RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[ZombieSplitter53]

A wicked grin spread across Invidia's face, hidden behind the mask, but her tone was sympathetic. Perhaps it was... wrong of me to subject you to that body. I believe I will cancel this plan, and transfer your mind to...

"No!" Xifeng dramatically through the sword to the side and dropped to one knee. "No, please mother. I... I want to be at your side, as one of you, but... but I would rather die a lowly human then that this opportunity pass us. Please... please, this woman will come. We will stop her, kill her companions, and then this... this Atka shall return to her base, the solder survivor of a retreat, and I shall destroy them from the inside as you always envisioned."

Excellent. Invidia rose above Xifeng, and placed a hand on her shoulder. She will come, and before that day is through, only one of you shall be left alive.

"No! She can not die!"

Invidia slowly retracted her hand, caught by genuine surprise this time. Oh? And why is that?

Xifeng shook her head. "You... you do not understand, mother? I do not only have her memories of what she did to you. I know the emotions she had at the time. She wasn't just doing her job, she... she felt pleasure. Pleasure in stopping you. Pleasure in humiliating you." The clone woman scowled. "She... she talks down to you. And about you. She... sh-she tells everyone you are some... horrid creature, and not only wishes to stop you, she... she looks forward to the day she can murder you!"

I... see. And your proposal?

"If we must kill her when she attacks, then so be it. But if we could capture her alive..." A malicious grin spread across Xifeng's face. "Then she deserves to watch, in agony, as everyone she knows and loves in destroyed in the Ethereal's Path to Ascension... and victory."

Invidia nodded. You truly are my daughter. If not in blood, if not in body, then in spirit. The Ethereal turned to the Sectoid Commander. Return her to her room. We shall... keep these memories intact. They may prove useful.

Yes, Honored One. The Sectoid motion for Xifeng to follow. The cloned woman bowed to her mother, and exited the throne room. Stepping into her modest room, the bulbous headed alien said, If there is anything else you require...

"There is... one thing." A pair of telekinetic thorns shot out, wrapping around the Sectoid's neck and lifting him in the air. "I want the truth!"

What t-truth... do you speak of. If you... k-kill ,e, you will disappoint your mother. Sh might not... make you your new body...

Xifeng tightened her grip, and spat on the ground. "Do not insult my intelligence, or I will pop your ugly little head off! I am not so brain dead to actually believe she intends to transfer the mind of a human, even one she made and groomed herself, into an Ethereal body. And unless we are in her presence, never... EVER... refer to that cowardly, pathetic, contemptible, poor excuse for an Ethereal bitch my mother!"

I... w-what do... do you...

"I want to know how you feel about her. Where you stand. And you have to choices." Xifeng tightened the thorns even more. "The truth... or death."

I... I-I despise her with every fiber of my being! I curse the day I was brought into existence for having to serve her, out of every Ethereal possible.

"And would you want to get rid of her, should you get the chance?"

The Sectoid slowly shook his head. N-no... the... the pain and suffering I would recieve were it discovered that I somehow killed her, or had anything to do with her death, would be far greater then anything even she could do to me.

Xifeng released him, and bent down in front of him as he tried to recover, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Now... I didn't ask if you would kill her. I asked of you would get rid of her."

The Sectoid Commander slowly shook his head. I do not understand.

"Well... I've been doing some research, and combined with what she has given me, and what I have from that woman's memories..." Xifeng slowly, almost seductively, circled her finger on his shoulder. "Let's just say... when I dispose of this X-COM nuisance my dear, sweet mother is so pathetically bothered by, I'm gonna make sure I get my Ethereal body, whether she wants to give it to me or not."

After considering for a moment, the alien nodded, and climbed to his feet. That does indeed sound mutually beneficial. But... there are those who will resist, should they find out.

Xifeng scoffed. "Please. I know plenty of those friends of yours were waiting, hoping. You can't tell me they all held back out of fear."

Please, do not underestimate how iintimidating she can be. I shall compile a list of those you can trust. He turned to leave, and looked back. Then was your contempt for the human female... an act?

Xifeng's energy flared. "It is her fault I should be born in this form! I curse her as much as I do this body, and I loathe you for the potential she wastes on human sentiment." Her arms cracked like a whip, and a deep gash was sliced into the wall. "She could have anything. Everything! But she wastes it! On those pathetic friends, that... contemptible family, and those infuriating teammates. She takes such little pride in what she can do!" Another whip, and another gash. "I hate her, and the nauseating memories."

Xifeng suddenly smiled, and laughed, starting with a light chuckle, then leading into hysterical laughing. The Sectoid Commander took a step back. What... is so humorous?

"Heh... you know, I was going to override mommy dearest, and simply lobotomize the human when I was finished torturing her." A wide, unnatural looking grin spread across Xifeng's face. "But... would it not be deliciously ironic if I placed both their minds in the same body, and forced them to be together for as long as I decide to keep them around."

The Sectoid nodded, hiding a shutter. Y... y-yes. That would be... most fitting...

 

[Frostlich1228]

"Andromeda Nigh."

Stockholm, Sweden.
November, 6th, 2018.

A curly, lavender haired girl stepped onto the large escalator, leading up to the surface. She was wearing an elaborately designed dress, it was a flowery bright pink, covered in red and purple stars; it was a favorite of hers. Above her was beautiful art painted on the roof of the cave that the subway was located in; blue and white, with dark blue plants stretching across it. She gripped the bag in her left hand tighter, looking up at the beautiful, but simplistic design, as an new idea popped into her head, and conveniently, she already had the supplies she needed to create it.

As she reached the top, she pulled out her cellphone, which was also decorated with red pink and purple stars on a white backround, and dialed in a few numbers. The woman held the phone up to her ear, tilting her head into it, as it began to ring. After a few rings, a higher pitched male voice picked up, "Hello?"

"Hey, Fab." The curly hair girl replied in a soft, sultry tone with a hint of a British accent.

"Ah, Sarah. You at the train station?" The man replied over the phone.

"Mmhm!" She replied excitedly, "I found everything I need, annnd even got an idea for a lovely new line!"

"Wonderful!" He said, mimicking her happy tone, "I'm on the other side of the street, by the bus stop."

"On my way!" Sarah said as she hung up and pocketed the phone, scanning the other side of the street for the car she was looking for. Her eyes locked onto a bright pink automobile as she walked up to it and opened the back door, climbing in. The man in the driver's seat wore a stylish blast suit and tie, but had very stand out bright blue hair.

"So Sarah, what's this new idea of yours? I imagine it's quite grand." He turned to look at her, putting his keys into the ignition.

"I call it... Natural Elegance! As a play on the word elements, obviously." She replied, smiling as she buckled her seat belt, "It'll be focused on designs and patterns from the natural world, stone, plants, leaves, that sort of thing."

"That sounds Marvelous! I trust I don't need to get you anything?" He turned back towards the road, pulling out of the space and driving the street.

"Nope, I have everything I need here, but I do appreciate you asking Fab."

As they drove down the street, the sights of Stockholm rolled by, as wonderful as ever, but that opinion could very well be biased considering she grew up here. After a few minutes they reached an ornate building on one of the street corners, it was covered in purples and blues and had a large, heavily decorated sign in the front reading 'Andromeda Boutique'. Fab parked, then got out of his car first, opening the back door and offering Sarah a hand out of the card that she accepted with glee. They walked together into the store, it had lovely galaxys and nebulas painted all along the ceiling with ornate purple, blue, and red stars spread out along the jet black walls. The interior was filled with mannequins, some with clothes hung up, some without, however the ones with clothes had pricetags hanging off the outside, showing extremely large numbers upwards of four-hundred dollars.

She smiled at Fab as she walked up the spiraling steps in the back of the store, turning left into her workroom, filled with doodles of new designs plastered all over the walls, fabrics of ranging from all colors of the spectrum folded in neat piles. Sarah dropped her bag on the bed, a extremely fluffy, well-groomed Shih Tzu laying on it wagging it's tail at her, as she rushed towards her desk, pulling a piece of blank white paper and a pencil from the drawer. She started drawing the outline of a dress, line after line it became more and more complex as she poured her thoughts and personality onto the page. After a few hours, long enough for the sun to set, she held up the picture, satisfied with how it looked. Sarah pulled a few fabrics from the blue pile and over to a sewing machine, placing both her hands over it before she stitched to add her special touch. Sarah's hands glowed green, and the glow slowed transferred to the blue fabric, she though of feelings of serene calm, of nature and the outdoors, and fused them with the cloth itself. Ever since she was a small child she could do this, to imbue her art with emotions like happiness or despair. She first discovered it when she was with her adopted parents, she was bored one day, and decided to draw her parents a picture. Sarah was extremely determined to make her family love it, to make them feel happy. When she finished she showed it to her parents, and they filled her glee, saying that they loved it and that it inspired happiness and joy in them. She only later discovered that it wasn't merely her skill invoking these emotions. As she grew, everyone felt this way about everything she made, teachers, friends, colleges, and soon she realized that this was not because of her skill alone, but because she was special, that she had a power. Sarah focused her time on fashion and design, using this mystical ability to help her climb to the top of Sweden's dress-making industry, becoming a pretty big player. After she had finished infusing the cloth, she moved to start up the sewing machine, but stopped suddenly when she realized she had forgotten something.

A knock on the door downstairs immediately reminded her as she rushed downstairs, seeing her blue haired friend talking with an extremely important customer. She went by the nickname 'Lapis' and wore a white porcelain mask during all her appearances in public to maintain her anonymity. All Sarah knew about her is that she was a regular and a particularly big spender, always shelling out top dollar for her products.

Fab smiled, "Lapis! Ms. Thomas is in for you, she has your ensemble upstairs and ready to go!"

The enigmatic woman stepped inside, and spoke in a regal voice, "Thank you Fab... I'm really looking forwards to seeing it."

Sarah rushed up to the woman and smiled, "Lapis! I'm glad you're here, darling! You're dress is all nice and made, exactly to your specifications!"

"Wonderful dear... Can you, take me upstairs to try it on?" She spoke, her expression unknown under her mask.

"Certainly, Certainly! Please, right this way!" Sarah led the woman to the steps as she slowly walked forwards, clearly in no rush.

As Lapis reached the room, Sarah opened the door for her and went into a back room to pull out a mannequin with a pure white sheet over it. With a smile, Sarah pulled the sheet off, revealing what looked to be a blood red and hand stitched ethereal robe. Lapis stepped up to it, running the cloths between her fingers, "May I?"

"You may, of course! It took me some time to get the patterns on this right."

Lapis stepping into a changing room, closing the wooden door behind her, after a few minutes the mysterious masked woman reemerged, now wearing the imposing red robe. A sense of power and importance flooded into Lapis as she wore the robe, a sense she knew wasn't just the design or the stitching.

"This is remarkable my dear Sarah... This really does please me..."

"Of course Ms. Lapis, you asked for it after all!" Sarah replied with a bright smile.

"I don't know how you can make someone feel so... powerful... when they wear your clothes... it's incredible..." The woman said, stroking the dress and moving her hands across her own hips.

"It's a trade secret, just one of my special techniques." Sarah responded, holding her hands behind her.

"May I take a guess what it is?" Lapis asked, softly.

"Sure, but I don't think you'll get it." The designer said confidently.

"I think..." Lapis paused for effect, "That you can infuse your work with the emotion you're feeling... Like magic almost..."

Sarah's eyes widened, knowing this would be something that no one would be able to guess on their own, "H-How did you..."

"How did I know? I can feel it off you dear... The energy... It's quite amazing..."

"I don't know what causes it... I- It just happens when I want it too..." She stammered a little.

"I know what causes it... You're a psion..." Sarah could 'feel' her smirk under her mask.

"A what? Like those special forces soldiers people have been talking about?" Sarah tilted her head, asking.

"Mmhm" Lapis nodded, "Exactly like that... I come from a group of people who search for people like you, people who can harness this power... People with a certain gift..."

"And... What do you do when you find them?" Sarah asked slowly.

"We teach them of course... You see... The leader of our organization is very important, and see the danger that these special soldiers bring... With all this technology, who knows what they could do? They could wipe everyone out if they chose..." Lapis explained, "We are collected people with this gift to help fight them, and I think your perfect."

"F-Fight? I'm not really much of a fighter... This is all a little much to take it don't you think, Darling?" Sarah replied, still shock in her voice from hearing that she has 'psionics'.

"Oh, but you could do so much for us... Come with me Ms. Thomas... We need you..." Lapis stepped up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"B-But I don't fight! I'm not a soldier and I don't want to be, maybe I could help another way?" She replied, asserting herself.

"Really?" A faint purple glow could be seen behind Lapis' mask, "Are you sure? We really need you..."

Sarah's eyes flashed a purple glow, "You need me... To be a soldier..."

"That's right... Now follow me sweetheart..." Lapis said, taking Sarah's hand in her own.

"Okay... I want to help... I want to follow..." Sarah replied, a sense of life draining from her eyes.

