RP XCOM: The Story of Defiance.

[Adrammalech]

// UNRELENTING //
Emily Fischer
X-COM Headquarters – Medical Wing
Siberia, Russian Federation
May 13th, 2018 – 3:28 AM

Emily looked around dully, sleep not coming to her. Her visits had slowed, and her room was left unguarded. It was almost a dare. She wanted to be in her room again, and most importantly, she wanted to fight. She groaned as she leaned up from her indent in the hospital bed, pulling the clipboard at the edge of her bed up to her face. Under recovery, it had her in bed for two, maybe three more days. She growled a little at the diagnosis.

Emily got onto her feet and did a provisional stretch, walking around the bed. She pulled out a shoddy t-shirt, a bra, and shorts from her duffel, which had been left at the foot of her bed. She changed out of her hospital gown, putting on nothing but the dirty clothes and a pair of socks. She pulled the duffel over her shoulder and walked calmly out of her room, checking for anyone nearby and then sneaking out of the hospital wing. She walked towards the lift and rode down to the next floor down, walking into the gym.

Emily pressed one of several switches on the wall, a thin strip of lights casting a dim glow in the back o the room. She looked up at the clock, reading 3:35 in analog. She was lucky that no one was there, even for this hour. She walked up quietly towards the punching bags, moving past brand new and gym-ready plastic ones. The last one in the room was patched up with duct tape, the surface feathered and torn, the chain repaired and reinforced from some damage past. Someone had done a number on it, once upon a time.

“Alright, let’s see who came out stronger,” she whispered to herself.

She leaned down and pulled the bag onto the ground, pulling out some pilfered medical tape and wrapping it lazily around her fingers. With a nudge from her foot, she pushed it along the floor, and then took a combat stance against the bag. She punched it experimentally, the bag barely reacting.

“Amelia, we didn’t want to tell you this…”

Emily felt the anger in her heart burst into her arms. She stretched out her neck and flew forwards, savagely hitting the bag over and over again with both fists, with no regard for any kind of form. She pummeled it with her palms, her knuckles, anything that worked. She felt the heat in her cheeks and her chest as she quickened.

“Bitch, you’d be begging instead of fighting.”

She tore the raggedy shirt off of her, exposing the scar on her chest, almost lightened to her skintone. She beat the bag with crosses and jabs, her knuckles colliding with the bag more times than she could count. As her elbows began to slow, she felt her mind go along with her body’s anger. She had more to fight for than rage. She was determined.

“We’ve been scouring military bases all over the world, looking for the best of the best.”

Emily began to hook into the bag, hitting it harder and more calculated than before. She bounced between herself and the bag, becoming mobile and quick like a boxer. She felt her arms and knees begin to tire, her shoulders begin to ache, her skin begin to warm.

“Emily…are we safe…?”

She could feel the plasma underneath her neck, the bullet in her shoulder, the knife pressing on her cheek. She ignored it, out of spite, out of stubbornness. She hooked and uppercut, swinging more wildly and more powerfully, ignoring anything that tried to stop her.

“I’m not…gonna make it. Just go.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as her joints began to sting and burn. Her body begged her to stop, her muscles stretching uncomfortably hard, her sweat flinging with every movement. She punched harder and faster, pounding into the bag as though her life depended on it.

“It should’ve been you.”

Emily suddenly spun around, her body moving quickly and fluidly in a full circle, her hand planting on the ground, and her foot swinging through the air. She cried out, half exertion and half pain, every atrophied muscle in her body feeling as though it was being pulled to a strand. The bag flew to the side from the impact, going up in a full arc, swinging across the bar, and landing roughly on the other side. The chain still held strong.

She fell back and put her hands on her knees, panting heavily. When she looked down at her chest, she saw that her wound was still held together. She raised her hand to her forehead and wiped the sweat from her brow, a smirk cracking from her lips. The bar above the bag whined, bending slightly as the chain creaked and strained around it. She considered hitting it again, just to watch it break apart.

She pulled off the tape from her fingers and shoved it into her bag, pulling her shirt back over her body. With a grunt, she put her hands underneath the bag and lifted it hard, tossing it back over the bar and patting it gently as it fell to its original position. The bag swayed back and forth, and despite the bend, looked unaffected by the beating. She smiled towards it.

Emily pulled the duffel over her chest, shrugging the strap away from the wound. She looked over at the clock, well past four. She strolled out of the gym silently and returned to the infirmary to check out, unconcerned with anything else.

 

[Dahlexpert]

What the hell is she thinking

Eva is pacing in her room like something is bothering her. What the hell is she doing starting a war with x-com has she lost her mind. I mean come on Lusset your smarter then this and your not the type to start a war for no reason or at all for that matter, I mean yea you sent me to x-com recruit base to see who will be in this program, and even then you told me not to kill any body so why now why will you do this now.

Eva scratches her head. Damn it why would she start a war she knows she can not win what is going on, Sigh why would a person like lusset start this madness it doesn't make since why she would do this.

Eva sits down on her bed, I don't understand why start a this i'm going to have to talk lusset soon I need answers to why she's doing this.

 

[MarineAvenger]

DarkGemini24601 and MarineAvenger: “Spies and Warriors”

“What do you mean the cell was destroyed!” Viktor yelled at the screen.

The clone on the other side of the call was emotionless. “XCOM came in with a operative to learn some of our plans on the Shanghai attack and when the operative was discovered, they scrambled a team to recover her. None of our troops survived.”

Viktor slammed his fist against the desk nearly cracking it. With his cell in Shanghai destroyed most operation in Asia were next to impossible with India under alien control. “What were you able to recover?” Viktor said, doing his best to suppress his anger.

“Very little, sir...XCOM sent in a recovery squad and had picked the place clean. They only things that were left were bodies and a few weapons.” He responded in a monotone.

Viktor squeezed his eyes shut and put two fingers on his temple. “Then just...take what you can and go. I expect you to be back soon.”

The call cut out and Viktor sat in silence. “Not a good time to be us I am afraid.” Sora said in a mockingly cheerful voice.

“If I hear one more word I am going to deactivate you and smash your circuit boards in with a fucking baseball bat!” He screamed.

Once again the room fell silent.

Vee had stopped on her walk, having heard the last half of all of that. Huh. I bet mother will want to hear this.

…

Desmond felt a familiar buzz in his head, a sign that Avanix was waiting for him to put a call through. He was laying down in bed, so this was an unpleasant interruption. He was more tired when he thought when the second Skyranger had landed on base.

He put a hand on his head. What is it, now is not the time for a house call.

There was a pause, and a different voice than Elene’s came through to his mind. Well, you guys sure as hell pissed the boss man off.

What, did Elene get killed by Viktor already?

Subject 157 sarcastically replied, Yeah, totally. Sure. Hey mother, your boyfriend sure is quick to jump to conclu-hey! Don’t take this fr-

After another pause, Elene’s voice came through. I...apologize for Subject 157, codenamed Vee. She pilfered the headset without my permission.

You sure have been busy, haven’t you. I am glad to hear you are still okay, Elene.

For now, at least. I believe the events in Shanghai have put him in a more dangerous mood. Do you know the specifics of what happened there? Elene asked.

Desmond sighed. I should, I was the one who lead the mission. You guys nearly killed one of my friends. I don’t know what the hell Viktor thinks he is doing, but more importantly… Desmond’s voice turned serious, Did you know about the clone’s biological kill switch?

Elene tilted her head slightly. I did not. I did not have any role in their creation. Also, I would never use something like that on my three handmaidens. They are in enough danger as it is, with Vee having to fight in combat, and Emma working with Cross Technologies. Elene tapped her fingers on the desk uneasily. I fear that David Cross could change his mind about helping me at any moment…

Cross...You mean to tell me that David Cross is working with EXALT, that wouldn’t make any sense.

Why is that? Elene asked curiously. David Cross funded my mother’s research in the past, and is now...if hesitantly, funding mine.

You don’t know do you? David Cross is helping to fund the XCOM project, his own daughter is a soldier here, and one of my best friends...would he really betray her like that? Desmond put a hand on his chin.

There was a long pause. E-Emma is in...what have I...I did not know about his daughter's whereabouts. I did not know he funded XCOM. I have not yet told him what Viktor’s intentions are, but if he realizes that I am part of EXALT...that deduction would not be hard...he’ll… Elene trailed off fearfully.

Desmond sighed. It is a possibility that he would kill Emma. Whether or not he would is a question of his own morality. Desmond worried he was only making the situation worse. All I can say is...don’t lose hope yet.

What should I do...he’ll realize soon enough, and even if he doesn’t kill her, he’ll hand Emma over to XCOM...should I tell the truth and hope that he understands that Viktor’s actions are not my own? I have told him my only goal is research, and that is not a lie, but…

That is a tough call to make. As of now all I can say is...don’t let Viktor do anything drastic. I will do my best to keep Ammelia away from EXALT but my reach here only goes so far. Gather as much on Viktor as you can, all his plans and all of his deeds and get leverage. If you have at least some evidence it could sway Cross to your side.

If I were to do that, and promise Cross to help take down EXALT...then perhaps he would still help me. And perhaps XCOM will not terminate me once that is done, and I can continue my research in some form, Subject Negative Zero thought.

