RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[MarineAvenger]

DarkGemini24601 and MarineAvenger: “Old, Fresh Wounds, Part 2”

Stay out of this. Listen to me, this man will...not...stop. This is not about you, or me, or anything, but the fact that he holds a place of power is effectively causing hell on Earth. Desmond squeezed his fist, energy wisping of off it violently. They only one strong enough to kill Viktor is Viktor himself. Even if you took him by surprise you could never kill him anyways.

Why are you telling me to try then? You’re horrible...I know exactly what he’s capable of. He shot my sister in the head. He... b-broke my mother’s neck and tossed her out a window!

And he created me! A science experiment that was turned into a weapon. If I knew what to do I would do it! He slammed his foot down, causing papers and utensils to fly in all directions, and nearly toppling over the desks. We are not humans...we are tools, a means to an end!

There was a period of silence. Elene held the ruby tightly, remembering the affection contained in the message to her. You’re wrong. My mother loved me, she would not have said so...have given me this gift...have been so heartfelt...if you were right.

Desmond closed his fists and was ready to send his fist through the wall but he just scoffed and slid down the wall, sitting at the bottom as his heart raced a million miles. He covered his eyes with his metal hand and waited a minute before speaking. Unfortunately, I don’t have that. You think I had a mother that loved me? A sibling I wanted to know? I had none of it...all I have is pain and loss. That is the extent that I hate Viktor. It was because of him that I went through all this pain and suffering, and I plan to pay it back ten fold. Desmond banged his head against the wall in frustration. I am sorry Elene. I have an inherent curse of pain and rage. It is all I am good for…

Elene was silent for a bit longer. I never knew mother or Eve. All I have are implanted memories...I came into this world about a day ago to find they were dead. Lusett had feared that outcome.

The surviving Exalt took a deep breath to calm herself. I require your help, Desmond. I can attempt to create my own line of clones, but you are the only other human with psionic abilities in existence. And...you’re the only way I can talk to my mother that still lives, whose face resembles Eve’s.

Eva...no. She can not learn of Lusett’s death. If that were to happen all your mother would have achieved would be thrown away in a fit of revenge. I wish I could help but that can’t happen, I am sorry.

I will need to speak to her regardless, Subject -0 replied. I need reports from both of the infiltrators, and I understand that Eva has received further genetic modification.

Yes, she has. If I can try to connect you I will at least try, but no promises. Elene, I am sorry for before. You just need to understand that Viktor is not a man, he is a monster...If I was there I would end this, but unfortunately I am not. Follow your mother’s advice, I am just an operative anyways, but don’t think I will forgive past sins.

Do not think I will not satisfy myself with snapping his neck like he did my mother’s. I am patient, though. If Viktor decides to attempt to dispose of me I will fight if it seems viable, and retreat when it is not, Subject Negative Zero, Elene, affirmed.

Desmond closed his eyes, doing his best to try and calm. Just stay safe. If you were to die and Viktor stood unopposed...just stay alive. I don’t know how but I will find a way to end this. I will see that bastard burn. I must bring up however, this war that Viktor has started between the aliens and XCOM, it will not end well for you, with him alive or not. If worse comes to worse, I will leave XCOM and come finish this...but let us hope it never comes to that.

I understand. Silence. And then… Desmond...is there anyone you care about in this world? Elene’s tone did not sound threatening. It was...somewhat curious, more so longing.

Desmond kept his eyes closed, thinking of a proper response. Yes, and it is someone I would die to protect…

...whatever it is, protect it. Do not...be empty like I am, Elene thought, weakly enough that it was as if she whispered those words.

Desmond shook his head. I refuse to believe that anymore. When I once thought that...it nearly destroyed the thing I loved. Do not believe yourself empty. You have the memories your mother left you, and a friend who knows your pain...

Elene closed her eyes. A...friend? You consider yourself that?

Friendship is all people like us have. When you spend your whole life alone...you understand that, and I have been alone for 22 years.

It would be normal to thank you for that. Another brief pause. Thank you.

Communication ceased, Avanix reported as the connection was cut. Elene sat back in her bed, not wanting to continue with the day, but after a few minutes of silence she went to change out of her pajamas. Avanix realized in that moment she wanted to embrace Elene, to tell her things would be alright...but she could not. Somehow, she would have to find a way to better comfort Lusett’s progeny, lest she lose her will to go on.

Desmond laid against the wall. The events that he had learned left a void in his being. All that it could hold was anger. “Viktor is alive…” he thought to himself. Desmond kept his head low and raised his hand, wisps of blood red coming off of it. The void inside him was soon filled and when Desmond opened his eyes there were glowing a deep red glow, all trace of brown vanishing from his eyes. “...but he won’t live long while I still breath.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Spy Games

Bradford quickly stepped past Peggy, barging into the Commander's office. Jumping slightly, Morrigan shouts, "JESUS, Mary, Joseph, doesn't anyone on this base know who to bloody knock!"

"I apologize, Commander, but this is urgent." Bradford placed a report on the desk in front of the Commander. "EXALT has made its first strike. A supply line, carrying medical supplies on its way to us, was attacked in Shanghai earlier today."

Morrigan nodded. "Good, good to hear."

"Sir?" Bradford asked, raising an eyebrow.

Morrigan smiled. "Well, I... was there any loss of life?"

Bradford shook his head. "The convoy was mostly unmanned, and the attackers were more worried about destroying the supplies then killing anyone."

"Perfect, then." Morrigan's smile broadened. "It was just replaceable items, then. I'm not happy about it, but at least it narrows it down. If we have to search every country, one by one, we will find them, and these are the chances we need."

Bradford nodded. "Understood. In the meantime, I recommend we only use these unmanned convoys in countries where we haven't eliminated the possibility of EXALT activity. It'll cost a bit more, but it will reduce the possibility of loss of life."

"Agreed." Morrigan looked over the report. "In the meantime, we need to do something about this..."

Bradford pulled out another report, handing it to the Commander. "I have compiled that list you asked for. I would like to go over each soldier in turn." Pulling out a duplicate report, he said, "Let's start with PFC. Black."

Morrigan shook her head. "Too big a task to trust to a Private, even if he's only one because we had to hold him back. And besides, he's slated to get fitted for a new arm. And Mr. Walker just got his new arm, so he's out too."

"Aegerter?"

Morrigan rubbed her chin. "There's... a lot of power in that one. Maybe too much for a delicate mission like this one. She did well on his first mission, but I'd like to see her in more battles first."

"Foulke?"

"I want him to focus on more training to lead missions for now. He has potential for it. And I'm not sure if this is the best job for an Infantry."

"Wheeler?"

Morrigan thought for a moment. "Maybe. Though I think she needs a bit more training too. And she is also an Infantry..."

"Dragonmirov?"

Morrigan sighed. "I... I like the man. I do. But while he did fairly well on his first mission, and he might be able to handle the technical aspects of the mission..."

"You're not sure he has the degree of willpower one would need." Bradford nodded in agreement. "That leaves Cross, Fisher, and Ipiktok."

Morrigan leaned back in her chair. "I think Cross would do well, very well indeed. But her inability to distinguish faces would stop her from identifying anyone important, and I can't take the risk of that tech of hers malfunctioning when she's all alone in enemy territory. And so soon after subjecting her to the Hell that was Moscow..."

Morrigan whistled lightly, and Shalquoir jumped on the desk. "What do you think?" Morrigan asked the cat, ignoring Bradford's curious look. Shalquoir looked down at the report, and put her paw over Emily's picture. "Hmm, yes, I agree. But... do you think she'd be in any condition. And besides, her team just lost someone. They might need her right now."

"Perhaps we can send her on the next mission, when she's recovered." Bradford shrugged his shoulders. "Somehow, I doubt we'll be lucky enough to find the base on the first go."

Shalquoir looked at Bradford for a moment, then moved her paw to Atka's picture. Morrigan bit her lip. "I don't... know. Atka has a number of responsibilities in base, and there are quite a few things I rely on her to..." The cat meowed loudly, tapping her paw repeatedly on Atka's picture. "Alright, already, I get it."

"Shall I call her in, Commander?" Bradford asked.

Morrigan stood up, stretching her arms over her head. "No, no. I'm a bit tired if this cramped office. I think I'll go to her. There was one or two other soldiers that wanted to talk to me anyway."

 

[MarineAvenger]

Every Project Has A Beginning

Desmond had finally been released part time from the medical ward but he still had to return every so often. It was a drag but it was a compromise he was willing to accept. Desmond walked into his room which upon seeing Eva he let out a sigh. She just scowled at him and went back to doing whatever she does during her day. Desmond only came to grab something and head to the lab. He opened his desk and grabbed a small wooden box that he kept buried under a pile of books. He took the box and walked out turning to his left and starting the long walk to engineering.

After he put his hand on the scanner he was met with a hardy hello from his muscular friend and now coworker. "Morning, was just checking out what we have here. State of the art stuff but a little bare bone at the moment."

Desmond rolled his eyes and put the box down on a near by desk. He stretched out his metal arm and did the same for the other. "What do you expect? We are not discovering a new form of particle physics, plus whenever has a military program been well funded."

Ryan put up his hands. "All I am saying is I hope I get dental for this..." Ryan opened a near by cooler and threw Desmond a can.

"A little early to be drinking don't you think?" He said with an eyebrow raised and popping the top.

Ryan took out a can for himself. "When you are in engineering you learn two things... to drink when you can, and don't leave a flammable gas out near a flame."

"I would expect a colorful story behind the second lesson?"

Ryan laughed and rubbed the top of his bald head. "Yeah, and let's just say it inspired the first..."