"Good girl..." She spoke in a echoing, haunting voice, "You'll be happier with us..."

"I'll be... Happier... With you..."

 

[MarineAvenger]

The Fox and the Hound Part One (MarineAvenger and Adrammalech)

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1100 Hours, November 9th, 2018
Main Cafeteria

The lines were short for food and the tables were practically vacant except for a few stragglers here and there as the scout walked into the cafeteria to get a late breakfast he had to skip out on due to him having an early run and sparring match with Chief. He had a few bruises on him, mostly on his arms but he had a smaller one developing on his cheek from when his brother accidently used a bit too much force behind his strike. He didn’t hurt all that much from it, it was just more embarrassing than anything else. Luckily the amount of people present were low so Fox didn’t need to get his anxiety up for nothing. Grabbing a tray of slightly warm toast, eggs and a cup of orange juice, Fox sat down by himself and took out a small book so he could draw while he ate.

Emily stood in the middle of the cafeteria, looking over the other tables for a place to sit, knowing most of her team were elsewhere or still asleep, depending on their nightly activities. She looked around for a friendly face, but most of them were only soldiers she marginally knew or guards and scientists she hadn’t ran into before. When she noticed the scout sitting by himself, she trotted over, deciding to take the challenge. She slid her tray across from him and jumped into the seat.

“Hey there,” she smiled. “Want some company?”

Fox looked up, a piece of toast still in his mouth and he bit down on it, quickly swallowing. “O-Oh...hello again E-Emily. I...wasn’t really planning on company but I g-guess I wouldn’t mind it.”

“Cool,” she said, taking a bite of a biscuit. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you guys since the last base defense.”

“Y-Yeah...that was kind of crazy...wasn’t it?” The scout smiled a bit and he scratched his cheek, taking care not to press down on his purple cheek. “I-I saw you during the wedding too...but you were leaving with someone so I never got to try and say hi...if I could have.”

“Oh, y-yeah,” she chuckled. “Got tired so wanted to turn in early. I would’ve said hi though.”

“I-It is fine...I didn’t stay long either E-” Fox quickly snapped his mouth shut and he looked around a bit, shifting awkwardly in his seat, still not accustomed to telling people who didn’t already know about his relationship.

“Yeah, I guess neither of us are really crowd people. What’d you do afterwards, anything fun?”

“Oh...um…” Fox shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth and he blushed a little.

“Did you meet someone there?” Emily smiled, speaking in a singsong tease.

Fox pouted a bit, turning redder and shaking his head. “Before...I-I haven’t t-told a lot of people y-yet so...this is embarrassing talking about her with others…”

“No, no,” she shook her head, “you should be proud. I mean, I get if you want to keep in a secret, but there’s nothing you should be ashamed of. How’d you meet?”

“I-I’m not a-ashamed of her...just not really known for my pride, you know?” Fox tried to force a smile and scratched his messy head of hair. “A-And she met me...a-actually...she had no interest in me till l-later on…”

“Well, I’m glad she did eventually,” she replied encouragingly, “you deserve someone who will appreciate you. Is she a soldier, or a civilian...or do you not want to give it away?”

Fox blush had returned and he poked at his food a bit before taking a brief breath. “C-civilian...h-her n-name is…” Fox bit his lip and shook his head. “H-Her name is...E-E-Eve...B-Brea....”

“Oh, like...that Brea?” Emily replied. “Wow, nice. I understand why you’d be nervous to share that.”

“I-I already met with her...sister. At first she seemed...to not like the idea but o-once we talked things turned out...alright.” Fox flashed a grin quickly and he looked at Emily. “I-I am alive still, so I must be d-doing something right…”

“That is a big step, if I know anything about sisters,” she smirked. “Do your teammates know yet?”

“Funny thing...um, remember when I said she met me...well, she wasn’t coming to...well, meet me…”

“Oh?”

“A-Apparently...she was just looking for...s-someone. I was the complete opposite of what she was...used to but...I don’t really know what specifically drew her to me but it happened and well...it turned into a relationship…”

“When you say ‘looking for,’ do you mean like...she was dropping off some paperwork for someone or…”

Fox shook his head. “For some ‘fun’.”

“Oh...well, that’s awkward,” she chuckled. “I guess people have met in weird ways though. Just be careful with it.”

“W-What do you mean?” He asked, trying to nibble on his last piece of toast but instead devouring the whole thing at once.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Part Two

“You know, the usual advice...not throwing yourself in too deep, not being too eager or jealous, that kind of thing. Don’t want you to get hurt,” she explained casually, taking a few bites of her own breakfast.

“E-Eve won’t hurt me...I can say that without a doubt...she loves me, no matter what, I just know it.” He told her.

Emily’s face turned to concern. “She could, but you should still...you know, take it slow. She might not have been in something serious before, and she could suddenly panic and try to push you away.”

“B-But she...she hasn’t...but...well I don’t think so. She seems...special somehow...I think she really does care for me, and I don’t think anything will change my mind about it.”

“That’s...sweet, Fox. I hope you’re right,” Emily nodded, giving a small smile. “I’m sorry if it seems like I’m being mean, it’s just that sometimes relationships are harder than they should be.”

“D-Don’t worry...I don’t really hold a grudge. W-What about yours?” Fox asked curiously.

“Well, we had an interesting talk recently,” Emily smiled, lifting up her left hand and showing off her ring.

“Oooo...that is pretty…” Fox’s eyes widened and he slammed his head down into his arms. “Does this mean I have to dress up again? I don’t like those dress clothes, they are stiff and make me feel itchy.”

Emily chuckled and shook her head. “Don’t worry, it won’t be soon, we haven’t decided on anything yet.”

“Good...I am a fox, not a monkey after all.” Fox thought to himself in silence for a moment and he tilted his head. “What about your alien friend? They won’t be jealous will they?” He asked innocently.

“What do you mean jealous?” Emily raised an eyebrow. “It’s not like we’re dating.”

“But from what I heard you spend all your time with the alien...and that you had gone to her for advice and stuff like that...I just meant she doesn’t have you all to herself now so…” Fox sighed and looked down. “I-I should probably stop talking…”

“It’s fine, we have a working relationship,” Emily explained, “when we attack new places, I try to get intel about our targets and how they act. I guess I have been rather...friendly, lately...but no, she won’t be jealous. At least I hope not.”

“Wha...what is the alien like?”

“Well, she was pretty cold and calculating before. She was always a little creepy with me, but you could still tell she was sizing up a deal or getting a favor,” Emily said, taking a sip of water. “Now she’s...different. She acts a lot more like a human than she used to, telling jokes, making new plans to help us, considering the things she’s done. I don’t know if she’s still just being calculating, but it seems like she’s changed for the better.”

“I-I just ask because a lot of people say she is evil and did things to people on the base...bad things...so I just wanted to see if the rumors were true.” Fox’s face fell a bit and he laid his head down on the table, just staring at Emily, or rather looking through her, not really wanting to creep out his guest.

“She did do things, but I don’t know, maybe she regrets them now,” Emily offered with a shrug before scarfing down a large portion of her meal.

Fox still looked a little bored and down, occasionally lifting his head to get a sip of his juice. “Hey...Emily...what do you think of me?”

Emily was surprised by the question, thinking carefully on what to say for a moment. “Um...you’re a nice and talented guy, who’s pretty shy. Why do you ask?”

“I-I...never mind…” He said quietly. “F-forget I asked…”

“What is it?” Emily pushed curiously.

Fox grumbled a bit, looking up at Emily. “Well...everyone looks at me differently. Sometimes when I pass people they give me weird looks...and then at the wedding...that British girl said I looked like a woman...I know Hawke teases me because I am a little scrawny but I d-don’t want people to be weirded out by me...Eve says I should ignore them but the looks never stop and I-I don’t know why?” Laying his head back down on the table, he closed his eyes. “Am I-I really that d-different?”

“Not at all. If someone thinks you have to be buff to be useful, they’re just being stupid,” Emily assured, holding her arms out. “Look at me, I’m pretty skinny for a soldier, but I was able to get to the manufacturing labs faster because of it when the aliens hit here. Everyone has their place in a team, the quick ones and the buff ones.”

“Chief says the same things but even you look like you could beat me up. I-I don’t th-think I am weird but I-I can’t exactly...prove them wrong. I just...can’t.”

“Yeah, people don’t usually see the use of a utility until they need it,” Emily noted. “It’s not quite as easy for us as just lifting a dumbbell in front of everyone. As long as your team knows it though, that’s all you really need, and it sounds like they do.”

He slowly nodded. “I know…” Fox still looked a little sad, but he did get a bit better. “I wonder what people really think of me? And after what you told me, and now that she isn’t here...I wonder if Eve thinks like that...I-I know I love her but...people keep warning me...even if I don’t want to listen. Am I just being...naive? I think that is the word for it…”

“I wouldn’t take it personally, it’s just that people see a guy who is shy and obviously nice and affectionate, and then especially if they know how Eve was...predisposed before…” Emily scratched her head, trying to continue her explanation without talking down to him. “It’s just a natural thing to be protective about. It’s because they care about your feelings.”

“I know people say she was bad before but...people change right? I-I mean if that alien can why can’t Eve? I just wish they could see her like I do...but with so many people against me, how can I just ignore them?” Fox covered his head. “This is so confusing…”

“Don’t worry about what people think then,” Emily reached forward, “if you think she’s changed, then that’s all that matters. Any good love is a bit of a leap anyway.”

“Y-You...you really think so?”

“Yep,” Emily nodded, “after all, I’m getting married to a guy I work with, and people would warn against that too.”

Fox lightened a bit. “I guess I just need to keep having faith in Eve then...if she fell in love with me in the first place and not my brothers...that has to count for something...right?”

“That’s right,” she smiled. “And if she’s ever acting weird or you want some advice on what to do, I could always help you out. I know a little something about how women think,” she chuckled.

“Well, there is one thing...she seems to be sleepy a lot. Whenever we get together she usually gets tired really quickly and we go lay down together but she sometimes acts a little...disappointed would be a close word? Last time I asked she just told me not to worry about it...should I?”

“Umm...well, if she wants to lay down with you, that’s a good thing more than not. What do you mean by ‘disappointed’? Like...sad, bored, or scared to ask something?”

“Well...usually she just has a mix of sadness and boredom, but she still keeps her arms around me and sometimes she teeters off but she mostly just lays there. I don’t know why she gets like that...I just enjoy her holding me, it makes me feel good about myself…” He stated a bit embarrassed.

Emily resisted giving out an ‘aww.’ “Have you, umm, gone farther than cuddling?”

 

[Adrammalech]

Fox’s face immediately brightened up a deep red and he looked around scared for a moment, leaning forward to get closer to Emily. “Itwasonlyonceandnothinghashappenedsince!” He quickly stated, waving his hands to make his point even clearer and he looked around once more. “Please don’t tell her sister...I don’t want her to be mad at me or Eve…”

“It’s alright, I won’t tell anyone,” Emily assured, “but how’d she act, once you had that ‘once...’”

“Well she seemed a lot more peppy afterwards but we always seemed to go back for one reason or another. It doesn’t happen all the time though...to be honest I didn’t care, I just assumed she liked spending time with me, I know I like spending it with her.”

“I think her ‘tiredness’ might be linked to wanting more...’peppiness,’ you know what I mean?”

Fox tilted his head. “Are you sure? She already a lot of it already...so you are saying she is wearing herself out by being so happy all the time? Weird...I always believed she was really energetic but she must be really happy if she tires herself out so quickly…”

“No, no,” Emily shook her head several times, “I’m saying she wants...it.” Emily supported the word with a familiar hand gesture.

Fox’s eyes widened and his face grew redder than it had previously. “Y-Y-You mean all those t-times she…” Fox slammed his head on the table. “Now I feel like an idiot!” He complained like a little toddler.

“Hehe, I could be wrong, but that’s what it sounds like to me. Did she get ‘tired’ after the wedding, too?”

Fox nodded lifting his head up, his eyes widening again and slamming his head back down on the table. “Y-Yeah...after you left with that guy, she wondered w-where you were going and I had t-thought you were going to bed because I thought it was late...then she said she was tired too so I took her back to the room and laid down with her...I...may have...fallen asleep shortly after…”

“Aww…” Emily blurted out.

“W-What! What is it!” Fox exclaimed, sitting up and looking around to see what caused her to blurt out the sound.

“N-nothing, it’s alright,” she quickly said, holding her arms out with an unrestrained smile. “I was just, umm, thinking out loud.”

Fox smiled. “Now you are the one acting weird.” The scout chuckled a bit, not something he did often in front of people. “”What made you think about that then?” His big eyes challenged her to turn him down, the scout wanting to know and curiosity getting the better of him.

“Don’t worry about it,” Emily chuckled nervously, not used to being off-balanced in the conversation. “Just thinking about your good manners. You should see to being more...active with her next time, methinks.”

“But wait...didn’t you say keep things kind of slow? Now you are just contradicting yourself!” He complained, laying his head down and making a sour face. “Girls give me headaches…” He added to the complaints.