Just do what you can. Although, I doubt you just called to learn about what happened in Shanghai, what is the real reason you wanted to talk?

No, that was the reason I contacted you. However, understand two things. First, the actions of Viktor’s clones are not my own, and I am not to blame for anything they do. Second, if you end up having to fight Vee in combat, avoid killing her at all costs, Elene warned.

I already don’t blame you Elene, both of us are not to blame for Viktor’s action. The sins lay upon the man who committed them. As for ‘Vee’ I can’t promise her protection, as much as it pains me to do so. There are too many instances where that would be impossible to promise.

...I hope she never has to fight XCOM, then. I… Elene was cut off as she both said and thought those words.

Hey, are you guys talking about me? Vee asked. If I have to fight you...don’t expect me to go easy. That wouldn’t be how a real warrior fights.

Desmond raised an eyebrow. Sounds like another certain person I know… he thought to himself. Vee, this isn’t a game. We are more powerful than you guys by a long shot. If anything, I wouldn’t want us to hurt you for no reason.

I’m not saying it is, Subject 157 responded, Vee’s tone growing serious. But I was created to be a warrior, and if I must fight, then I will, regardless of the odds. I’m not a coward that cries in a corner because she thinks she’s going to lose. If I die, then I’ll at least be thankful for the time I had thanks to mother creating me in the first place. She gave me life, and that’s better than nothing at all.

You have no idea what you are talking about, do you? Do you think that you were the only one created to be a warrior. If you die, at least you will have someone who will mourn you. Think about that the next time you get a battle high. Being a warrior is not about not caring if you die, it is to live to protect the ones who can’t fight. As long as Viktor lives, your mother is that one who needs protecting.

She is the only one I can protect, Vee shot back. And don’t think I’m suicidal, and don’t you DARE compare me to those mindless sheep that serve Viktor. They aren’t even human, they’re just machines. They don’t feel like we do, they don’t care about their own lives in the slightest. I do. And I’ll fight to protect my mother and sisters, she began, but all I have other than that is the thrill of battle, and I won’t give that up. I won’t lose my humanity either.

Vee paused. I killed a man not so long ago. I know the value of life, and what it means to take it away. Don’t think I’m naive, Desmond.

If you think I was referring to Viktor’s clones you are more naive than I thought. When I was created, I was made to be the perfect soldier. I was strong, fast, but what made me different is I had a sense of free will. The fact you have already killed means that you may soon know the full extents of what being a warrior means, but trust me when I say it never gets easier. Don’t wish for battle Vee, don’t become what I almost did.

You have muddled fighting with killing. They are not one in the same, Vee said angrily, and then took off the headset, storming off. Lily did not look up from her computer.

Elene put it on briefly. I...I have to go.

Communication ceased. Avanix intoned.

She will soon learn, the distinction is not as clear as she may think...

 

[Euan]

Euan and DarkGemini24601: “Casual Practice”
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia

May 14th, several hours after Operation Caged Hero, the Shooting Range:

Raiden was pounding his head against his bunk. He knew he’d missed shots that he should’ve hit. Is that why he was denied a promotion? Sure, he’d practiced a lot at the gym, but that was the first time he’d ever fired one of these fancy new laser weapons, and it certainly wasn’t to be his last. He had to get better, prove to everyone that he was better than they thought. Sure, he didn’t want to be here, but while he was, he was going to be as strong and fast and accurate as he could be.

Raiden glared at the weapon rack. God, so much choice. Where do I start with these?

A Russian soldier wearing a gray coat and black ushanka walked into the shooting range. “Having trouble picking something out, my friend?” he asked.

“Nah, I got this,” Raiden tried to feign some courage as he awkwardly made to grab the nearest weapon, an arc thrower.

Modya raised an eyebrow. “You won’t kill anything with that. The arc throwers are advanced stun guns…”

“Uh… yeah. I knew that.” Raiden put the arc thrower back and took a laser pistol.

“Have you been assigned a class yet, or are you still waiting on that?” Mody asked, grabbing a heavy laser rifle.

“Still waiting. Guess they want to see what else I can do,” Raiden was uncomfortable discussing this with a stranger. “Or maybe I’m so good they’re trying to make me under-perform!”

“Well, what class do you think you’d be good as?” the Russian asked, curious.

“Something fast, something light. Something up-close and personal with the enemy. If such a thing existed, I’d be a melee class, but I was informed on entry that that’s not possible, so I guess a Scout or Assault?”

Modya nodded. “Alright. There are a few things that would work for that…” he suggested, walking over to the rack. “We have the scatter laser, which is essentially a shotgun. It’s a bit heavy, but it packs a strong punch. Then there’s the shatterray, which is a lot weaker but very light, something like a submachine gun. Finally, there’s the laser carbine, which weighs less than a standard rifle but can offer some better accuracy and mobility.”

Raiden pulled a confused yet determined, understanding face. “Carbine sounds good. Can I give that a try?”

“Go ahead. Were you planning to practice with targets, or do you want a simulation?” Modya asked. He grinned slightly, remembering his first meeting with the ALICE system. Wonder if she’s around right now…

“Throw me in a simulation. I can handle it.” There was a slight tremble in Raiden’s voice, but he felt confident he could do this. Why is he smiling? Is there something I don’t know?

“Do you want to do this alone, or would you feel more comfortable with someone to fight alongside?” Modya said, his expression becoming level again. “And don’t worry, they can’t actually hurt you. Atka and I were the first ones to test it, and it seemed very realistic, I know.”

“I’ve always fought alone. I don’t see why this should be any different.” I’ve already said too much. More than I meant to, anyway. Raiden put on the specialized armor that was on the racks.

Modya sighed.I suppose I was this unwilling to interact with most people when I came here, too.“If you insist.” The Russian walked over to the computer on the side, hoping ALICE could set up the simulation by him specifying it. “What alien species do you want to be in it? And...specify the environment, I suppose.”

“Urban. And two or three.”

“Which?”

“Surprise me.”

Modya nodded. “You have all that?”
“I do,” replied a different voice that Alice’s. The Cheshire Cat. “Give me a moment.”

Great, he’s probably going to do something cruel…

The AI constructed an urban environment, having a street with overturned or sideways cars, as well as buildings on either side, though it was slightly limited by the size of the shooting range. The buildings were only one or two stories. “Programming in the aliens to specifications...how many aliens in total would you like, Mr. Black?”
“Let’s go for seven.” Raiden stood still, in the open. Nothing appeared. “Is something supposed to-”

He was cut off by a bolt of plasma shot from a floater that had flown up to the third story of a building on his left. He moved just in time, and the energy ‘grazed’ his chest. Raiden dived for the nearest car, and took cover behind it.

“Your armour has been damaged. You are not hurt, but that armour is not going to last if you are hit more,” Modya called from outside the simulation.

“Got it.” Raiden leaned out of his cover and sprayed towards the floater. 1, 2, 3, 4 shots went wide. A fifth caught its arm and it dropped its weapon. The sixth caught it in the chest and it fell to the ground.
Just as Raiden felt he’d done well, three thin men popped up behind him.

“Shi…”

Three shots were fired, but none made contact. Raiden had rolled forwards, into the middle of the three aliens. He sprayed the rest of his magazine in an arc and killed all three (one in the head, two in the chest). The green light, simulated ‘gas’ fogged his vision, and Raiden sprinted out to reload. He was grabbing for a new clip as two chryssalids scuttled towards him. Raiden threw his carbine down, and went for his sidearm, only then realising that he’d forgotten to get one from the rack.

“Better do this the old fashioned way…”

Raiden moved to grab the nearest chryssalid’s leg, and tried to break it off. It didn’t work.

“It’s a simulation, remember,” Modya called out, “And I don’t think you could break the armor with your bare hands anyway,” he added as the second chryssalid threw itself at Raiden and the simulation ended.

“Worth a shot,” Raiden muttered, adjusting his prosthetic arm given to him on entry to the project. “Still not used to this damn thing.”

Modya looked at his arm. “You know...they’ve improved cybernetics recently. If you were to ask, I am sure they could give you something like Desmond’s replacement arm. I hear it hurts like hell to attach, though.”

“Is it heavy?”
“I think its strength makes up for that,” Modya replied. “Desmond seemed to be fine with it, though that American is stronger than most men.”

“I think I’ll pass. If I had a pistol I’d have won that anyway…” Raiden didn’t sound sure.
“It would certainly make you more effective on the battlefield,” The Russian continued. “At least think about it. If you change your mind, I’ll get Jessica or Sunny to get you one.”

“Sure thing. I’ll think about it,” Raiden lied. He moved to leave, but hesitated. “What’s your name again?”

“Modya Dragomirov,” the rocketeer replied. “And you?”

“Raiden. Raiden Black.” Raiden left, and smiled to himself. I look forward to working with you, Dragomirov.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Mind of the Machine

X-COM Siberian Base, Foundry
May 14th, 2018
0700 Hours

"Should I tell the doctors what she did?" Alice asked, tilting her said slightly.

"Did she hurt herself?" Sunny asked, slowly scanning the blueprints before her and making an occasional change.

"When she returned to the Infirmary, she seemed okay. And she said she wanted to leave. But if she's sneaking out..."

"It's okay, Alice," Sunny looked up at the hologram and smiled. "I-if she thinks she's well enough to leave, we should trust her." She looked back down at the blueprints. "Besides, I miss our talks."