The two men laughed and drank. From the short while Desmond knew Ryan, he learned little by little about his past and family. Both of his parents were African American and his grandparents moved to America from France in the 50's. Ryan was the youngest of three, having two sisters who were both married and moved on with their lives. Ryan was only 17 and living in America when he joined up in the Navy. He worked as a sailor and later trained to be a Navy Seal but never officially joined. He worked with heavy machinery and ships to the age of 27 when he was honorably discharged at his own request to start a steel mill in Atlanta. His business was successful for three years until the aliens attacked and he was recruited to the XCOM project as an engineer.

Ryan took another sip from his can and asked. "So what is in the box?"

Desmond rolled his shoulder. "Let's just say it is a going away present from a teacher I once knew."

Ryan shrugged and then asked. "So what is our first step?"

When Desmond first recruited Ryan he told him in private the same he had told the Commander, he didn't think much of it. He said he would help considering he owed Desmond for training him and he always enjoyed the little projects. "Well, considering I have a piece of metal attached to my body, I was thinking of finding a way to have my power better sync with the machine."

Ryan finished his beer and crossed his arm. "So how do you expect us to do that?"

Desmond pointed his finger at Ryan like a teacher calling on a student and walked over to the computer in the corner. He typed into it and snapped his fingers as the hologram sprang to life, showing a 3-D rendered image of the arm and it's components. "By deconstructing this to the bare metal and seeing how to incorporate a system to enhance psionic capability..."

Ryan rose an eyebrow, "Really? Is that all? Man I thought we would start off with something easier like time travel or solving how to travel at light speed."

Desmond rolled his eyes and said. "Worry not my large friend..." He swirled the arm around and Desmond expanded his hands, causing the model to break up into it's individual parts. "All in do time. Every project has a beginning..."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

"Hmmmmmm....." Cheshire smiled from ear to ear, looking intently at the data before him. "Fascinating." He stretched his legs, glancing around at his digital home and until he found the directory he was looking for. He floated up to it, and opening it, he said, "Hey, Queeny. Got something juicy for you. A little something someone is working on right now.

Words appear before him as the individual on the other side of the computer types. <I thought I told you, I don't like spying on people>

" I know," Cheshire responded. "That's why I do it for you."

<I don't like you doing it either>

"Oh, but it's so much fun!" The digital cat reached over, grabbing the previous file and dragging it into the directory. "Just take a look, plllllllease?"

A few moments passed. <Where did he get the files he would need to work on this?>

"I don't know." Cheshire shrugged. "Maybe from little Alice. There is nothing in them that presents much of a security risk... for now. But I had a feeling he didn't get them from you."

<Keep an eye on them. Just to make they don't do anything to violate my trust. And don't let them know you're there>

"Relax, my liege. There is not a single system on base or within a hundred miles that I can't peak at undetected." Cheshire ended the conversation before he could be told anything else. He turned around and stretched his tail out into a hammock, laying back as he continued to sort through the millions of gigabytes of data before him.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53
Spook Deployment

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1745 hours, Local Time, the Barracks

Atka looked over the carving, yawning. It was coming along nicely, the basic shape nearly complete. Soon, all that would be left is details, though that would be just as hard as the basic shape. Taqukaq was taking a nap beside her chair.

A light knock came on the door, the knock of someone unsure if they would get a response.

The Inuit woman put down her carving knife, being careful not to awaken the husky as she stepped over him and went to the door, opening it.

“Hey, Atka,” Morrigan said with a smile. “I hope you don’t mind a home visit.”

Atka smiled. “Not at all, sir. What brings you down here?”

Morrigan looked left and right down the hall. “Do, uh… do you mind if I come in. Just like a wee bit of privacy.”

“You can.” Sorry Taq...it’s that time again.

The dog’s eyes opened, and he gave his master a drowsy but still miffed look, and went over to sit outside of the door and keep watch.

Atka sat down in her chair again, another being nearby for Morrigan, and turned the swivel chair to face Morrigan’s.

“Thanks.” Morrigan sat down, giving Atka a concerned look. “I hope I’m not intruding on anything. But I thought, considering the circumstances, it would be better if I talked to you in a more informal setting.”

“I wasn’t really doing that much. Don’t worry about it,” Atka replied. “What is it you wanted to talk about that warrants this sort of caution?”

Morrigan rubbed the back of her head. “Has Bradford got around to announcing EXALT to the soldiers yet?”

“...EXALT?” Atka asked with an eyebrow raised.

Morrigan nodded. “That’s probably for the best for now, but it’ll get out eventually.” She rubbed her hands together. “You see, Atka, the aliens aren’t the only thing we have to worry about. It would seem some other organization, calling itself EXALT, has its own agenda. What that is, exactly, we can’t say right now, but they’ve made moves against X-COM. They’ve… pretty much declared war on us.”

“Humans?” Atka asked with surprise. “I was hoping with a common threat there wouldn’t be something like this…”

“You’d think that, wouldn’t you? It only makes sense.” Morrigan shook her head. “But as it is, they don’t seem to care for our opinion right now. They don’t see us us as an ally, but a threat.” She sighed deeply. “And that makes them a threat to us. A threat we can’t just let do whatever they want, especially when they’re cutting off our resources.”

Atka nodded. “Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not saying we should try to make peace with everyone. What do you need me to do, then?”

“Well… know first that this is dangerous. Too dangerous to be anything be volunteer only. Understand? If you don’t think you’re up for it, just say no.”

“I understand,” Atka responded. “What is it?”

“We lost a convoy of medical supplies in China. While I might not be happy about losing the supplies, it tells us that there might be an EXALT base in that area near the attack. Maybe even the main HQ. I want…” Morrigan hesitated for a moment. “I want to send someone down there, incognito. Someone to do a bit of reconnaissance.”

“Um...one thing. I don’t know Chinese,” Atka responded.

Morrigan reached into her pocket, pulling out a small earpiece. “This little device is a pretty sophisticated transceiver. It can send and receive messages from anywhere on Earth instantly, and isn’t effective by weather or most jamming signals. Not sure how it works completely, to be honest. But the point is it works. Now all we need is someone who can speak the language.”

Atka thought for a moment. “...maybe Ayame? Or Sarah?”

Morrigan nodded. “I was thinking Ayame. Ms. Lockheart can speak the language too, but she has a lot of work, and I would rather have a native speaker.” She tilted her head slightly. “Do you think Ms. Kasagi would be up for it? You two getting along well?”

Atka nodded. “If anything, she seems sort of bored. I think she would enjoy the chance to do something interesting like this.”

“Good to hear.” Morrigan looked into Atka’s eyes. “Now, dear, I know that this isn’t exactly what you signed up for, but we need someone to go in and ask around. I doubt an organization like EXALT can operate in the area without someone noticing. Lord knows the news has something to say about the operations of our troops, even in areas that are supposed to be abandoned. If you can find out where their base is, you can slip in and get some info. If it isn’t their main HQ, you could look for info that can lead us to finding it.”

“I understand. I think I’m fairly good with people, so I can handle that. I got a good day’s rest, in any case…” If not a good night’s sleep.

“And you’re sure about this?” Morrigan reached out, grasping Atka’s hand. “Because I won’t ask any of my people to risk themselves like this against their will. You’re all soldiers, not spies, but I don’t exactly have a ready supply of spies at my disposal. But I swear, the moment you get what you need, or the moment you’re afraid things are getting too hot, we’ll pull you out. Even if I have to send every soldier I have.”

Atka sighed. “You don’t have anyone else that could do it like I could...and if worst comes to worst I’ll give them the worst headache they’ve ever had. I’m willing to do this, Commander. War is about taking risks...even if you lose people in the process…” she says, unwanted memories threatening to surface. “I just want you to promise me something...if...something happens to me out there, I don’t want you to blame yourself, or feel horrible about it. Going on normal missions is going to be just as risky...and I don’t want that fact that we’ve become friends to hurt you if…” Atka trailed off.

Morrigan nodded. “Alright, Atka. I promise.” She sighed. “I’m afraid… you wouldn’t be the first friend I’ve lost.” Shaking her head, she stood up. “Get ready, Atka. You’ll be heading out tomorrow. I’m afraid we can’t send you out with too much, but we’ve got an new weapon for you to bring with. Some of the soldiers used it in the last mission. Kind of a… laser sawed-off, if you would.”

Atka smiled widely. “That sounds useful. Fits with my style. What about armor and gear? What do you think I can get away with?”

Morrigan frowned. “I’m afraid we can’t send you out loaded to the teeth like I’d want. But we can give you at least one toy to bring with, and one of our lighter pieces of armor.”

“Alright...I’ll probably take a smoke grenade or chemical grenade with me,” Atka said after considering her options for a moment.

Morrigan nodded, and extended her hand. “I’m counting on you. Good luck.”

Atka shook her hand, looking as confident as she could. I’ll need it.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “A Promise from the Heart, Part 1”
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1840 hours, Local Time, Main Gymnasium

"So a chow is worth nothing," Ayame said between breaths as she ran on the treadmill. "An exposed pung two through eight will get you two point, one, nine, or with honours, four points. If they're hidden, double points. Kongs are worth twice as much as pungs, and Guardians get ya four each. Now, for Fa, Chung, or Pai..."

"Stop, stop, stop already..." Alexia shook her head, struggling to keep up with the treadmill, matching Ayame's speed despite it being much faster than what she was used to. "Don't you have some instructions in English."

Ayame chuckled. "Oh, sorry. God for-fucking-bid the ancient Chinese game has terms in Chinese."

Alexia grinned. "Sorry. So... you play often?"

"No." Ayame answered, shaking her head. "Not a lot, but my mother used to play it all the time with her friends. She, uh... didn't like me watching, but sometimes when she was a little tipsy and she was winning a lot of money, she'd ignore me."

On the other side of the room, Modya walked in. Noticing Alexia, he started towards her.

"Your boy-toy is here." Ayame turned her treadmill off. "Think I'll hit the showers."

As she took off, Alexia jumped off the treadmill, grateful for the break.

You're up, Jessie.

What. B-but it's your turn to...