“Welcome to the wonderful world of humanity,” Emily smirked, “all relationships are like this, really.”

“Really?” Fox groaned. “Why did no one warn me? I just thought I had to hug and cuddle her...stuff like that but now I have to try harder? I already thought I was giving my all…”

“Well, hug and cuddle still...just, you know, naked,” Emily replied.

“You mean I have to take my clothes off every time I try to hug her now, that is even worse!” Rubbing his sore head from banging it against the table, Fox took a sip of his now warm orange juice and had on a stubborn look.

“If you’re not great at that either, I’m sure Eve will lead the way,” Emily chuckled. “Would you like a way to approach her about it?”

“Will it give me more of a headache? ‘Cause if so I am already pretty sore…”

“Nah, it’ll be easy by comparison.”

“You better not be lying…” He mumbled, all ears for any help she could give.

“Just if you see her later today or tonight, and you think she might be in a ‘tired’ mood, this is all you have to do. Wrap your arms around her waist, look her in the eye, and say this:” Emily did her best to disguise her smirk as she stared seriously at Fox, bringing her voice to a deep and sultry tone. “Good evening, Eve. I have to tell you, you are looking so beautiful today, and you are gorgeous from your shoes to your shining eyes; and all I want to do is take you away for a single moment so I could treat you as the queen you are.”

Fox’s face dropped and stayed red. “I-I’m not that brave you know…”

“I think you can be,” Emily smirked as she took a sip of water. “After all, you’re Mr. Fox.”

“Foxes aren’t known to take initiative you know...we are just cute and cuddly until we are forced to come out of our hidey holes…”

“Well, if you don’t give Eve what she wants, she might think you don’t find her attractive. That’s how girl brains work,” Emily noted. “You’d come out of your hidey hole for that, wouldn’t you?”

Fox’s eyes widened and he stammered a bit before he could respond. “B-B-But I tell her all the time I find her attractive...not as much as I should but I thought f-focusing only a-a girl’s looks was a bad thing? At least that is what Hawke told me...he said no matter the girl, her body shouldn’t be your primary focus so I tried to take his advice! How could I have been so wrong...oh geez, I hope Eve didn’t think I didn’t find her attractive...I do, I just...I…” His brain was racing trying to put words together and make concise sentences but was slowly failing to do so. “Ah, bu-...wha…” Fox finally just sighed and hung his head. “I am a nitwit…”

“You’ll be fine, relax,” Emily urged as she finished off the last of her breakfast. “Just show her you were being respectful and you’re not afraid to get a little more physical with her and I bet she’ll be thrilled.”

“Is it bad if I am a little scared?” Fox asked meekly.

“Not at all,” Emily smiled sincerely, “just as long as you don’t let that fear drive you.”

“Oh sure, that is like telling an elephant not to be scared of a mouse…” Feeling a bit worried, Fox wondered to himself what his next move would be, not sure whether or not to run off to his room in terror or run off to Eve in love. “If I do go to her...how will I know if she keeps loving me for me or the...’love.’”

“You can’t ‘know,’ you just have to trust,” Emily said bluntly. “But someone once told me that they believed she was special and that she did care about you.”

“Who else? I could have sworn I was the only...oh...I see what you are going at there…” Fox smiled a bit and squeezed his hands together. “You're right, I do believe that...I probably will forever and nothing should cloud my judgement!” He said with unusual determination.

“Damn straight,” Emily said, joining in on the pride.

Fox stood up from his seat and got up, stopping dead in his tracks and quickly sitting back down. “Oh wait...I forgot she is at work...I can’t go there now…”

“Well, take a shower, get some good clothes on, do whatever makes you feel good and comfortable until she’s free.”

“But I sleep after I shower...and if I get in something comfy afterwards who knows how long I would be out for?” Fox put a finger on his chin and stood up again. “I am going.” It only took him a few moments to sit back down. “On second thought…no, I have to.” Standing up again, he took a few steps more and sat back down. “But…” He continued the pattern at least two more times before he gave up. “I give up!”

“Just...just do whatever makes you feel at ease, as a person, and whatever will make you feel...you know, sexy.”

“I thought that was a girl thing! Great...now even you are calling me a woman now…”

“Men can feel sexy,” she said indignantly, then softened, “can’t they?”

“Why are you asking me!” He said a little surprised. “I am just a few months old after all...you have been here years so you tell me…”

“Just...until you feel good! So you have the confidence to approach her about that, it’s like when you dress good you feel good. Well, uncomfortable, but you feel good as an image, you know? Haven’t you ever made a shot and been like ‘damn, that was such a good shot’ in your mind?”

“You do understand this is me we are talking about right?” He tried to tell her. Trying to think on his feet, Fox began to rock back and forth slightly trying to think to himself and stopped, a big smile coming on his face. “I…” He slumped. “Got nothing, but I will keep trying at least.”

“Good,” Emily asserted, “just go out there and do whatever Fox does. Then when night comes and she’s free from her job, do your swagger or sidle up to Eve and make her feel like she’s the only girl in the world.”

“But wouldn’t that leave me with stiff competition if she was the only girl in the world? That phrase seems redundant…” Fox stated, trying to take his mind of the monumental task of trying to be the one to make the move.

“It’s not literal, Fox, you just...you care about her, and you only have eyes for her, so you let her know that. Draw a picture with your words and your mannerisms, this perfect world where it’s just you and her and no fear or consequences.”

“I...could do that…” Fox looked down at his hands and looked up at Emily, jumping across the table and hugging Emily as hard as he could. “Thanks Em...I know exactly what I should do!”

Emily smiled and hugged him back. “Great, you go for it!”

Fox let go and gathered up his stuff quickly, eating the rest of his cold food as he got up from the seat and waved a hand at Emily as he ran for the exit before his confidence fled him. Emily watched happily as Fox rushed away, taking her drink in her hand and giving a wry smile.

“That’ll do, said Mr. Fox,” she whispered to herself.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Fracture

X-COM HQ, Siberia, Civilian Quarters
5:23 AM, 7th November
Directly after the wedding


Charles finally found Penny in her room, staring at the end of her bed. Her arms were wrapped around her legs, drawing them close to her. She looked like a child that had just seen a ghost.

“Please tell me that work thing you mentioned wasn’t due tomorrow,” Charles quipped weakly.

She glanced up at him, then went back to staring into space. He entered, somewhat awkwardly, and sat down on the bunk next to her. They sat like that for a while, neither talking nor looking at each other. Charles was the one to break the silence.

“Do you want to talk about why you’re so scared of the Commander?”

Penny shook her head.

“Do you want to talk at all?"

Another shake.

Charles nodded slowly. “Do you want me to leave?”

Penny shook her head again, and turned to him. He was surprised to see the beginnings of tears in her eyes. He was even more surprised when she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder. Unsure of what else to do, he hugged her back.

They remained like that for some time, Penny seemingly unwilling to release her captive friend. When she finally did, her eyes were red, but no longer teary. She sniffled a little. Charles cleared his throat, feeling like he was in way over his head.

“I don’t have any idea what’s going on,” Penny said quietly. “I know I should talk to her about the whole mask thing, but every time I decide to…”

Charles nodded. “… you feel pathologically unable to,” he finished.

“Sometimes it feels like I’m not the one in control of my life. Like some sadistic asshole is pulling the strings, dictating where I go and what I do, exacting his own tax on me for daring to enter his universe.” She bit her lip softly. “And every time I resolve to go against that will… I just can’t,” she finished lamely.

Charles sighed, and they were silent for a moment. “She probably already knows the link, you know.” When Penny looked at him in surprise, he shrugged. “She’s the Commander. I’d be surprised if she didn’t by now.” Especially after she made me.

“Do you think she’d hold it against me for not coming to her about it?”

“Only if you don’t come up with a better reason than ‘I didn’t want to.’”

“Excuse me?”

Charles shrugged. “That’s pretty much what you just said.”

“I did not!”

Charles had to stop himself from retorting. “… look, I don’t want to argue about this. It’s too early for this shit, we’re both tired after work and a wedding, now isn’t the time to be at each other’s throats.” He patted her shoulder and got up. “I’ll see you later today, after we get some sleep, alright?”

Penny nodded, but didn’t look at him. “Alright.” Even as he was going out the door, she didn’t move. She just sat there, staring into oblivion.


*


“It’s no good. For whatever reason, she just doesn’t want to do it.”

“I hardly see that it matters anymore,” the synthetic voice grumbled. “The Commander is already aware that she holds an Ethereal mask, and she hasn’t been locked up for it.”

“I might be soon.”

“You what? Why?”

“The Commander. She cornered me. I had to spill the beans about my side job. I’ve never encountered someone with such a strong grip on the shoulder, holy shit.”

The Overseer was silent. “If she meant to arrest you for spying,” they said at last, “she would have done so already. Which means she still trusts me. Good, good.”

“So you think I’m safe?”

“So long as you continue as you were, yes.”

“Fantastic.” Charles did not sound convinced.

“Although…” the Overseer mumbled, “Penny’s behavior is rather odd. I’m sure she’s told you a few stories about her father?”

“One or two.”

“None flattering, I’m sure. She’s quite spiteful when it comes to matters of her remaining family. Which begs the question…” Charles almost felt the Overseer lean forward. “Why has she not tried to sully his reputation by associating him with the aliens?”

“Maybe because he’s dead?”

The Overseer scoffed. “Irrelevant. She’d do it all the same.”

“And yet she hasn’t. What a surprise.”

“That sounds rather defensive, Hummingbird.”

“You might see me as an informant, but I am also her friend,” Charles said, his temper starting to flare. “You insult her, you’re insulting me.”

The Overseer was silent for a moment. Finally, a chuckle bled out of the speakers. “Fair enough. Which is why I’m going to instruct you to give up.”

Charles blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“She’s obviously not going to do it, though the why she isn’t escapes me,” the Overseer said in a bored voice. “Trying to convince her otherwise is only going to ruin your relationship with her. Besides, it’s not important enough to worry about. I’ll talk to her personally about it after the war.” The Overseer’s tone turned into one of musing. “I’m overdue for that anyway.”

Charles hesitated. “So… do you still want me to watch her?”

“Yes and no. I won’t require you to report to me anymore, though you can if you need to. I’ll handle her from here. The agreed funds will be in a bank account I’ll give you access to after the war, along with a little extra. As I understand it, you have certain loans that need paying, after all.”

“… really?”

“You’ve done more than your job. It’s the least I can do.” The Overseer smirked. “Keep her and yourself safe, Dr. Hu.” With that, the line went dead.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Commander,
Sorry I haven’t contacted you in a while. Between my own personal projects and essentially carrying your entire intelligence network, I’ve been a bit busy. Suffice to say that your… disagreement with the Council hasn’t been the best thing for business. Nevertheless, I want to assure you that you, and X-COM, continue to have my support. Circumstances necessitate I remain ingratiated with the Council for the time being – making the leaders of just about every country in the world hate me is not a good business plan, after all - but know that if the situation demands I take sides, yours will be the one I take. We are too close to victory to fall apart now.

· On the subject of the Council, I thought I’d give you a summary of what’s changed as a result of your falling out. Your funding has, of course, been almost completely cut, save for the few member nations willing to pay you under the radar. Thankfully, I’m owed quite a few favours by quite a few people. What better time to cash them in than the end of the world? I can by no means replace the entirety of your previous funding, but I can help you get there. And I’m sure there are still buyers for any alien artefacts you wish to remove. Plus, the Russian representatives seem willing to allow you to remain where you are, at least for the time being. Should they change their minds, I have a… friend who has considerable pull in the Russian hierarchy. Hopefully he could solve any issues that arise.

· Your intelligence network is now about 85% based on mine. Thankfully, the Council doesn’t want to antagonise you and have yet to shoot down any of the numerous satellites and whatnot feeding you combat data and UFO positions. Doing so would invoke the ire of a rogue paramilitary organisation with vastly superior firepower to the army of any nation, after all. Unless the aliens have direct influence within the Council – which I haven’t actually ruled out – you can probably safely assume they will not.

· I’m aware you have discovered one of my operatives within your organisation. I’m impressed, but not necessarily surprised. I would ask that you not unduly blame him – until but a few months ago, he was indeed simply one of your workers. His friendship with Dr. Anderson is genuine, even if some of the reasons he maintains it are not.

· Some of my operatives recently found a rat in our midst, a Colombian Cartel leader by the name of Hector. Nearly busted several of my best agents in Operation Watchdog. He has been dealt with, marking the final gap in my organisation. Unless the remaining traitors are very, very good, that is.

· You’ll be pleased to know that news of the incident in Newfoundland has been kept as a mere rumour. Not sure how happy the populace would have been to know that an entire town was overrun by undead and giant insects from a single whale. Or the fact that whales can carry Chryysalids at all. I know I’m not. I won’t be eating seafood for a while, I can say that much.