Alice nodded, and said nothing more on the matter. After a few minutes of silence, she walked behind Sunny and glanced over her shoulder. "Making improvements?"

"Yep." Sunny blew some eraser residue away, and stood up, looking over her work and pointing to various parts. "I-I removed the plating here, as it was redundant, and would just weigh the SHIV down. And I routed the energy systems here, which will keep them from o-over heating as much. They should be ready by next mission."

Alice clapped her hands together excitedly. "Good work, doctor. First day back, and already such progress."

Sunny nodded, and walked over to the three SHIVs in the foundry, one already in the process of being dismantled and refitted. "Th-that extraction proved how much we need them. If the SHIV hadn't been taken down so quickly, Atka might be walking off that plane to her room, not being c-carried off to the infirmary."

"But they still saved her," Alice responded cheerfully. "And if you hadn't taken control, we might not have been able to avoid casualties."

"Ssh!" Sunny placed her hand over Alice's mouth, despite the fact that it wouldn't actually silence her. "I don't want anyone to know. At least not yet."

As Sunny stepped back in front of the SHIVs, Alice shot her a confused look. "Why not, doctor?"

"I'm not ready." Sunny sighed, looking down. "I need to show how useful I can be, or they'll... just remove the implants." She looked up. "The interface chip?"

Alice ran off, returning a minute latet will two chips. Sunny took the larger one and opened a panal in the front of Jubjub, installing it. She took the second, smaller one, and lifted the hair away from the back of her head. She placed the chip on the back of her neck, flinching as it latched to her skin. She closed her eyes, and a moment later, a red light on the SHIV's main camera turned on. Keeping her eyes closed, Sunny moved her eyes left, right, up, and down, and the camera moved in turn. "Does it work?" Alice asked.

Sunny nodded. "But this only the start. Do you have the Meld formula?"

Alice nodded, pulling out a piece of parchment. "Your special blend, combining the same meld formula we use in the cybernetics lab with meld made from analyzing the sectoids' unique frontal lobe."

"Where's our escort?" Sunny glanced around.

Alice closed her eyes for a moment. "He's flirting with a female engineer."

"Ayame?"

"She's with the Commander."

"Cheshire?"

"Occupied analyzing the data from the mission."

"The shooting range?"

"Empty, and I've locked the doors."

Sunny stretched her arms. "Alright. Let's do this. Send a copy of the Meld formula to Dr. Shen and Dr. Vahlen in thirty minutes, and tell them to come to the Shooting Range."

"Are you sure about this?" Alice rubbed her hands together nervously. "What... what if you get in trouble?"

"I-I'd be surprised if I didn't." Sunny shrugged. "But everyone is risking their lives to prove themselves. If getting in trouble is the worst I do to put myself at risk, then so be it. But l-like I said, if I don't prove myself first, they'll never believe me." She climbed on top of Jubjub and pointed forward. "All right. L-Let's do this!" The SHIV charged forward, heading straight for a wall. Sunny shrieked. "ALICE! HELP!"

Alice disappeared, reappearing a moment later in front of the wall. As the SHIV reached her, she quickly grabbed its sides, lifting it into the air. She waited for the tracks to stop moving before putting it down. "Are you okay, doctor?"

Sunny laughed nervously, blushing. "Yeah, thank you, just... too much power. That's, um... why I need t-to... b-better call the others in forty-five minutes."

Sunny looked forward cautiously, and the SHIV slowly moved forward, heading for the exit.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: “A little Less for Ware”

Skyranger Two touched down at XCOM HQ, and unloaded the occupants of the Skyranger One from “Caged Hero.” They were taken to debriefing, while an unconscious Atka was taken to the the medical ward. Huojin watched her go with no small amount of apprehension left. “Get better soon, Xif-...Atka…” he said quietly, before security took him to the area where civilians were kept.

As she was moved into surgery, an additional anesthetic injected into her, the nurse looked at Atka’s arm and grimaced. “What do you think, doctor?” he asked.

The doctor smiled. “Ask me a few months ago, and I’d say it was gone.” She walked over to a container holding a series of special metallic objects. “It’s gonna be still for a while, but thanks to the MELD, she’ll be fine.”

The doctors and nurses quickly got to work. The area inside Atka’s arm was stabilized with the implant and the wound was sealed with a special solution made from MELD specially programed to Atka’s DNA. Her wound was dressed, and the doctor wiped the sweat from her brow. “Well… it’s still in the experimental stage, but the research is sound. As long as she doesn’t do anything stupid like some of our other patients, she’ll recover.”

Atka was wheeled into a recovery room. For the next several hours, she was visited by a number of individuals, all of whom were disappointed to see her out. After four hours, Ayame stepped inside, sitting next Atka’s bed and gently moving a bang off her forehead.

After what must have felt like forever to Ayame, Atka slowly opened her eyes, grimacing a bit at the bright lights of the room.

Ayame’s eyes lit up, and she quickly moved to turn the lights down. Returning to Atka’s side, she whispered, “Welcome back, hero. Welcome back to the land of the living.”

“Not like I...actually died or anything…” Atka protested weakly.

“I know,” Ayame said with a smile. “But after what you went through, I didn’t want you being confused about whether you made it or not.”

Atka tried to nod, but found she didn’t really have the energy to sit up at all. “Sorry to scare all of you like that...I didn’t…” she trailed off.

Ayame laughed. “Girl goes into enemy territory to get us info, almost gets killed, and she’s the one apologizing. I won’t hear of it.” She sat down and leaned in. “Not that I was scared, of course. I knew all along you’d be fine.”

“I made the Commander worry, though,” Atka said with a sigh. “How is she doing now?”

“She’s been better,” came an Irish accent from outside the door. “But she’s doing a lot better now that you’re awake.”

Atka smiled. “Glad to hear it,” she replied. The smile faded somewhat as she glanced at her arm. “They’re not...going to have to remove it, are they?”

“No.” Morrigan stepped into the room. “They’re using some restorative technique. I’d be lying if I claimed to understand it all. But as long as you don’t start doing hand-stands, you’ll be fine.”

Atka looked relieved. “Thank God…I’m glad to hear that as well.”

“What’s wrong, boss?” Ayame grinned. “I think you’d look badass with one of those arms.”

Atka shook her head slightly. “I’d prefer to not have my body so altered…”

Ayame shrugged. “Well, then, I guess if you do lose an arm, I’ll just have to be your arms.” Morrigan laughed lightly, taking a seat next to the bed.

Atka smiled, glad to wake up to her friends. “Have you been taking good care of Taqukaq for me, Ayame?”

Ayame’s smile faded, and she glared at Atka. “He’s quite a handful when you’re not around. I have no idea how you get him to behave so well, but he’s been on pins and needles, probably waiting for you to get back.”

Morrigan nodded. “If that’s the case, it’s a good thing you didn’t leave him behind when you came to X-COM.”

Atka nodded. “Not to tell you I told you so, but...yeah. And as for how I keep him controlled otherwise…” Atka tried to tap her head, but sighed at her current weakness. “Telepathy,” she said instead, frustrated.

Ayame turned to Morrigan. “Is that a perk to being a soldier? ‘Cause if so, sign me up.”

Morrigan shook her head. “Sorry, but no. Atka is… special.” She smiled at her bed-ridden soldier.

Well, aside from Desmond. “So...am I a lance corporal now?” Atka asked.

“Of course.” Morrigan grinned. “Of course, I’m afraid you won’t be able to brag around base for a while. Though the doctors said you won’t be in here as long as you might think.”

“That’s reassuring,” Atka said. “I imagine the burn wounds might leave a scar though, but I won’t be worse off than Emily…”

“I like a good scar or two.” Ayame looked back and forth between the scout and the Commander. “I don’t know, they… they tell a story. And the more you have, the more stories you have.”

“As long as my whole body doesn’t become a book,” Atka said with a chuckle.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Morrigan responded. “Considering how much damage you took with how much danger you were in, I’d be surprised if you ever get hit again.” She stood up, stretching her arms.

Atka smiled. “If I do, hopefully I’ll be wearing heavier armor next time. And I don’t have a certain friend to be taking care of as well.”

“That you do.” Morrigan glanced around as though she was in trouble. “Listen, Bradford’s on my case about being here instead of doing the gigantic pile of paper work on my desk. But while I’m here, I’ve got a few more people I’ve been dying to visit.” She headed for the door, but turned back before exiting. “You did a fine job, soldier. I sent the right person for the job, without a doubt.”

“Thank you. It means a lot, Morr-...uh....sir,” Atka corrected herself.

Morrigan grinned, and took off without another word. Ayame looked Atka up and down, looking a bit worried. “So, boss, now that you don’t have to put on a brave face… are you okay? ‘Cause… I don’t know…”

Atka’s smile faded. “Well...I nearly died in a painful fashion. That shakes anyone a little…”

Ayame nodded. “Yeah… I would think so. Sucks almost dying, surrounded by a bunch of enemies who would sooner spit on you then look at you. Is there… anything I can do for ya?”

“It helps a lot to have you here...but I can’t think of anything specific…” Atka said slowly. “I’m just glad that everyone cares.”