Its Modya. I think he'd rather talk to you right now, considering...

Well if you're sure.

Jessica blinked her eyes. She looked at Modya, and took a step forward, immediately falling to the floor.

What the heck, Alex? Did you just run a marathon?

Oh, sorry, should have warned you.

Modya went over to her side. “Are you okay, Jessie?” he asked worriedly, remembering the last time this had happened to him. Deja vu, is it?

“Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, just… over worked myself, is all.” Jessica reached up. “Help me up, will you?”

Modya reached a hand out. It was probably Alexia just a minute ago, he guessed, now knowing the truth of such matters.

Rising to her feet, Jessica avoided eye contact at first, not sure how to look at Modya. After a moment, she settled for smiling at him.

Modya was quiet for a moment. “Do you...want to go to the gym with me perhaps? It’s been awhile…” And it might help you take out your frustrations with me a little easier.

Jessica chuckled, looking around. “Well, uh… since we’re already here, I don’t see why not.” She grinned widely, glad she could joke around, despite everything that had happened.

Modya relaxed. “Sorry, I mean sparring. You did say you wanted to do that again.”

He wants to give you a chance to hit him? Wow, bet you wish I could give you that pleasure.

Jessica nodded. “Yeah, sure. It was fun last time.” She narrowed her eyes. “But I’m not gonna hold back this time.”

The Russian nodded. “I expected as much.”

Jessica rushed over to where the sparring gloves were kept. Not finding a pink pair, she shrugged and grabbed some red gloves. She looked at Modya, frowning, “This is embarrassing. I never found out what your favorite color was.”

Modya thought for a moment. “I guess...black.”

“Ooh, dark.” Jessica smirked, grabbing a pair Modya’s size. Walking back to him, she hands Modya his and slipped hers on. “Alright, whenever you're ready.”

He put the gloves on. “Alright.” He went up in a defensive posture.

Jessica threw a hard right hook, harder than she meant to. Modya blocked, and the vibrations of the contact sent needles through her arm. “Oh… s-sorry.”

Modya winced. “It’s fine...I probably hurt you about as much last time we did this, remember?”

Jessica nodded, her smile wavering momentarily. “Y-yeah. You… you hurt me…” She swung again, a solid left hook, even harder than the last. Ignoring the pain, she swung again with the right, then a jab with the left. Modya easily blocked each, his skills far higher than hers, but he couldn’t help but feel the power behind each blow.

That said, Modya did not move to stop her. He found that he couldn't bring himself to go on the offensive, either.

“What are you doing?” Jessica blurted out, swinging faster and faster. “I thought you wanted to spar. Fight back.” She sent another right hook, putting her weight into it. “Fight back, I said!”

God forbid I still have reservations about going on the offensive against you. Modya tried to break through her flurry of attacks, sending a right punch at her shoulder, then a left at her left but he was half-hearted about it.

“Is this the best you can do?” Jessica’s voice cracked slightly. “Hit me.” She swung again and again. “Fight… f-fight back!” She leaned in, purposely taking a hit to the shoulder and connecting with a hit to Modya’s shoulder.

Modya stopped where he was. I was hoping it wouldn’t be this bad...not that I don’t understand why she’s still upset.

“What are you doing?” Jessica stomped her foot. “I thought we were sparring?”

Modya stepped back. “This was a bad idea…”

Jessica glared at him. She gritted her teeth, and tear rolled down her cheek. “So that’s it, huh? You just… just wanted me to attack you, is that all?” A few more tears rolled down. “This is how you want to handle this. Just… just have me fight you while you stand there and take it?”

“That’s...not true…” Modya protested. “I just don’t want to physically hurt you...when you’re like this...after I’ve already…”

“B-but I’m fine,” Jessica said, wiping away tears that were quickly replaced by new ones. “You… you didn’t hurt me… not that bad, really…” She put on a weak smile. “Really… I just want… want us to have fun… please Modya, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… upset you…”

Modya sighed. “You’re upset though...we should take a break at least.”

Jessica nodded. “O-okay.” Jessica pulled off her gloves. “We can… do something else, if you want.”

Modya just sat down for the moment, pulling off his gloves. It’s...going to be like this from now on, isn’t it…?

Jessica reached forward, placing her hand on Modya’s arm. “Modya, I know that look. What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking about how I’ve probably ruined everything…”

Jessica’s eyes widened. “NO! Nonono, I’m sorry, it was because I’m acting so stu…” Jessica placed her hands on both Modya’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Modya, I’m okay. I didn’t mean to… I understand why you…” She trails off, taking a step back and slipping her gloves back on. “Come on, let’s go.”

Modya stood back up and did the same. It’s her now, isn't it?, he guessed.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53:“A Promise from the Heart, Part 1”

He was wrong. Let it out, Jessie. You need to let go, not hold back. If you hold it in, you won’t be able to keep this relationship up.

Jessica sighed. As she started throwing punches again, she said in a low voice, “Listen, Modya, I’m not going to lie.” She shook her head slightly. “I’m sorry I was acting weird, but I was afraid if I was too honest… you hurt, me Modya. You really hurt me.”

Modya was defensive for now, but did send some punches back, though he was mainly just trying to keep her from gaining an advantage. He did not intend to actually win right now. “I know,” was all he could bring himself to say.

“And… I have my doubts.” Jessica swung harder, more aggressively, as though the agitation and anger was being sent out through her fists. “But I was afraid to tell you how I felt. Afraid to admit how… h-how angry I am. How much I… I just want to lash out. Afraid because… because despite everything, despite the pain, the heartache… I still… I still…”

There was a hole in Modya’s defenses, and she connected with his stomach, but he didn’t go down. “I don’t understand how you could,” he said, struggling to keep his voice steady from the pain he felt from two different sources.

Jessica continued to attack, unable to stop despite normally being non-aggressive. “B-Because, Modya, when you care about someone, really care, it isn’t something you can just explain. It’s just there.” She swings again, harder, faster. “Maybe it’s just infatuation. Maybe just a crush. But whatever it is, it’s there. And what you did, it wouldn’t have hurt so much if I didn’t care about you so much.” She shook her head, the tears coming again. “But I was afraid to say anything, because I was afraid if you knew how much you hurt me, you’d leave me without trying to make it work, and I don’t want that. I… can’t have that right now.”

Modya managed to dodge some of the blows and block the rest this time. “You’re wrong about that, though. I promised Alexia no matter how pathetic I am...I wouldn’t fail you. I can’t break that promise now, not even if I wanted to.”

“D-do you… do you really mean that?” Jessica smiled through her tears, her defense suddenly dropping.

Modya did not take advantage of the opening. “I swore on several different things, including my family name. And I mean it.”

Jessica flung herself forward, jumping into Modya’s arms. Caught off guard, they both toppled to the ground.

Modya practically had the wind knocked out of him, and even after he recovered from that did not move, not sure what to do. Uh…

Jessica wrapped her arms around Modya, squeezing him as hard as she could. She looked up into Modya’s eyes. “I… I can’t tell you how happy that makes me!”

The Russian slowly smiled. “Ya blagodaren za...I-I’m thankful for that…”

Jessica pushed forward, until her face was directly in front of his. “Skazhi eto mne . YA khochu uslyshat' eto ot tebya ....”

“I love you…” Modya said sincerely.

Jessica eyes practically erupted. “I… love you too.” She reached forward and planted her lips on his, seemingly oblivious to the few other individuals in the room looking at them with curious stares.

Modya, at least for the moment, ignored them as well, kissing her back gently.

After a solid minute, Jessica pulled away. She stared into Modya’s eyes, looking for something to say. “I… Modya, I…” She shook her head, and simply started to kiss him again.

Modya look flustered, but did not stop her. Not the best...place...but…

“Ahem,” One of the other soldiers cleared his throat. “You two seem to be enjoying each other’s company, but…” Several other male soldiers, and one female soldier, step forward and smack him on the back of the head.

Modya gently broke away from Jessie, glancing over at the gathering. I’m never going to live this down, huh?

Jessica’s face turned red, and she buried her face in Modya’s chest. Her voice muffled as she tried to escape from embarrassment. “Um, Modya, I know you came to exercise, but do think we can go somewhere else to talk. I… I think your favorite color isn’t the only thing I want to find out about tonight.”

Modya got up. “Where do you want to go?” he asked quietly.

Jessica shrugged. “Um, to your ro….rec-room?”

I’m getting mixed signals here… “There would be people there too…if you wanted to talk alone that might not help.”

Jessica turned her face to the side, her face turning even more red. “Did… you have something else in mind… Modya....”

Modya ran a hand along her hair. “I think it was you that did…if I am understanding correctly…”

Jessica nodded slowly, and pushed up, raising to her feet. “C… c-come on, Modya… let’s go… t-talk…”

Modya nodded, and started walking with Jessica.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Conflicted Lifestyles Part 1

Desmond was sitting at his desk, calibrating the training program he had received to fit the target he had specified. Since it was a custom enemy Desmond had to go through the hassle of calibrating the program right. After he was done he stood up from the desk and threw off his shirt, his clan pendant dangling from his neck. Ryan was over on the other side of the room, tinkering with the 3-D model of his arm. "You know, this could take weeks to reverse engineer." He said in a skeptical voice.

"If anyone can do it, it is you Oil Can." Desmond responded. Ryan waved him off, not giving him the whole "Oil Can" speech he had sat through previously. Apparently he really didn't like that nickname, but hey it stuck. Desmond stopped and looked over at Ryan. "I know you have it in you Ryan, just power through it and you can make one in a week if you wanted." Ryan grumbled and Desmond went back to what he had planned.

