacity to speak our language. That means it is impossible to communicate with them without a psion present, short of some kind of sign language, and that kinda sucks. I mean, our own Commander can't talk with them without someone being a go-between, and they're the battleship's primary care takers."

You may not know a lot about electronic equipment, but you are on to something. Jan'tiala quickly examined the notes, and turned to Sunny. You recall the equipment and procedures we used to allow your camera's in the ACF to record Luxuria's telepathy, yes?

Sunny nodded, and tinkered with the headband for a bit. Handing it back to Jessica, the young lab tech slipped it on, and closed her eyes. Ahem... testing, testing... Can you hear me, Sunny?

"I can!" Sunny clapped her hands together in excitement. "It works!"

"Awesome!" Jessica downloaded the schematics to a flash drive, and handed it to Alice. "Can I get... I don't know, a dozen of these? When you have time, of course."

"Sure," Alice answered. "And Sunny and I can work on installing this technology into me." She give the juvenile engineer a curious look. "How is your project coming along?"

Sunny sighed, returning to the small, fist sized object she had been working on. "Not nearly as well."

"What are you working on?" Jessica asked, walking over and peeking at the complicated circuitry.

We discovered some notes in Acedia's files for this device. It was quite intriguing, and Sunny wished to continue working on it, completing what, we were hoping, would simply be something Acedia's sloth prevented her from perfecting.

"What does it do?" Jessica prepared herself, sure she wouldn't understand.

"It is, in a manner of speaking, supposed to be an atmospheric element condenser mechanism, capable of converting minute particles in the air into something else. In theory, if it could work, we could use it to make matter out of the air. It... it's potential would be limitless, but I can't..." Sunny shook her head, sitting back. "It's impossible. I've got it to work to a degree, but I can't get it to do anything really complex."

"Like what?" Jessica asked, following along as best she could.

Sunny sighed. "I... I can get it to make iron or carbon. I can even get it to form steel. But it takes the super computing power of... I don't know, Alice or Cheshire just to form enough of it at once, together, to form a knife or a sword. Even with my implants, I can't keep up. And guns? Forget about it. I was hoping to use it to make firearms, in case casting off the Council makes our weapon supply run low, but the best I can use it for is to make bullets for our now outdated Gauss weapons."

"What... about food?" Jessica offered.

Sunny shook her head. She motioned for Alice to connect herself to the device. "Can you make Jessica... I don't know, some milk?"

Alice nodded, and closed her eyes as Sunny connected the device to something resembling a food dispenser. After a few seconds, a crude metal cup appeared, and was filled a moment later by a creamy white substance. Although resembling milk, after Jessica took a cautious sip, the immediatly spat it back out. "Oh, God, that's awful... t-taste like... I don't know, paint!"

"Yup." Sunny scoffed. "Analyze that down to the molecular level, and you will find that it is, for all intents and purposes, milk, but everything I make, with the exception of water, taste like that."

Jessica frowned. "Well... maybe someday, when we have more time, you'll crack it."

What about... cloth? Jan'tiala tilted her head. Can you make clothing? Even as it is, you could use this device to... to provide the base with fresh uniforms.

Sunny nodded. "Yeah... yeah, I could do that. It would take some work, but I'm sure..."

"Can I have one?!" Alice suddenly asked, and all heads turned to her. "I-I mean... E-Emily was saying earlier that... that Luxuria might want her clothes back, and I don't have anything else except... what I've borrowed. And since you need my processing power to use it anyway, giving me one would be the perfect experiment for it..."

Sunny grinned. "Oh, sure. And I'm sure it has nothing to do with your interest in fashion." Alice's shoulders slumped, and Sunny quickly added, "I'm just kidding. Of course you can have one. I'll just need to gather the right materials and figure out where to put it."

"Oh, goody-goody." Alice rubbed her hands together. This elicited a laugh from the other three, and Alice blushed ever so slightly.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

A Collaboration between Dhalexpert & ZombieSplitter53

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Primary Laboratory, Psionic Testing Lab
November 3rd, 1700 Hours

“Alright.” Jeanne stepped away from the piece of armor. “Try it now.”

The other two lab techs nodded, and worked on their individual computer screens. The small nodes on the armor lit up, and a few moments later, they shattered in a brilliant, if small, display of psionic energy.

“Putain, how much power…” Jeanne stomped over the controls. “How many times must I tell you! You start with a low power setting and work your way up! Putain amateurs, en essayant de nous tuer tous!"(Fucking amateurs, trying to kill us all!)

“I… w-we’re sorry, Ms. Francois… I mean, Dr. Francois, we…”

“Just… just go! Out of my sight!” The two techs rushed out, and Jeanne slumped into a chair, covering her face and muttering, “Je ne peux pas croire, je préfère travailler avec Jean ..." (I can’t believe I actually prefer working with Jean…)

Ashley walked into the primary lab looking for Jeanne or her brother., wondering if any one was there. “Hello, is anyone here? Yo, twins, are you in, I just need to borrow one of you.”

Jeanne looked up, and smiled at the incoming soldier, the distraction more then welcome. “Ms. Van Dam, hello. You needed me for something?”

“Yes, um, I feel like my psionics abilities are growing faster than I expected, and I need your help to see what my new abilities are. Because I can’t unlock whatever powers I have by myself.”

“I see.” Jeanne slipped behind one of the computers, and pulled up Ashley’s file. “You’re a blue psion, yes? Assuming you are following the usual trends, you are likely bleeding into purple or green. Do you feel like your abilities are leaning more towards offense or defense?”

“Well, I feel like I’m leaning towards more defensive powers. I mean, a while ago, when he was alive, I healed Avaritia wounds when I….. interrogated him. And I was told that healing abilities are more on the side of green psionics. Is that true?”

“They are,” Jeanne answered. “We’ve found that simply using one’s powers is the best way to build up on them, but it also helps to be able to direct them towards one feat or another. Each psion seems to develop a different manner of unlocking powers for each color. Tell me, have met any of the other green psions on base?”

“No, as far as I know, there are none... well, maybe one or two, but I never meet one. I meet yellow, purple, and I’m a blue. But I never met any other green psions on base.”

“Well, not counting Chandra in the infirmary, there are now two soldiers with green psionics, one that has had it for a while now, and one who just gained them.” Jeanne smiled. “In fact, I suggested the latter seek out the former just the other day. Maybe you should too. I’ve heard you did that when you were first started with Blue, right? With Colonel Atka?”

“Yeah, seeing as how she was, at the time, one of only two experienced psionics. So me getting the same powers as her, I figured that since she had it for a while I could learn from her. But yeah, I should seek out one of those green psions. It would be better than purple. It be weird trying to learn from the Commanders daughter or that Legion chick.”

“Indeed, though Elene isn’t that bad, and Brigid is… pleasant, even if I doubt she’d be a good teacher.” Jeanne bit her lip. “I… I probably shouldn’t do this, but I can try and find where said green psions are right now, if you want.”

“Sure, I appreciate that.” Ashley and Jeanne looked at the computer “ By the way Jeanne, I noticed the absence of your perverted brother. Any idea where he is?”

Jeanne smiled. “Engineering, probably. My forte is science, his is engineering. So when we aren’t in the psi labs, we’re in our individual sections.”

“Huh, I figured you both were in engineering. But it's nice to hear that you two do have your own field to test in. By the way, have you been getting along with your possible sister-in-law, Eva?” Ashley asked, teasing Jeanne.

“Heh.” Jeanne looked up from the computer. “You know… she’s a pretty rough person, and she didn’t have the best reputation. But she’s really sweet once you get to know here. And regardless of the original reasons she came here, she seems to care a great deal about everyone. I… wouldn’t prepare for a wedding just yet, but for now, I think she’s really good for Jeanne. At the very least, she keeps him in line.” She chuckled. “Hell, the other day, he upset someone for not flirting with her.”

“Huh, I would think a woman would like not getting hit on by a complete stranger? Oh well. But I know Eva can be a sweet person. She’s just has a rough exterior, but once you do get past that, she’s very sweet and caring. I’m surprised she’s that nice. Though I’m guessing she has her reasons for being rough to people when she first meets them. You didn't tell Eva about that event did you?”

“Nah. Akizuki didn’t mean any… well, she did, but he kinda pushed her buttons. And they made up in the end.” Jeanne pointed at the screen. “We have a number of sensors throughout the base. They were put in just in case the aliens every attack again, or if Luxuria escaped her cell. According to this, there is a strong green psionic reading coming from the holo-rec room near the old shooting range on B3. It is a lot stronger than our last readings, so both of them are probably there together. There’s a red psion there, too. Pretty weak, so probably her sister.”

“Her sister? There are siblings that are both psionic? Hmm, well that’s interesting, but before I talk to them it’s best to see if I have green psionics abilities. So shall we go to the psi labs, so I can get these powers unlocked.”

“Sure thing.” Jeanne stepped out, and spoke with Dr. Vahlen for a moment. She came back, and motioned for Ashley to follow her. “Let’s go. This shouldn’t take long at all.”

“I remember you saying that the last time, and you kept me in there for a week.”

Jeanne laughed. As they made the short walk to the psi lab, she explained. “Well, I mean it this time. We already know you have psionics, and we know exactly what we’re looking for. And after meeting with that cute little Chryssalid girl, our Ethereal ally… T… Tiala, I think. She was able to come up with this device based on what was supposedly used on Buniq. It doesn’t work on people who haven’t been in the pods yet… unfortunately, as it would save a lot of time. But it’ll work on you.”

“Well, that’s nice to hear. Wait, Ethereal Tiala? We captured a new Ethereal? When did we have time for that.”

As they stepped into the psi lab and Jeanne threw on the dim lights, she shook her head. “No, she was the Ethereal working with those… Horsemen aliens. Apparently, the Commander was found up they were up to something bad, the Ethereal girl turned on them and sided with us. I heard Mr. Walker is watching her now, and she helps out in engineering.”

“Well, that’s nice to hear that were getting through to at least some of the enemies. I might have to talk to her soon, but she might become scared of me, if she hears that I had been spending a lot of time with Luxxy. Which reminds me. I heard Luxxy got a human body, however the hell that happened, I might have to see her again. Anyway, how long will testing take?”

Jeanne grabbed the device she had mention, looking like a cross between a heart monitor screen and a directional microphone. “If I use this correctly, just a few minutes. Like I said, it helps that we know what we’re looking for. Just need you… to hold… still…”

“Great, no stripping, that’s nice. Okay, doc, I’m in your hands. Do your thing then.”

Jeanne nodded, and slowly scanned Ashley. “Alright… al… right… well… good news, you’re a blue psion… just gotta adjust… um, adjust in the other direction. Hmm… hmmmm…” She smiled. “Looking good.” After a few minutes, she put the device down, and rubbed her arms. “Need to work on making a lighter device. But, at any rate, it did detect a small amount of green psionic energy in you. So now it is just a matter of fully unlocking it.”

“Great, I’m actually excited. I can’t believe my powers are developing faster than I expected. I almost want to see what will happen, If I tap into my new powers and see what comes after that.”

Jeanne nodded. “Just don’t push yourself. You going to talk with the other now?”

“Nah, I can do that at any time, just give me their names and where their rooms are, and I will visit them on my own time. Besides I have some meditation to do, shockingly meditation actually speeds the process of my blue psionics. Well, to each their own I guess, Atka found her way and I found mine.”