· Given that EXALT copies keep popping up like leaves in an outdoor pool, I’ve been keeping an eye on things in hopes of seeing suspicious activity before it becomes a problem. Which is why I noticed something odd crop up. A warehouse in Spain was purchased fairly recently, about just over two weeks ago. By itself, this doesn’t mean anything – many criminal interests purchase such properties as safehouses in preparation for some underworld conflict or other - however I looked into who purchased it and found something unusual. I could not determine the person or group who purchased the property, but whoever they were, they did it through a lot of proxies. To the point that I find excessive, and that’s saying something, believe me. I sent a few agents to investigate, but the warehouse has remained empty since its purchase.Moreover, remembering Black Void’s hidden entrance, I had them search for any hidden passages or ways to open them. They found nothing. I’ll keep tabs on it, let you know if it turns out to be something worth worrying about.

· Given the fact that you’re targeting Invidia next, I’ve dispatched a number of my best agents to the Australia region, and I’ve also begun sending people into Africa to begin hunting for Superbia. However, with my extra involvement in assisting in finding any hidden caches of aliens, I’m becoming increasingly concerned for my agents’ welfare. I just want to let you know that, if some of my agents get caught in an alien attack greater than their ability to hold off, I will be asking for your assistance. Mind you, an attack of that size would warrant your attention anyway. If, during your efforts, you could ensure the safety of my operatives just as you would any other civilian, I would be very appreciative. This goes for the future in general, by the way. When the time comes, I’ll send my people to find Superbia as well. After that… we’ll see what the alien response is.

· As a final request, could I ask that you assure Elene that I still mean to support her after the war if the Council decides to try anything. And no, she doesn’t owe me anything. Her helping X-COM is payment enough. If only the Council had the same viewpoint, we wouldn’t have this problem.

I look forward to seeing your progress.
… you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to say that. Take care, Commander.

- The Overseer

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

To our ever knowing, ever watching eyes,

Your continued support in light of our recent decisions is comforting. As usual, I would ask that you not endanger yourself or your people for our sake, but as I have learned by now that people do not listen to me when I ask this, I only ask that you, and they, be careful.

Although it is a risk, for us and a certain individual, as a sign of good faith and to assure your safety, you should know that our report to the Council, informing them of the death of the VIP from America, was false. She did, in fact, survive, and is, or at least was, the American member of the Council. She was marked for death by the aliens, and as such, we have reason to believe the Council has been compromised. While the aliens obviously don't have a hold on the entire Council, there is at least one mole. You should know this, and be wary of who you trust.

As far as your operative is concerned, no actions will be taken against him. Steps simply needed to be taken to assure he was your spy, as suspected, and not one controlled by the Council, as I am sure there are quite a few.

Finally, I have delivered your message to Ms. Exalt.

Your continued support is appreciated beyond words, both by me, my staff, and Ms. Rebecca Carter. When this is all over, I hope we can meet somehow, so I can by you a drink.

Sincerly,
Morrigan O'Brien
Commander of Project X-COM

 

[MarineAvenger]

Clearance Request

XCOM Headquarter, Somewhere in Siberia
November 10th, 2018
Legion Section

Markus and Sora walked side by side down the Legion halls, occasionally passing an android or clone from time to time but mostly having time to themselves to just talk and hang out, something the two never had done before. “So you are saying you could read an entire book series, page to page, in less than ten minutes?”

Sora smirked egotistically, crossing his arms and nodding his head. “That is right, every word, every letter.”

Markus whistled and put his hands behind his head. “Isn’t that a little boring though? I mean the fun of reading is experiencing the character’s stories through their eyes and if you rush that, you sort of miss out on that.”

“I could take the long way...but why not right?” Sora stated with a shrug of his shoulders.

“‘Cause it sort of dumbs down the experience.”

The android raised an eyebrow. “You calling me stupid?”

“No, I am calling you lazy.” The scientist retorted, both men laughing at one another and continuing on their stroll.

“So let’s see...you have two siblings, both of which are older than you and you guys are as close as can be as a family can get. Has sibling rivalry lost it’s touch or are you just that much of a wimp it would be no fun?”

Markus chuckled. “Jealous Sora?” Markus put his hands in his pockets and just looked up at the ceiling. “To be honest we were always close. Sure there were times where having to accommodate a little brother into their lives was a bit hard, especially when they were in high school but we always seemed to make it work. Chelsea was always a goofball, wanting to have fun with her even goofier little brother and me and William shared a love for soccer.”

“You like soccer?” Sora said a little surprised.

Markus looked down at his shirt, Italia team shirt and looked up at the android with a raised eyebrow. “I have told you before, and it was a bit obvious...how could you have...oh, I see what you are doing.” Markus looked forward a little embarrassed as Sora laughed. the scientist not realizing before hand. “Jackass.”

“I swear that must be my middle name, people keep calling me that.” THe android slapped his hand on Markus’s shoulder. “But that is one of my best qualities, people love me for it.”

“Seems to me they would rather slap you. I hardly call that love.” The scientist teased.

“Ava seems to.”

“That is different, she has to. All respect to her for being able to keep up with your shit. How are yu guys by the way?”

“Good, very good. Better than I thought it would have gone mind you, but still good. Not bad for a couple of computers.”

“Well love isn’t exactly binary.”

Sora thought about what Markus had said and he laughed hard, trying his best not to fall over.

“What?” He said confused.

“Don’t worry yourself about it…” The android insisted. “Alright, so what about you and Elene? Vee hasn’t kicked your ass publicly yet so you must be doing something right.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence there.” He said sarcastically.

“Hey, when you have someone like that protecting a sibling, you do not want to do anything wrong.” The android warned.

“You don’t think I know that? Need I remind you of my two? I swear, there was this one time Chelsea complained about this one guy at school wanting to get a bit too feely with her...I tell you when Will found out he put years of soccer to use. Broke the guy’s hand and left him bruised. It took a lot not to have the guy’s family press charges but I tell you, no one disrespected Chels after that stunt.”

Sora nodded to himself, grinning a bit. “Makes me glad I don’t need to worry about that, though Avanix could just as easily kick my ass herself.”

Markus agreed. “Better not make her mad then.”

“Oh I have already make her mad, I am just curious to see how far I can push her.” With a wink from the android, Markus had to step to the side as two android platforms forced him to the side as they passed. “You know Markus...have you even gotten Desmond’s approval yet? You know how protective he is of Elene and if you thought an old father would be bad when you were younger, you have to deal with a badass brother.”

“I-I may have...pushed it off.” Markus stated worried.

Sora made a ‘tsk tsk’ sound and looked at Markus. “Better rectify that or it might come to bite you later...or blow you up, I don’t know how many different ways he could kick your ass.”
“Uh...yeah…” The scientist stated worried.

“Don’t be like that, I have confidence in you.”

“Really?”

Sora chuckled. “Of course not, but I will at least be there in spirit to see your ass handed to you on a silver platter, so good luck to you!” Sora pushed Markus forward and turned around, throwing his hand up and running off.

“Damn it Sora!” Markus grumbled to himself and looked down the hall with worry as his legs acted without thinking and he walked to try and find his hardest enemy yet; his girlfriend's brother.

***

Luckily for Markus, Desmond wasn’t to be found in his lab down in engineering so he tried the new room he moved into with his new wife and he stood outside of it, trying to work up the nerve to knock. After a few more minutes of waiting, Markus sighed and put his back to the wall, rubbing his face as anxiety racked his brain.

“You alright there?” A female voice asked out loud, Markus having to look around as he saw Ellie walking towards the room.

“Oh, hello Elizabeth. Y-Yeah everything is fine, just...a little worried about something.”

“Oh, Markus...what is it? Anything I can do to help?” The doctor asked, pushing her glasses up back into place.

“Well, someone informed me that I should see Desmond about...seeing his sister and I am a little…”

“Scared? Worried? Terrified?” The doctor guessed.

“Yeah.”

“Well don’t worry too much, alright? Desmond isn’t a bad guy, no matter what people say about him, just tell him how you feel.”

Markus slowly nodded, and looked at the closed door.

“Go on, I need to drop off some things anyways. Take your time.”

The scientist thanked Ellie and knocked on the door, hearing a response inside and walking in quickly, closing the door behind him. “H-Hey Desmond. There was something I wanted to talk to you about, and it is kind of important.”

Desmond looked over his shoulder and when he saw Markus, he put down the book he was reading and turned around, standing up. “Alright, go ahead.”

Markus looked at the larger man and swallowed a bit. “I-It is about...E-Elene…”

“What about her?” Desmond asked, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

“A-About her and...me.”

“Markus, if you are here to say something then just say it.”

“I wanted to...get your permission...to date her…” The scientist stated meekly, looking down.

There was a large sigh from Desmond and when Markus looked up the soldier was rubbing his face. “Markus, if you really believed I didn’t approve of you dating Elene I would have said something before hand? Besides, Elene is her own person, if she saw fit to start a relationship with you that is her business, not mine.”

Markus was screaming for joy is his mind but on the outside he looked calm and nodded. “I-I was just worried t-that I wasn’t good enough in your eyes…”

“What gave you that idea?”

“Well...you always seem to brush me off whenever you see me and when I approach you you just sort of...don’t care I am there.”

Desmond sighed. “I guess that is partly my fault. It is nothing against you Markus, you just always get me at bad times. I am not blind and I have seen how happy you two are the brief times I have seen you together and after what Sora said about you the time when you were captive, I had no doubt you were right for her. The fact you tried so adamantly to try and get in contact with her only strengthened that.”

Markus wanted to jump around and scream at the top of his lungs but he just smiled weakly at Desmond. “Wait, Sora actually vouched for me?”

Desmond nodded. “Positive things were about the only things he said.”

Damn it Sora, I can’t believe you worked me up and made me worry just for a laugh...though it is Sora so why am I really surprised? “Thanks...and I promise I won’t do anything to make you doubt me.”

The psionic soldier chuckled and nodded his head. “Be sure that you don’t. Just one question though, have you two…?” Desmond didn’t need to finish his sentence to get the point across.

Oh crap! Markus nodded. “Y-Yes we have been...active…”

Desmond just stared at Markus and he nodded his head. “Alright. Shows courage that you admitted that to me, if not a little stupid. Just make sure that you treat her right, she has been through hell and back and she needs the support of someone like you.”

Markus nodded happily. “You can count on that!” He assured Desmond.

Desmond smirked and nudged his head to the door. “You can go now.”

Markus turned around and opened the door, jumping back surprised as Elizabeth fell through and landed flat on her face. “Ow…” Standing up she looked at Markus and smiled innocently. “I’m sorry, I had to...but that was sweet. I hope you two make each other very happy.”

Markus just looked at the doctor confused and walked out chuckling to himself, both surprised and glad the way things had turned out for him.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Wavering Loyalty

X-COM Headquarters
Primary Mess
Novermber 10th, 1200 Hours

"Sounds to me like he doesn't appreciate you." The young engineer, dark skinned, dark haired, with a sarcastic expression and a New Orleans accent, shook her head. "What is the one thing all guys think of... constantly? Sex. So if he's got someone like you, and he doesn't want none, he's probably getting some on the side. At the very least, he doesn't want none from you."

Jessica frowned, and gave Eve a concerned look. "It isn't all about that, right? I mean... you said how much you liked spending time with Fox, and what Sam is saying only applies to a strictly physical..."

"Oh, you hush," Samantha interrupted. "You're already knocked up. You don't get to talk about sex." Jessica started to say something to argue, but Sam continued before she got a chance. "Listen, hon. Whether he has someone else or not, that ain't the real problem. What is the problem is he ain't satisfyin' your needs. I mean, one time? And you had to push for..."

Eve held up two fingers. "Twice... actually." She smiled. "He... he came to me after I got off my shift. Was saying something about... how pretty I was, and wanting to treat me like a queen."

Jessica smiled. "Really? Fox said all that?"

Eve chuckled. "Well, I'm sure someone told him to say it, but the fact that he mustered the courage at all..." She reached into her pocket, pulling out a piece of sketch paper. "But then he gave me this drawing of us, and... and told me this was the perfect world he wanted to make for me. I... I lost it. The sex was a bonus. I just wanted to hold him after that."

Jessica made an 'awww' face, but Samantha rolled her eyes. "Come on, girl. You're smarter then this. This is just something he did to keep his eye candy on a leash. If he wants you there to make him look less pathetic around those brothers of him..."

"What? No!" Jessica scoffed. "Th-this is a sign of affection. Of how much he cares about you! And you two are so good together!"

Sam shook her head. "Then stay with him. I'm just saying, do to the guys what they always do to us."

"YOU sound like that! Modya is nothing like that!" Jessica insisted. "Just because... b-because you can't... can't keep you legs closed..."

"Says the girl that got herself knocked up. Least I know not to let him go off in me." Sam leaned back, and starred up at the ceiling. "Sounds to me like you only practice what you preach because of those little brats you got..."