“They do. They really do.” Ayame smiled. “I’m, uh… I’m sorry. I lied about not being scared. I have to be honest with you, I… it… it doesn’t matter…”

Atka held up her hand that she could move slightly. “Hey...it does matter. Don’t act like it doesn’t. It makes me worried to know that I scared you like that.”

Ayame wiped her eyes quickly, keeping the smile on her face. “Well, it’s kinda embarrassing, but to be honest, before I came here, I didn’t really have any… a-any… friends. I mean, I know it’s your job to watch me, but…”

Atka smiled. “I’m glad I could change that then. I wasn’t wrong in vouching for you before, and I didn’t expect to be.”

Ayame nodded. “I’m glad you had such faith in me. And I’m glad to be your friend, even if that means worrying about you.” She sighed. “I must sound like such a… I don’t know, wimp.”

“I’d be more concerned if you didn’t have moments like this. Everyone does,” the Inuit woman said gently. “There’s nothing wrong with caring about someone.”

Ayame sniffed, then let out a loud laugh. “Alright, enough of the mushy stuff.” She glanced at her watch. “Listen, I need to go check on Sunny. Don’t really trust the guy covering me to keep an eye on her. But I’ll be back whenever I can be. Sunny’ll probably want to see you anyway.”

“Right,” Atka responded. “And when I get better...I might start on a new carving for you. Sunny and Desmond both have one now, and I think it’s time I made one for you and Morrigan. Once I recover, of course,” the scout finished, sighing in exhaustion.

Ayame stood up. “Yeah, well, make sure your arm is better before trying that.” She walk towards the door, and looked back over her shoulder. “And remember. IF you need anything, just ask. No matter how mundane, no matter how complex.”

“I’ll remember that.” Atka closed her eyes, finding sleep a welcome prospect after such a long day.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Dahlexpert and MarineAvenger: “I Need Answers” (Feat. DG24601)
Part 1

Eva walks into her and Desmond’s room. “Yo, cyborg I need to talk to you.”

Desmond looked up from the book he was reading. “You know, you could be a little more friendly. We are stuck together after all.”

“Yea Yea look, I need to talk to you about that last mission you were on.”

Desmond put the book aside and sat up. “I knew you would have questions, so what do you want to know?

“I need to tell you something about our mistress, and why this doesn't make sense”.

Eve sighed. “Our mistress is a kind person a very smart person, she made a lot of things X-COM uses like the holographic globe and a lot of other things, hell she was even working on curing cancer. It bothers me that a person like her would do something so drastic like start a war with XCOM.”.

Desmond crossed his arms. “You really haven’t figured it out have you. I was hoping you would have come to realize what was going on so I wouldn’t have to.”

“And what would that be, do you know something I don’t?” Eva asked suspiciously.

Desmond stared daggers at the girl. “I know a lot of things that you don’t. I just don’t think you are ready to come with terms with what I know.”

Eva crossed her arms. “What do you know that I can not come to terms with, because I’m not a child who can’t handle bad news”.

Desmond sighed and looked down. “Weeks ago...Lusett Exalt was brutally murdered…”

Eva eyes widen. “What wha-what do you mean she was murdered. What the hell happened to her?”

Desmond stood up. “Viktor Dorian happened. Ever heard of him? He was the one who first helped Lusett create me. He was caught trying to sell secrets and was executed, or so I was told. Apparently he was just thrown in a dark cell and when Lusett needed help, she let him out. A week later, he shot Eve in the head and threw Lusett out a window.”

Eva looked like she was dead, not saying a word for a while. Finally Eva punched the wall leaving a big dent in it. “So my master and friend got killed by a power hungry man. Tell me Desmond, what's he like, before I kill him. Tell me everything."

Desmond pulled up a chair for Eva so she could sit down, and he sat across her on his bed. “Well what I can tell you is that you can’t kill him. He is just like me. Strong, fast and he has control of psionics.” He stared at her. “And there is another person you should know about...well multiple people.”

Eva body started to shake.” Great so someone with psionics just like you and is stronger than you. Do we have allies that can at least help us take this man down, because I refuse to let XCOM kill this man before we do…”

Desmond shook his head. “It is not just Viktor we have to look out for. As we saw on the mission he has an entire army of clones behind him, and...there is another Lusett…”

“What there is another Lusett? Wait, Lusett already had a child...”

“Sort of, she is a clone of Lusett, so in the sense a daughter. Also, she has three handmaidens who are a mix of DNA from all different people. Right now, Elene as she is called, is basically a hostage to Viktor, she can do very little. Eve, was killed along with Lusett.”

Eva rubs her head. “So my Mistress and original clone are dead and her organization was taken over by a crazed madman. And now there is another Lusett who is my master's daughter. I say daughter loosely... She is a hostage to this person. Did I get all that?”

“Well that is the basics, but yeah you get the general gist of it. I have talked to Elene a few times already, right now she is just scared. I hope you understand why we can’t just run off, right?”

Eve sighed. “I need to talk to this woman at some point; do you realize that?”

Desmond nodded. “I could possibly set it up, but it might not even work. We can try…”

“Great, because we need to find a way to take down this new EXALT. I would rather see my old friends work destroyed then let it be used against humanity.” She let out a sigh. “But if we can save her work some how then that's great. We have a lot of work to do”.

Desmond rubbed the back of his neck. “You are not listening, we couldn’t do anything even if we wanted to. All we would be doing is blowing our cover and wasting this opportunity. Right now, we stay put and suck up our pride.”

“Damn that is frustrating. I wish we could do something to take the fight to them, and not just wait for them to attack us. I mean, they’ve attacked us multiple times and we only attacked them once.”

“That is because XCOM still knows next to nothing about us. Eventually, if we do end up taking down EXALT, me and Elene are worried that the Council will order her execution along with everyone else. Whether or not that would include us is up in the air. I hope you see where I am coming from here. I kept this a secret because I am trying to keep us all alive and I can’t worry about you going on a personal vendetta.” Desmond said with concern.

“Relax I’m not going to go out on my own and try to take on the whole EXALT army. But...this is frustrating, waiting on them to attack us. God I wish we could do something. In the mean time during our time here, we will get stronger, and by the time we finally find that bastard I would be fully augmented and you will be a hulking mech.”

Desmond smirked. “I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself there Eva but none the less that would probably be best. If you want I could still attempt to connect you to Elene.”

“I would like to see this woman who we are working for now,” Eva requested.

“Well you won’t be seeing anything, but you can still talk to her. Put your hand on my forehead and see if this will work.” He knelt in front of Eva.

Eva sighed again. “Fine.” She put her hand on his forehead.

Desmond concentrated hard, trying to merge his mind with Eva’s and transmit it through his implant to Avanix. After about a minute, there was a connection.

Um, hello? Can you hear me?

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Dahlexpert and MarineAvenger: “I Need Answers” (Feat. DG24601)
Part 2

Back in EXALT HQ, Elene Exalt looked over at her computer with surprise. “I only contacted him a short time ago...” she put on the headset. What is it, Desmond? Subject Negative Zero’s voice resonated in Eva’s head, sounding remarkably like Lusett’s voice.

Wow, you sound just like your mother. No, this is not Desmond this is Eva; are you Elene?

Eva… Elene’s eyes widened. I...I am.I am glad to be able to talk to you. Considering that a good portion of my genetic code is borrowed from yours, you would technically be my second mother.

Wow. (Lusset really laid on that two women having kids thing didn't she) Well it’s nice to hear from you. And you sound just like your mother and sorry you never met her.

So you know, then. I apologize as well, I assume you were good friends. I...Vee! Elene’s voice was cut off, and a different one filled in.

This has got to be the weirdest situation ever, I swear. So if you’re one of Elene’s mothers...doesn’t that make you our grandmother? Vee wondered. But you’re only, what…

Twenty seven, Avanix clarified.

What the robot said.

Eva get’s a confused look on her face. Who the hell is this?

I ought to introduce myself, huh. I’m one of Elene’s creations, the three handmaidens. I’m Subject 157, Vee, specialized for combat. The other two are the quiet one, 156, or Lily, and the direct copy of Elene, Emma. And if Desmond’s listening, I’m still not talking to you, asshole, Vee added with a miffed look.

Subject Negative Zero sighed while waiting for Vee to finish. “Remind me to make a secondary headset, Lily.”

“Understood, mother,” the scientist replied.

Vee don’t spoil this, it is hard enough keeping the connection...

Fine. She handed the headset back to Elene.

Well, now you’ve met one of my handmaidens, at least, Elene mused, a trace of authentic amusement evident in her tone, something unusual for her.

Well, it’s nice to see that you following in your mother’s footsteps. Look Desmond told me about Viktor. Now X-COM will find the EXALT Base in time but for now keep doing what you're doing and stay alive. And when X-COM finds the base the soldiers here would most likely kill everyone there including you and your handmaidens. We could kill Viktor then.

I am aware of that. My primary objective is to continue Lusett Exalt’s research. I have plans to set up my own facility, but it would be unfortunate if this one were lost. Ideally, once I figure out the problem of Viktor’s clones, I can consider assassination. I know you warned me about this, Desmond, but I’m thinking logically here. He cannot stop a laser to the back of the head he’s not expecting, regardless of his psionic powers.

I just don’t want you to do something we both will regret.