Jeanne typed on her computer for a bit, and said, “Um… Wilson, Laurent, C-2, and Akizuki, Marina, D-5.”

“Thank you, Jeanne. I appreciate it, and I’m glad you’re getting along with Eva. I hope her and your brother continue to get along.”

Jeanne smiled. “So do I.”

 

[Adrammalech]

// NEW SHOES //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Cafeteria
Siberia, Russian Federation
November 3, 2018 – 4:11 PM

After the operation…

The guards helped her into the cell, and she offered no resistance as she entered the glass block. A few moments passed by in silence as they sealed the cell and activated the dampeners, finishing with a quick lock order on the console. They gave a short bow towards Emily and walked away, leaving her standing up at the now animate clone of herself, who nervously rubbed the quickly healing seam on her head. Luxuria slumped onto the small bench of her room, smiling as she collided with the seat.

“This is exquisite,” Luxuria remarked, looking down at her slightly-enhanced backside. “Why do you humans even need cushions?”

“Decadence I guess,” Emily smirked. “I take it the body feels good then?”

“It responds a lot better, no doubt due to your influence.” Luxuria looked away, and down at her feet. “It doesn’t feel completely right though…”

“What do you mean?”

“There was an allure to being inside of your mind…two personalities clashing, processing together…hundreds of habits, thousands of thoughts, millions of memories, rushing into and out of your mind all at once. And for the few moments we worked in tandem…” Luxuria grinned and an aroused shudder ran through her. She then frowned again, presenting herself. “This body is just…empty. Nothing has changed but the shell I am wrapped in. It feels like changing into a suit. A pleasing and functional suit, yes, but no one wants to be in a suit all the time.”

“I’m sure it’s just an adjustment, like stiff new shoes. It’ll feel like yours soon.”

“I should hope so. I can’t exactly go back.”

“It must’ve been hard to see that,” Emily looked sadly, “I’ll see if they can treat your body with respect, but…”

“I don’t care what you do with it,” Luxuria held up her hand. “Research material is research material. Your fascination over the ‘dignity of the dead’ is one thing that remains thoroughly confounding to me.”

“Control freaks about our bodies, maybe,” Emily shrugged.

“I could mention some of the more interesting foods your people intake, or the cancerous smoke you’ve allowed yourself to inhale for decades…”

“But that drum’s been beaten before.”

“Indeed. We still get reruns in space,” Luxuria smiled mischievously.

Emily gave a smirk of her own. “Anyway, I’m glad nothing bad happened during all that. I’m surprised you were so cooperative, actually…”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, we let you out. And you were by all those tools. You could’ve easily lashed out…”

“And die in the process, for just random violence…why would you assume something like that of me?”

“I don’t know, when you put it like that.” Emily waved her hand. “Forget it.”

“I understand my imprisonment, as I said…even if a murderer realizes what he did was wrong, they still must pay their sentence. The same is true for my crimes against your people, is it not?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“That said, useful criminals can get work programs in your culture…” Luxuria brought her peach fingers to her chin and rubbed it thoughtfully. “I am hoping Morrigan sees me as such soon. After all, it takes 10 of your men to hunt one of us…imagine if one of those ten was one of us.” Luxuria gave a wide, predatory grin. “It could be fun.”

“Right…uh, no promises on that,” Emily chuckled nervously.

With their business concluded, Emily turned towards the door, wanting to see Dallas again or do something that didn’t involve brain surgery. As she approached the back of the room, Luxuria called out.

Emily…why have you been so kind to me? To help me get a body could be strategical, but your body…

Emily turned around and thought for a moment, giving over a sad smile.

“I guess because I know what it’s like…to want to change something that can’t be changed.”

“Your sister?”

“Right…I still forget you have my memories too…” Emily sighed.

“I wish I could do for you what you did for me,” Luxuria frowned, looking down at her smooth and symmetrical hands.

“A lot of people did this for you, not just me.”

“But you are the one who has visited me, petitioned for my survival, brought me to what I am now. Without you, I can only assume I’d be tossed away in favor of Avaritia, as he predicted.”

“It was all just…mutually beneficial. I needed you for my powers, and for Sybille,” Emily replied, trying to seem detached.

“Sybille, the lab girl…how is she?” Luxuria said with feigned disinterest.

“Recovering, slowly.”

“If she does recover, she’ll be heavily traumatized…but many of your kind will be. So long as one recovers, you all will someday.”

“Oddly optimistic of you,” Emily noted.

“It is what little I can have here,” Luxuria smiled sadly. I will see you soon, I hope.

Emily nodded and walked through the doors, heading out of the Alien Containment Facility and leaving the ‘new’ Luxuria alone to her own devices. She laid on her bed, her lush new muscles and strong, taut skin providing unthinkable levels of natural comfort against any surface. She slipped into her dreamscape, scrapping her current project, as her was avatar redundant now. She smiled as she formed a small portrait of Emily into the space, a novel feeling of sentimentality being allowed to lead the way.

My friend…

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

ZombieSplitter53 and DarkGemini24601: “Lineage of Titania”

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Holo-Training Room
November 4th, 2018

With a final thrust of her hand, the Muton’s before Aya burst into flames. She panted, smiling at the fact that her powers were close to full strength again, until a horribly burned but very much ‘alive’ hologram burst through the flames, shoulder tackled her to the floor, and pulled its trigger, the simulation automatically ending. Her the look of ultimate frustration, Aya laid back, her inability to move more caused by her own self-irritation than actually being tired.

“You sure you didn’t set the computer to a Berserker rather than a regular Muton? I’m pretty sure only the battle-crazed ones would pull a stunt like that,” Atka said from the area outside of the simulation field, standing by the control console.

Aya looked up quickly, and tried to hide her embarrassment with a nervous laugh. “I, um… I usually set the difficulty pretty high, so as to push myself as much as possible. Unfortunately, that tends to tilt my success-fail ratio out of my favor.” She quickly climbed to her feet, brushing herself off.

“Well, it’s a valid choice if we end up facing more competent enemies. They can’t all be as tactically inept as the regular grunts,” Atka replied. “How have you been? I don’t think we’ve talked much since what happened with the trap UFO.”

“I’ve, um… I’ve been recovering.” Aya rubbed the back of her neck. “The only way to get myself under control was to lose my powers, and it has taken me a while to get them back.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Almost there, though you easily outclass me for the moment. Of course, I haven’t seen a full demonstration of your abilities in a while, so for all I know, you’re more powerful than me at full strength.”

Atka shook her head. “I don’t think I can manage your ‘psi beams’ any day of the week, honestly. Though I wouldn’t mind testing how far I’ve come.”

“That would be great.” Aya stretched her arms. “To be honest, you were one of the most responsive people I tried to tutor… as much as I am capable. Desmond was good too, though he was a bit… arrogant at first, though he got a lot better..” She scratched her chin. “And I’ve been… watching your battle footage. I have to say, I’m nothing if not impressed. You’ve gone farther in these past few months then I did in years.”

Atka shrugged. “That may be true, but I’ve ended up fighting more battles than you have in this war. The stresses of battle can lead to accelerating development.”

“Good point.” Aya chuckled. “It is like some… some cop show cliche, the field officer who regrets the desk job that keeps them off the field, but… it is true.” The walked over to the computer controls, and said, “So… tell me how your powers have evolved. In you words. It is one thing to see it, another to hear about it from you.”

“Well, my mindfray is pretty much at the pinnacle of what I can accomplish with it in terms of strength, though I am looking into working with more than two.” Atka held out her hands to demonstrate, the somewhat watery double helixes winding up and hesitantly splitting into four total, though their forms wavered when she did so. “As for my telekinetic abilities…”

“... I’ve pretty much figured out why they manifest like they do.” Atka shifted the mindfray ability into the telekinetic constructions used for more of a physical offensive. “I worked with them enough that I could muster enough force to scratch steel, but realized that the only way to make them stronger without a massive drain on my energy was to imbue them, hence what I use that ability primarily for besides charging plasma.” The Inuit woman let the psionic power dissipate.

“My control over ESP has gotten a lot better than the uncontrollable clairvoyance it was when it first made itself known. I’m able to peer into rooms if I know what I’m looking for. In addition to that, Jessica helped me develop the nearby perception into a precognition of sorts. It’s only about half the time the Incubators can manage right now, but I’m certain it’ll come in handy. And you already know what happened when I had a lucid dream.”

“The alien homeworld, and their armies big cheese, right?” Aya asked. “Sounded terrifying.”

Atka nodded. “Well, it was… though I’m glad we got the information.” Focusing her thoughts back to her other abilities, Atka continued, “I do use psi inspiration often. Not only is it useful for improving someone’s mental state, but it seems to provide a boost to the strength of psionic abilities as well. That mental boost lines up well with the physical one from Physical Enhancement. And recently…”

Atka closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating, and when she opened them a soft blue glow surrounded her irises as her form was distorted by light. Two ghostly specters of Atka were visible beside her, and she looked similarly fuzzy. “Should be useful when I’m dodging shots. This one came up due to... how to put this… introspection.”

Aya smiled widely. “That… heh…” She shook her head. “I… realize that you are a fairly humble person. And taking too much pride in your abilities can be dangerous. But that is… pretty damn impressive, Atka. I think a little pride would be warranted in this situation.”

The Inuit scout smiled. “Yeah. I am pretty happy with how far I’ve come. To think that less than a year ago I could only use this power to talk to animals.”

“It always starts simple, doesn’t it?” Behind them, a dark forest materialized, a few trees burning as the smell of smoke was simulated, presumably from a wrecked ship in the distance. Aya grabbed a second practice rifle, handing it to Atka. “Care to join me? The best way to assess something like this is in actual combat.”

“Sure, though I’m not about to slice you in half or anything,” Atka replied, taking the artificial reflex rifle.

“And I appreciate that.” Aya looked around the room, taking in the randomly generated forest. She jogged forward, disappearing into the trees. A minute later, a loud buzzer sounded, indicating she was ready for Atka to start. Over the intercom, Atka heard her say, “Take a minute to find somewhere to start away from where you are, and we’ll begin.”

“Alright.” Atka disappeared into the forest, searching for a good vantage point. The scout found what she wanted in the form of a small hill overlooking a clearing, and knelt down with her rifle in hand, waiting.

A few minutes passed in relative silence, only the sounds of birds far off in the distance or the crackling of some burning logs being heard. There was the occasional sound of rustling, though it seemed to jump from one spot to another. After what seemed like an eternity, a beam of energy fired off about ten feet to Atka’s left, though when she glanced towards where it had been fired from, there was no one there.

Atka stepped back a pace, concentrating on her precognition. Rather than close her eyes and specifically locate her target, the Inuit woman instead chose to predict where her foe would attack next to the best of her ability and respond appropriately.

A rustle came from the left, then quickly moved to the right. A few shots fired in Atka’s general direction, the first hitting the tree a few feet from her, but the next two going fairly wide. There was movement in a bush about twenty-five feet ahead, though it stopped moving after only a second.

The Inuit scout glanced in that direction, and then held out her hands, telekinetic helixes coiling up in front of her palms, fully tangible but not imbued. For what she had in mind, they didn’t quite need to be. Once the manifestations were a fair length, Atka crossed her arms back, and then swung them in two opposite arcs, slashing apart a half circle of trees in front of her. She did make sure to aim at a height to ruin cover but not take Aya’s head off if she was nearby the center point of the attack: the bush.