Desmond got into position, a few seconds later a faceless dummy appeared, almost the size of Desmond if not bigger. Desmond moved first and engaged the program. He started throwing light punches but the program blocked them with ease. Any move Desmond made the program countered it so Desmond started to switch up his tactics. He moved side to side trying to confuse the dummy while also avoiding his shots. When he finally got a slight edge, Desmond pushed hard. He threw punches to all regions of the body and threw in some kicks but none could connect. When Desmond got to the end of his flurry, the program pushed on Desmond. The blows were not as fast or as frequent but the power behind them were much greater. Each blow was as if he was trying to stop a sledge hammer moving at high speeds.

Desmond did his best to block what he could but some of the blows got through and the ones that did took their tool. The program pushed it's advantage and blow for blow Desmond took hit after hit. The last of the ones had so much power that Desmond went flying backwards. He shifted his weight to narrowly land on his hands and feet, trying to stop himself from sliding into the wall. Desmond looked up, sweat flying off him as his body started to seethe red once more. He let the energy replace his stamina and enhance his power. Ever since he got this new level psionics his power hand grown at a massive rate. He waited on his hands and knees and held out his right hand, a swirling ball appearing in his hand. It glowed a dark red and spun at such a high rate that it had the affect of almost a tornado or vacuum sucking in air from around it. He charged the dummy with his enhanced speed and jumped high into the air, coming down with great force.

The program made an attempt to make an X with it's arm and the ball collided with the program. It dropped down to it's knees but could not hold the blow, causing the program to burst into a shower of particles. Desmond stopped the ball from touching the ground and dissipated it. "Looks like you won." Ryan said turning around in his chair and folding his arms.

"No, the fact I had to even use my power to defeat it means that I lost." Desmond said with a disappointed tone.

"How high did you set the damn thing? That was the hardest I have seen you fight since you fought that girl oh so long ago."

"I set the program as high as it would allow." He said as if it was no big problem.

"You my friend, need a life." Ryan responded, swiveling back to his work.

"He does have a life, or at least he has me..." Elizabeth said standing at the door.

Desmond froze up and slowly turned in her direction. Seeing she was actually there, Desmond turned back to Ryan. "You gave her access didn't you?" He said in almost a disappointing tone.

Ryan didn't turn around, and he didn't respond.

Looking down to the floor and shaking his head he turned back to Elizabeth and walked her out the door. When it was closed fully he turned towards her and let a sigh. "How much of that did you hear?" He said pointing to the door.

Elizabeth looked at him with a ditzy expression on her face. "Just the part where your big friend said you needed a life."

Desmond let a relieved sigh in his head and was about to say something when he was cut off before he started. "And he is right. You need to get out more, so that is why me and you are going out tonight." When Desmond gave a face of about to give an argument she held up a finger. "No arguing mister. You have put this off for two long and you will take me out on a date if you want to or not." She said in a bossy tone. She held up a finger. "No running off either. Remember..." She got close to his face and gave a mischievous smile. "I can find you!" Desmond opened his mouth but was cut off by a growl of sorts from Elizabeth. When he tried again she did it again, and then a third time, this time getting almost real close to his face, granted she had to stand on her toes to get at face level with him. "Grrrrr."

He looked up with a face that screamed for someone to save him but when no help came, he sighed and rubbed his neck with his metal hand. "Fine..."

She gave off a high pitched squeal and jumped onto him, knocking them both to the ground. "Pick me up at 6:30." She stated coyly and got off him, skipping down the hall.

Desmond got up and walked back into the lab. He stopped in the middle of the room and rubbed his face with both hands. "Not a word Ryan! Not a word."

Ryan held up his hands defensively and went back to work, holding back the urge to laugh uncontrollably.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Conflicted Lifestyles Part 2

Desmond was going over the schematics of the arm with Ryan when Ryan looked up at the clock. "It is getting close to 6:00 Desmond, you better start getting ready."

Desmond looked away from the project to also look at the clock. "Not yet, I need to get this work done."

Ryan sat back in his chair, leaning over to Desmond and turning off the computer. "I think you are done for the day..." Desmond opened his mouth in protest, but Ryan put up a hand. "No arguments. You made that girl a promise and I will not see you ruin your relationship now." He put a hand on Desmond's shoulder and looked at him with concern. "You need a break. You have been pushing yourself too hard. If you are not careful you might damage your arm or worse, you could burn out like Sunny. You need moderation when working and using your powers Desmond."

Desmond looked at his friend. "I can't hold back. This new power has increased my abilities significantly and I need to test the full extent of their uses." Ryan looked at him with concern.

"It is exactly that mind set that will get you killed..." Ryan stood up and moved to the door. "When I agreed to join you, I did it because I was you friend and you needed help..." He opened the door. "But I refuse to sit by and watch you destroy yourself. We have lost enough people already, we don't need to lose you too." He walked out.

Desmond sat in the chair for a couple moments. No matter what I seem to do, no one is happy with my actions. He thought to himself. Or maybe I just refuse to listen. Either way Desmond stared at the 3-D model and closed it. He got up from the chair and realized for the first time how sore he was. His muscles were aching and his arm felt like an entire steel rod was slammed into the metal. I was so consumed with my work that I am in worse shape than I realized. Over the weeks since his mission he has definitely lost some of his muscle mass and his face was sunken. A shell of the man I really am. Desmond walked out of the lab and headed to his room so he could get ready.

I did promise...

 

[Adrammalech]

// A FRIENDLY CHAT //
Emily Fischer
X-COM Headquarters – Medical Wing
Siberia, Russian Federation
May 9th, 2018 – 6:28 PM

Emily looked over at the table in her room, a collection of trinkets and reminders of the others growing a little wider every day. Dallas had visited again and Nika twice, as well as a few more of the soldiers from her floor just to say hi. Dallas had brought a bottle of amber liquid from the bar, which she would periodically stare at as if to deter it from moving. Nika brought her duffel over as well, which sat at the foot of the bed untouched.

Ben walked through the door, approaching her awkwardly having not seen her for almost a week. He looked almost exactly the same as the first day she met him, in his dull suit and neat haircut. It's like time didn't affect his appearance at all.

“Hey, how’s it going?”

“Well, look who it is,” she said, looking over at him.

“Yeah, visit’s a little late. Mail’s been flying in since Moscow, and I didn’t want to come bother you too soon.”

“It’s okay, I’m happy to see you.”

“That makes two of us,” he said, taking a seat by the bed. “How are you holding up?”

“Still stiff, but I can move a little now, and my neck’s all better. It generally looks a lot less gross, too.”

“You look fine to me.”

She pulled down the lapel of her gown, showing the dent in her chest covered by a thin layer of scar tissue. “The darker part wasn’t there before.”

“Oh, god. That sounds horrible.”

“That’s more like it,” she smiled. “So, you have some letters for me?”

“Actually, no.”

“Really? Not even from the commander?”

“Nope, not yet. Everyone seems to have been visiting you in person.”

“Oh, right…I guess that makes sense.”

“At least you haven’t been too starved for company.”

“Yeah…the aliens hurt a lot of people here, in a lot of ways,” she said, staring at the gifts. “Those big-eyed bastards are going to suffer for it.”

“I don’t doubt you,” he stated nervously.

“But I’ve talked about that with everyone. Right now, I could go for one of our chats, before all this happened.”

“A week’s a little short to be feeling nostalgic, but alright, what memory’s coming to you today?”

“Yours.”

“What?”

“I want to know why you quit your practice and stopped using your degree,” she said bluntly.

“That’s not…I don’t want…”

“Indulge me,” Emily said, smiling earnestly. “Or have you yourself forgotten?”

“No, I remember it like it was yesterday. I just can’t go over it again.”

“Fine…still, you should hurry up and tell me sooner or later. Because if you don’t, I might figure out myseeelf!”

Emily pulled out an old building permit, tapping a line on the print out.

“Dr. C’s?”

Ben leaned forward and grabbed it out of her hands. “Where’d you get that?” he asked, looking alarmed.

“I’m sleeping next to a computer wizard, how’d ya think?”

“Hey, it was the dotcom age. Short and simple was the thing, like when Google had square buttons.

“Things weren’t all rounded corners then?”

“Nope.”

“Barbarians.”

“I’m a little relieved that’s all you could get though.”

“I don’t know, I now know a pretty big secret. You’re a massive nerd, Dr. C.”

“I could’ve spelled it ‘Doctah.’”

“You absolutely should’ve. I see why you quit now.”

Ben chuckled softly as he put his feet on the edge of Emily’s bed. He went over the rumors on her floor one by one, including the talk Modya had with Nika after the memorial. He took a sip from Dallas’ smuggled bar supplies as he sat patiently, burning away the time with her.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Conflicted Lifestyles Part 3

Elizabeth was standing in her room, trying to decide what to wear. She looked over at the empty bed of her new roommate. Her stuff got moved in days ago but she hadn't seen much of Penny since the bar. She hoped she wasn't in an eternal struggle with the bathroom door. The thought made her giggle and she went back to deciding. It was down to either her usual attire or a light purple dress that matched her contacts. In the end and almost ten minutes wasted she finally decided on the dress and got changed. She stood in front of the mirror one last time giving herself a good once over, and when she was satisfied with how she looked, she waited for her escort.

Desmond was in his room, looking over his choice of attire. He wore a nice button up white shirt with his usual black jeans and some black sneakers. Desmond looked into the mirror, almost not believing it was him in the mirror. His hair had grown rather long so he cut it down back to his usual short hair. Instead of shaving he decided to leave the shadow he had on his face. The thing that caught Desmond's eye the most was his own eyes. Before they were a mixture of dark brown with some red mixed in but now, there were a dark shade of red. Hopefully no one notices it much. He walked out the door, making his way to Elizabeth's room.

When he arrived, she was standing out side of her door wearing a bright purple dress and her bright purple contacts. "You know, I always wondered why you wore contacts with that shade of purple."

She turned to him giving him a playful smile. "That is part of the mystery." She went to kiss him and he didn't stop her. "What's wrong?"