Jessica slammed her hand on the table, making both of the other women jump. Her lip quivered, and her eye twitched, making it hard to tell if she was about to cry or yell in rage. "Don't... talk about... my children..." She looked at Eve, her expression softening, but only a bit. "I like you, Eve. You're a wonderful person. But you had a vice. One that made people talk. Mary is a little loose, but she's open about it, and has become more reserved. But before she got here, and even a little now, your name's the one people would bring up for what they thought they could do with you. But Fox has removed that stain from your reputation. Now, I said had a vice. Don't turn it into have a vice, and ruin the great thing you have with a fine person, one you'll end up hurting him... and yourself."

The green-haired lab tech shot a surprisingly threatening look at Sam, and walked away. "Pft... ignore that prude." Sam leaned forward. "Don't let her make you feel bad about who you are."

Eve looked down. "I... I don't want to hurt Fox, though..."

"But he's already hurt you!" Sam insisted. "You have your needs, and he isn't fulfilling them. It took this long just to get him in bed a second time."

"But... but I care..."

"You really think this'll last after the war?" Sam laughed grimly. "And any of us could die at any time, including us civilian staff, with these base attacks. You wanna die panting and squirming, or satisfied?"

Eve's eyes darted back and forth. She couldn't deny that her encountered with Luxuria had left her even more wanting then before, despite the effects having worn off. She sighed deeply, and slowly nodded.

Sam grinned. "Good. And I know just the guy."

 

[Adrammalech]

Adrammalech and Frostlich1228: “Natural Allies”
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
November 10th, 2018 - 1730 Hours

Luxuria paced in her room nervously, walking between her bed and her computer in a carefully set pace. Another batch of her notes scrolled across the holographic display, which she looked towards every few seconds. Each look rewarded a furrowed brow and a clenched fist, her body looking ready to fly at the machine and deliver a punch to it at any given moment. The fact that there was so little else in her cell to distract her only irritated her more.

The door to the room slid open and Mary entered followed by a few legion mechs. She looked up to Luxuria’s cell with confusion, not seeing the ethereal she was looking for but instead a woman that looked strangely similar to her sister’s friend.

As she noticed someone looking at her, Luxuria struck the computer and shut off the display, then lifted off her feet into a low hover.

Can I help you?

Eh’m ‘ooking for th’ ‘thereal… (I’m looking for the Ethereal…) Mary replied, her pupils moving to the upper left corner of her eyes in thought. Wait… Were those rumors about them giving the ethereal a human body actually true?

Luxuria cupped her hands in front of her and gave an exaggerated double take to her sides. Are you looking for a different Ethereal?

Se’ you are th’ ‘thereal! Guess th’ rumors ‘ere true af’er all.” (So you are the Ethereal! Guess the rumors were true after all.) Mary responded, stepping up to her cell, “‘Joying th’ body?” (Enjoying the body?)

It’s an improvement in most respects, but switching between species is not a seamless as one might expect. Luxuria smirked. How you get anything done with only two arms is beyond me.

‘Ell, eh’ can get plenty ‘one wit’ ‘enly two arms, ‘ore ‘ould je’ get in th’ ‘ay.” (Well, I can get plenty done with only two arms, more would just get in the way.) Mary said, returning the smirk.

Can you hold two gatling guns at once?

“Aven’t tried, beh’ eh’ doubt ye’ ‘ould wit’ yer’ old arms either.” (Haven’t tried, but I doubt you could with your old arms either.) Mary stated, shrugging.

Maybe there was a time when we could. Luxuria glanced angrily at her computer again. Not that we’re very forthcoming with our ancient history anyway…

“tryin’ te’ learn more ‘bout yer’ ‘eople? Dun’t ‘ey teach ye’ ‘is stuff ‘en yer’ kids?” (Trying to learn more about your people? Don’t they teach you this stuff when you’re kids?) Mary asked.

There are some things we’re taught about our past, but they’re very selective. If you’ve ever wondered about the accounts you’ve heard about your past hundreds of years ago, then you know old history can be changed over time. Luxuria shook her head. I can’t find anything in my notes about our ancient past...peaceful cultures or dissenting opinions, it’s all just lost in time…

“‘Ell, ‘aybe yer’ ‘eader ‘ows some’tin that he ‘oesn’t ‘ant ye’ or th’ ‘est of yer’ ‘eople te’ ‘ind out.“ (Well, maybe your leader knows something that he doesn’t want you or the rest of your people to find out.) Mary suggested.

This is likely. As far as we are concerned, we are all one culture, one religion, one goal. She sighed. But anyway, you did not come here to hear about our histories…

“Yer’ ‘ight.” (You’re right.) Mary replied, “Eh’vw ‘eard ‘at yer’ an ex’ert on bio- biokennisis? ‘Ince eh’ re’ently un’ocked meh’ ‘ionics, eh’ ‘ought ‘at ye’ ‘ight be a’le te’ ‘ow me ‘at ye ‘ow.” (I’ve heard that you’re an expert on bio- biokennisis? Since I recently unlocked my psionics, I thought that you might be able to show me what you know.)

Hmm...I could help somewhat, but you will still need to practice on your own and in the field. I also don’t practice it offensively, for shutting down systems and such. My applications are more...fulfilling. Luxuria smiled broadly.

“Oh, eh’ ‘ouldn’t ‘ind ‘earnin’ ‘ow te’ do ‘at too…” (Oh, I wouldn’t mind learning how to do that too…) Mary spoke, smirking wider.

Why don’t you demonstrate what psionics you know, so I have an idea on where to start.

“En you?” (On you?) Mary asked.

Well, if you must target them, I suppose I’ll do…it’s been a while since I’ve fought, but I’m still pretty tough.

“‘Orks fer’ me.” (Works for me.) Mary responded as she raised her hands up, attempting to lock the muscles in Luxuria’s legs.

Luxuria easily blocked the attempt as she felt it coming, her own will counteracting Mary’s. Hmm...could be better. How long have you had the Gift, a week or two?

‘Omething ‘ike ‘at, et’s eh’ ‘ittle ‘ard te’ ‘ell ‘own ‘ere.” (Something like that, it’s a little hard to tell down here.) The gunner answered.

 

[Frostlich1228]

"Natural Allies, Part 2"

Well, first thing’s first, biokinesis is greatly benefited by book knowledge. It can be done with pure will of course, but if you know what you’re working with, it’s a lot less taxing. I don’t know what your degree is...but study some anatomy books, and perhaps some...autopsies, for our lesser troops.

“At ‘ounds… ‘eally ‘oring… Eh’ ‘ink eh’ ‘ould sit in en’ ‘ome autop’ies ‘ough, an’ we ‘ill be ‘ringing ‘at Invidia ‘ack pretty ‘oon. ‘Ope he ‘on’t come back in too ‘any ‘eices, al’ough, ‘owing ‘ow much ‘eople on base ‘ate th’ guy, eh’ ‘ouldn’t ‘et meh ‘opes up.” (That sounds… really boring… I think I could sit in on some autopsies though, and we will be bringing that Invidia back pretty soon. Hope he won’t come back in too many pieces, although, knowing how much the people on base hate the guy, I shouldn’t get my hopes up.) Mary said, crossing her arms.

He deserves whatever comes to him… Luxuria shook her head, then continued. As for the second technique, it helps if you can read their mood or mind while you use it, so you can figure out your target’s wants and needs. A blue psionic could help with that more than me, but I did learn a bit for the sake of my…‘hobby.’

Mary raised a hand to her chin, “‘At ‘ef we al’eady ‘ow ‘at the ‘erson ‘ikes?” (What if we already know what the person likes?)

Well then, you’re pretty much set. Luxuria floated down to her feet and then stepped up to the glass. Like all psionics, the first step is overpowering your target’s mental defenses. This is the advantage of my way of doing things…no one wants to have their heart stop or brain choke out, but not many would deny the chance for a massage or an intimate touch. Luxuria raised a faintly glowing green hand, and Mary felt a subtle but pleasant tingle on her arms and legs.

Mary shuttered a little at the feeling, smiling, ‘Ahann… Yer’ ‘ood at ‘at...” (Ahann… You’re good at that...)

Just a taste...people tend to get irritated when I take them all the way. Luxuria chuckled. Generally I start with the nerve endings to simulate touches, then work on endorphins and just a touch of adrenaline to finish the job. It’s all about getting into their head, creating a new world of only pleasure and no distraction and then willing that world into being, all in the chemistry of the mind.

“Eh’ see… Eh’ ‘ink eh’ could ‘anaged ‘at…” (I see… I think I could manage that...) Mary said, smiling mischievously.

Good, humans will be easy for you, you just have to emulate the feeling you have when you experience a climax. Luxuria rubbed her chin. For other species, for distraction or manipulation, you may have to do some research, as I mentioned. Chryssalids don’t really respond to sultry winks and tender touches.

“‘Eh’m ‘ure my friwnd ‘Essica ‘an ‘elp me wit’ ‘at.” (I’m sure my friend Jessica can help me with that.) Mary responded before asking, Se’... ‘Ow do eh’ do ‘at wit’ ‘thereals ‘xactly?” (So… How do I do that with Ethereals exactly?)

Um…well, to overcome an Ethereal’s mental barrier is a task that will take you a very long time to reach. But generally it’s the same idea, tricking the brain’s chemistry into producing euphoria and toying with the nerves in their erogenous zones.

“Ye’ ‘ow… Eh’ ‘umor’s ‘een ‘oing ‘round ‘at the ‘thereals actually ‘ave parts ‘at are ‘patable wit’ humans, eh’ guess you’d be the ‘est ‘erson te’ ask te’ ‘ind out ef’ ‘at’s true or not.” (You know… A rumor’s been going around that the Ethereals actually have parts that are compatible with humans, I guess you’d be the best person to ask to find out if that’s true or not.) Mary asked, putting her fingers together as she looked up at Luxxy.

Well, I know at least one does. Luxuria snickered and pointed to her chest.

“Yeh’, eh’ bet you’ve ‘ad eh’ lot of fun wit’ ‘at body ‘ince ye’ ‘ot it, ‘ough ‘avin’ robots watch meh ‘ush et’ en’ ‘ould be little ‘stracting.” (Yeah, I bet you’ve had a lot of fun with that body since you got it, though having robots watch me push it in would be a little distracting.) Mary chuckled.

A ludicrous allegation...a lady never tells. Luxuria gave a wry smile.

“‘Ell, ef’ ye’ ‘have ye’ ‘ight be a’le te’ spend ‘ime wit’ at’ ‘irlfiend of ‘ours… An’ if she ‘oesn’t ‘ant te’, eh’m al’ays ‘vailable…” (Well, if you behave you might be able to get out and spend the night with that girlfriend of yours… And if she doesn’t want to, I’m always available…) Mary replied seductively.

Really, now? Most would not be so willing to proposition an alien. Luxuria smiled mischievously, puffing out her chest and putting a hand on her hip. Do you find my form pleasing?

“At’s ‘ot te’ ‘ike? ‘Uge tits, great ass, an’ ‘ind ‘elting ‘isionics. Eh’m ‘ure ‘ore people ‘ould be int’rested ef’ ‘ey ‘ew ‘bout yer’ new body.” (What’s not to like? Huge tits, great ass, and mind melting psionics. I’m sure more people would be interested if they knew about your new body.) Mary answered, flattering the girl.

Oh, aren’t you a charmer… Luxuria casually took another pose, enjoying the praise. Perhaps I should reward you…

Mary’s smile widened, “Hmm… ‘ell, eh’d be rude te’ ‘urn eh’ beautiful ‘oman ‘ike ye’self ‘own…” (Hmm… Well, It’d be rude to turn a beautiful woman like yourself down... )

Luxuria flicked her wrist with a flash of yellow, and materialized an illusion of herself outside the cell. The illusion’s touch came with a slight green glow, being simulated into reality. With a smirk, its lips went along with Luxuria’s words. You might want to sit down...

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Regret

X-COM Headquarters
Soldier Barracks
November 10th, 1900 Hours

Eve rapidly knocked on the door. When the occupant didn't immediately open the door, she felt like she'd have a panic attack. She looked up and down the hallway, afraid every stray person she might see was spying on her.

Finally, after a solid minute, a big, muscly man opened the door wearing a soldier's uniform. He looked down at Eve and smiled. "You the girl? So, how does this work? Do we... go have dinner, or..." Eve quickly pushed him into the room, and slammed the door. "Whoa! Straight to the point, huh? I like that."

"Listen... Brent, right?" Eve sighed. "This is a one time thing, okay? I have a need, you are going to fulfill it. So lets get this over with."

"Hey, whatever you say, babe." Brent slipped his shirt off, and tossed it to the side. "And if we have fun, this can turn into a few one time things."

Eve licked her lips, and ran her hand across his powerful, chiseled chest. Now, this is what she looked for in man...

Though, he… he is cute. Maybe he doesn’t have the rugged looks of the others, but… maybe he’s…

Eve shook her head, and Brent laughed. "Don't go out on me now. The girls don't usually pass out from pleasure until after I'm finished." He reached down, lifting Eve's chin and kissing her, slowly at first, the passionately. Eve panted and moaned, pressing her body against his.