Aya dashed out of cover from a tree ten feet to the right, slapping a new clip into the rifle. She fired as she ran, aiming straight at where she had seen the attack come from.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Atka smirked slightly as she saw the attack coming, and let it thud into the tree behind her. Taking quick aim, she fired off a shot of her own in Aya’s direction, simulating an imbued plasma bolt, though it didn’t require much energy for a fake.

“Damn!” Aya threw up a quick shield, the speed of the attack nearly catching her off guard, and she was barely able to deflect it. A wave of her hand threw up a small wall of flames, not near Atka, but between the two of them, giving Aya time to run to the side. Despite the need to focus, she couldn’t help but laugh. “That… that was an old trick. Guess you aren’t going to fall for something so simple, huh?” She slapped in a fresh clip, taking in her surroundings and planning her next attack.

Atka stepped back, considering her options. Unlike Fay, her illusions were tied to her, and she couldn’t send them out as mobile scouts or distractions, so that option was out. Excellent time to use clairvoyance, though. The Inuit woman closed her eyes, seeking out Aya’s specific location. Once she knew where it was, Atka strengthened her resolve with a psi inspire, and then sent a mindfray in the direction of the Field Commander.

Aya threw up another shield, blocking the attack, but weakening her ever so much. “Damn… has the advantage in her ability to find me…” Aya channeled energy into her palms, and ducked out of cover, obliterating the top of the trees to the right of Atka’s position. She raised a hand, and started to ignite the trees to her left, trying to draw her out of cover.

Atka did take the bait, though when she emerged from the ruined treeline, the Colonel’s form was distorted by blurred afterimages. Her speed was heightened as well, thanks to Physical Enhancement. Aya’s shots skimmed past her, barely missing. Knowing she couldn’t afford to let Atka disappear again, Aya charged forward, firing rapidly to keep Atka dodging.

A shot went through one of the apparitions in front of Atka, and another arched through one behind her, certainly keeping the scout in constant motion. However, this constant motion was bringing her forward as well, and the Inuit officer and her illusionary copies all lifted the ultimate street weapon. They drew the H.P.S.B., and fired, sending a spray of holographic plasma from the real Atka at her opponent.

Aya’s eyes widened, and she lifted her arms. The close range weapon shattered her shield, and she fell back, landing on her back. She quickly reached for her weapon and lifted it, only to find Atka’s leveled at her first.

“Looks like this is a draw…” Atka surmised.

Aya laughed, slowly at first, then louder and louder. She shook her weapon, and shook her head. “No… no, you won that one. For all my talk about how much you’ve improved, I still underestimated you…”

“To be fair, you’re still not at full strength. And had you fired one of those beams at me, I might have been done for, even with imbued helixes,” Atka countered, helping Aya up. “I can only muster one of those javelins, and while they might have piercing power exceeding that of your ‘psi lasers’, they certainly don’t have the coverage.” Atka smiled slightly. “And I can never transform into some demon fairy thing.”

“Well… rather than stand here arguing which one of us lost more, I think I’ll agree to the draw.” Atka placed a hand on Atka’s shoulder. “I… I don’t know how much this means, coming from me, but I’m really proud of how much you’ve improved. And despite all the power, you haven’t let it go to your head.”

“Well, you are my commanding officer, so I do appreciate that,” Atka responded, a bit embarrassed. “I… don’t mean to pry, but I have been wondering… how were you able to do what you did in New York City?”

Aya sighed. “It… it’s a long story.” She stretched her arms, walking a little away. “To be honest, it… it isn’t really my power. It was my sisters.” Aya turned away for a moment. “Maya always had these… strange abilities. Then, we were in that car accident, and I lost her, along with my mother. Her… her liver was transplanted into another girl, and years later, her abilities manifested in her, and corrupted her. Turned her into a nightmare.” Aya turned back. “But I was able to fight back.” She pointed at her right eye. “Retinal transplant. I’m not sure why the power didn’t corrupt me too. Maybe because it came from my sister. I… I stopped the other woman, and my powers have grown ever since. Maybe… a little too quickly at first.”

Atka shook her head. “No more quickly than mine have, or anyone else’s here. Though… if Eve is a copy of you, does that mean she has the same abilities buried within her?”

Aya nodded. “She does, though her abilities are more in sync with her. She has been slower to learn things, though she hasn’t pushed herself that much to do so.” She shook her head. “And… and I meant it when I said the powers aren’t really mine. I was more attuned to them, likely because of my relation to Maya, but they started to grow faster and faster. By the time I was able to stop them, they threatened to consume me. So, I’ve had to keep them contained, or else… well, you’ve seen what happens.”

Atka grew quiet for a moment. “I can’t imagine what that’s like… to have to have those implants lest you lose all control. Not exactly an enviable fate.”

“No, but… I have my support.” Aya shook her head. “And… what happened last time was my fault. I’m so obsessed with keeping people from harm, sometimes my humanitarianism turns into overconfidence. I should have called on you and Desmond for help instead of trying to do it myself.”

“Well, like Morrigan says, the aliens could always one up us. Though I wouldn’t have minded helping out regardless,” Atka responded gently.

“Thank you.” Aya stretched her neck, and smiled. “Who knows? Maybe you can teach me more than I you, and I’ll learn to control it all some day. For now, I’m happy with what I have, and happy to have so many strong allies, so I don’t have to do everything myself.” She grinned. “Though, if you and Desmond keep improving like this, it’ll be me who is assisting you.”

Atka grinned widely. “Maybe. We’ll have to see about that. I don’t think I can quite knock a UFO out of the sky on my own yet, though.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53: "The Trials of Love"

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Room/Office of Aya & Eve Brea
November 4th, 2018

Aya tapped her fingers in frustration, wondering how so much paper work could build up in such a short amount of time, but at least she was just about done. The door slowly opened, Eve poking her head inside. “Oh good, you’re here. I… I wanted to, um… introduce someone to you.”

Aya raised an eyebrow, and sat back. “Oh? The man you’ve been hanging out with so much?”

Eve nodded. “Yeah…” She poked her head back out. “You can come in now.”

Aya grinned. “So, this is your boy… toy?”

Fox stepped in meekly and gave a small smile at Aya, waving his hand slightly. “Nice to...meet you again….”

Aya stared at Fox for a moment, trying to find the right words for her sister and her boyfriend. She smiled back after a moment, and asked, “So, uh… so you’re the one who has been… seeing Eve?”

“W-Well she is usually the one to, um...come see me…unfortunately...I am not...that brave as of yet.” He stated with a nervous smile.

“I can see that. Eve, can, uh…” Aya waved her sister over. “Can we?”

Eve rolled her eyes, and clasped Fox’s hands. “I’ll be right back. Um… girl talk.”

“I’m not a baby you know…” He stated, finding a chair to sit on.

“I know,” Eve whispered. “This is… probably more about me then you.”

Eve slowly approached her sister. “What?”

Aya scoffed, and spoke in a low voice, though likely not low enough. “Fox? Really? Out of all of them, you pick Fox? You do know what he’s like, right? You can’t treat him like…”

“Like what?” Eve asked, barely even bothering to speak in a low voice. “What do you think I’m going to do?”

“No offense, Eve, but… what happened to that guy in engineering?”

Eve shook her head. “He was a jerk. He looked at me like a kid, and thought he could control me.”

“And the guy before we came here?”

“He was an idiot! I gave him a chance, but…”

“And the guy before that?”

Eve stomped her foot, shouting, “Fox is different from those guys! He isn’t some… some pig headed, uptight, idiotic jock! And he treats me well! I have no intention of leaving him!”

Aya shook her head, and sent Fox a sympathetic look.

He tried to look lost in his own world, drawing away in his book but his blushing face, nervous look and unusually fast drawing speed, even by his standard, made him bad at concealing his eavesdropping.

Eve’s arms shuddered in anger. “Don’t… d-don’t treat me like some… some cheap floozy!”

Aya raised her arms defensively. “Whoa, now, I’m not saying anything like…”

“I’m not some… some slut looking for a good time! I’ll admit, I might not have approached Fox’s brother’s with… w-with the best intentions…” Eve waved her hand back to Fox. “But I really care about him! He… he makes me happy, and I’m trying to make him happy! I’m not going to just… j-just use him and leave him!”

Aya rubbed the bridge of her nose, frustrated on how quickly the conversation had turned south, and knowing it was largely her fault.

The scout had turned redder and slumped down in his seat slightly, but seeing as how they were the only three in the room, it was hard to remain inconspicuous long.

Aya finally shook her head, and walked past her sister. She knelt down in front of Fox, giving him a caring of a smile as she could. “Fox… first of all, I’m sorry for talking about you like you aren’t in the room with us.”

“Oh no...it is...fine…” He told her nervously and with a slightly high voice before he cleared it and sat up a bit.

“Listen, Fox. It is nothing against you, really. It is just that Eve tends to be a bit… capricious when it comes to the men she dates. It has worked with her up to this point, but… as nice of a woman as she is, I’m afraid of her… hurting you.”

“I-I-I...um…” Taking a breath to compose himself, Fox looked at Aya in the eyes. “I thank you for the concern but...I don’t care...about that...Eve makes me happy now and that is all that...matters. I don’t care if...she may have been a bit around before. I like her for who she is now...and if she wants to have fun all the time or never again...I wouldn’t care just so long as it was her…” He stated with almost any confidence he could muster with the awkward position he was in.

Aya smiled. “That… that is very honest of you, but I don’t think…”

Eve scoffed, and rushed to Fox’s side. “He is shy, and he lacks confidence. But he is not a child. If he says he is happy, then he is happy. And if he says he knows what is at risk, you should respect him… and me… as adults.” Eve wrapped her arms around Fox’s. “I… I’m not going to leave you like that, Fox. I swear.”

“And I believe you...but I would still like to hear what your sister was going to say...if you don’t mind…?” He asked Aya.

Aya shook her head. “Have… have you been in a relationship before, Fox? Do you understand, at all, what it is like for someone to use you for their own entertainment, and then drop you like a bad habit? Because trust me, it isn’t pleasant.”

Eve dropped her eyes, looking down at the floor.

“N-No...I haven’t...in fact all I know was given to me when I was created and not a lot of it was devoted to stuff like love and relationships…” Fox rubbed his head, looking a little unsure of himself. “But I want to believe that...I have a bit more trust in Eve than that. And if this doesn’t work...I won’t resent her for it...I am just not that kind of person...and I don’t think she is either…”

Eve looked up at him, caught a bit off guard by the faith she was giving him. Aya nodded, and stood back up. “So, you… you really care about her, huh?”

“I would like to think so...even if I don’t always show it to her…”

Aya glanced at Eve. “And you?”

Eve nuzzled her cheek against Fox’s arm. “I… I wasn’t sure… until now. Now, I know I love my Fox. And I’m not going to let him go!”

Fox couldn’t help but smile slightly at her advance, nodding in turn. “And me neither…”

 

[MarineAvenger]

Aya chuckled. “Then… I am happy for you. Both of you. Fox, because Eve is a good person, and Eve because…” She grinned. “Well, let’s just say I’m a little jealous.”