Desmond sighed and looked down. "Me and Ryan... lets just say we had a difference of opinion."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Knowing you, you are probably in the wrong here."

He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "Most likely but for now, it is me and you."

She smiled and grabbed onto Desmond's right arm. "So..." She looked up to him. "Bar?"

He nodded and he led them on. Occasionally, people would stare at the couple while they walked through the hall but they were mostly looks of joy and happiness. A lot of things were going wrong for XCOM, they probably need any sign of hope they can get. They arrived at the bar and for 6:37, the bar was not surprisingly full. Luckily, there was a table available so the two sat down.

Desmond looked at her and asked. "So, what do you want?"

She put a finger on her chin and thought. "I think I just want chicken tenders and a beer."

Desmond nodded and slid out his chair, moving through some groups of people as he made his way to the bar.

Elizabeth sat with a hand in her chin, nibbling on a peanut while she waited, just watching over the multiple games of pool. She was wrapped up in a particular game when she heard someone sit down at the table. She turned to look saying, "Well that didn't take lo-" Instead of seeing Desmond she saw a man she had never seen before, who reeked of alcohol.

"What is a girl like yourself doing her all alone?" He said in a heavy Irish accent.

"I am not alone, I am here with my boyfriend...now get out of here before he gets back."

The man looked her over with a smile on his face. "Why don't ya forget em and come be with me instead? I promise you a bloody good time." He said.

She was getting creeped out and held up her hands. "I told you I am not interested!"

He move up to get close to her but she slapped him. His smile soon turned into a snarl as he rose his hand to strike her. She closed her eyes but heard something grab another thing in front of her. When she opened her eyes she saw Desmond holding the man's arm.

"I think your night is done here buddy." Desmond said as he shoved the man away.

"What? I was just having a little fun with the lass." He said showing a toothy smile.

Desmond did not smile as his face turned to stone. "You come near her again and I will break you arm next time."

The man laughed and pointed at Desmond. "At least I have have me arms laddy. You are just a crippled fuck! What can you possibly do?" He laughed again and pointed at him, causing people to stare and whisper.

"How about I smash your head in. Probably take a while considering you have such a thick head. I said..." He got close to the man, "Leave...her...alone." He said in a menacingly low voice. The man's smile faded and he ran at Desmond, looking to swing at his face. Desmond ducked under it and the man went sprawling to the floor. The crowd parted as he fell, some laughing and some just whispering. The man looked around and stormed off.

"Sorry about that." Desmond said putting his hand on Elizabeth's cheek. "I tried to get here sooner."

She shook her head. "It's fine. Were you really going to smash his head in?"

He loked down and picked up a french fry. "Only if he hurt you."

She smiled and pulled her chair over to him, putting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you..." She said in a low voice. "He is wrong you know."

Desmond raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

She got up and looked at him. "That arm doesn't make you weak. It is a symbol of your strength."

He smiled and kissed her forehead. They both ate while Elizabeth shared stories from her childhood. She had a much different life from him but one thing was clear, she was just as alone as he was. By the time they finished their food, drinks and stories, it was 9:00 and Elizabeth had drifted off to sleep. He picked her up and carried her out of the bar. He dropped her off, her roommate raising an eyebrow but not asking questions. He tucked her in and left, going to the showers to loosen up.

When he was done he headed back to the lab, half expecting it to be empty. Instead, Ryan was sitting down at a desk, working on the 3-D model. "You know, I was wondering if you would show up."

Ryan didn't look away from his work. "Well someone has to look out for your sorry ass."

Desmond smiled and shook his head, looking down. "Yeah, I guess someone like me even needs help from time to time." He walked over to the cooler and grabbed a soda, not even trying to try and get drunk. He put a and on Ryan's shoulder. "Thank you..." he said in an unsure voice. "And sorry...for before."

Ryan turned around in his chair. "Desmond, if I hadn't forgiven you, I wouldn't be here, but for now on, you have to take things slow. No more rushing to solve a question and no more all-nighters." Desmond nodded and shook hands with Ryan. "Now, I may have a a good idea of how to assemble and improve this design." He said, cracking the top of a beer.

Desmond got close and pulled up a chair. "Do tell...partner."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Big Sister

"Whoa, careful," Ayame said nervously, reaching out to stabilize Sunny. "Even if you hadn't been off your legs for several days now, we gotta make sure those motor skills still work. I don't care how advanced the medicine is on this base, brain surgery is brain surgery."

"Okay, I'll be careful." Sunny stretched her legs out, doing the stretches the doctor had told her too. Once finished, Sunny walked back up to her bed, Ayame grabbing her from behind and lifting her onto the bed.

"Be right back, squirt." Ayame winked and ducked out of the room. Finding Sunny's doctor, she said, "Physical's done, doc. Now mental, right?"

The doctor nodded, handing Ayame a small computer. "How is she progress, Ms. Kasagi. From your perspective."

Ayame shrugged. "She's doing great. She's a little woozy, but she's doing better then I would be. Guess that's part of being young. And she's doing great upstairs too." Ayame smiled and pointed to her head. "She's alert, she as sharp as usual. I don't even think she stutters as much as before."

The doctor nodded. Turning back to what he was doing before, he said, "If that's the case, let her know we'll probably release her tomorrow, as long as you make sure she doesn't work too hard."

"You got it, doc!" Ayame said ecstatically. She quickly ran back to Sunny. Opening the computer, she placed it on Sunny's lap and said, "Good news! You're outta here tomorrow if you think you're up for it. Let's do the mental..." She frowned, noticing the sad expression on her young companion's face. "What's wrong? Did I upset you? Because if you really want to stay..."

Sunny shook her head. "It's not that. I-I just... don't you hate being here?"

Ayame smiled. "What, you mean with you? Hey, just 'cause the first guy that escorted you was a d... jerk, doesn't mean I don't appreciate our time together."

"But wouldn't you rather spend time with Atka? O-or Jes... um, Alexia?"

Ayame shrugged. "Hey, Atka's the coolest CO I've ever had, treats me like a friend. And Alexia? I love havin' a friend that as much a bi... and hard-a..." Wow, I curse to much, don't I? "Has as much of an attitude as me. But I love hanging out with my nerdy little friend just as much." She sat done in the chair next to the bed. "Besides, Alex has got her work, and I don't even know what Atka's up to. She just said she'll be calling me every now and then to interpret for her, or send me something in Chinese to translate, so I'm guessing she's either goin' to China, or one of any number of Chinatowns."

Sunny gave Ayame a curious glance. "Why... don't you mind spending t-time with someone so young. I'm sure your bored with me."

Ayame grinned. "Well I ain't no creep, if that's what ya think." Sunny shook her head rapidly, and Ayame raised a hand. "Just kidding. Look, I think your an awesome kid, though... there is something else."

"What is it?"

Ayame sighed. "Well, you remind me of... my little brother. He was so cute, so cheerful, and smarter then me by a long short, even though he was several years younger then me. My, um... my mother was really strict on us. Kinda demanded us to be model children. And to save him from her lectures, I tended to be a little hard on him too. Always correcting him, giving him instructions, occasionally scolding him."

Ayame's eyes darkened, her body slouching. "Thing is, he didn't need another person pushing him around like that. He needed a friend. He needed me to be his big sister, not a second mother. Something happened that showed me how wrong I was. And I tried to fix it. But by then, it was already too late."

Sunny tilted her head down, looking at Ayame's eyes. She cautiously reached forward, placing her hand on Ayame's arm. "Well... I think you make a great big s-sister." Ayame looked up, her expression turning more cheerful. Sunny turned back to her computer. "Okay, let's see how rusty I am." She turned on one of her mental exercises, and Ayame watched in wonder as Sunny's fingers flew across the keyboard.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

“Handmaidens” – Elene Exalt
EXALT Headquarters, Unspecified Location
1030 Hours, Local Time. The “Birthplace” of Subject -0; it is now her personal laboratory.

Video Log 1

“I am recording, Mistress,” the now-feminine voice of Avanix intoned.

Subject Negative Zero, also known as Elene Exalt, nodded in affirmation. She was standing before three cloning vats in the same room where she was born. Elene had finally decided on an outfit. She wore simple gray tennis shoes, smooth black sweat pants with yellow rings at the base, and a simple gray shirt with a symbol. The symbol was that of Avanrix, the familiar orange three-ring pattern connected by sporadic lines or tubes. She was also wearing an unbuttoned white labcoat.

“I have decided to record my scientific progress on video as my mother had done,” Subject -0 explained. She gestured at the cloning vats before continuing.

“I am currently forced to serve Viktor Dorian. He cannot be terminated at this time because I am incapable of fighting his clone soldiers after a successful assassination,” Negative Zero said coldly, though hints of hatred and frustration were noticeable in Elene’s voice. “He has…allowed me to create only three clones. They will serve as my personal assistants in several different fields, including science, defense…”

Avanix sighed. “As I said, using the codename for this project for them would be more concise.”

“They will be my ‘handmaidens.’ Is that satisfactory?” Elene asked without a trace of sarcasm.

“Yes. Please continue.”

The three chambers each contained a clone currently aged at around ten years. The chambers, artificial ‘wombs’ that supplied the clones with nutrients and Tz6, were hard at work accelerating the development of their occupants.

“I will detail my plans for each,” Subject -0 began. She walked over to the first vat. The clone within bore striking similarities to Lusett. “Subject 156, Lily. Artificial aging target is eighteen years of age,” explained Negative Zero robotically. “She is based on Lusett Exalt, borrowing some genetic information from other sources.”

Elene rested a hand against the class. This is how mother looked as a child? How could anyone ever hurt… Her other hand tightened into a fist, her arm starting to shake in silent fury.

“Elene,” Avanix warned.

Elene regained her composure, looking back at the camera. “Apologies. Lily will be my scientific assistant. I have given her enhanced eyes like my own and some defensive knowledge, but her brain is optimized for computing power. The appropriate implants were added with Tz6 an hour ago, and she is still stable.”