…maybe it was time I started looking for someone more sensitive. Someone with an artistic side. Someone… sweet…

Brent quickly pulled her shirt off, grinning as he violently yanked her bra off. "Heh... not the biggest, but I don't mind 'em small... too much."

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…

Brent grabbed a firm hold of her chest, perhaps a bit too firm, but Eve only shuddered in anticipation. Was it... anticipation? He kissed her on the check, then her neck, moving down with each kiss.

...we don’t know how he will react to certain situations. So whatever you do, do it, just don’t scar the poor lad...

A bead of sweat rolled down Eve's brow, but it... it was odd. It felt more like a sweat from nervousness then arousal.

...but… as nice of a woman as she is, I’m afraid of her… hurting you...

Brent stood up again, pressing Eve against the wall. She was used to others being the controllers,with her size, and his skin against hers felt... off? It felt wrong somehow.

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?

Besides...y-you are the beautiful o-one…

Brent's right hand slid across her chest...

Now, I know I love my Fox. And I’m not going to let him go!

And me neither...

...down her belly...

Don't turn it into have a vice, and ruin the great thing you have with a fine person, or you'll end up hurting him... and yourself.

Just as long as I get to be with you... Eevee…

The tips of his fingers pocked into her shorts, stopped when she grabbed his wrist. "Heh... don't worry. I'll be gentle with you."

He pushed down again, and she grabbed his wrist with her other hand. "No... I..."

"No need to play hard to get, babe. You made it all too clear what you wanted when..."

"I-I... I can't, I... shouldn't be... here..."

"Come on, already, stop playing around." Brent pulled her shorts down a bit, and she quickly yanked them back up. "What are playing at?"

"Just... j-just stop, I'm done..."

"You think you can come in here..."

Brent pushed against her, and she pushed him back. "Stop, please..."

"...and get me all worked up..."

"I said stop! Get... g-get off of me!"

"...and expect me to just..."

A quick knee to the groin got him off her quick. As Eve grabbed her clothes, tears forming in her eyes, Brent snapped, "The fuck is your problem?! You come panting at me like a bitch in heat, and when I try to 'fulfill your need', you go off on me?"

"I'm a capricious woman, what can I say?" Eve shook her head as she didn't bother with the torn bra, simply slipping on her shirt. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry I wasted your time. The shot to the balls was your fault, though."

"Now, wait just one fucking minute!" Brent winced as he stood up. "You think I'm gonna just... be nice and keep my mouth shut? You need to do something for me!"

Eve shuttered as he approached her. "What... do you want?"

"I'll keep my mouth shut... if you open yours." He reached down for his belt buckle, and Eve brought her leg up for another shot to the jewels.

Her eye went wide as he caught her leg, and squeezed it tightly. As she starred into his enraged eyes, she realized she was completely at his mercy. She was a third his size, likely a quarter his weight, there was a good chance his willpower was too great for her to possess him, and sending her mind out to get help would leave her limp body to his disposal. She tried to look tough, snaring at him. "So... this how you're gonna get your rocks off. Assaulting someone smaller then..."

"Pft." Brent pushed her away, causing her to fall on her back. "Piss off, bitch. I've got plenty of women on call, just waiting for me to come knocking." Eve got up, trying not to make it too obvious she was rushing before he changed his mind. Brent pointed an angry finger. "Last chance to make it up to me, though," he said as she reached for the door. "You come back, and sit like a good little girl, and you'll be out of here before you know it. You'll even get a nice treat. Leave now, and the moment you step out of this room, it's over! I'll make sure everyone knows you were here, and why! Including your friends, including that boyfriend of yours! From the most secluded person in the civilian quarters to the Commander's cat!"

Several tears ran down Eve's cheeks, and she knew she had ruined everything. Her reputation, her integrity, and worse, the beautiful thing she had with Fox, it would all be destroyed if she opened that door. She looked back, tears dropping one by one, and muttered, "Good... tell them. I... it doesn't matter if Fox knows. After today, I'll... never be able to look him in the eye again." She threw the door open, and rushed to the showers. Like a cliche movie scene, she desperately tried to wash her shame away, and wasn't surprised when, like said cliche movie scene, no matter how much she scrubbed, when she looked in the mirror, all she saw was filth.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Arrival

Cairo, Egypt
7:38 PM, 9th November, 2018


The Russian frowned as the private jet passed the pyramids, unimpressed with the symbol so often used to reflect the people who lived here. “I was under the impression they would be… wider.”

The man seated beside him, a hood and cloth draped over his face, chuckled. “There’s a ‘your mum’ joke in there somewhere.” His voice was clearly faked – an indiscernible accent, a gruff, deep tonal quality. Yet the lips moved, and so he spoke, even if you couldn’t see them or the rest of his body under the layers of clothing and wrapping. This wrapping was so complete that it was difficult to tell whether the agent was male or female, though from the voice alone Samuel was fairly certain they were male. Made the Russian wonder why they even bothered going on missions at all, especially in a country with this kind of heat nearly every day. There were far better ways to protect one’s identity – the existence of the Overseer was proof enough of that.

Samuel scowled and leaned back in the seat. “I don’t like this. We’ve never worried about the alien Overseers before. Why are we suddenly – “

“Because our human Overseer demands it,” the mass of clothing replied. “With the Council refusing to help any longer, X-COM’s intelligence network has dwindled significantly in its capacity. It’s up to us to pick up the slack.”

“To hell with the Council. What do they propose to do instead of support X-COM, especially now with the end in sight?” Samuel scoffed. “They’ll be back.”

“We can’t rely on that. Any delay could mean alien reinforcements. What if they dropped fifty Sectopods on the Kremlin because we failed to locate Invidia a day sooner? How would you react to that?”

The question was met with a scoff. “Still better that then fifty Chryyssalids.”

“Arguably. You get the idea.”

“And yet I disagree. How about that.”

Clothes shook his head. “Are you questioning the Overseer? I thought you two were supposed to be friendly.”

“A friend points out someone’s flaws just as much as their strengths.”

The other agent remained silent for the remainder of the trip, the two being waved through the airport and out the door into the taxis. Clothes coughed as they pulled up to one of the many hotels strewn about the city, thanking the valet who opened the door for him. Samuel followed after handing the driver a small bundle of money, which was clearly larger than the fare meter would have indicated. Once inside, a woman wearing typical secretarial dress and seated in the waiting area rose to greet them, smiling and shaking their hands as if they were colleagues, which, in a sense, they were. The two followed her up the elevators to the fifth floor, where they entered one of the rooms.

The agent waiting inside closed a computer and nodded as he walked past. “Room’s clear,” he muttered, brushing past the woman and exiting.

The woman exhaled sharply as the door closed, and embraced Samuel. “Good to see you again, Sam.” Her greeting to Clothes was far more measured and professional. “Agent One, good to finally meet you.”

One smiled. “Don’t I get a hug, Huntress?” he asked, holding out his arms. Yep, almost certainly male.

The woman eyed him, as if considering. “No,” she stated bluntly, turning and seating herself at the desk. Since there was only one chair, the other two had to sit on the bed.

“If your hand touches mine, I’ll cut it off,” Samuel muttered.

“Is that insecurity about your own sexuality I hear?”

Samuel glared. “And your tongue.”

The woman cleared her throat. “If you two are quite finished with the homo-erotic banter -“

“Yours too.”

“- we’ve got some discussion ahead of us.”

One leaned forward. “Before we start, who was that in here earlier?”

“You’d probably know him as Gyro. He’s the Tribe’s tech expert.”

“I understand your group had some… losses, recently.”

Samantha lowered her eyes. “Yeah. Kandar, Ice, and Earwig. Nearly lost Pillar too. All in the one mission.”

One shifted. “Nobody expected the aliens to attack X-COM so brazenly. As I understand it, you were just meant to be a contingency plan. A ‘when all else fails’.”

“Doesn’t mean we’re not still bitter about losing three of our best for the sake of a single woman.” The Huntress was silent for a moment, then looked up again. “But that’s in the past. We’ve mourned. Now we’re ready for revenge.”

One smiled, before realizing no one could see it. “Good. That’ll help you help us. You know your job?”

“Of course. We find out as much as we can about the alien forces in this country – where they are, how many, where their leader is. And we use that to take them down.”

“Excellent,” said One, leaning back. “What about Australia? Found Invidia yet?”

Samantha flicked through a few pages of the notebook in front of her. “Basic stuff, so far. Only major thing is how prevalent the alien presence is through government. The way things are going, the next election’s going to see the Liberals regain their grasp on power. Or, failing that, Clive Palmer.”

Samuel laughed. “Isaac’s going to be pissed about that.”

That got an odd look from the Huntress. “Isaac’s dead.”

The two men looked at each other, and shrugged. “If you say so,” One said, folding his arms.

“If he’s alive, where is he now?”

One made a pschtt noise. “Went gallivanting off to Columbia. I think he found a lead on his pet project.”

Samantha narrowed her eyes, clearly not believing him, before closing the notebook and crossing her legs, a sight which neither of the agents found entirely displeasing. “So what are you two doing here?” she asked, leaning back in the chair.

“Debt collection. The Overseer wants a few of their favors repaid, since the funding situation with X-COM… changed. We’re staying here for a bit, mingling with the high and mighty. Some of them have debts,” said One.

Samuel shrugged. “Life’s hard,” he said with a ‘what can you do’ wave of the hand.

“So why request this meeting?”

It was One’s turn to shrug. “Just wanted to see where you were at, since X-COM is targeting Invidia next. You are the one in charge of all intel in the Asia-Pacific region, are you not?”

“For now.”

Samuel spread his hands. “The Overseer merely wanted to make sure you were doing your job.”

“Tell the Overseer she can come over here and do it herself.”

Samuel frowned. “I really don’t feel comfortable doing tha-“

“Fine. Batman here can do it.”

One blinked. “’Batman?’”

Samantha shrugged. “Black clothes, deep, obviously fake voice… all I need to see now is a clown following you around and the comparison is complete.”

The black-clad agent folded his arms. “I do. He’s sitting next to me.”

The rest of the meeting passed quickly. There was little to go over, aside from the obtaining of names of people who had… outstanding payments. Samantha’s specialty was not here, after all, but there’d been a ‘staff shortage’ recently. Times were tough, and people needed to learn or be steamrolled. Samantha had chosen to learn, it seemed.

On their way out, they passed a man with one eye. He nodded in their direction, then moved away. Coast was clear, then. The two agents hailed a cab, which had in actual fact been prearranged, and sat in the back seats, a solid metal wall between the driver and passengers.

“Huntress and Judge have a past?” One queried.

Samuel rolled his eyes. “Isaac was her mentor, in a sense. Always thought there was a bit of infatuation on her end. He was oblivious, naturally.”

"I thought he was still hung up on his late wife, even today."

"That might have been part of it."

“Maybe he just didn’t care. Not exactly the kind of business for a stable relationship.”

Samuel frowned, leaning back and gazing out the window of the car. “No,” he said. “No it’s not.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
“Aftermath: Part One”

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Primary Mess
November 11th, 1130 Hours

A giggle from the two women at the table to her right, and hearty chuckle from the man to her left. Paranoia might have been what was happening for her, but in this case, it was justified. The soldier had stayed true to his word, and with the engineer Samantha’s help, word had spread like wildfire within hours, and by the time Eve awoke the next day, everyone was giving her the stink eye or laughing at her, with the exception of the men trying to pick her up. She was the base prostitute, and she wore the scarlet letter with shame.

Jessica sighed, and placed her hand on Eve’s. “I… I don’t know what to say. You… at least you didn’t go through with it, but… but you…”

“But I shouldn’t have gone in the first place.” Eve poked at her food, having little in the way of an appetite. “They’re alright. I… I almost wish he had his way with me. It is what I des…”

“Stop that!” Jessica snapped. “Don’t talk like that! You made a mistake. So did Modya, and I forgave him. Maybe Fox will forgive you. But not if you don’t forgive yourself.”

“I… don’t deserve it, Jessica. And you can’t convince me otherwise. What’s worse, he’s heard about it from… word of mouth and gossip. I don’t know if I could face him…” Eve placed her face on the table, her hands over her head. “What… did I do… oh, God… you were right, Aya was right… everyone was right about me…”

“Oh yeah, you royally fucked up this time.” A voice said from across the table, Hawke standing with his arms crossed together.

Eve slowly looked up, and found looking at someone that looked so much like Fox incredibly painful. “H-how… is he doing?”

“Hurt,” Hawke stated bluntly. “Real hurt. If he wasn’t talking before, he isn’t now because not even Chief can get him to say a word and I don’t think I need to state how much of a deal that is.”

Eve slowly nodded. Jessica held up a hand. “Please, she… she messed up. But she’s really…”

“No…”

Jessica slowly looked back. “What?”