Fox blushed a little, his eyes moving around the room sporadically, a little embarrassed. “Um...I...well...uh…”

Aya looked between the two of them. “So, you’re both… mature, consenting adults. Have to… you know. Been ‘intimate’?”

“Aya!” It was Eve’s turn to look away, her face instantly reddening. “D-don’t… a-ask…”

“What? It is a fair question. I’m as much your guardian as your sister.” She gave Fox a serious look, expecting an answer.

“No ma’am!” He exclaimed, straightening out a bit and looking a bit worried.

Aya’s smile only widened, and she looked at her sister. “Really? Is someone learning restraint?”

Eve scoffed. “I… I-I told you, I like Fox for Fox. And I’m not going to rush him into anything. Now… any more embarrassing questions.” The petite blond instantly regretted the question once it left her lips.

“Tell me, Fox. What is it you like about Eve?” Aya raised her eyebrows. “And be honest.”

Fox brightened a bit, looking at the girl next to him with a smile. “Well...when I first met her I thought she was a bit annoying, but I actually learned that I-I like her for it sometimes...she pushes me to do things I wouldn’t normally have the courage to do on my own. Plus she likes movies...and my pictures…that is really what pops out to me a-at least at the moment.”

“Well, it is good to hear she is a good influence… even if she can be a bit annoying at times.” Eve stuck her tongue out, but this only elicited a laugh from Aya. “I… I really am glad that you two can find comfort in each other.” She tilted her head slightly. “Just one last question. What do your brothers think of your relationship with her?” Eve tried to pretend she wasn’t curious about that question too.

“Well...Chief tells me he is proud I am out of the room more often now and at how she helps me a bit out in public...Bull just smiles and nods his head and Hawke...well actually he doesn’t really say much about it, he just wishes me luck…”

Eve smiled, and Aya nodded. “Good. Then that means both sides are in agreement.” She held her hand out for Fox. “I wish you luck myself. And I hope you continue to make each other happy as you do now, if not more so.”

He took it lightly and shook it, smiling at Aya and taking Eve’s hand. “Want to go? I want to spend some more time with you before training starts.”

“Absolutely.” Eve glanced at Aya, mouthing ‘thank you’, and stood up with Fox. “I’m all yours.”

Fox and Eve exited the room together and after Fox closed the doors, he turned to Eve and he walked up to her slowly, putting his arms around her and holding her both close and tightly.

Eve squeezed him back, chuckling lightly. “That… actually went a lot better than I thought it would.”

“I didn’t leave with a few bulletholes so yes...I would assume so.” He continued to cling onto her, not wanting to let go.

Eve laughed. “So, uh… what did you… have in mind?”

“I just want to be with you some more...and since your sister isn’t here anymore, I wanted to know if you had any other questions for me...I will try to answer anything you ask truthfully, I promise…”

Eve’s smile wavered a bit. “W-well, I… I just wanted to know if you… you really meant what you said. Do you really care about me? Do you… really have that kind of faith in me?”

“Well of course I do...I have no reason not to…” Fox reluctantly let go of Eve, and he clasped both of her hands. “You make me happy Eve...why should that change for something you did in the past?”

Eve squeezed his hands. “I… I meant what I said, too. I’m sorry I looked at you as the last option at first, that I push you so much, that I’m… clingy at times. I just… I like you, Fox. You’re different from the other guys. Better.”

“I-I don’t really mind you being pushy...even if I get nervous from time to time...and I never said I...hated your clinginess…” He brushed a piece of hair off her face and he stared at her with amazement. “Plus I never got to mention how beautiful you looked when Aya asked me what I liked about you. Every time I see you, it takes m-me a bit back that you chose me…”

Eve blushed a bit, pressing her hand against his. She stammered for a moment, then asked, “You… y-you said you… were training in a bit. Does… does that mean your brothers are… out right now?”

“Well I actually just said that in front of your sister so I had an excuse to be with you some more…” He stated, a bit oblivious to what she was asking.

Eve licked her lips ever so slightly. “Well, do you… so you think there is anywhere we could… be alone? Like… alone alone?”

Fox looked a tad confused. “Well...my brothers might be out doing stuff...they usually leave me alone for a few hours anyways so they can do their own things. Why are you acting all strange Eve?”

Eve bit her lip. “Do… do you want to go back to your room and… and take this relationship… a little further?”

“A-A little further?” A slow realization came to him and his face turned beet red, and he looked down at her feet. “I-I...don’t know...what to...um, say…”

Eve leaned close to his ear. “Just… say yes… or no. I… I want you right now. But I’m not going to push you into anything.”

Fox was silent for a long while before finally leaning forward and putting his head on her shoulder. “Just as long as I get to be with you...Eevee…”

Eve sighed contently, grasping his hand and planting her lips against his. She squeezed his hand tightly, and pulled him towards his room, the biggest smile on her face.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Adrammalech & ZombieSplitter53
"Playing at Being Human"

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Primary Laboratory, Alien Containment Facility
November 5th, 2018

With a completely unnecessary deep breath, Alice nervously reached for the entrance of the Luxuria cell, and retracted her hand quickly.

“What… are you even afraid of? Should turn off… but why am I even nervous? Emily gets along, and she hasn’t tried to… manipulate anyone. She probably won’t even care about me.” Alice looked down at her attire, using her new little upgrade to wear a modest lab uniform. With another deep breath, she pushed the door open, and wheeled the large dresser towards the main cell, keeping her head down as she approached.

Noticing a new visitor, Luxuria sent forward a neural link, only for it to go through the woman and come back empty. She tilted her head curiously. “Hello?”

“H… h-hello, Ms… Ms. Luxuria…” Alice smiled sheepishly. “I… I came to return something to you. Em… M-Ms. Fischer said you were… asking for this.”

“Oh, good,” Luxuria smiled slightly, guising her irritation at someone else wearing her hand-crafted clothes. “Thank you for returning them. Did they give them to you?”

“Um… y-yeah, they… I mean you didn’t… need them, and Emily didn’t… and I didn’t… have any clothes of my own.” Alice smiled sheepishly. “And a lot of them were… were so pretty, I couldn’t help myself.” Alice quickly walked to the cell door, her fingers flying over the keyboard and releasing the lock in a quarter of the time the Commander had the other day.

“Well, at least they were appreciated,” she noted. As Alice got closer, Luxuria noticed a sign that pointed towards Alice’s nature. “You are an AI?”

Alice nodded slowly. “Is… is it that obvious?”

“It’s quite convincing, even for your kind,” Luxuria crouched and stared at her curiously, “who made you, I wonder?”

“Um…” Alice scratched her chin nervously as she carried the large wardrobe into the cell, the door automatically closing behind her. “Well… my initial program was created by Dr. Sonya Randolf. She based it around the research of Dr. Shen, and improved it beyond its original design using the research from Dr. Lusett Exalt, and the work she used to create Avanix.”

“The little one Emily holds dear...it must’ve been her idea then, taking my clothes,” Luxuria smirked. “I’ll have to bring it up next I see her.”

Alice smiled. “A-actually, it was… my idea. I have the capacity for independent thought and sentience. But I… I didn’t mean any offense, and…” She opened the wardrobe. “And I was sure to take good care of them!”

Luxuria flipped through a few of the dresses, smiling softly. “Very good, I’m glad you did...I may have to modify them though, due to the blonde’s ‘adjustments’ to Emily’s shape. Not that I’m complaining, of course.”

Alice smiled and nodded. “Yes, you… you a quite lovely. And you have, um… you have very nice breasts, Ms. Luxuria.”

The Ethereal chuckled, turning towards her. “Are you flirting with me?”

Alice’s eyes widened, and she waved her hands defensively. “No! I… I’m sorry! I’m still… still getting used to interacting with strangers, I… I sometimes say silly things.”

“Well, it’s good to be appreciated anyway,” she waved it off, “so thank you.”

“You… you are welcome.” Alice bowed her head. “I am just glad I could find a suitable replacement in time. Not… not that I wouldn’t have returned your clothes, of course.”

“Is that so?” Luxuria said, sounding interested as she turned back and flipped through a couple more dresses. “Where might you have found this replacement?”

“Oh, just a little gizmo Sunny installed in my.” Alice pointed towards her chest. “Some matter… converter… thing. Found it in Acedia’s notes. Couldn’t get it to work for much, but it let’s me have pretty much anything I want to wear, when I want to wear it.”

“Well, now it is I that am envious of yours,” Luxuria chuckled, “mine are only there for decoration… although I never did ask if this body could actually sustain life in that way…”

Alice smiled. “My body has its advantages, but… but I’m more envious of you. I’m afraid I can never have the kind of transfer you had. I’ll just have to become human by… imitating them as best possible.”

“Hm…well, in my society, computers are not allowed to create their own identity at all. Humans do not appear to have this limitation,” Luxuria scratched the back of her head, an odd idle habit she had picked up, “with that in mind, why do you feel the need to perfectly emulate them?”

Alice shrugged. “I… I’m not sure. I just have respect for all they are capable of. I… I know they aren’t perfect. Far from it. And they have their really bad moments. But humans are capable of such love, such respect. So much caring. I’ve probably been lucky with how much I’ve received, but I want to be like them, regardless of what that might entail. I mean… you wanted something similar… right?”

“Somewhat…although there are weaknesses to this side of living as well. My hatred for my old body was more that I was born into the entropy of our bodies, due to the mistakes of those who came before me. My own life, image, and ambitions limited in such a way,” she shook her head, “it was unbearable.”

Alice thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “I understand.” She smiled. “I… can’t say I approve of your original means of trying to get your body, especially when you were trying to take it from my friend, but… that doesn’t mean I don’t understand. I can only imagine how painful it must have been, having to live with the mistakes of others, forced to looked at your shriveled hands, and work towards a goal, a goal that led to your state. I… I can never say I approve of what you’ve done, but… for what it’s worth, I’m glad you helping us led to you getting your body.”

“I am too. It’s not ideal, but it’s certainly better than what I expected when I woke up in here,” she chuckled for a moment, then stopped, turning back towards her. “There’s one missing.”

“There is?” Alice looked throughout the wardrobe. “I… i-it… I’m sure I put them all… I wouldn’t…” She motioned down to herself while holding up one of the dresses. The cloths she was wearing dissolved away momentarily, revealing a modest set of underwear before reforming into a match of the dress in her hands. “I-I wouldn’t need to… keep anything! Just tell me which one is missing, and I’ll find it!”

“It was a deep scarlet gown with small rubies going down the bottom…I suppose it’s not my favorite, so don’t worry about it,” Luxuria shrugged. “Would you like to keep one?”

“Was… Emily…” Alice smiled. “Wait, you… r-really? I can have one?”

“If you’ve grown attached to one, why not,” she replied. “I believe charity is a fairly human thing to do, right?”

“Um…” Alice looked through the wardrobe, finding a simple black and red goth lolita dress, one too small for her current body. “I… I kinda like this one. I have another body, a smaller one, that I use when this one needs repair, and I don’t have my device in it. Can I… have it?”

Luxuria nodded. “It’s yours.”

Alice’s smile widened. “Thank you! But… but I shouldn’t just take it without doing something for you in return. Repaying a kindness is a human thing to do as well.”

“Did you have something in mind?”

Alice looked around the cell. “Well… a lot of your furniture is made for Ethereals. I… I could have something made for you, designed just like them, but more your new size.”