The Exalt heiress seemed relieved by that, and walked over to the second tank. This clone looked very much like Eva and Eve, though she had been given jet black hair and had orange eyes with ornate MELD traces hidden by closed eyelids. “Subject 157, Vee. She is based off the Eva template, as well as my sister. She is receiving gen-”

A neon red warning symbol flashed. “Warning! Subject 157’s circulatory system is being overstimulated by simultaneous Tz6 growth acceleration and cardiovascular modifications!” Avanix said so quickly only Elene could really understand her.

“Cease all Tz6 injections in the course of the next minute!” Elene yelled, pressing her both of her hands against the class in worry.

Vee grimaced as if having a nightmare, but as the MELD levels went down she relaxed, and her vitals stabilized. Elene breathed a sigh of relief.

“Successful. Subject 157 is stable,” Avanix said, relieved as well.

“I believe we need to be more cautious with the genetic modifications. Avanix, cancel muscular, endocrine, and skin enhancements. We can add those after her birth, for now just focus on circulatory, respiratory, and skeletal improvements since we already started those. “ Elene looked back at the camera. “Vee is meant to be my bodyguard, the soldier of the three.”

Elene breathed in slowly, and then walked over to the final chamber. The final handmaiden had an appearance identical to Elene. “Subject 158, Emma. She is meant to be my field operative, for I have plans to establish my own base to conduct operations, free from Viktor’s watchful eye. She will be officially marked down as a failed subject, and then I will have her escape.”

Subject Negative Zero sighed. “I would leave myself if I could, but there are two factors that preclude me from doing so.”

“One – the facility has the best resources available to me. The only other place right now that is better is XCOM, and I would die in an attempt to defect to them,” Elene explained. “Two – it is easier for a lone agent to slip out than all of us, I would not abandon them,” she finished, gesturing again to the handmaidens.

Elene clasped her hands behind her back. “For now, I have a favor to ask of Mr. David Cross.”

End of Recording.

 

[Euan]

How have I not gotten a promotion yet?

Damian had spoken to me about one, but it hasn't happened yet! A couple other missions happened around the same time as ours, and the rookies on those got promoted! Why not me? Am I not good enough? Is that it? Are they like "Oh he doesn't mind. He should be grateful he's here." Well I'm not. I didn't have a choice.

Things were awful in Africa. I was the sole scavenger for a group of seven or eight, and things weren't going too well. I was starving. We were all starving. I was getting what I could, but it wasn't enough. And I wasn't about to sacrifice myself like Oates in the Antarctic expedition (yes I have an education - or I did, before the Invasion). We had a couple suicides, but we all saw them coming. We were too tough to move on at that point.

But as time went on we all got weaker. Less food. Less ammo. Shelters more beaten up. Weather getting wetter. Ground getting muddier. Spirits running lower. And the aliens got stronger - more and more came. It was rough. I hated it there, but I did what I had to for the good of the group. For the needs of the (relatively) many.

And when these 'Elite' forces showed up, I was glad we could get out. There wasn't going to be another chance. Now though, I almost regret it. At least in South Africa, I was my own boss. And now, I was confined as to what I could do and where I could go. I have to watch what I say around people. I have to wear what I'm told to wear, go where I'm told to go, and kill what I'm told to kill.

Damian had been in the med-bay for almost a week now and I still haven't gone down to the shooting range. He was right - these futuristic weapons were tough to handle. I'm gonna go tomorrow though - it's 8pm and I haven't slept in two days. I can't stop thinking about her. But God, I'm so tired...

 

[Adrammalech]

// RISK AND REWARD //
This is a collaboration between Adrammalech, ZombieSplitter53, and DarkGemini24601.
Emily Fischer / Sunny Randolph / Atka Ipiktok
X-COM Headquarters – Medical Wing
Siberia, Russian Federation
May 10th, 2018 – 7:00 AM

“So, um… when do you get out?” Sunny asked her roommate, hopeful for an answer of soon while rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Probably in a couple of days,” Emily replied, “I’m feeling mostly better, but I don’t want to push it.”

Sunny frowned. “Oh… I didn’t realize you were… d-does it still hurt?”

“A little, but nothing to worry about,” she smiled towards her, “I’m just playing it safe.”

“W-well… I get out later today, but I’ll come visit you!” Sunny smiled. “The doctor said I have to take it easy at first anyway, so I'll have plenty of time t-to stop in.”

Emily looked disappointed, but quickly straightened out her smile, not wanting to burden the girl with anything mundane as loneliness. Atka sighed in relief as she walked over, seeing Sunny had recovered. She was wearing civilian clothes, the shirt having Mandarin symbols on it. Additionally, she had a backpack and jacket on. “Glad to see you’re okay...you scared me half to death, you know…both of you.”

“Atka!” Sunny gleamed, but tilted her head in confusion. “You… going on a fieldtrip?”

Atka shook her head. “I’m being deployed to China in about an hour. I can probably tell you the details, but I’m not sure about…” she glanced over at Emily. “No offense.”

Sunny shook her head. “You can tell Emily. I-If you trust me, and I trust her, then you can trust her, right?”

Atka nodded. “As long as you don’t hurt yourself like that again. You can rely on me, remember? Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it,” she said to Sunny.

Sunny nodded, a little irritated to have to make the same promise over and over again, but happy to see so many people worry about her.

Atka took a deep breath. “Alright...so here’s what’s going on. There is some sort of organization called EXALT that attacked one of our convoys in Shanghai. We don’t know why, or the extent of their capabilities, but we know they have some sort of base in the city. I’m going to be deployed on a covert mission to find out what I can,” the Inuit woman explained.

“How covert do you mean?” Emily asked, “Like...undercover?”

Atka nodded. “We can’t risk spooking them and learning nothing, so we can’t just go in with our forces, especially not knowing where they are. That’s why I’m limited to so little equipment...all I have with me is a scatter laser pistol, a smoke grenade, and some alloy plating under my shirt.”

“You’d think X-COM would have a CIA or something,” Emily said, “we’re soldiers not spies...most of us, anyway.”

“Well, I hardly think any conventional spy is trained for this sort of enemy anyway. From what I was briefed on, it sounds like they have lasers too. Not so much in the way of alloy armor...I hope,” Atka said with a sigh. “Not that I want to be fighting a bunch of goons by myself. It should go smoother than that.”

“So, you won’t be fighting, right?” Sunny looked at Atka, trying to hide her worry. “Just getting info, right?”

“If things go smoothly,” Atka said carefully. “I can’t guarantee anything...we don’t know enough about them as it stands. That’s why I have to go.”

“I hope you’re a good liar,” Emily stated.

“I’ll have to channel my childhood,” Atka replied, smiling despite her apprehension. “And I’ve already been given my cover, I’m not going to mix up my name and my pseudonym.”

“Do you… can you speak the language?” Sunny asked, a bit confused.

“I’m going to have Ayame translating anything I need into my ear,” Atka replied. “And if necessary, Alice could as well, but I don’t know that she would have the subtleties.”

Sunny reached for her computer. “I-I’ll program the language for her just incase.”

“Hold on...I don’t think you should be pushing yourself like that,” Atka protested. “I don’t want you to have to worry about me.”

Sunny chuckled. “Come on, Atka. I’m not… I can do this in my sleep.” She stopped typing, realizing her tone might have offended. “S… sorry…”

Atka sighed. “I’ll be…I’ll be fine,” she lied, knowing there was a good chance that wouldn’t be the case with all the uncertainties but not wanting to upset Sunny further.

“Undercover missions aren’t times to be brave,” Emily noted, “it’s better to have something and not need it than need something and not have it while you’re there.”

“I understand,” Atka replied. “I’m hoping I can finish this without having to fire a shot, and let the the rest of you guys clean this up. Though I might join in if someone brings me armor and a strike rifle…”

Sunny’s eyes darted back and forth, clearly worried about something, but she kept quiet.

Atka seemed to notice, and hesitated for a few seconds before saying anything.

“As long as you’re confident,” Emily said, a little doubtful. “Just know your limits.”

“Is something wrong, Sunny?” Atka asked finally.

“U-uh… Atka,” Sunny looked down. “I… know you’re a soldier, but… have you ever, you know… had to shoot… another human…”

Atka’s eyes widened. “...I have,” she responded hesitantly.

Sunny nodded. “Good,” she whispered to herself.

“Atka?” Alice materialized next to the soon-to-be spy. “They’re looking for you in the hangar. It’s time for you to head out.”

The scout nodded. “Wish me luck,” she said to the others. “And don’t worry about me. I’ll be back.”

“Good luck,” Emily said slowly. “Stay safe.”

“And d-don’t do anything too dangerous,” Sunny added.

Atka started to walk off. “I won’t. There’s a reason they sent me and not Kevin.”

“W-will of a warrior, right?” Sunny smiled nervously.

“More like he’d charge into every building demanding that the occupants surrender or something,” Atka said with an amused grin, and disappeared around the corner.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Triangular Interests

<Alexia squirmed a bit, her body tingling all over. She looked up at her companion, running her hand across his broad chest. The sweat gleamed in the low light, falling and dripping against her like a gentle rain. He leaned foward, kissing nape of Alexia's neck. He slowly made his way down. Her chest. Her breasts. Her stomach. As he moved lower, Alexia shuddered, wriggling and moving as though she was trying to get away while going no where. Her breathing hastened, faster and faster. She looked down, and whispered, "Oh, God...Modya...>

Alexia's consciousness awakened, and as the fog of her dream state faded, she desperately fought with her mind to retain what she believed to be a pleasant dream, but lost that fight. She pushed her way to the surface, and realized something was off about her body.

Jessie, are you okay?

Jessica jumped slightly. She stood in the lab's small bed room, shaking slightly. She reached down into the sink, scooping up the running water and splashing it onto her flushed face. "Uh, yeah, I'm okay." She chuckled slightly. "Just... a little embarrassed."