“Don’t, Jessie.” Eve shook her head. “You’re my friend, through thick and thin. And despite this mess coming from me ignoring your advice, you’re still by my side. But I don’t need a comforting friend right now. I need Hawke. I need someone who’ll be honest with me, and remind me of how much I screwed everything up.”

“Oh boy, where do I begin…” Hawke sat down and as he looked at Eve he just rubbed his mouth and shook his head. “I...I-I’m just trying to wrap my head around this. What in the hell was going through you head? All he did was love you, so how do you turn your back on that?”

“I-I don’t… know…” Eve sighed. “I was afraid he… didn’t want me. He was so…” She scoffed. “He was so Fox. He… it was just how he is. And my labido, and my selfishness couldn’t see past…” She shook her head. “I-I don’t know. Anything I say, from bad advice, to psionic influence, to… to a moment of weakness would just be an excuse. An excuse to divert the blame, which I don’t want to do. I don’t deserve to have the blame taken from my shoulders.”

“Well, we agree on that at least.” Hawke said, sitting forward. “You know Chief was the one who sent me since he was caught up with his brother. You know what he said to me? He wanted me to make you pay no matter the consequence to him, cause he would take the responsibility. And this is a man who never gets overly violent. Fox…” Hawke just shook his head again in disbelief. “You were the only thing he talked about. He would always come to me and ask me for advice, to try and make you happy. You're right, any excuse won’t fly with me and it definitely won’t fly with Chief. But I hope you realize exactly the harm you have done to my brothers.”

Eve shuddered violently, and the tears came freely. She hated the tears, afraid they might make her looked like she want sympathy. Between sobs, she said, “I… know, I… I can’t believe I could… hurt him. Please, I… I-I’m ready to… pay the consequences… please, I can’t… take it…”

Hawke crossed his arms. “You really think I am here to beat you? Do I look like I go around beating on women? Chief may be my CO and brother but I don’t blindly follow him like that, I know when he gets overboard and it is my job as his second in command to be the level headed one. He doesn’t really wish you harm, he is under extreme duress.” Hawke was silent a few moments, looking back at Eve, “So what does your sister have to say about this?”

Eve only sobbed louder, and Jessica shook her head. “Aya isn’t talking to her, though her silence speaks volumes. Modya stayed with another soldier so Eve could sleep in my room last night. Aya’s cold looks were making Eve… consider… things…”

Hawke stared even harder at Eve. Hawke gestured for Jessica to come over to him and he simply stated. “Consider what?” He asked coldly to the scientist as he still looked at Eve.

“Come on, Hawke. D-don’t… make me say it.” Jessica unconsciously ran her hands across her bracelets. “What do you think someone might be tempted to do when they realized they hurt someone they loved so much, and they don’t know if they can ever come back from it. It… it…”

It’s the same thing Modya tried to do when we… walked out on him…

Y-you mean… when I walked out on him…

Hawke’s expression betrayed him when he showed a hint of surprise and he just shook his head and got up from his seat, pacing around and sighing, stopping and just being at a loss for words. “Y...You know what...you are a fucking coward. You fucked up and to even consider!” Hawke ran his hand through his hair and just looked down at Eve. “What in the hell would something like that solve? How do you think he would have reacted if he had learned about that? Did you even once think about what effect that would have on him be?”

Jessica leaned towards him, whispering, “She said she couldn’t do it, because she didn’t deserve to escape the pain like that. She said that if she can’t find some way to at least let him know how much she regrets it, then the least she could do is live with the knowledge that f… messed up.”

Hawke had really wished he had visited the shooting range before coming so he didn’t have the urge to let out some steam now. “I-...” The sniper smacked his fist on the table and he walked over to Eve, grabbing her arm. “Get up.”

“W… why?” Eve slowly rose to her feet, woozy from lack of sleep.

“Hey, I don’t care how mad you are at her, don’t hurt her!” Jessica stomped forward, looking as intimidating as she could against someone who could break her in half in his sleep.

Hawke just pulled her in front of him and gave her a light shove. “I already stated I am not going to hurt her.” He told Jessica as he herded Eve forward. “She is not getting out of this easy, and I am not going to sit here while my brothers suffer.” Hawke pushed her again. “She is going to speak to Fox herself.” He finally told them.

“What, no I can’t!” Eve struggled, but couldn’t get away from Hawke.

“That’s right!” Jessica grabbed Hawke’s arm and pulled her toward him. “You won’t get away with this!” In a low tone only someone with Hawke’s trained hearing could hear, she whispered, “Don’t let her get away. I’ll make sure no one stops you.” She ran towards the door, yelling, “I’m going to find… s-someone to stop him, Eve!”

“Go ahead!” He taunted, pushing Eve in the other direction to their room. “Eve, I don’t care if you want to see him or not. I don’t care for any backlash from anyone, because Fox is my brother. And for my brother, I would move the Earth.”

“I… I… would to, but…” Eve sighed, still struggling, but not as much. “But, what if he… what if seeing me makes things worse? I… I hurt him, and seeing me is like looking at the gun you were shot with…”

“Make it work. This is your mess, so clean it up. Like I said, I will deal with the aftermath.” He proceeded with silence from then on, pushing her all the way to the room where Bull stood outside the door, just looking at Eve. “Has he left big guy?”

Bull shook his head.

“You know he will kill us for this, right?”

Bull nodded and held out his fist. “It is for Fox, it is worth it.”

Hawke nodded and bumped his brother’s fist, knocking on the door next. “Chief, I got her!”

It was silent for a few moments before the door came open and the leader of the Elites stood. When he locked eyes with Eve, he sprang forward at her but Bull was there off to the side, grabbing his brother and slamming his head against the metal wall with a thud and knocking out the captain.

“You have an hour or two at most Eve. Make them count.” Hawke looked back into the room and stepped out of the way, waving her in.

Eve shuddered, and considered running. But for them to knock Chief out for their brother, only to have her run, was the second worst thing she could have done. She slowly nodded, took several deep breaths, and stepped inside.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Aftermath Part Two

As Bull dragged off his unconscious brother and Hawke closed the door behind Eve, the scout was in the corner of the room near his bed, his face buried in his knees and small objects were scattered around him. On closer inspection, they were splintered and yellow, small number two etched in green on about half of them.

Eve’s lip quivered a bit. She wanted to respect him for the adult he was, but all she could see is a sad, crushed child. She slowly approached him, wanting to call out to him, but unable to muster the courage to say his name. In the end, she simply sat on his bed, and waited for him to notice her, hoping she would find the words by then.

They were there for a while, Fox not moving from his position, the worst part not even a single noise was made by him. However, out of nowhere, the scout broke the silence. “Why?” he said out loud.

“I… I don’t…” Eve shook her head. “B-because I’m… stupid. Too blind to see what I had until I almost…” She lowered her head. “I’m… ashamed. I can’t express that enough.”

“I’m the stupid one...I thought someone had finally come along and make me feel happy...but everyone warned me...I should have listened to everyone...I should have never had been with you…”

Eve placed her hand over her eyes. “I… I’m the one that didn’t listen. I… I had so much joy with you. You were the first man to ever treat me like a real person. But I’d give it all up. I’d give up all the joy I had, if it meant taking your pain away right now. I… I can’t…”

“If you want me to accept an apology, I told you I wouldn’t hold a grudge. So please just leave me alone...just...stay away…”

“I don’t want you to accept my apology!” Eve suddenly shouted. “I want you to respond like you’re supposed to respond! I want you to hate me! I want you to wish me nothing but pain and regret! I want you to curse me! It is what I deserve, no matter who sorry I am! No matter how much I love you! I… I want you to scream at me! Tell me how much of a whore I am! Tell me… t-tell me… you hate me…”

“You said it yourself...I’m not like other guys...but if you really want it…” Fox was silent for a moment before shaking a bit. “I….I...I-I…” Fox broke down and began to cry, shaking slightly as he couldn’t make himself say the words he didn’t mean.

Eve broke down with him, wishing she could at least have turned him against her, so it wouldn’t be as hard on him. If anything, this was so much worse. “I love you, Fox, I… I’m so sorry! I don’t even know… you can’t keep caring about me. You’re smart, you’re artistic. You’re one of the four best soldiers on base! You handsome, and when you open up, you’re funny. You don’t deserve me. I’m poison. Everyone was right about me. Why can’t you just hate me?!”

“B-Because I loved you Eve!” Fox yelled, crying even harder than before. “I tried so hard...I wanted to make you happy...but I can’t...I-I’m useless!”

Eve clenched her chest, the thought of her terrible act somehow making him blame himself physically painful for her. She dropped to the ground, placing her hands on his shoulders and shaking him slightly. “Stop it! I go out and almost sleep with someone, and you think you’re to blame. You were trying! I wasn’t clear, and you were figuring it out. This is my fault! All my fault! Please, don’t… don’t do this to yourself. I’m not… worth…”

Fox continued to cry, not knowing whether to reach out and hug Eve or push her away from him. “I-I...I…” He couldn’t say anything.

“Please, don’t… not for me…” Eve slowly rose to her feet. “I can’t do this to you. I can’t… imagine going on without you… but I can’t imagine making you suffer anymore. You deserve better.” She turned around. “I’ll… I’ll make it right. If I have to scour this base, if I have to search this entire planet, I’ll find someone who will make you far happier than I ever could…”

Fox looked up from his seat for the first time, his eyes a deep red and nowhere on his face that wasn’t wet, either from tears or sweat. “B...but no one…” Fox tried to wipe his face clear but to no avail as he couldn’t stop. “I-I-I...I don’t want anyone else...but I can’t...I want…” Fox buried his head again. “I don’t know what to do!” He explained as he sobbed.

Eve knelt down in front of Fox, pulling out a neckerchief from her pocket, and making sure it wasn’t one of the ones she had been crying into. She gently lifted Fox’s chin, and did her best to wipe his face. “You… you’re a shy, introverted person. And I’ve done what I can to move you past that. Shy or not… introverted or not, you are a man. You are an adult. And you shouldn’t be told what you have to do. You have the power… the right… to do whatever you feel is right.” She smiled softly, biting down to hide a quivering lip. “I… if you want me, I will never stray again. But if you want me to leave… if you want me gone for a day… a week… a month… or forever, just… tell me. I at least owe you enough to abide by your wishes, my… wonderful little Foxy…”

Fox sniffled a little bit, wiping his eyes but the pain still prominent on his face. “I want...the truth...when you did what you did...were you happy? And please...don’t lie.”

Eve shuttered, and rubbed her arms. “I-I… I thought I was. But I… but I felt off. It wasn’t there for me. When I touched someone that… wasn’t you, it felt wrong. It felt… dirty. It still does. I… thought it would make me happy, but it just made me feel disgusting.”

“Did it make you...feel good...when you were doing it?”

Eve lowered her head. “I… I stopped it for a reason, but… b-but at first, I…”

“I...I-I just can’t make you feel like that Eve. I am just not…” Fox’s face lowered, he closed his eyes and hid his face again.

“Now, you listen to me, Fox.” Eve leaned close. “Even if you never see me again, I want you to know, no one has ever made me feel the way you did. Just being near you sent tingles down my spine. You are twice the man he was, and… a-and I wouldn’t have pushed him away if that was all I cared about. Jessica… tried to make me realize how little that mattered, and now I’m afraid I’ve come to understand that too late…”

Fox didn’t respond for a while, but before he made a decision, there was one final question he needed to ask. “Eve...do you love me?”

Another pair of tears fell from Eve’s eyes. “This… wouldn’t hurt so much if I didn’t. I don’t know if I could ever stop loving you.”

“Well...I-I...don’t love you.”

Eve’s eyes fell, and she slowly stood up again. “I… understand.” She turned, and whispered, “but that won’t stop me from… loving you…”

As Eve turned to leave, Fox’s arms wrapped around her and he pressed his face against her back, crying once more. “I-I don’t love you...I need you Eve…”

Eve shuttered, knowing she didn’t deserve it, but couldn’t help it. She quickly turned back, squeezing Fox tightly and crying with him. “I… n-n-need you… Fox…”

“T-The others may never forgive you...but I don’t care...you are you...no matter what...like I told you…” Fox smiled and he kissed Eve’s forehead. “It is in the past...I don’t want to dwell on things that can’t be changed...but if me and you are together...I don’t think anything can change what I feel. You messed up and...that was the old you...you still hurt me...really badly...but now,” Fox put his hands on her cheeks and with a small smile, his eyes got teary again. “We can forget that with time...and be together…like we should be.”

Eve smiled back. “I… thank you, Fox. I’m… I’ll never leave your side. I’m yours, now and forever.”

Wiping his eyes again, Fox began to chuckle and then he laughed lightly, tears streaming down his face as he couldn’t contain his happiness.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Aftermath:
Epilogue

From outside, Hawke leaned against the wall next to the door, putting a cigarette in his mouth and lighting it, looking to the left as Chief walked back holding his head. “You awake there big guy?”

Chief rolled his eyes and looked at the slightly ajar door. “So it worked out?”