“Hmm, an interesting idea…I admit the Ethereal aesthetic isn’t fantastic with this new optic perception. I would still need my computer and other such devices...but perhaps new seats and beddings would be of use.”

Alice nodded. “Okay!” The door buzzed, the timer she had set for it unlocking it. She quickly moved to it, opening it before she lost her chance, but paused before stepping out. “I… I’m glad we could meet. You’re not as scary as I was afraid you’d be.”

“Maybe I once was,” Luxuria chuckled. “Trying to change, somewhat.”

“Well, I approve.” Alice stepped out, and bowed her head. “I’ll be sure to get those chairs and bed right away. And… and I’ll let Emily know how nice you were. Until next time.”

 

[MarineAvenger]

MarineAvenger, ZombieSplitter53, Taxor_the_First, Dahlexpert, DarkGemini24601, Frostlich1228, and Adrammalech proudly present:

“Wedding Bells, Part 1”

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
0400 Hours, November 7th, 2018
Room of Ellie and Desmond

The doctor rose from her bed with a messed up head of hair and a bad taste in her mouth as an alarm droned on on a near by dresser, the time reading it was earlier in the morning than anyone but her would set an alarm for. Slapping around, finally silencing the the infernal machine, Ellie rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms, looking on the date displayed in tiny red numbers.

“Oh...the seventh, huh?” Ellie began to walk away from the dresser but stopped dead in her tracks, turning around and staring at the clock with excitement. “It’s the seventh!” Jumping up and down, the doctor was happy as could be, an annoyed Desmond throwing a pillow at her and falling back asleep. “I have to go get Jessie...I need to get ready...I…!” Ellie took a second to look in the mirror and sighed. “And I need to do my hair...damn it.” Quickly brushing out the knots in her dark hair, Elizabeth ran out her door, still in her pajamas wanting to get her Maid of Honor ready with her as soon as possible.

Arriving, she banged her fist against the door of the scientist’s room yelling. “Jess...Alex...whoever, open up!”

Alexia quickly opened the door, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “I’m awake, I’m… *yawn*... what’s up, Ellie? Trying a new look there?”

Ellie looked down at her loose tank top and bright pink striped fuzz pajama bottoms and pouted a bit. “Oh shut it...you're not much better but fashion disasters aside do you remember what day it is!”

“No I…” Alex glanced at the calendar. “Crap!” The tech rushed back into her room, flinging off clothes without even bothering to close the door. “I-I… g-give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be ready, I swear. Had my dressed prepared for the past two weeks and everything.” She shoved a toothbrush in her hair with one hand and started brushing her hair with the other, standing in the middle of her room half naked while attempting to do both actions at once.

“Um...uh, who else should I go wake up...let’s see...Oh! Be right back!” Ellie ran from the doorway and sprinted down the halls once more, blowing into several night staff before she arrived in the Legion Sector, slamming her fist into the door of the Exalt girl's bedroom. “Waaaaake uuuuup!” She moaned loudly, rapping her fist against the metal.

The door opened slowly, and Vee stared at Ellie with narrowed eyes. “It is… four… in the morning.. what the hell is it?”

“Where is Elene?” She asked the Destroyer.

“Asleep, you nitwit…” Vee grumbled.

“Well get her. I have something important to tell her.” Elizabeth retorted, not minding the ‘nitwit’ remark.

Vee rolled her eyes, and woke up the others. “Your eventual sister in law is being a- wait, is that what this is about? Is Dessy’s special day finally here for me to crash?”

“You may be a super soldier and I only a doctor but a woman scorned; especially on her wedding day is a bad enemy to make…” Ellie couldn’t help but chuckle, unable to keep serious and she tried to look over the taller soldier. “Come on...she needs to be apart of this too…”

Vee rolled her eyes as the others got up. “Sure.”

A few lights blinked on the the wall, and Avanix stepped out from her hibernation cycle. “I was wondering when you had planned to commence the wedding. We must get ready, then… You can count on us for that, Elizabeth.”

“Good...all the girls are meeting later at my room so we can all get ready together.” Elizabeth turned and began to bounce down the halls again, wanting to assemble everyone together so this special moment could finally take place.

Scouring the base of anyone she or Desmond had deemed a guest, she and the group of women all got together and got ready for the event.

Eva looked in the mirror as she decided to let her hair down or not. “Eh, hair down.” Eva went to the Legon part of the base wearing a blue dress with some light make up on. “Yo, Vee, Elene, you ready? God, Desmond, this would be the only time I wear a dress: you're lucky you're my friend.”

“Almost… alright.” Vee opened the door again, and the five occupants of the room filed out. Elene was wearing a black and orange dress that might have fit in a little better about a week ago, with a labcoat over it. Lily was wearing a dress familiar to Eva, the formal red blouse and black skirt Lusett often wore in her video recordings. Emma was dressed in a more simple black dress, while Vee was just wearing her regular military fatigues.

Avanix looked over the others, her regular outer plating resembling clothing unchanged. “I would say we are ready indeed.” Together the Exalt family started walking for the area in which the wedding would be held.

Alexia quickly caught up with them, feeling a bit awkward in high heels, but not wanting to disappoint Ellie without wearing them. She wore a simple red dress that didn’t look to expensive, but not too cheap, showing the modest middle class she had come from. She adjusted the top, hoping Ellie wouldn’t find it too revealing. She smiled at Elene, twiddling her fingers and hoping there would be no hard feelings between them, at least not today.

Elene smiled at the green-haired scientist. “Where is Dragomirov? I’m sure he’d be impressed by that attire.”

“He should be with Desmond right now, helping him get set up.” Alexia looked around. “Penny is coming, right? Hate for her to miss this thanks to that late shift of hers.”

“The weapons scientist? I assume so…” Lily replied, shrugging slightly. “I am sure Elizabeth made sure to retrieve her.”

Mary stepped into the room sighing loudly; she was wearing a long, salmon pink, sleeveless dress that had a V so deep it didn’t exactly leave much to the imagination. Her hair was combed straight and neat for once, but had two long braids running down her shoulders from the front. Ammy quickly walked in behind, fussing with her sister’s dress. She had on a much more elaborate snow white, hand-stitched dress with alot of frill. In fact, it was so well made it almost overshadowed Ellie’s. The sniper’s hair was pretty much the same, except for the fact that she had somehow wrapped small pearl beads into her bun that shone in the light and matched her hanging pearl earrings.

“Mary, stop stepping on your dress, that’s hand sewn…” Ammelia said, smiling at the occupants of the room.

“Eh’ ‘ink eh’m ‘earing triple my en’ire net worth en’ clothes ‘ight ‘ow… An’ eh’m not enjoy’in et’... ‘ow de’ ye e’en walk in ‘ese?” (I think I’m wearing triple my entire net worth in clothes right now… And I’m not enjoying it, how do you even walk in these?) The gunner asked, looking down at her red high-heels.

“It’s not that hard, just focus.” She replied simply.

“Easy or’ ye’, prin’ess…”(Easy for you, princess…) Mary said as she pouted a little.

There was a new arrival coming into the holo-room, this one not wearing a dress but looking rather uncomfortable in a dress shirt and pants combo, the small Elite scout fiddling with his collar. The small scout was so busy that he didn’t realize to stop walking and accidently bumped into Mary, causing Fox to jump a little. “Oh...I-I am sorry! I wasn’t…” Looking at the rather large group, the scout shrank back a little.

Mary considered the small clone strangely, “Uhh… Ye’ ‘ay ‘ook like eh’ ‘oman, beh’ eh’ dun’t ‘ink ye’ ‘ave the ‘arts ‘or et’...” (Uhh… You may look like a woman, but I don’t think you have the parts for it..)

Ammy smiled, “Glad you could make it Fox.”

“He was coming, even if I had to drag him here.” Eve stepped in behind Fox, wearing a fairly modest blue dress, not having too much of a figure to show off. She grasped Fox’s hand, leading him to a seat before the timid clone could flee. They sat in the back with Jan’tiala, wearing a fresh, neat cloak and watching the assembly of people with great interest, as if taking a mental note of everything.

There was a loud bump, followed by a muffled “What the hell?” The door opened to reveal Penny cradling her head and an amused Charles holding the ‘door open’ button. “How did I…?”

Charles merely laughed and pushed her inside before she attracted too much attention. “Sometimes I wonder.” The two were rather obviously underdressed, both still wearing their work labcoats. Neither seemed to care too much though.

Penny scowled as she tried to find an open spot. “Let’s just sit down.”

Emily walked in next, wobbling on a set of high heels that came with the dark red and rubied-up dress she had taken from Luxuria’s collection. On her arm was Dallas, in a dark grey suit that looked particularly bland, the only one he actually owned.

“These don’t make any sense,” Emily complained to him, “especially for an Ethereal. They’re a tactical disadvantage.”

“Consider it balance training, I guess,” Dallas smirked.

“That implies I’m not taking them off as soon as we sit down…”

Emily gripped onto Dallas’ arm with both hands and then straightened up, pretending to have total control of the wardrobe as she smiled towards everyone else on the way to their seats. Given that Emily was a little farther from the ‘family’ and her feet were radiating pain, she pointed towards the back row and quickly sat down with her date.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

“Wedding Bells, Part 2”

From the door, Saka jumped through as it opened, the one time she had decided to change her attire into a regular short dress and actual shoes. She looked back through the doors and with a scowl, walked back in, seconds later a suited up Minato flying out as Saka kicked him. Brushing himself off, he cursed almost every slang possible in Japanese before Saka wrapped her arm around his and forcibly dragged him to sit down, all with a large smile on her face.

After the pair, a familiar face walked in, Markus striding in wearing a gray, black and white suit that surprisingly complimented him nicely. Walking besides him with a mocking black bowtie replacing his collar, Riley walked beside his master and wagging his tail at the large group of people, wanting to jump up and meet everyone of them but instead following Markus as he gave a quick greeting to the Exalt family before taking his place up front where the groom’s men sat.

Sora was next in the procession of people. walking in with an even bigger ego than he usually had, sporting a nice dress overcoat on top of a button up. Rubbing his hands together, the A.I. seemed unusually excited for an event he had nearly no interest in when Desmond first told him. Giving Ava a quick wink, he sat down next to Markus and put his hands behind his head.

Jake walked in with a bit more modesty, embarrassed at the sight of so many well dressed individuals. He had been able to get his hands on on a formal uniform, but was a bit off put by being the only one in one. Still, he put on his best smile, and sat with the other male guests, looking around for a sight of the bride, the groom, or Atka.

Tom was sitting next to Modya in some of the chairs, the assistant manager of records in his typical business suit, sipping coffee. The Russian was wearing a more formal suit to commemorate the occasion, and was seated next to Alexia.

The security guard quickly found where the third person in question was. Not too far from Modya and Thomas, Janina was seated in a red, yellow, and black dress next to the Colonel. Atka was not wearing dresses like most of the other women in the room, instead wearing her officer’s uniform, black and blue with a badge of her rank on the top right next to the collar. She smiled as Jake approached, motioning to a seat on her right she had left open for him. Jake quickly did so, smiling at her gratefully.

Filling out the group, Morrigan walked in, also wearing a formal suit. She was accompanied by Sunny and Brigid, both in similar white dresses with frills on the bottom of them, the latter carrying a small basket of flowers. Brigid looked up at her mother, and received a nod. Brigid rushed to the back to get ready for her job while Sunny sat in the front, placing a pair of rings on a pillow. Morrigan took her place in the front, clearly trying to hide a big smile.