Look just stay alive and don’t do anything stupid, and do not try and kill Victor by your self I know you want to kill him. Hell me and Desmond want to kill him but just stay alive and wait for us OK.

I understand. The same goes for you, mother. Be careful.

Eva took a long pause. Don’t you worry about me i’m a trained soldier,but i’ll be careful just for you take care kid.

I will. You know, you sound a lot like Vee. I hope you can actually meet her someday.

Desmond sighed. “Alright…I need to rest. You’ll have to talk more later.”

Acknowledged, Avanix responded, and cut the communication.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

ZombieSplitter53 and MarineAvenger
Girl Talk

Elizabeth was sitting in her room, sleeping off the hours of extra work that was slapped onto her. “Why must I always get the whiny ones…” She was in her normal pajamas but for some reason she was really uncomfortable. “I really need a break.”

A light tap came on the door. “Um… Ellie… are you…”

“Yeah of course, come on in. It is unlocked.” She called out.

Jessica slowly opened the door, looking as though she had regretted coming here. She smiled nervously at Elizabeth and said, “Oh, uh… y-you going to bed. I’ll… come back later…”

She walked over and pulled the girl in. “I am just doing it casual today, what's wrong. You seem on edge uhh...?” Elizabeth tilted her head not knowing which Lockheart she was dealing with.

“J-Jessica…” Jessica reluctantly stepped in and sat on the bed. “And I’m a bit… troubled.”

Elizabeth sat down next to Jessica. “Tell me what is wrong then, I am always here for you.”

“I don’t mean to burden you, it’s just that I don’t know how much experience Ammelia has, and she doesn’t know about Alexia. And Sunny is… uh, eleven. And I can’t talk to my sister, because it directly… you won’t tell, Alexia, will you?”

Elizabeth looked at her friend with a tilted head. “I don’t know, you guys should wear a giant neon sign saying who you are cause I can never tell, but sure I won’t spill it to her.”

Jessica smiled weakly. At least she’s in a good mood. “Um… I… how are… things with Desmond going?”

Elizabeth smiled in a snooty way. “It took a whacking over the head but I finally got him to take me out on a real date!” She turned her head away from Jessica, a mischievous grin on her face. “I wonder what else I can get him to do.” She laughed in a mocking menacing voice. “So what’s up with you…” She nudged Jessica with her elbow. “I heard you and a certain Russian hit it off.”

“Hehehehe.” Jessica laughed nervously, her eyes widening in a way that looked like she was going to pass out, her cheeks turning bright red. “I, uh… I want to tell you something… but I don’t… I-I don’t know how… o-or if I even should…”

“Come on tell me!” She got close to Jessica and made a sad face. “Please?”

“Oh… why is this so hard…” Jessica bit her lip. She couldn’t believe it, but she was actually starting to believe Leon might have been right to some degree. “You see, Modya and I… oh, will he be mad if he finds out I told… Modya and I… have decided to… take our relationship… to the next level…”

A look of horror crawled onto Elizabeth’s face and she crawled away from Jessica. “He got you pregnant didn’t he! Oh wait till I get my hands on him! Where is my needle?”

“NO!” Jessica cried out, her face turning into a cherry. “No. No. Nononononono! I-I am not pregnant! Why would you… no…”

“Oh…” She looks at Jessica slowly turning her head towards her and grabbing her shoulder. “Why didn’t you say that before!” She yelled shaking her back and forth.

“Are you crazy?” Jessica gave her friend an honest look of disbelief. “Why would that be the first… you know there are things you have to do before that happens, right? You’re a doctor, for crying out loud!”

She tilted her head and pointed her finger at Jessica. “No excuses…” She looked at her with squinted eyes and broke down laughing. “Okay, okay, jokes aside what is on your mind Jess?”

“I… I…” Jessica shook her head, wondering what she had gotten herself into. “I… slept with… Modya…”

A look of dumbfounded appeared on Elizabeth’s face. “Y-yo-you did w-what…” Her face exploded in color.

“I… Modya and I… spent the night together…” Jessica head sulked. “I mean… not literally, I… y-you know what I mean, right?”

“Listen Jess, this really isn’t anything to be worked up about. If you really care for Modya then there is nothing wrong here...is there?” She asked.

Jessica smiled, but her face remained red. “O-of course… I didn’t say I regretted it… It was… interesting. I mean, neither of us really knew what we were doing, so it was a little awkward. A-and a bit painful… but it was the greatest moment of… connection I’ve ever had with someone.”

“You make it sound like a good thing but your face says otherwise, and you wouldn’t have come here if there wasn’t more to this story so spill.” She said with concern.

“You don’t understand.” Jessica scoffed, more at herself than at Elizabeth. “But how could you. You’re not a skitzo, sharing your body with your sister…”

“So that is what this is what this whole thing is about...Alexia has feelings for Modya too doesn’t she? That is why you don’t want me telling her you saw me.” Ellie said softly. She climbed next to Jessica and let her hand lay on her shoulder.

Jessica’s eyes widened, and looked as though. “W-wait… did… did she say that to you?”

“She didn’t have to tell me anything. Why else would you want me to keep it a secret from her? Jess you know you can talk to me any time right? No matter what anybody may say, you can’t lie very good.”

“Well, I was just worried about Alexia being upset that I slept with someone with our shared body, even if she said otherwise.” Jessica looked down, her face the picture of worry. “But… what if she isn’t. What if she doesn’t mind. What if she wants me… want if she also likes…” Jessica started rocking back and forth. “But she hates him. O-or she did. I mean, she likes him now, but she said she didn’t like him that way, but what if… what if… what… if…”

Elizabeth held her friend so she would stop rocking. “Then tell her how you feel. Even though you share the same body you are still two different people. If Modya can learn to love both of you, I don’t think it matters much what will happen. You are not one in the same as Alexia.” She stroked her friend’s hair. “I don’t know if there is a clear cut answer. Just go with what your heart tells you.”

“It… it’s just strange…” Jessica shook her head. “Everything is always strange. And what if Modya… did love her too? What would that mean… for me?”

Elizabeth bit her lip trying to find the right answer. “Well that just means he will just have to have a heart big enough for the two of you. If he can’t handle both of you, then he doesn’t deserve either of you.” She said confidently.

Jessica just looked into Ellie’s eyes for several seconds. Finally, after what felt like forever, she sighed, and said, “U-unfortunately, considering my… current predicament, that somehow makes the most sense.” She closed her eyes. “Man, what am I going to say to Alex? What… am I going to say to Modya?”

Elizabeth rubbed her head, still wondering what to say to make her friend feel better. “Well I am guessing a needle won’t work…”

“No, but… believe it or not, you… you did help…” Jessica smiled, and hugged her friend, whispering, “You must think I’m a freak right now, huh?”

She smiled and squeezed her friend back. “Girl, we are all freaks…that is what makes life fun for us.”

Jessica stood up, tapping her cheeks in a futile attempt to get the red out of them. “I… have a lot of thinking to do.”

Elizabeth got and grabbed Jessica’s arm. “Then let’s do it together. I wanna be there for you, no matter what!” She said cheerfully.

Jessica smiled. “That’s okay. Really, I need to do this myself. You’ve done more than I should have forced on you already.”

She made a cat face as she looked at her friend. “Alright then, just let me know if you guys get busy again. I want to know when to stick him for touching you.” She said coyly and playfully.

“I’ll be sure to page you,” Jessica responded without thinking. Her face turning red again, she quickly left the room while muttering quietly to herself.

Elizabeth giggled to herself and jumped back on to the bed, sighing. “Why are friendships so hard…”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

“Not a Psychiatrist” – Thomas Burrick
XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
2200 Hours, Local Time, the Barracks:

Infantry Specialist Maggie Beckett stirred her coffee absently, staring intently at a notebook. She was in the lounge of the barracks, resting an elbow on the table. Her hand kept her head up.

“What are you working on there?” a male voice asked from beside her.

Maggie jumped a little, having zoned out. She looked over at Thomas Burrick. He had a hand on the back of his neck, smiling apologetically with his eyes momentarily closed.

“Me?” Maggie asked, even though there was only one other person in the room (And few people talked to Sarah Wong on base). The infantry picked up her notebook and showed it to a curious Tom.

On it were sketches of seekers and their reactions to various shots and attacks, to the best of Beckett’s understanding. Notes accompanied the black-and-white drawings.

“Impressive,” Thomas remarked. His smile faded. “That’s still bothering you, isn’t it?” he inquired as gently as he could.

It wasn’t hard for Maggie to figure out what he meant. “Eva did her best to tell me it wasn’t my fault…but…” she trailed off sadly.

Thomas sat down next to her. “Look, you made a mistake in a bad situation. The people that matter forgive you for that.”

“I’m sure his family doesn’t,” Maggie replied sullenly.

“Then prove that you can make a difference,” Thomas countered. He tapped the notebook with a pen. “You are already walking down that path, just don’t stray from it.”

Maggie’s expression lightened. “…thank you. It means a lot, it really does.”

Tom nodded. “Now, get some sleep. The night shift is my job.”

Maggie realized how tired she was, and decided to leave her coffee for Tom rather than drink it. “Right. Good night…”

“Thomas Burrick. You can call me Tom, though,” the assistant manager of records finished.

Maggie nodded, and walked off.