Hawke nodded, taking a big inhale and blowing out the smoke. “Like a charm.”

“Well I hope she learns her lesson this time.” The leader said, leaning against the wall with Hawke and accepting a puff as well.

“Oh…” Hawke looked to the door and smiled. “I think they will be just fine.”

Chief held out a fist. ”For Fox.”

Hawke bumped his brother’s fist. “For Eve.”

 

[Adrammalech]

// SPYMASTERS AND SEDUCTRESSES //
Emily Fischer
XCOM Headquarters – Alien Containment Unit
Siberia, Russian Federation
November 11th, 2018 - 11:04 AM

Feverish swishing and beeping came from the back of the room as Emily entered, the Ethereal within processing a good six scrolling texts at once on her alien computer. The striking similarity of her figure, skin, and hair was surprising to see as it always was, but it was hardly the weirdest thing about their relationship. As she approached the cell, she reached out with her mind.

Luxuria?

Her body flinched and her chair whipped around. Her female voice came forth nearly unopposed, flustered and stressed out. Oh, Emily. Sorry, I’m wrapped up in something…how long have you been standing there?

Just a moment…I doubt I could sneak up on you for long.

Very true, but when I’m focused, who knows.

How are you doing?

Luxuria got up from her seat and began floating, taking up a new stance that made her look a little less odd in her human form. Her shoulders and expression relaxed as well, ready to enjoy her company. I’m well, for the most part. People seem more inclined to visit me now that I am beautiful.

Really? Interesting.

Indeed. I got visited by your little robot friend, and she brought back the dresses that you ‘liberated’ from my compound. Oh, and I slept with a female. Luxuria casually played with the wardrobe in her room.

What? You had sex?

Well…maybe that’s hyperbole, as I can’t really enjoy my side of things. Still, I gave her pleasure and I enjoyed giving it. Luxuria smiled confidently, blowing her fingertips like a weapon. She was very enthused, moaning my name in that charming little accent of hers.

Emily looked up in surprise at the Ethereal, uncomfortable with her already using her form for sexual mischief. Eww…maybe you shouldn’t tell me about your…uh, ‘conquests.’

Why not? You like rumors as much as the next secluded human.

Yeah, but you’re using my body.

What, does the idea of you making love to a woman weird you out? Luxuria snickered. Because you’re the one who woke up tangled with that little French girl you sailed wi-

“Sh-shut up!” she stammered, blushing and pointing a finger. I told you to stay out of my memories! And that was a one-time thing after a night of drinking, and obviously I didn’t like it or I wouldn’t call myself straight!

Luxuria gave out a small laugh at her blushing insistence, then held her hands out. Alright, alright…just calm down. Her hands glowed with a momentary power, and Emily felt a couple of hands rubbing into her shoulders, relieving them. You seem so tense, Emily…I could relax you.

“Ooooh…” she sighed, feeling the telekinetic palms sink into her muscle and tissue, loosening their tension. Her shoulders slumped in relaxation. “That’s nice…”

“There we go…just let me take care of everything for you,” Luxuria said in her pure feminine voice, giving a satisfied sigh.

The hands slipped behind her and felt down her sides. She quickly roused herself and slapped them away from her waist, pointing another chastising finger. “Stop it!”

So conservative. You know, one of these days, you’ll let me relieve those base urges and stresses of yours, and you’ll see how benevolent it all really is.

Well, I’m here for a chat, not…that.

Fair enough.

Emily looked around, trying to compose herself and stop her blushing. What were you so engaged in over there? Chronicling your burgeoning seduction empire?

Oh… Luxuria’s mischievous smile fell and she gave a languid look back at her computer. Just doing some cultural research.

On us? Do you even have internet on that thing?

No, going through my old journals and texts.

How many do you have?

Saved in here? Thousands, although many of them are specialized in things I don’t need to review. In your systems, I would be a postgraduate.

Really? I never looked at you as…educated, I guess.

Why not?

I don’t know, I guess a lot of the memories I’ve deciphered from your life have been personal not…academic.

Formal education was usually boring to me. I was a child prodigy, like your diminutive friend. Luxuria sat by her computer again and reclined casually. I learned more with curiosity and reading, going from one article to the next for days at a time.

I don’t get it, why would your people still doubt your qualifications if you were so book smart?

Well, you know…sexually open female, imposing father figure. Insecure people like to invalidate different people’s accomplishments. It’s a common defense mechanism in sociology.

I thought you were ‘above’ that kind of thing.

We are. That’s why I was still an Overseer. They can degrade me all they want, but they can’t take away my knowledge or my power. Luxuria gave a brief smile, then a tired sigh. I suppose in the end, I fell for the same zealotry as the rest of them, so perhaps I shouldn’t sound so confident.

 

[Adrammalech]

// SPYMASTERS AND SEDUCTRESSES: Part Two

Is that what you were researching?

Are you familiar with the phrase ‘history is written by the winners?’

Of course. It’s like Self-aware Soldier 101.

It is exceptionally true for us. There are no records of any revolutionaries or formal dissenters in common Ethereal history. As far as I can tell, the Path and our acceptance of it just popped into being long before I was born.

Nothing? No White Rose, no Napoleon, no Washington?

We did not romanticize our naysayers as much as you. There is only one Ethereal I can see in my library, someone only named the ‘Doubter of the Path,’ who would ask pretty mild questions to the Creator, to which he would respond vaguely enough that he’d be construed as wise. In the later chronicles, he's basically comic relief.

Maybe you could recruit him, show him how to be better at dissenting.

He’s long dead, as is the Creator. Luxuria sighed. I will truly be the only of my kind. And to think that imbecile Invidia would have more supporters than me…

Funny that name should be on the tip of your tongue…

Yes, you are targeting her. Mary let it slip that she was next.

Wait, you did it with Mary?

Oh…oops.

Jesus…how am I going to look her in the eye now…

It’ll be fine. She finds you very attractive.

Emily shuddered, beginning to blush anew. Please…

I’d be happy to help you kill Invidia. However, I’ve been here for many months, and Invidia is the most secretive and conniving bastard of an Overseer there is. She’s the one that that the others come to when they need dirty work done. Violent, often disgusting work. She sits on a high horse given to her by the ones that protect her from her crimes, looking down and sneering at anyone else.

Sounds personal.

It is. She was the most vocal against me becoming an Overseer, because I would not pledge my support to her schemes. She talked down to me like a child despite barely being older than me, slandered my reputation, tried to take my assets…and all of it still is nothing compared to what she did to Avaritia.

What did she do…?

Assault, theft, attacking him in his own base… Luxuria shuddered with contempt. There were even rumors that she uses her psionics even on other Ethereals, against their will. Avaritia would never admit such a thing to me, but…

She can control other Ethereals?

She has…a regrettable amount of psionic power. Her biokinesis is…almost as good as mine, but she uses it for malevolence rather than my most friendly assistance. She has skills in blue and green, perhaps even some yellow. Nothing compared to me there, though.

And you said she stole some of your assets? I guess she’s a hoarder type of person.

Well, anyone left at this point has considerable resources. Her troops will be loyal through fear, and she’ll have mechanical units to back them up in case they fail.

Sounds pretty straight forward, at least as far as military strategy goes. Thanks for your help, as always. Although I’m guessing there’s some personal pleasure for this one as well.

Luxuria nodded. Put her down for good, Emily. If there’s someone sneaky enough on this rock to escape these cells, it’s her, and she will undoubtedly go on a rampage the second she’s free. There is no redemption for her.

I don’t think mercy was ever part of the plan for her, but I’ll make sure they know. I hope you have some luck with your project too…I’ll come back after the mission.

Emily turned and Luxuria rushed over, placing her hand on the glass.

Wait, you haven’t told me anything about you. Did you enjoy wearing my dress?

Oh…you found out about that, huh?

I did. I think it would hug your form very well. Did Jack like it?

Um, yeah, he enjoyed it quite a bit. Did you want it back?

No, I like the idea we’ve shared clothing. She grinned and stared into her with a creepy level of affection.

I think I’ll bring it back anyway…

Suit yourself. Luxuria smiled victoriously.

Emily turned and walked away, feeling a little refreshed from Luxuria’s earlier biokinesis, but still craving a little bit more. She headed back to the common areas to look for Dallas, hoping to get a lover’s massage before he had something to attend to and she had to write a report about her visit.

 

[Frostlich1228]

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
November 12th, 2018
1300 Hours

The chatter of a mid afternoon bar session dragged on throughout the hours as Minato sat with a bored expression as Saka chewed away at her food not paying much time to the person next to her. She would occasionally shove something in his face to try but he always pushed it away, giving the same excuse that he wasn’t hungry. In actuality he was starving but being fork fed by a girl wasn’t the best way to get yourself noticed the right way on base, something which he was trying to make better after some advice he had gotten from Jake during one of his visits.

As Ammelia grabbed her food she looked around the room for a good place to sit, seeing no one she really knew, she focused Saka and Minato, being able to tell by their posture that they didn’t really have much to talk about. Ammy walked up to them, smiling, “Do you two mind if I sit here?”

Saka and Minato both looked at her, Saka with half a sandwich in her mouth as she looked to the seat to her left and just nodded, Minato just going back to looking around the room.

Ammy set her food down flat and pulled the chair out to sit in it. “So, how’re you two? I don’t think I’ve seen either of you around before.”

“We haven’t huh? Well that won’t do.” Saka turned around and she extended her hand with a friendly smile. “My name is Saka, it is nice to meet you!”

Ammelia accepted her handshake, replying as she looked over at Minato, “I’m Ammelia, and this is?”

At first he didn’t catch on only noticing she was talking to him when he quickly glanced at his companion and saw Ammelia staring at him. “My name is Minato. It is, uh, nice to meet you too... guess.”

“So, are you a soldier?” The sniper asked, still facing Minato, “You don’t exactly seem like a civilian to me.”

Minato just looked at Ammelia confused, not knowing why she was focused on him. “Well, we aren’t civilians. We are from the Japanese clans.”

“The clans that Desmond invited?” Ammelia confirmed.

Saka nodded. “Yep, that is us! In fact he is a close friend of ours.”

“A close friend of you, not me.” The warrior corrected, sighing to himself and just looking all around bored.

“You don’t like him? Why?” Ammy asked, tilting her head a little.

Minato sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I...I never said I hated him, he is just her friend and not mine. If you haven’t noticed, I am not really a people person.”

“Min here is trying to get better socially but he is still being as stubborn as possible.” The shinobi informed Ammelia.

“Well, you can’t exactly get better socially if you don’t at least try to communicate with people.” Ammelia replied, “Maybe I could help you.”

The warrior rolled his eyes and turned to Ammelia. “I highly doubt it but go ahead, I guess.”

“First of all, what is it that you don’t like about people?” Ammy asked, sending a fork through one of the strawberries on her tray.

“Uh, where to begin? I hate bad personalities, I hate cocky guys, I hate girls who think they own the world, I hate people who are too nice for their own good and I especially hate the girl sitting to my left.” He stated, looking at Saka with an annoyed look and Minato crossed his arms. “And anyone who is not apart of our clans. That about sum it up for you well enough?”

“Hmm...” Ammelia placed a hand to her chin, “Do you know why you don’t like people that aren’t from your clan?”

“Because they are different. They don’t understand us and whenever people find out what we are they usually laugh and think it is a joke or ask a whole bunch of stupid questions...and before you ask, no we don’t carry smoke bombs wherever we go, though I do usually carry a couple of knives or the occasional firearm.”

“Oh, I know. I’m going through the shadow training right now in fact.” Ammelia responded.

“And who did you get to agree to teach you? Don’t mind me saying but you don’t exactly...look like you would be able to do the training. Though this lazy excuse for a shadow managed to do it so I guess it is entirely possible.”

“Hey!” Saka exclaimed, looking away and nibbling on her sandwich. “I am only lazy on the weekends and the occasional Wednesday.” She protested.

Ammelia smiled at Saka a little before turning back towards Minato, “Desmond is the one who agreed to train me. I’ve also already been trained in covert ops, so this type of training wasn’t exactly unfamiliar to me.”

“I’m sorry but who trained you in covert ops? You look more like a trust fund child than a trained killer.” Minato stated skeptically.

Ammy squinted her eyes at him, “My friend Dorian was in the french special forces for many years, although he didn’t exactly give me the details himself, I picked up that he often worked with small squads to assassinate targets.”

Minato chuckled a bit. “The only thing ‘special’ about special forces is that they have fancy names and fancy ranks. If they had half the training we had, no one would ever end up in a body bag.”

Saka slammed her glass against the bar and it shattered, small shards of glass cutting her hand but she just slowly looked at Minato. “Enough.” She said in a deep voice. “I have seen a lot of my friends killed before me and I nearly died myself so stop talking down to her right now you son of a bitch.”

For once, Minato didn’t have anything to say in response, shaking his head and grabbing a rag from the bartender. He reached out for her hand and she let him take it as he began to wrap it up. “I’m sorry Ammelia.” The warrior said.