Eva walked to Desmonds room and knocked on the door. “Yo, Desmond, you ready? You only get married once.”

There was no response, instead the door opening and a freshly shaven Desmond stepping out as he adjusted the tie to his suit, taking a deep breath and looking down at himself. “This feels so unnatural you have no idea…” He started, running his hand through his hair which had been cut back down short.

“Oh, well, don’t you look handsome? You even shaved. And trust me, Desmond, I’m uncomfortable with this too. But here we are, two super soldiers forced to put on something they never thought they would wear. But in all seriousness, you look great. And I’m sure Lusett would have loved to seen you right now.” Eva said with a little tear coming off her cheek.

Desmond smiled, wiping away her tear. “Come on, we wouldn’t want someone seeing you get emotional. It seems we lost a lot of people to get here. Lusett, Eve…” Desmond hesitated slightly, looking down at his feet. “You know the bastard was a prick at the end but I wonder if things were different...he would have attended.” Desmond didn’t need to say the name, the person behind the statement all too obvious.

“I highly doubt he would come, but any way this is all good and mushy and stuff but you have a wedding to attend.” Eva wraps her arm around Desmonds “So come on you wife awaits you, Cyborg.” Eva said jokingly.

He nodded, walking with Eva to the elevator and riding the way down in silence, the elevator arriving with a small ding and the two stepping out and preparing himself for the most dangerous mission of his entire life.

As everyone settled down, big smiles for everyone present for the groom, Desmond stood next to Morrigan, looking back at the holographic room in the back. The music played across the speakers, surprisingly a traditional wedding song, and not something Cheshire played to mess with the group. Brigid stepped forward, ready to do her job as the doors opened for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth stepped through, her smile wide as she proceeded to get to the beginning of the aisle. Her dress was a simple one, the dress not too long or poofy but something that suited her nicely, small pearls and milky beads sewn in and the hem of it just brushing against the floor. Beside her, Sora had his arm around hers, having left his body back up on the altar. His suit was still the same and he proceeded with her slowly, letting the bride enjoy the moment.

When the two reached the altar, Ellie gave Sora a small hug in which he smiled and returned to his body. Elizabeth stepped up and looked to her right, a smiling Desmond looking back at her with both happiness and wonder.

Morrigan bowed her head slightly. "We are gathered here today to bring Desmond Walker and Elizabeth Rinly together in matrimony. I can say, without the least bit of doubt or hesitation, that I am happy that, amongst the strife and struggles of this war, these two can find peace with each other." Sunny took her place between the two, holding the pillow with the rings up. "Desmond Walker, do you take Elizabeth to be your wife, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better or for worse, to love and to cherish, for as long as you both live?"

He nodded his head, saying an ‘I do’ as he took Ellie’s ring and put it on her finger.

"And do you, Elizabeth Rinley, take Desmond to be your husband, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better or for worse, to love and to cherish, for as long as you both live?"

“I do.”

Morrigan looked across the room, and asked, “And if anyone believes these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace.” No one spoke up, as expected, and Morrigan waved her hands over the two. “Then, by the power vested in me as the Commander of this base, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Desmond smiled and kissed his new wife for the first time, Ellie gladly kissing her husband for the first of many to come in a long time. When the kiss ended and the cheers and clapping died down, both Desmond and Ellie took each other’s hands and proceeded down the aisle together, smiling the whole way.

Morrigan snapped her fingers, and the rooms holograms changed to display a grand ballroom, and a group of cafeteria workers entered, not wanting the after wedding party to include nothing but holographic food. “Alright, everyone. For now, let us forget the trials and tribulations of this war, and use Desmond and Ellie’s special day to… to have a good time!”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

“Wedding Bells, Part 3”

Ammelia smiled at the newlyweds and slowly stood up from her chair, lifting her dress up as she did. Mary leaned back in her chair a little, perhaps hoping that Ammelia wouldn’t notice her, that quickly failed however as Ammy extended a hand to help her up. “Come on, Mary, why don’t I introduce you to the bride, I don’t think you’ve been acquainted.”

Mary grasped her hand as she stood up on her expensive high-heels, wobbling a little as she stood. “‘Ine, eh’m ‘ertainly not ‘pposed te’ ‘eeting ‘er.” (Fine, I’m certainly not opposed to meeting her.) The gunner responded as she carefully walked over to where the bride was standing.

Elizabeth stood with her hands together as she spoke small talk to a couple of people, turning when she saw Ammelia and Mary approached. “Great to see you again Ammelia.”

“It’s great to see you too!” She replied in a friendly tone, “I’m so happy for you too, even if I can’t really see the decorations.”

“Oh it’s fine, with all the friends you have made here I imagine you will be attending many more in the future.”

“I already know one I’ll be going to…” Ammy said as she looked over at Dallas and Emily, talking amidst each other.

“I wonder if they are considering doing it after the war?” Ellie intoned.

“I’ll still go, even if they’re across the world I won’t let that stop me from being at the most important day in my friend’s life.” Ammelia replied.

“So remind me how these two are married, but you have two kids on the way and aren’t?” Tom stated, nudging Modya with a sly grin.

“It is more of a private marriage I would say… we are going to… though perhaps after the war,” Modya replied with a raised eyebrow. “Must you bring that up again…?”

“Of course.” Tom took a sip of his coffee, and frowned when it was empty. “Damn, I knew I should have gotten a refill before coming here.”

Vee shrugged, walking over with a glass of wine in hand. “Well, you’ve got me, at least.”

Thomas glanced over at the destroyer with mild amusement. “I should have known you’d be in uniform.”

“Hey, Atka’s doing it,” the black-haired clone replied.

“Yes, but hers is more formal,” Modya responded modestly.

“The hell is this ‘formal’ you speak of?” Vee said before downing a bit of her drink. “Must be an eastern thing.”

“Formal is overrated anyway.” Alexia wrapped her arms around Modya, kissing him on the cheek. “Though something that fits is all the rage. This dress just shows off how… big I am now…”

Modya smiled, though gave Tom a look. “I swear, if you say ‘in what way’...”

Tom waved his hands defensively. “I would never! Not with two ladies here, one of them capable of breaking me like a twig.”

Alexia chuckled. “At least it shows off that something else is a bit bigger, right Modya?”

The Russian rocketeer smiled. “Yeah. Though I hope they are born into a world no longer troubled by interstellar warfare, of course.”

“I thought Morrigan said forget about the war today.” Sora stated as he approached the group. “Though I must say I expected...more from a wedding, this was really underwhelming compared to the research I did.”

Alexia waved a dismissive hand. “It doesn’t have to be all glamor, and fancy locations, and overly priced decorations. What is important is we are all here to support Ellie and Desmond on their special day.” She stepped away, turning up her nose. “Speaking of which, I’m going to give the bride and groom my best.”

“Good luck with that.” Sora rolled his eyes and when his eyes landed on Vee, he raised an eyebrow at the glass in her hand.

Vee rolled her eyes. “I can hold plenty, you git.”

“Leave her alone,” said Penny as she approached. “It’s not like compromising photos are going up on the internet after this.” She nodded to Modya. “Glad to see you’re still kicking,” she said with a sardonic grin.

Modya chuckled. Scientist… from before? The angry one with the pistol… Penny, right. “Well, fighting Wrath himself certainly was not pleasant, but I managed somehow,” the Russian replied. “I appreciate all the work you all have done with the plasma weapons… and I’m sure you helped with the glorious blaster launchers, even if they were Sunny’s brainchild.”

“Thought you might enjoy them.” Penny ran her eyes around the rest of the group. “So who else have we got here? I don’t get out much, thought I’d take this opportunity to meet some people.”

“Name’s Sora. Desmond’s personal A.I., Best Man and hacking extraordinaire.” He stated with a mock bow.

“He’s a robot, so I’m not sure how much that second-to-last title fits him,” Vee offered with a wide grin. “And here we have the illustrious assistant manager of records, Thomas Burrick.” The destroyer pointed out a few other people in further portions of the room. “There’s Colonel Atka… the boss lady Elene, and Emma who you might get along with. Sunny’s over at the table there with Alice and Ava.”

Penny raised an eyebrow. “In with the top people, eh? Ellie meets a lot more people than I knew.”

Tom shrugged. “In all fairness, it probably has a good deal to do with Desmond’s presence as well.”

“Or, the fact that they’re nice people helps too.” Eva said with a glass in her hand “Vee would it have killed you to at least wear a dress, just once I mean it’s your whatever-the-hell-Desmond-is-to-you wedding day.” She sighed. “You really are my kid.”

“I have worn a dress before,” Vee replied. Lemme see.. that’s when I killed a man. Yeah, not the fondest of memories. “Let’s just say I don’t associate them with good things.”

“Hum, I understand that.” Eva saw the android wearing a tux. “Excuse me, but who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”

“Oh geez, I know you…” Sora stretched his arms and looked around. “Well, it was fun, but if you don’t mind, I need to be anywhere but here right now…” Sora turned on his heel and threw up an arm as a farewell.

Eva raises an eyebrow. “Well that was weird, I know I have a reputation around here but it’s not that bad. Is it?”

“Not bad enough, I’d say,” Penny offered. “You only scared one of us off, after all.”

“Huh, well thank you for that... Miss?”

Penny extended a hand. “Penny Anderson. Professional at working out how to blow things up. I worked out how to make most of the guns you soldiers have been using.”

Eva shook Penny’s hand. “Name’s Eva, super soldier, ass kicking, guitar playing bad ass. And also some day latter rather than sooner, the groom’s Executioner.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

“Wedding Bells, Part 4”

Alex wrapped her arms around Ellie, lifted her up slightly and holding her tight. “I am...SOOOO… happy for you, Ellie!”

Ellie giggled at her friend and tried to get free of the death grip. “Thanks...but this was all possible because of you, you know. Not only did you bring us together, but you planned our wedding. If we weren’t sisters already I don’t know what else there is we can further prove the point.”

“It’s only ‘cause I love my bestest friend! And speaking of your hubby…” Alexia practically carried Elizabeth over to Desmond, chatting with Emily. “Hey, tough guy! Congratulations on snatching up the sexiest doctor in X-COM.”

Desmond chuckled. “Really, cause it looks like you are running away with my bride.” He looked at the two with a big smile and couldn’t help but think of when they all first met.

“Hey Alex...you know I love you but mind putting me down?” Ellie asked a bit embarrassed now.

“Of course!” Alexia squeezed her one last time, and put her down. “Desmond will be the one hugging you from now on.” She smiled at Emily. “So… your wedding tomorrow or what?”

Emily chuckled. “Not quite, we haven’t thought about it too much. Might wait until all of the aliens are dead so we can go some place a little warmer.”

Alexia nodded. “Probably for the best, even if these two couldn’t wait. Or Modya and I, in our own way.” She placed her hand on her stomach, laughing at her own hypocrisy.

Ellie smiled, glad the talk was positive and she turned to Desmond. “Hey, could you get me my drink?”

Desmond nodded, walking to one of the nearby tables and handing her a small glass of soda.

“Thanks.” She replied, taking a small sip as she turned back to the conversation at hand.