“…and I didn’t even sign up to be a psychiatrist,” Tom muttered to himself. “Good grief.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Aberrations (Nightmare II) – Atka Ipiktok

The council stood around her, their expressions and faces shadowed from view. Atka was held in place by clamps that kept her from moving her hands, feet, body, or neck. They were tighter than they needed to be, causing a significant amount of pain.

“It is not enough," one said.

“We must make…improvements. Especially after…him,” the council spokesman intoned. Behind the man, the Indian representative was hanging by…threads from the ceiling? Atka stifled a scream when she realized the truth. He was impaled by misshapen spikes pointing in all directions. Blood dripped onto the floor in a widening pool of blood behind the spokesman, staining his black shoes.

Saws and other cutting instruments begun to descend on Atka. “Please, don’t!” Atka pleaded desperately. She looked not the tinted glass where an emotionless set of engineers sat. “I’m begging you!” she screamed futilely.

The blades descended, and were splattered with blood.

Atka’s pleas were silenced as her limbs were lost. Her eyes wide and hollow. “So…much blood….but…”

The Inuit woman started to smile. “It doesn’t hurt anymore…heh…” She started to laugh uncontrollably in shock. Metal limbs attached themselves to her joints, though Atka could feel the pain no longer. Lines of metal fused with flesh crept along that which was still flesh, and her skin grayed.

“We don’t need soldiers…” the spokesman callously stated, as Atka’s eyes turned from their soft brown to a faded red. His face showed slightly, an unnatural smile, almost like the Cheshire cat’s. “We need monsters. And you’re our monster now.”

“I am…” Atka whispered to herself.

Atka came to with a start, her hands tightening in terror. She winced at the burning pain in her right arm, which did not move as she unconsciously tried to command it. “N-no…” Atka whispered. “That isn’t right…that’s not how they…” A pause. “They would never go that far!” she growled in defiance, but it was overshadowed by fear and trepidation.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Sins of the Past

EXALT Base, Unknown Location
0200 Hours

Sora was digging through some old records that were buried deep in the base archives, but all he was finding were old presentations and work notes that were either obsolete or held no value to him. Sora was created by Viktor to be a fully aware A.I so he was obviously curious about his creator and why he was on such a vendetta against the world. As he dug deeper and deeper, the A.I had finally found something that was worth while, a video log of one of the early days when Viktor first started working with Lusett. He collected the data and he materialized into his persona. He had taken some time to develop it but it was something that he thought fit him.

He appeared as a young man, with steel gray hair and very light blue eyes covered with a modern glasses frame. His clothes were a white button up, and on top of that a midnight black jacket that had a white hood and white intricate stitches on the back in the form of the EXALT symbol. He wore faded black jeans with a pocket watch that was in his pocket with the chain laying out. The watch had the same intricate etching in the shape of the EXALT symbol and had a shiny gray gloss to it. Finally, to complete the persona he wore white flat top skater shoes. He materialized the video in the shape of a laptop and materialized a chair so he could sit down. For his short time in cyberspace, he had become quite adept at using cool features like this. He sat down on the chair and pressed the play button.

Viktor Dorian’s Thesis on Perfect Cloning-Log 1

A younger looking Viktor was standing in a lab and although he looked younger, he still had the same scowl he wore today. “This is my first log of many on the road to create the perfect clone, not an organ, but a full grown human.” He looked over at his notes. “If my theory is correct, then I will have taken the first steps to creating the greatest scientific break through since the discovery of the atom.”

Log End

Sora put his chin in his hands as he swept his hand to reveal more videos.

Viktor Dorian's Thesis on Perfect Cloning-Log 7

Viktor appeared once more with a look of distraught on his face. "Subjects 11-26 were all failures. For some reason, the cells that are created from the cloning process deteriorate at a very fast rate, killing the clone in almost mere hours." He rubbed his shaved head. "I don't know why this continues to happen and it is setting back the project by months. The successful cloning of Subject 1 was a miracle in of itself but until then neither a female or male template has successfully been cloned. Unless we have a successful result within the time the next fund hearing is coming...I don't believe we will ever complete this fool's quest."

Log End

Sora sat back in the chair. "So it seems he was not always a hateful man but one of science. Sure he appears frustrated but that is no reason to want world domination is it?" He continues to swipe through the videos until one particular one stands out to him. He clicked on it and watched with curiosity.

Viktor Dorian's Thesis on Perfect Cloning-Log 11

Viktor looked at the camera with a look of thrill. "So far Subject 40 is showing signs of stabilizing. His cardiovascular and circulatory system are steady and working without complication." A large smile came onto his face, something Sora had never seen from him genuine before. "I believe that now is the time we have been waiting for. We ha-" He was cut off as an alarm had gone off. "Warning, warning, Subject 40 is destabilizing. Body functions are failing." A computer had stated. "No, no, no, no! What is going on! Cut off secondary systems, save the clone, save the-" "Subject 40 is now deceased." The computer stated cutting him off. He walked away in anguish and slammed his hands on the lab table and sent papers flying as he swiped them across the table. "Damn it! What the hell happened!"

Log End

Sora raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like without the Meld we use today, Viktor was never able to perfect the cloning process." Sora thought to himself. "If that was Patient 40 then that means..." Sora scrolled to the next video.

Viktor Dorian's Thesis on Perfect Cloning-Log 12

Viktor was leaning over the table, his head hanging low. "I don't know what to do...no matter what we can't seem to create a matured human. Subject 41 died only a few minutes ago. We tried to grow him to the size of a normal young adult but that too failed. I don't know what to do..." After a minute in silence, a younger looking Lusett walked into the lab.

"Viktor, we have a stable subject, it is amazing. No complications and he has already grown at around the age of seven. He are his charts." She handed him the clipboard. When he looked over it and his eyes widened.

"Lusett...what have you done..." He looked over to her with a look of horror and threw the clipboard to the ground. "What the hell have you done!"

"I used you and your brother's DNA as the basis for the cloning and it is working, Viktor. You gave consent when you first brought him here. What are you so worked up about?" She asked

"You did not even ask my permission first! That is my brother. Consent or not, you should have asked!" He yelled at her. He pushed out of her way and ran out of the room, Lusett shook her head and turned to the camera, shutting it off.

Log End

"Well that explains one part of the story, but something else must have happened. Let's see..." He scrolled to the next video, which surprised him as the date was almost a year after the last entry.

Viktor Dorian's Thesis on Perfect Cloning-Log 13

Viktor stood pacing around the room, apparently trying to hold back tears. He sat down and looked at the camera and it was clear his eyes were red. "The final operations have been done on Patient 42, who at this time is around the age of 14 human years. He has been given implants to significantly increase logic and reasoning skills, as well as combat upgrades to improve his speed and strength. Any final body modifications are in place and the Subject has turned out better than hoped." He rubbed his face as if he hadn't slept in days. "While I was heading the operations however, my brother died...the tests he had gone through were too much for his body. His immune system couldn't handle all the tests. It was a complication that cost him his life." He held back the tears once more. "It is all her fault. If it wasn't for her, Desmond would still be alive, the real Desmond." He shook his head in disbelief. "This was the final straw. I refuse to work for that wretched girl any longer. I plan on selling the secrets of the cloning process to the highest bidder and using the money to fund my own endeavors." He looked at the camera one last time. "Lusett Exalt can burn for what she did to me..." He gave one last look of anger and leaned towards the camera.

Log End

Sora sat back, taking in what he had seen. "The rest is history I guess. Viktor was caught, spent years in a cell harboring anger towards Lusett and finally killed her when he had the chance. This guy really is a mad man, no matter his reasoning." Sora got up and dematerialized the objects around him. "I don't know what he plans to do...but lets hope he doesn't bring the world down with him." Sora dissipated into pixels and returned to his normal processor.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Steel Sky – Elene Exalt (Feat. Avanix and ‘Lily’)

The American military had gotten lax. That is what it seemed like, anyway. To be fair, they were used to dealing with people who were inept with technology, and had fairly bright minds to come up with their systems. However, they were unprepared for the three that set their gaze on the drone planes.

A.V.A.N.I.X began the process of hacking the American military’s computer network. He was assisted by Elene and Lily in this endeavor. “Connection established,” Avanix intoned, and would be smiling if she could. “Let’s do this.”

First order of business: Deal with the primitive A.I. that stood in her way.

Your IP address and identity are unknown. Please specify these or I will alert... the archaic - as compared to Avanix - system began.

“Encryption removed, password accepted. Rewriting the “Mary” artificial intelligence’s systems to allow us access now,” Lily informed the other two as she typed rapidly.

Welcome, Mr. President.

Elene smiled slightly, unconsciously, with amusement. “You told the system to recognize us as the President of the United States?”

“That is technically illegal or a hostile activity, but they will not know and you ordered me to…”

“I know, what you did is acceptable. Continue,” Elene responded gently, before her clinical demeanor took over again.

“Encryptions and passwords cracked,” Subject 156 announced.

“All safeguards disabled. Our presence will likely be detected by their countermeasures in 16 seconds,” Avanix added.

“I have disabled tracking and self-destruct features,” Subject Negative Zero said quickly. “Cut the drones off from the Mary Interface and connect them all to yourself, Avanix.”

Five seconds passed. “Working on it,” Avanix said. Ten. Eleven. Twel- “Done!”