Why, what happened?

"I'm not sure, to be honest." Jessica shook her head. "I was just sitting there, working, and I just... felt really warm. And I started getting goosebumps all over my body. One of the other techs said I was flushed, and asked my if I was thinking... dirty thoughts."

Ha! That's too funny. So, uh... were you?

"Of course I..." Jessica looks around nervously.

Of course I wasn't. You're the perv between the two of us, remember?

Hey, I'm not the one gettin' all hot and bothered at work.

Jessica shook her head, storming out of the bathroom as though it would let her escape her sister, and returned to her work station.

So, what are we working on today, Brain?

Well, Pinky, we're working on a new gene mod for the skin. Here, push the button in front of you.

Jessica gave Alexia control, and Alexia hit the first switch she saw. Waves of energy flowed from a small device onto a square, metallic object with blinking lights. After a few moments, the object almost completely disappeared, a slight distortion of light the only indication that it was still there.

Cool, just like those creepy tentacle monsters robots.

Right. Wait, tentacle... have you been watching those... a-anyway, I pretty sure I don't have to say how dangerous these things are. I mean, not only can they choke the life outta you, but the way the hold you puts you at risk for getting hit by allies trying to save you. Its happened once already.

I remember. Poor Francis. Poor Maggie, for that matter.

Jessica injected a small batch of meld she was working on into petri dish.

I've been studying those crystal spider bug things. They seemed pretty simple minded, not much smarter then the zombies...

Ssh! Don't use the zed word.

Why not?

Because it's ridiculous!

Whatever. Point is, they seemed to be expert trackers, despite a lack of intelligence. In fact, some of the survivors said these things seemed to be able to find people no matter how well hidden.

Oh... oh I get it. Like some kinda life sense, or something.

Exactly. Some kinda... I don't know, bioelectic skin.

And if we could give this to a soldier, he could sense when something was giving off energy nearby, even something invisible.

Not if, my dear sister... Push the petri dish over to the invisible device

Alexia did as instructed, watching a screen showing a magnified view of the cells in the dish. As the dish got closer to the device, the cells became more and more active.

Awesome! Great going!

Thanks. I try my best.

Jessica glanced at the clock, and let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I need a shower." She quickly made her way to the staff showers, mentally chatting with her sister about the work she had been doing and the far-fetched notion of invisible soldiers. The two fell silent as the warm water beat down on Jessica. She hummed softly as the water washed away another day's worth of sweat and lab-gunk.

Oh, wow, I completely forgot. Whatever happened with Modya?

Jessica flinched, her squeezing hands causing a bar of soap to fly up in the air and bop off her head.

Modya. Well, um... exactly when did you...

Check out? When the two you started macking on each other in the middle of the gym. You'll have to excuse me if I'm not keen on watching my sister make out with some one. Why, you two start to get hot and heavy right there in public?

Jessica slipped as she bent down to pick up the soap, falling on her rear.

N-NO!

Okay, calm down. So what did you two do?

We, uh... w-we went to the.. the bar... and just talked, you know. To find out more about each other. Turns out Modya likes American Jazz. N-Neat, huh?

Oh, really. That's interesting. I'm glad you two had time to talk, and you've made up. 'Course, the way you were kissing him, I thought you were gonna end up going to his room and fooling around.

Jessica let out a loud, nervous laugh, eliciting an odd look from three women showering nearby. She smiled at them and said, "I just... thought of a funny joke I heard once."

Jessie? Did you two...

No. Nonono, of course... not, I...

Because if you did, it's okay. I told you a long time ago, it's your body. That's you right, especially the first...

I told you, we didn't. And besides, are you saying would be okay if it was with Modya?

Sure, why not. I told I know now I was wrong about him. He's kind, he's thoughtful, and he isn't half bad looking either.

You... you really think so?

I do. Hey, I'll even go do to the infirmary, since I know you'd be too nervous to do it yourself, and get you two some...

Alex, please!

Jessica stood there slightly for several moments, a worry nagging at the back of her mind. She finally shook her head, unable to keep it in.

Alex... do you like Modya too?

Yeah, I just told you that, silly.

No, I mean do you, like... 'like' like him.

What?...I... no, no, are you kidding. He's your man. It would be like having a thing for my brother. I... of course not.

Jessica and Alexia finished the shower in silence, both feeling the other wasn't being completely honest, but neither wanting to press the issue, out of fear of being a hypocrite.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and Frostlich1228: “Reaching Out, for Better or for Worse”
EXALT Headquarters, Unspecified Location
1000 Hours, May 10th, Elene’s Quarters.

Important Note: Takes place before "About A Friend" with David Cross

“Are the safeguards in place?” Subject Negative Zero asked Avanix, sitting on top of her bed, though she was not wearing her pajamas per the request of her A.I.

The picture of three sporadically connected orange rings on an I-Pad’s screen shifted, blurring. “They are, mistress. Your call will not be traced. You may begin when ready.”

Elene clicked the audio-only option, and contacted the C.E.O of Cross Technologies.

David Cross sat in his office, drawing up the schematics of some sort of rifle, when his computer beeped repeatedly. He sat his pencil down and pressed the enter key. When he did, a static image buzzed on the computer screen.

“Hello, Mr. Cross,” A voice sounding practically identical to Lusett’s said smoothly.

His eyes widened, “Lusett? Is that you?” He moved his blueprints to the side and looked directly into the camera.

There was a pause, both from hesitation from the speaker to answer and still-fresh pain. “No. Lusett Exalt was murdered.”

“Murdered?” he said coldly. “Then who are you?”

“My name is Elene Exalt. I am Lusett’s daughter,” Subject Negative Zero replied.

“I wasn’t aware Lusett had a daughter,” he said, “I’m sorry about your mother, she was a friend of mine.”

“I am aware, that information is available to me,” Elene replied. “And ‘daughter’ depends on your definition of the word. If you do not count a clone as a daughter…” she started to say, and clicked a button her device. The image of a young woman with long dark blonde hair appeared on David’s screen. She was wearing a gray shirt with Avanix’s symbol, black sweat pants, and a white labcoat. The whites of her eyes were tinted a slight orange, and the irises and pupils resembled that of a lizard or snake. “...then my words are untrue.”

David’s look intensified, “A clone? So that’s what she did with all my money… She grew herself a daughter…”

“There was another before me, named Eve. However, she was murdered by Viktor as well,” Subject Negative Zero said, keeping her cold expression. “I require your aid, as my mother once did. The man that murdered my mother and sister has control of the laboratory now, and thus I need somewhere else to continue the research he will not allow me to continue. I cannot go in person, but I can send a clone. One that Viktor Dorian is not aware exists.”

“How do I know I can trust you?” he said, giving her a suspicious look.

Elene looked at him inquisitively. “A.V.A.N.I.X. can vouch for the validity of what I am saying, and I have a video recording from Lusett about my creation implanted in my memories. Avanix has it as well.”

David Cross took a second to think, “So who is this clone exactly?” he asked.

“She is a clone of myself, Subject 158, named Emma. Her growth is finished, all I need to do now is wake her up.”

“And what do I get from this deal?” he said expectantly.

“You would have access to my research on cloning and genetics, as well as other materials I recover and send to that laboratory,” Elene said flatly. “If the facility is yours I couldn’t stop you from learning that information if I wanted to.”

“One last question.” he said, flipping the hourglass on his desk over, “This Viktor Dorian... do you know what he’s planning to do with Lusett’s lab?”

Subject -0 folded her hands together, thinking as tactically as she could. “Mr. Cross...I do. However, I want you to understand something first. My primary directive is two-fold: to survive and continue my mother’s research. That is why I was created, and that is my purpose. I have no reason to do you any harm.”

“That said, if I reveal the information to you, I have a feeling that I can no longer trust you,” the heiress said, staring at David with a piercing, unnerving look with her reptilian eyes.

David tapped his desk with a pencil repeatedly, “You’re not in a position to keep secrets from me you know. You’re the one asking me for help.”

Elene’s voice wavered, emotion seeping through despite her efforts to keep her cool. “You cannot understand what it is like to have no one to trust...or no family to help you. I don’t want to send one of my only companions to you only to lose her. You have a daughter, correct? Ammelia Cross? You would not easily do the same in my position with her, would you?”

David’s face turned grim, “ Of course not!” He slammed his fist against his desk. “Even if I chose to help you, what’s to stop you from betraying me? For all I know he could’ve put some kind of control chip in your brain.”

A set of three orange rings appeared next to Elene. “That exists only in the realm of science fiction, Mr. Cross,” an adult voice said. “My mistress is merely concerned for her own safety. She did not mean to offend you, I know that your daughter is very dear to you. Is everything alright with her?” Avanix asked with what sounded like sincere concern.

“ I don’t have to tell you anything about her…” He replied, glaring daggers at the girl, “Why should I put my family in danger just to help you?”

Avanix’s symbol blurred, turning a hue of red for a moment. “I am not asking for that. We were simply asking for your help, you do not need to lash out. That is illogical. I was under the impression that Lusett and Ammelia were friends. Perhaps if you gave Elene a chance to talk to her…”

“She’s not available right now… She left for awhile…” He sighed, thinking about the situation from her perspective. “Fine… You can send your clone over. But she will be watched Twenty-four seven, if she so much as breathes on something I don’t want her too…”

Elene flinched. “If her presence offends you at any point, please just let her leave. Do not...do not take away one of the only…” she trailed off, her voice shaking. The clone appeared more emotional than she had at any other point in the conversation, and certainly fearful.