A small hand reached up and pulled on Ellie’s dress, a young blond with big blue eyes smiling up at her. “Ms. Elizabeth?”

“That’s me...what do you need sweetie?” Ellie asked with a smile.

“Congradilatins on getting married!” Brigid smiled at Desmond, then back at Ellie. “You… you look super pretty. Like a little angel!”

Ellie gripped her glass a bit harder. “Why...thank you…” Pipsqueak!

Sunny smiled as she watched the wedding’s youngest guest talk to the bride, only guessing what she was saying to illicit that slight eye twitch. As an unfamiliar man walked over from the Exalt’s to get a drink, Sunny waved light. “Hello. Sonya Randolf. Friends with the groom, though a fan of the bride as well.”

Markus looked down at the engineer and smiled, rubbing the back of his head. “So you are the engineer everyone praises so much. Sorry, I just got caught of guard for a second there. My name is Markus Grathem, I help out in the gene-labs.” There was a bark from behind Markus and Riley trotted over, looking at Sunny and going over to sniff her.

Sunny’s eyes widened as the dog approached, nearly jumping out of her seat. “I-It is… a-a-a pleasure to meet you…” She quickly stepped behind her chair, trying and failing to hide the reason by looking behind it as though she had lost something. “J-Jessica… s-says your… a-a-a big help in the labs. D-didn’t know what they did… b-b-before you came along…”

“Well...thanks, are you...okay?” He asked, Riley’s ears perking up as he watched Sunny, panting a little.

“Who, me? O-of course!” Sunny’s voice cracked ever so slightly. “Just… j-just like this… uh, chair. Th-that is a… h-healthy looking dog you h-have there.”

“Well he isn’t a dog per se, he is a dingo. He just likes to think of himself as a real one.” Markus looked at Sunny and he whistled sharply, Riley turning around and taking a seat by his master’s legs.

Sunny slowly returned to her chair. “S-sorry. I… I like dogs, and dingos, just fine. It’s just… when I’m near one any bigger than a cat, I get… n-nervous. He is very handsome, though.”

“Hear that Riley, you have an admirer.” Markus told the animal with a grin, receiving a cry in reply and a short bark. “Don’t worry about him too much. He is just a softie.”

Sunny nodded, and motioned to the seat next to her. “So, um… tell me about your work…”

“Well...I mostly just help out with the problems that the other techs in the labs can’t. Elene and her sister’s knowledge kind of rubbed off on me and I guess I picked up more than I thought.” Sunny listened intently, using the conversation as a distraction as very carefully, nervously, pet Riley on the head.

Brigid ran back to her mother, and Morrigan wandered over to Modya, Penny, and the others, nodding towards them. “Glad you could all make it. I’ll admit I’m… a bit out of my element here, but I’m glad we could do this all the same.”

Penny’s face blanched. “Oh, hey Commander. Uh… look, this is going to sound really, really rude but… I, uh, I still have some work I need to do, I should probably get back to it, um…” Without explaining herself further, she vacated the group and walked briskly over to the exit, leaving a surprised Charles, who had joined them only a few minutes earlier, to deal with the fallout.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “At least think of a plausible excuse…” he muttered to himself, before turning back to the others and shrugging. “Sorry, we’re still really busy in the labs.”

“Is that so.” Morrigan placed her hand on Charles’ shoulder. “I don’t believe we’ve really met in person. Do you mind stepping over here so we can… get acquainted?”

Charles blinked. “What? Oh! Sure thing Commander,” he said, following her nervously.

“This is going to sound a bit off, especially if my suspicions are correct, but..” Morrigan lowered her voice. “Who do you work for? And please, be honest.”

A bead of sweat appeared on the scientists brow. “Uh… you, of course Commander. Why would you-”

Morrigan squeezed her hand ever so slightly. “I… know you don’t work for me… not exactly, anyway. And how close you are to Ms. Anderson worries me. If you know why, I have less to worry about. If you don’t, well…”

Charles adjusted his collar. I’m not being paid enough for this! “I, uh… might make a little money on the side keeping an eye on her.”

Morrigan squeezed her hand a lot harder, enough to make Charles flinch. “Who… do you… work for. And please, I don’t want to make a scene, so don’t… lie to me…”

“Penny has someone… close to her, that wants to watch her. Some friend of the family I think. I work for them.” He looked around at the party going on around them. “Please Commander, I’m only supposed to be watching her, keep eye out.”

“Is that so? Well, so am I. But I need a name. One… simple name. Or title, even. There is only one you could give to make me feel… better. Please.” Morrigan’s hand slid across Charles shoulder, inching closer to his neck. “Give… me… a name…”

The scientist slumped slightly in defeat. “... the Overseer.”

Morrigan chuckled, and patted Charles on the shoulder. “Now, was that so hard? You keep it up, alright? Make sure she stays nice and safe. Because if I find out you’re lying..” She leaned close to his ear. “I can’t even begin to describe the pain you’ll be in for.” She slapped him on the back, and laughed. “Enjoy the rest of the party!” She walked away, going to talk with the rest of the guests.

Charles watched her go, and shook his head. “Surely there’s regulations against dealing with this sort of crap at work…” he muttered, rolling his shoulder and leaving the room to find the escaped scientist.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

“Wedding Bells, Part 5”

Mary walked over to the snack table in an attempt to find some sort of alcohol, something to help her enjoy the party aspect of the wedding that much more. She found a tall bottle of red wine, and filled the fragile cup carefully, almost fearing what her sister would do if she ruined the dress. As she took a seat, she moved her dress around to get more comfortable before downing the cup of wine. To her left, Ayame plopped into a seat,wearing her standers uniform and grumbling angrily to herself. “I missed the wedding, didn’t I?”

“Ay’me? Ef’ ye’ je’ got ‘ere eh’ ‘uess ‘at means ye’ ‘id, sorry…”(Ayame? If you just got here I guess that means you did, sorry...) Mary replied, pouring her a glass of the wine.

“Stupid… hand was giving me problems.” Ayame raised the cybernetic appendage. “Didn’t want it twitching and distracting everyone, but with Sunny here, the other engineers took forever.” She took a large gulp of the wine. “At least tell me it was enjoyable.”

‘Th’ ‘eremony ‘asn’t ‘eally ‘at int’resting, et’ ‘east ‘or me, eh’ ‘ink eh’ ‘aw eh’ few ‘ears run ‘own Ammy’s ‘ace when ‘ey said their I Do’s.”(The ceremony wasn’t really that interesting, at least for me, I think I saw a few tears roll down Ammy’s face when they said their I Do’s.) Mary replied, smiling at her.

“Yeah… not the romantic type myself. At least not that kind of romance.” Ayame eyed her companion. “Damn, you… you look… I mean, the bride looks great, but that dress. with your curves? Just… wow…”

Mary smirked a little at her compliments, “Ye’ ‘ike et’? Eh’ ‘igured if th’ Prin’ess wants meh’ te’ ‘ear ‘eh dress eh’ should ‘least pick out some’tin ‘at ‘ooks ‘ood…”(You like it? I figured if the Princess wants me to wear a dress I should at least pick out something that looks good…)

“Well, it does.” Ayame took another sip of her wine, and placed her head on Mary’s shoulder. “You should wear a dress more often. Though maybe not such a fancy one. We’re going to have to be extra careful when I sneak you out of here and get you out of it later.”

“Eh’m ‘ooking ‘orward te’ et’... An’... Eh’ll ‘ave eh’ chance te’ try ‘is out…”(I’m looking forward to it… And… I’ll have a chance to try this out…) The British gunner responded seductively, her hand glowing a emerald green. Ayame chuckled, and nuzzled against Mary, pouring two more drinks.

Atka glanced over at the groom for a moment, and started to get up from his chair. “I ought to talk to him. Say congratulations and all that,” she explained to Jake.

“Y-yeah, definitely.” Jake smiled nervously. “I… probably should too. If… you think he’ll want to hear it from me.”

Atka shrugged. “I doubt he wouldn’t.” Jake nodded, and stood up with her. The two headed over the currently-unmolested groom, Atka having a calm smile on her face. “Congratulations, Desmond. Hard to believe that you’ve come from the suspicious guy threatening Tom to someone pretty much everyone on base is a fan of, and a husband.”

Desmond chuckled, looking at both Atka and Jake and responding, “Well maybe I haven’t been trying to be evil hard enough. Maybe I will start kicking puppies to show everyone I am still a bad boy. Though I can hardly believe it either, did not see myself the familial man but here we are, some months later.”

“I did have faith in you, especially after what you did in Moscow,” Atka replied. “I didn’t make you a wolf carving like my guardian spirit for no distinct reason, after all. I saw we were more alike than either of us might have initially thought.”

“I must say I am glad to have met you as well Atka. You were an influence I definitely needed to get set on this path, even if we haven’t always seen eye to eye, I see you as both a friend...and a rival. Though I fear if we ever tried to duke it out we would both be walking away with more than cuts and bruises.” He stated with a wide grin.

Atka shook her head. “Just don’t get mind controlled again and we’re golden. If you do end up taking care of Superbia, a mind shield might not be the worst idea,” the Inuit woman offered. “I know anyone without Neural Dampening is going in with one of those on my squad... if I face my arch nemesis after all.”

“Do not forget I went up against him once before and he couldn’t get to me, but a little extra wall will make sure no funny business happens between us. I wish you luck with Invidia, I know I wouldn’t want to fight him, I might prefer Superbia.”

Jake grinned. “Yeah… power notwithstanding, at least he doesn’t have it in for you. Maybe… you should take a mind shield too, Atka.”

“I think I will… it’ll go a long way towards making Invidia less dangerous. Though a vendetta is going to make him act irrationally, and that’s almost always an advantage…” Atka thought for a moment. “Though… not always with psions. Hope he doesn’t awaken to some sort of flaming psi lance because of how pissed he is.”

“I thought it was my job to use the crazy moves?” Desmond put his hands in his pockets and was enjoying the joking around, even if the topic wasn’t exactly chuckle material. “Hey Jake, is it true you two are a thing? I heard the rumors but thought I would find out from the source.”

Jake laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Y… y-yeah. Crazy, huh? S-surprised me.”

“Nah, I’m glad for you, both of you. You have my congrats on that one.” Looking around a bit, Desmond rose his eyebrow. “Where are your girls Jake? I would have thought you would have brought them with you.”

“Homework,” Jake answered, smiling sheepishly. “Hitomi and Keiko were slacking off. I wanted to… to let them come anyway, but Rei told me if I wasn’t strict with them, and follow through with punishments, they’d end up walking all over me. Ironic, huh? The teenager giving me advice for disciplining her own friends.”

“Keep at it, you are good at the parenting thing. If I ever need advice, I will be sure to come to you.” He placed a hand on Jake’s shoulder and looked around a bit. “And we will have plenty of leftover cake, be sure to take some before Ellie wants to capitalize.” Jake smiled and nodded, knowing he’d hear it if he didn’t bring some back.

“Like a father and his children,” Atka mused, giving Jake a knowing smile.

“Oh, um…” Jake let out another nervous chuckle. “They, uh… th-they are… kinda like my… kids now… heh…”

“What about you Atka? Any plans on maybe becoming a mother one day?” Desmond asked, generally curious.