In American airbases within the country and abroad, the military staff had about 3 seconds to wonder why the drones seemed to be prepping for launch. Then an alarm went off that they had never expected to hear. The “Mary” system designed by a brilliant scientist that only a few knew was named “Lusett Exalt” had been compromised.

Before the military could stop them, a total of 30 of the F-22 drones scrambled into the air. That left the American military only ten, all on their own soil. And then...the systems in the bases they were stationed shut down. Everything went dark for a few minutes as the United States air force struggled to bring their radar back on to find out what had happened. This gave Avanix time to scatter her commandeered fighters to 3 bases around the world.

Elene pumped her fist lightly, triumphantly. “We did it!” Seeing Lily’s uncomprehending state, Elene’s face turned a little red and she looked away from 156.

“Congratulations, Mistress. We now have the capability to shoot down alien craft, at least in theory. While not as good at fighting UFOs as XCOM’s interceptors, they should suffice. And repurposing a satellite for tracking shouldn’t be anything as difficult as hacking the American air force’s systems.

“Now it is a matter of waiting for a contact to appear,” Subject Negative Zero added. “Lily, tell Viktor to expect some automated jets be landing in the three bases I specified to him earlier.”

“As you wish,” 156 replied. “…and…I’m happy we were successful,” Lily said, though her expression revealed little to prove her statement.

Elene nodded. “I am as well.” As Lily walked off, she swiveled her chair back around to look at her computer. “Avanix…you said something about a holographic projection for yourself earlier?”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53
Second Chances

XCOM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
Late Evening or Night, the Medical Ward

Atka could not fall back asleep after her nightmare. She laid on the medical bed uncomfortably, her mind filled with worries about the implications of the MELD, and the Council. She was still unaware that the same substance had saved her arm. Ayame walked up to the doorway, peeking in and expecting Atka to be asleep. She noted Atka’s look of discomfort, and slowly stepped inside.

Atka quickly tried to hide her worried expression. “Hey, Ayame. What time is it…?”

Ayame glanced at her watch. “Um… late, but it’s hard to tell when you can never see the sun.” She sat down, and cautiously asked, “You… okay, boss? You looked a bit upset. You in pain?”

The scout looked away from Ayame. “It was... just a nightmare. It’s not important,” she tried to say, though her weak tone and behavior said otherwise.

“Oh, I don’t know.” Ayame scratched her chin. “Some people say our dreams are a window into our inner self. And it might make you feel better to get it off your chest.”

“I…” Atka looked back over, and then nodded slightly, laying her head back and closing her eyes. “I was in the cybernetics lab...with the Council staring over me. The…” she shuddered. “The Indian council member was impaled by spikes on the ceiling... and they told me that they needed to make up for that.”

The Inuit woman took a deep breath before continuing. “They... they cut off my limbs... and replaced them with metal ruthlessly. It... it corrupted everything I was... and they smiled, telling me that a monster was more useful that a soldier…”

Ayame shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Look… I was just joking about what I said, you know, about you with a metal arm. You’re fine just as you are.”

“It... wasn’t about that. I’m just... I’m afraid of what will happen to us... how do you think the floaters came into being?” Atka said worriedly. “We could easily reach that level... and to an extent, it’s not incorrect that monsters are more useful. The price is too high for us, but if the Council feels like they’re being backed into a corner…”

“No!” Ayame slammed her fist down on the small desk next to the bed, almost causing a vase of flowers to fall over. “They won’t. They can’t. We won’t allow it. The Commander won’t allow it. I won’t allow it, not with my friends here. If we surrender our humanity, then what are we even fighting for. I won’t allow someone I care about be turned into a monster, not if I can do anything about it!”

Atka sighed. “All I’ve done the past few days is to cause everyone to worry it seems…”

Ayame’s expression softened, then turned to guilt. “No… what? I didn’t mean…” She sighed. “I’m so bad at this. You’re not making me worry. You’re just opening my eyes to the dangers of this project from the inside. I mean, it’s so easy to get swept up in the fighting and the new tech that we go too far. If anything, I’m glad to see you have the sense not to… to forget what is important. Humanity, and keeping it safe, both from the aliens, and from ourselves.”

Atka smiled slightly. “Thank you, Ayame…” She tapped a finger against the bed. “I’m glad I can talk to you, since I don’t think I’m going to be able to fall back asleep for awhile.”

Ayame nodded. “Hey, no problem. I’m just not used to talking much, at least to socially like this. It’s kinda… refreshing.” She sat back. “So, maybe we can keep talking. Maybe about something to ease your mind off of these… troubling thoughts.”

Atka thought for a moment. “Well... I... I don’t mean to pry, but you did say you would tell me more about yourself awhile back. Considering all that you’ve done for me... I would like to hear that. If there’s anything that bothers you, maybe I can help…” she offered.

Ayame frowned. “Well… you know how I mentioned not letting my friends turn into monsters. I probably should have said… I won’t let it happen again. Though this time it is a lot more literal.”

The Inuit woman was listening intently. “And, remember... if anything is too painful to talk about, you don’t have to tell me. Just tell me what you’re comfortable with.”

“It’s all painful… but maybe talking about it…” Ayame smiled weakly. “I’ve mentioned before being in the military when I was younger, ‘till a popped a CO for getting a little too touchy. Well, when I came here, I was working as a mercenary, but that was actually a recent thing, and not something I enjoyed. I, uh… I used to work for the American Yakuza operating in California.”

The scout thought for a moment, the name being mostly unfamiliar. “Is... that a crime syndicate? I think I’ve heard of them…”

Ayame nodded. “Yeah, crime syndicate would be the right term. They’re often referred to as the Japanese Mafia. I was brought on as something of an enforcer, thanks to my military training and fighting knowledge. And after gaining favor with a few bosses, I was put in charge of a… a, uh, a boarding house of sorts. Somewhere for female Japanese immigrants to get accustomed to life in America.”

“There’s more to that story than that, isn’t there?” Atka asked.

Ayame hesitated for a moment. “There was… this one girl there. Pretty young thing. She wasn’t happy with the… arrangements, and it was my job to make sure she fell in line, whether she was happy with it or not. I was… a bit rough on her when she got a bit violent with her first customer, and afterwards, there was something about her that was lost. Something that I was largely responsible for destroying.”

Ayame looked down to the floor. “I could never… never get back what I took from her, but I had to do something, anything, to make it right. So, despite the horrible danger it put me in, despite it meaning throwing away the life I had made, I took what little money I could get my hands on, secreted her away from that place, and tried to take her somewhere where she could find happiness.”

“I guess I’m lucky I wasn’t part of society for a long time...we had to worry about our survival more than hurting each-other like it sounds the Yakuza do,” Atka thought aloud, and her expression saddened. “It sounds like what you tried to do didn’t work out.”

Ayame shook her head. She unbuttoned her shirt, and pointed to a large scar over her left breast. “She… she never trusted me, not after what I did to her. And I guess I never deserved her trust. So, the first chance she got, as soon as I dropped my guard, she took a large combat knife and plunged it into my chest, directly towards my heart. If it wasn’t for a certain medical condition, I would have died instantly.”

Atka eyes widened, and she tried to find some sort of comforting words, but all she could come up with was a gentle look. “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be,” Ayame said flatly. “I deserved her wrath, though I wasn’t ready to die yet. You could say I took my… situs inversus, I believe it is called, as a sign that I had a second chance. But that didn’t mean I didn’t deserve it. I turned Akemi… a sweet, innocent girl, into a killer. I never saw her again. I don’t even know if she’s alive anymore.” She reached forward, grasping Atka’s hands. “But you, Atka, you’re just like her. Despite all the things you’ve had to deal with, you’ve kept your innocence. You even look like her to an extent. So you’re my second chance. My chance to help someone with a good heart keep that good heart, and not turn them into a monster. And that’s why I’m gonna stick by your side, through thick and thin. Hell, I’ll even ask the Commander to make me a soldier, beg her, so I can fight to keep you and everyone else here safe. Whatever it takes.”

Atka smiled. “I suppose I’m going to have to be more careful...though that’s hard when I’m the one that’s supposed to get shot at,” she said with a gentle laugh. “I would worry about you a little if you did decide to become a soldier... but I know how it feels not being able to do anything, to be helpless too when I’m stuck on base. I wouldn’t stop you if you wanted to do that.”

Ayame grinned. “Good. Great! If you think I…” She raised her eyebrows a bit in surprise, suddenly remember why they were talking in the first place. “So, are you feeling any better. ‘Cause like I said, you ain’t becoming a monster, you or any of my friends here. I’ll see to it.”

“I’ll hold you to that while I’m stuck unable to defend myself…” Atka looked at her arm, then down at her chest. “I have no idea how they think it won’t be that long…”

Ayame looked down at Atka’s chest, then looked away quickly, hiding a blush. “Uh, yeah… I’m not sure. I could ask the doctors for you, if you want. Can’t promise I’d understand everything, but you might.”

“Maybe. Might be better off not knowing, but who knows?” Atka said, looking a little amused but hiding it for the most part.

“Uh… yeah, probably right about that.” She glanced at the clock, and shot up. “Damn, I didn’t realize… look, I’m gonna stop in again later to check on you. I know it might be hard, but try and get some more rest. Next time I come, maybe we could talk about something... happier.”