He looked the girl in her eyes and realized that this clone is the only family that she has left. “As long as she doesn’t go into any restricted areas, she’ll be fine…”

Elene’s expression softened. “...thank you for that. Like I said...I am not like Viktor. He is a monster that I do not trust to not use mother’s research for dangerous purposes. I just want to learn...to expand my knowledge and technology using whatever I have available. That is the purpose Lusett Exalt gave me, and I will comply with it. The alien technology gives an unprecedented chance to do that. I have no intention to harm anyone.”

“Then prove it to me, and I’ll trust you…” His grim look began to fade.

“I will do what I can,” Elene responded. “Emma will find her way over as soon as I can send her.” A pause. “...Ammelia is...lucky to have a father like you,” Elene said quickly, and then cut communication.

David leaned back in his chair, rubbing his head with his hand. “I just hope this is the right choice…”

 

[Dahlexpert]

Eva branching out

Eva is in the hologram training room with Maggie Beckett. There you go Eva use that shot gun, on these aliens.

Eva mowsdown the aliens with the Scatter laser to cut down the alien holograms, Wow very impressive.

Maggie turns off the simulation, I'll say you relay lay down the pressure on those holographic bastards, but one question why the Shot gun, why not the carbine are the battle rifle.

Well no one has used this yet, which is a shame almost wonder why engineering makes them but I understand why no one use it using a shot gun means getting in close to the aliens but, ever sense Moscow we seen that the alien will come to us whether we want them to or not.

Yea, I still have nightmares of our last mission and that thing I mean cloaked aliens that wrap around you, I just freaked out and I could not believe what I did to Frances.

Hay don't worry about that, that could have happened to any one you just happen to be the first.

But I still feal guilty about it, I mean i'm the first one to kill one of our comrades because I was scared.

Hay you being scared in normal, like you said we were first ones to see that cloak monster so don't beat your self up about it.

Thanks Eva I needed that, your not going to turn around and say hay I was joking your a sham are you ?

No of course not, were allies i'm not going to tease you because that happen to you, Sigh come on let's go another round.

Right and Eva thanks for not teasing me.

No problem.

Eva and Maggie went back to training.

 

[Frostlich1228]

Frostlich1228 & Zombiesplitter53
About a Friend...

Date, May 7th, 2014
Time, 1600 Hours, Std Time.


Morrigan reluctantly made her way back to her office, sad that her short time out had ended so soon. As she approached her door, her secretary said, "Commander, one of the soldiers is here to see you. I told her you were out, and she asked if she could wait for you. I didn't see why not, so..."

"Has she been here long?" Morrigan asked.

"No, Commander, about ten minutes."

The Commander nodded, and stepped into her office.

Ammelia turns towards the commander and she walked into the room, giving her a friendly smile. "I'm glad you could make time to talk with me Commander." she said, placing a sleek, silver laptop on the desk.

"Of course, Ms. Cross, of course." Morrigan swung around her desk and sat down. "What can I do for you?"

" There is a rumor around the base that a human organization is openly opposing us, called Exalt. I want to make sure these rumors are true before I say what comes next. " Ammelia replies, hoping she didn't come in here just to make a fool of herself.

Damn," Morrigan mutters under her breath. "News sure spreads fast." She nodded. "It's true. This EXALT has made open acts of opposition towards us."

" As you may know, Cross Technologies has connections all throughout the world. We often bring in people from other companies to aid in our research. One woman in particular worked with my father for a long time and assisted in his discovery of infrawaves. This woman was named Lucett Exalt and she was the last of a prestigious line of inventors, commonly referred to as the Exalt Family. " Ammelia said, shifting in her chair, " I have a hunch that this Exalt Organization has something to do with Lucett and her family... What do you think, Commander? "

Morrigan nodded. "Well, that would be a pretty big coincidence if they weren't connected." She leaned forward. "Do you know anything about where she is now?"

" I don't know, she disappeared soon after work on Infrawaves was done, but if anyone knows where she is, it would be my dad," she answered, turning the laptop around to face Morrigan, " I have him on Quick-Call, if you want to ask him yourself. "

Morrigan nodded. "That would be great. Patch me through."

Ammelia presses the button that the correspondence tech showed her. The computer makes a series of loud beeps until an middle aged man appears on the screen. He sits in a leather chair with test tubes and beaker lining the shelves behind him.

" Who're you? " he said, giving the red head an unfamiliar look.

Ammelia walks around and stands next to the commander, " Dad, this is the Commander of X-com."

"Ah..." he said, nodding, " So, to what do I owe the pleasure? ""

"The pleasure is all mine, Dr. Cross." Morrigan looked up at Ammelia. "Your daughter has done great things for us so far, and everything I owe to her, I owe to you as well."

David smiled, " Thank you, I've never been more proud of her than I am right now... I'm just... worried... about her." He sighed.
"With everything that the aliens are doing as of late, I've become more and more concerned about her safety... " He said, taking a drink of his coffee and looking up into his daughter's eyes.

"Well, you wouldn't be her father if you weren't concerned." Morrigan's eyes momentarily darted towards the picture on her desk. "But she's become one of my most trusted soldiers. In fact, she's helping me right now. Does the name Exalt mean anything to you, doctor?"

David looks back towards the commander, " Yes, It's the last name of a long time business partner of mine. Why do you ask? "

Morrigan thought for a moment, not sure how much she should tell someone of base, or how much she could trust the doctor. "Could you tell me... exactly what it was she did with you."

He thinks for a second, " Lucett worked with me to develop Infrawave Technology. She's a genius, without her help it would've taken me decades to develop the technology required to detect it, but together, we did it in only a few years. I always thought that there was something off about the girl though, but I put it past me, she treated Ammelia well and we did good work together. " He said, leaning back, "But I suppose this means my suspicions were correct? "

Morrigan slowly nodded her head. "I'm not even sure what your suspicions are, but I'm willing to bet that they were correct."

" After she finished her research she left, said she was going to continue her family's legacy or something like that. But a few months before Ammelia joined X-com she contacted me. She wanted me to help fund a project of hers, but when I asked what she was researching all she said was Cloning Technology. I grudgingly agreed, I figured I owed her after all she did for my company. So I decided to send her a few grand a month, but I've barely heard a word from her since then and I have no idea how to get in contact with her. " He finished, flipping over a hourglass that was next to his keyboard

Morrigan raised an eyebrow. "So you just sent her the money. Did you get any data back to indicate that the money was going where she said it was. And why do I get the feeling this money won't show up in your books. I mean... is the kind of cloning experiment she was proposing... legal?"

David pinched his nose, "I assumed she was cloning organs for transplants, every other month a got a short call from a Monotone sounding girl thanking us for our money and telling me that the research was going as planned. I had no reason to suspect it was illegal at the time, I was just doing a favor for a friend."

"And... do you still believe that?" Morrigan asked, trying to hide the cynicism in her voice.

David gives her a slightly cold look, " Well considering that you're asking me about it means that she did something to get X-Com's attention. But without hard proof I can't say for certain that she's doing anything illegal. So unless you decide to tell me what she did I'm not sure I believe you."

Morrigan tapped her fingers. "Dr. Cross, I'm sorry if I came across a bit strong, but the fact of the matter is, we do have reasons to believe she is standing against us, and because of that, I'm a bit worried about who I can trust. And if she is who I think she is, one of our biggest threats has been receiving direct funding... straight from your pocket. Now I am inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt for Ammelia's sake, but if you're going to make that difficult..."

" I know you aren't dumb enough to think I would purposefully betray my daughter by funding her enemies. Not to mention that I am also funding your project, so if I was a traitor why would I fund the organization I'm trying to stop." He replies in a increasingly frustrated tone.

Ammelia gives her father a pleading look, "Dad... Just stop her funding, at least until we know for sure she's innocent."

He sighs, " Fine sweetie, your Commander seems like she has probable cause here... But if she asks where her funding went I'm going to tell her my account was hacked."

"Now, hold on." Morrigan raised her hand. "Now, I'm not calling anyone a traitor." She sighed. "And I don't want you to completely cut off funding. If I'm wrong, then you'd have reason to stop funding them, and if I'm right, these people are dangerous, and I don't want to put you at risk." She points her finger at the screen. "And not because you fund us. Believe it or not, I'm not in the business of putting civilians at risk."

 

[Frostlich1228]

" Well then what would you have me do exactly?", he said, taking another sip of his coffee.

Morrigan thought for a moment. "Just... ask a question or two. Make sure you aren't funding a army trying to kill your d...." Morrigan glanced up at Ammelia. "Just see what you can find out. And if you can find out anything, where she is, what she's doing. Make sure she isn't... raising an army. She's an old friend, right. Why would she hide anything from you?"

" I'll ask, but this is the business world, friends lie to friends on a daily basis. " He said, finishing the last of his coffee.

"That isn't just the buisness world I'm afraid. Just do what you can, but be careful." Morrigan looked up at Ammelia in case there was anything she wanted to say before closing the chat."

Ammelia looked at her father, " Stay safe dad... "

He smiled at her, " Don't worry about me honey, I've got Dorian here to protect me, " He said as a dark man behind him lifted a crate of supplies and carried it out of the camera's view.

Morrigan smiled as the camera feed cut off, but her smile faded as she looked up at Ammelia. "I apologize if I seemed a bit... untrusting towards your father. I want to trust him, as I trust you, but considering the circumstances... I just hope you understand I meant no offense."

" It's alright..." She said, " In his business knowledge is power, He doesn't like to be kept in the dark. "

Morrigan nodded. "Well, as soon as we get more information, we won't have to keep him in the dark." She smiled, handing the computer to Ammelia. "In the meantime, thanks Ammelia. You might have just put us on the road to figuring who this EXALT is. And even if you didn't, you would have cleared the name of you father's friend."

" I just hope it isn't Lucett... She was like a Aunt to me..." she said sadly.

Morrigan nodded. "I know, dear." She stood up, and placed a hand on Ammelia's shoulder. "Come on, we both need a distraction. What do you like to do to distract yourself?"

" Uhh..." She said, shyly, " How about chess?"