Atka tapped two of her fingers against her side in thought. “Not sure, really. That’s not something that occurred to me before. But if I do… I’d probably be after Jake’s three. They are old enough to be autonomous.” Jake stammered a bit, blushing.

“Glad you are finally thinking that far ahead, shows she plans on staying a while Jake, better strap in for the long haul buddy. Though word of advice, don’t piss her off. My wife will stab me with needles but she will cut you in half with mind whips.” He whispered to Jake.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Keeps me in line.” Jake nodded to Atka. “Gonna go grab us something to drink. Luckily there is plenty of non-alcoholic stuff.”

“Alright.” Atka turned to Desmond. “I’ll be back in a minute, there is something I ought to do.” Atka went in search of Ayame, making sure the item in question was indeed in her coat pocket.

Waving to Atka, Ayame held up a finger to Mary and walked over. “Hey, Atka… s-sorry I was late. Hope Desmond wasn’t upset.”

“Not a problem. Besides, I’m more guilty of neglect than you.” Atka pulled a whale bone ocelot out of her pocket, offering it to Ayame. “Here. Made this for you awhile ago.”

Ayame took the carving, looking it up and down. “You… you made this? It… it’s beautiful…”

The Colonel smiled. “I thought you might like it. Figured it’s grace would fit someone who can wield a sword.”

Ayame’s lip quivered a bit, and she gave Atka a look that was more shock than anything else. “I… I don’t know what to say…”

“You don’t have to say anything. It’s just a gift for a friend,” Atka replied simply.

“Th-thank… you…” Ayame wiped away a tear. “I… I don’t… see you the way I did when we first got to know each other, Atka. No… no need to worry about me hitting on you anymore.” She slowly shook her head. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you, Atka. You… you’re the best friend a woman could have. And I’ll always be there for you. Not because I owe you. But because I want to. I need to.”

“I understand.” Atka smile widened. “I never thought I’d meet one of my dearest friends in the middle of fighting off an extraterrestrial threat. Life can be odd sometimes.”

“Yes. It can.” Ayame wrapped her arms around Atka. “Never stop being you, Atka. You’re too wonderful of a person.”

 

[MarineAvenger]

“Wedding Bells, Part 6”

Off in a corner, Emily had retreated to a table with Dallas. They sat with their seats together, quietly enjoying a casual cuddle after a good amount of mingling and toasts for the happy couple. There wasn’t much left for them to do, neither of them knew how to dance and Dallas knew even less people than Emily, so they just smiled and surveyed the kind of ceremony they soon would be planning. Emily took her head off Dallas’ shoulder and smiled towards him.

“This whole thing is so sweet…think ours will be this crowded?” she asked.

“I’m sure,” Dallas nodded. “You have a lot of friends here.”

“Kind of nerve-wracking.”

“But thrilling, right?”

“Yeah…” she smiled, “just watching all of this gets me excited.”

“That’s good, it’ll be fun,” Dallas smiled, looking back towards the dance floor.

Emily’s hands gripped onto his thigh, and he looked back towards her. “Excited…”

“O-oh…that excited…”

“Yep,” Emily smirked, kissing his cheek and whispering gently to him. “I think there’s another closet nearby…let’s go.”

“Well, uh…if no one’s going to miss us,” he chuckled nervously.

Emily squeezed Dallas’ hand hard and pulled him away, sneaking out of the holo-room together and hoping no one would notice.

Eve wondered how Aya was coping with missing the wedding, though she knew both Morrigan and her sister couldn’t both be here. She smiled and Fox, sitting in the back with her so he wouldn’t be any more uncomfortable than necessary. “Have I told you how handsome you look, Foxxy?”

“I feel more like a monkey…” He stated, pulling at his collar. “Besides...y-you are the beautiful o-one…”

“Heh… I love how honest everything you say is.” Eve noted Emily and Dallas slip out. “Huh… wondering where they’re going…”

“M-Maybe they are tired?” Fox suggested.

“Maybe.” Eve smiled, and leaned against Fox. “Maybe I’m feeling a little tired myself.”

“Alright, I guess it is getting pretty late...I’m not tired but if you want we can go lay down together until you fall asleep.”

Eve grinned. “Sounds like a plan.” She let out a soft yawn, and led Fox out.

Alexia took a drink of her soda, wishing she could have an actual ‘drink’, but couldn’t for obvious reasons. She raised an eyebrow at Ellie. “So, uh… it’s your wedding day. No one’ll blame you if you get a bit tipsy, you know.”

“Just because it is my wedding doesn’t need I have to get hammered you know, besides I fear I would end up with you in bed again.” Elizabeth filled up her glass with more soda and smiled at her friend as she took a sip.

Alexia laugh. “Don’t worry, I’m sure Desmond would kick me out of the bed if that happened. So go on, have a few drinks. Live a little. Before you end up like me and can’t drink anymore.”

“Yeah, because that would be the worst situation in the world.” Elizabeth stared at her friend and tilted her head. “I am fine, really!” She insisted.

Alexia frowned. “I… alright. I wasn’t trying to push you or anything.” She took another sip. “Not like you’re pregnant or something…”

Elizabeth took a sip of her soda and picked up a small sandwich, nibbling on it a bit all the while being more invested on what others were doing around the room.

Alexia raised an eyebrow. “R… right, Ellie?”

“Oh man...I wonder what Brigid is doing right now…” She asked, avoiding the question.

“Ellie?” Alexia placed a hand on Ellie’s shoulder. “Are… you?”

Ellie pursed her lips and took a glance at her new husband having fun with a couple of the guys and she glanced back at Alex, nodding her head fervently. “Yes!” She said in a hushed tone.

Alexia grinned, desperately trying to contain her excitement. “Does… does Desmond know?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I haven’t told him yet…”

Alexia nodded. “When do you plan to?”

“I...don’t know Alex. I thought I would be so excited to tell him right away but I just...don’t want him to know right now, you saw how Modya got when you told him, I don’t need to give him any more stress.”

“I understand,” Alexia said. “But I bet he’d be ecstatic. So promise me, you’ll tell him right after you finish… w-whatever kind of honeymoon you can have on this base.”

“Well the thing is...we weren’t really planning on a honeymoon, not until after the war. Things are kind of limited here and running a simulation isn’t as special as the real thing…” Ellie twirled her fingers a bit, not really sure what to do.

“Then tell him…” Alexia shook her head, and placed her hand on Ellie’s shoulder. “Then tell him when you feel the time is right. But… I really think he’ll love the idea of being a father.”

“Oh I have no worry about that…” Ellie stated. “I have seen him with Sunny, and Brigid and others...no doubt in my mind he will make a wonderful father.” Ellie looked back at him, a little distressed. “Is it true...that he is facing Superbia? He is one of the strongest ones...isn’t he?”

Alexia frowned. “Well… probably, yeah. Atka will probably want to deal with the other one, and that just leaves Desmond and Aya. They’ll probably both be sent, or… or just Desmond if Aya doesn’t get her powers completely back. But… Desmond is so much stronger than he was the first time they fought. I’m sure he’ll wipe the floor with that Ethereal creep.”

Ellie nodded slowly to herself, slapping her cheeks as if waking herself up and sighed. “Come on, this is a party and we have a lot to celebrate. No more worry about the future, let’s just enjoy the now.”

“That’s the spirit.” Alexia raised her glass of soda, the fact that it wasn’t wine not fazing her in the least. “To you and Desmond. May your marriage be long, enjoyable, and filled with the laughter of children… or something like that.”

“To that poorly made and totally cliched speech!” Ellie raised her glass and drank her soda. “You know..one day we may in fact become sisters if certain things play out.” Ellie said with a wink. “A bright future indeed.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Ethereal Overseer Base 112-5I
Somewhere in Australia
November 7th, 1200 Hours, Local Time

My lord. The Sectoid Commander slowly approached Invidia, watching her slowly maneuver her fingers. Several strands, like bright blue strings, extended from Xifeng's head, each glowing green for a moment before flowing back in and being replaced by another. The Sectoid shuttered a bit. I... I bring some troubling news.

The Ethereal did not look up from her work. Speak. And stop that pathetic cowering. I am not some ignorant brute that kills her messengers. You have been observing too much human entertainment media.

Y-yes, Honored One, but... but you appear to be manipulating the subject's memories, are you not? Perhaps you should... pause for a moment.

Speak! Or I will dispose of you and find someone who can complete the simple task of delivering information.

Yes, Honored One! Your... your mole in the Council. His X-COM informants have reported an... a-an odd turn of events for their captive Ethereal.

Oh? Did they finally decide to dispose of that waste of life?

No, Lord. They... they transferred her brain to a... a human body.

A surge of energy flowed from Invidia to Xifeng, the latter's face twisting in pain. What! They... theu dare to corrupt the integrity of my people with this... this travesty? And Luxuria allowed it?!

She... is apparently quite happy with it, and has continued to assist them in their...

Xifeng screamed in pain, and collapsed to the ground. Invidia shot up, waves of negative energy flowing from here and bringing every nearby alien to their knees. How... DARE THEY! I woll make every last person on that base suffer! I will make sure Xifeng fi.ds their Commander, and that traitor, and... and...

The Ethereal looked down at the shuttering woman, her body radiating with a teal aura.

I... I apologize, Xifeng. I did not mean to harm...

"You... you used that child to... to try and turn us against them." Xifeng slowly rose to her feet. "You were... going to kill her. Murder a child for you own..."

Excuse me? What did you just say?

"I... I stopped you!" A pair of telekinetic thorns wrapped around her right arm, then her left. "I'll stop you again! I'll kill you!"

Invidia threw up a quick shield, but not quick enough to stop the thorns from punching through. They weren't strong enough to do any physical damage, but with a flick of the wrist, they drove into the Ethereal's mask, sending waves of pain through her mind. Another shield, this one stronger, shoved Xifeng back, but she rushed forward again.

She swung her fists violently, only Invidia's quick mental reflexes stopping them with small, specifically placed shields. Xifeng suddenly flung herself to the side, and rushed a nearby Thin Man. The alien quickly raised his weapon.

No!

A psi lance from the Ethereal punched through the Thin Man's chest, and Xifeng snatched its weapon before the alien's noxious fumes could hit her. Sending energy to imbue the weapon's core, she fired, the overload of power melting the weapon from the inside but sudden a huge blast of plasma toward's Invidia. It shattered the shield she raised, and sent her crashing to the floor.

Xifeng extended her hand, a telekinetic thorn wrapping around a weapon on the wall resembling a scimitar and pulling it towards her. As she slowly approached Invidia, energy flowing into the alien sword to strengthen it, the Mutons and Thin Men held their fire, some afraid of Invidia should they attack her project, some wondering why they would bother saving her. The Sectoid Commander slowly lifted his hand to attempt a mind control, but noted the tendril of green energy flow from the Ethereal's hand, behind Xifeng, and through her back.

Xifeng stood before her fallen foe and slowly lifted the sword. Invidia prepared to stop her heart, but curiosity stopped her as Xifeng simply stood there. Why... do you hesitate, child? You have that vile woman's memories. You see the way she sees me.

"I... I do, I... she... you're a monster to her, but..."

But you have seen things from my perspective now. I have given you some of my memories. My knowledge. My understanding of the Path. You... know that those humans...

"...don't... matter..." Xifeng slowly lowered the sword, and smiled. "The individual life, the life of such a species, is nothing when compared to the Path and the Ethereal Ones."