“Whatever you want,” Atka said gently. “Maybe bring poor Taqukaq to see me, if the doctors will let him through…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to get him in here,” Ayame said with a wink. Anticipating some form of protest about getting in trouble, Ayame quickly took off before Atka could say anything more.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

New Advances, New Concerns

"Come on, come on! You're gonna love this!" Alexia pulled Dr. Vahlen like a child. "It... is... awesome..."

"Alright, Ms. Lockheart, please." Vahlen struggled to keep up. Arriving at a set up similar to what Jessica had the other day, she asked, "So what is this breakthrough of yours?"

Alexia smiled widely. Turning on the machine Jessica had used to render a probe invisible, she said, "So sis was working with this thing the other day in the gene lab, testing out that new bioelectric thing. But I was thinking we were missing out on not using this right here. Now, I know we can't exactly exactly coat the soldiers with this stuff, but what if we made something out of this to make it invisible. Like those hentai squid machines."

Dr. Vahlen nodded. "Yes, this would be helpful for us, but the amount of materials we would have to collect from the Seekers would be staggering to make a single SHIV, and even if we did, the SHIVs are destroyed too quickly to get much use out of it."

"I know, I know." Alexia's grin only widened. "But what about armor. I mean, SHIVs are meant to take hits, soldiers are meant to avoid them. So what if we made something, not to protect them when they get hit, but to avoid getting hit all together."

Vahlen smiled. "I'm listening."

Alexia let out a soft laugh, surprised despite her confidence. "So, uh, so we probably don't have the means or the materials to make some kind of... of invisible, like, ghost suit. But what if we made some kinda... chameleon suit. Something that would bend light, and mess with the aliens eyes. They'd still see them, but it would be like shooting someone wearing a fun-house mirror." Alexia shrugged. "They'd probably figure it out quick enough, but it make 'em miss one or two shots."

Vahlen slapped Alexia on the shoulder. "I'll draw up some plans, and send them over to engineering. Good job, Alexia."

As Valhen walked off, Alexia squirmed slightly, obviously barely able to keep from jumping with joy.

Jessie! Jessie, wake up!

W... w-what's going on?

Dr. Vahlen praised me. ME! She said my idea for invisible armor was great!

What do you... if the armor is invisible, how are you gonna find it?

No, Jessie, I mean...

I'm kidding, Alex. Um... look, can we... talk?

Alexia looked up at the clock.

Uh... yeah, shifts over.

Alexia jumped up, waved goodbye to her supervisor, and headed out. "So... what's up?" She asked, walking through the halls.

It's about... Modya...

Alexia slowed her walking for a moment. Picking up her movement again, she smiled weakly, ducking into her room. "What about him?"

I... I lied to you the other day. I was embarrassed, talking about it with my sister. But you were right. Modya and I...

Alexia's smile wavered, but she kept her voice cheerful. "I-Is that so? So, sis finally took the plunge. It... it's about..."

Alex, please. You might be in control, but it's still my body. I can tell you're upset.

"Upset." Alexia chuckled, ignoring the quivering in her throat. "Why would I be upset? I told you, it's your body first, you get..."

Because it's Modya.

Alexia laughed loudly. "What, because it was... why should I care who it was? I don't... care about that asshole! If... i-if you wanted to waste your first time on that... that sissy..."

Listen, Alexia, you're a terrible liar. I mean, you were just singing his praise the other day, and now you suddenly hate him again?

"You must be... OUT of your MIND!" Alexia shouted as a tear fell down her cheek. "I told you, I don't... I don't..."

Alexia, it's okay. I mean, if it was someone else, two other sisters, it would be different. But just because we are sisters, and we make sure everyone knows we have two separate minds, we still have one body. We're too halves that make one great whole. It's... a-a little weird, but if Modya excepts it, then... th-then I... I, uh....

"Stop, stop, stop!" Alexia waved her hands. "This is too weird! Just... please, I..."

Just... think about it... really, I... just think about it.

"I... Jessie?" Alexia narrowed her eyes. "Jessie? Jessie, don't you dare just cut me off like that! You..." Alexia growls softly. "I... I need a drink..."

 

[MarineAvenger]

Dreams for a Better Tomorrow; Nightmares for a Troubled Past
Desmond was in the lab once more, trying to take his mind off the events going on around him. The last mission had left him weary and pained. When Desmond looked into the eyes of that clone he saw a little of himself in there, buried deep down. The way his body convulsed and laid limb was still etched in his mind like a bad nightmare. Desmond had given Ryan the night off so he had time to himself, which is all he needed right now...time. It was nearly three in the morning when Desmond looked at the clock but he knew he couldn't fall asleep. The same as when he first got here, his nightmares had returned. Some were of his old operations and some were of him as a mindless husk that had no feeling at all. Desmond felt his eyes starting to get droopy as he was working on the 3-D model. He tried to shake his head to wake himself up but it was to no avail as he laid his head down, and slowly drifted off.

The next thing Desmond knew he was standing in a dark hallway. He looked down either ends but the darkness did not allow him to see what was ahead or behind him. His face hardened and he walked forward. The floor was made of a dark wood and the walls were a bland beige color with no color or any items on them at all. He kept walking until he saw a light up ahead. He ran for it and when he came reached the entrance he burst out into a bright, white room with no features what so ever. When he turned to the hallway he saw it had disappeared. He looked forward again but this time he saw a figure standing off in the distance. He cautiously walked towards it as the figure came into view. When the figure came into view he saw that it had clearly been Elizabeth, but her eyes were red and watery and her hands were tied in front of her. His eyes widened as he realized it was her and tried to run towards her but to no avail as when he ran he just seemed to stay in place like a treadmill.

A tear fell from her eye and she looked directly at him. "De-Desmond..." She let out his name like it pained her to do so and she broke down into tears. A few seconds later her chest was punctured by three holes, blood soaking out from the wounds and she fell down life less. Desmond screamed her name and tried his best to run to her, but he was still stuck like he was running in place. The blood seemed to move on an invisible floor as it came towards him and pooled around his feet. His eyes were watery as he tried to run as fast as he could, but he was stopped dead as he saw a hooded figure a ways away, holding a revolver. The figure slowly walked towards Desmond. "Who are you, you bastard!" The figure didn't break it's stride until it reached Elizabeth's body. Then, the figure removed the hood, revealing his own face, hard and lifeless, void of emotion as he looked down at the lifeless girl.

"No, you are not me...you can't be. I would never kill her!" He yelled hopelessly. The other Desmond stared at him, and grinned menacingly, laughing wildly like a criminally insane person.

"You already have Desmond, you hurt her bad, real bad." He twisted and turned as if he was being bitten by bugs. "The first time you did you killed her inside. Even now, you push her away, toying with her emotions. It is blissful to watch." He laughed like a mad man again. "The best part is though, is that you can't stop it! No matter where you go, or what you do, you will always harm those who get close."

Desmond got angry at the laughing impostor. "I do not. Not anymore!"

"Oh, but you do! You may be blind but I am not. I am the true Desmond! The one that lives in you." He jumped up and down and clapped. "Isn't it wonderful! One day, you will kill her for real and I will relish in your anguish! Hahahahahaha!"

Desmond summoned a red glow to his right arm and sent a blast of energy at the doppelganger. Before the energy impacted he vanished and a girl he had never seen before was hit with the blast. "I thought you called me friend Desmond. Why do this?"

He recognized the voice as Elene's and he cried. "No, I never wanted to kill you! I wanted to try and save you. I know how you feel because I went through the same things!" He fell to his knees. The girl struggled for air as she kept muttering, "Why...why...wh-" Until she finally ceased breathing. Desmond slammed his fist against the ground.

"Why, why must I be cursed with these nightmares! I don't enjoy killing. I don't enjoy taking another's life!" He let his tears fall to the ground, but his eyes widened as he heard the cocking of a pistol from behind him. He turned to see down the barrel of a gun, held by the Commander herself. "You betrayed us Desmond. You betrayed my trust and the trust of your allies. The Council has ordered your execution." She said stoically.

Desmond rose up his hand in defense but he saw her pull the trigger, and heard the sound of the shot.

Desmond woke with a jolt as he woke up from the nightmare. He jumped out of the chair and walked back to the wall where he saw Elizabeth with a worried face and a mug in her hand. "Desmond, are you okay? You were mumbling in your sleep and when I tried to wake you you freaked out."

Desmond looked around the room and up towards the clock, which read 6:30. He let his guard down and took a deep breath. "Yeah...yeah I am fine just, just a bad dream." He walked back over to the chair and sat down, Elizabeth did the same and sat across from him.

"I brought you coffee, just the way you like it." He took the mug and smiled as he looked down at the light color. He never liked black coffee, so he put as much cream and sugar as he could to make it taste better. Elizabeth put an arm on Desmond and looked at him with concern. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He put the mug down on the table and shook his head. "It was just a bad dream, I promise."

She bit her lip, obviously not buying the lie but she didn't press the topic. "I came by because Ryan told me you had been working late and I wanted to give you some company..." She looked down at the floor. "I can leave if you wan-"

He didn't let her finish as he hugged her. He didn't squeeze hard enough to hurt her but there was definitely force behind it. "No, I am glad to see you..." He held her for a minute and she got up, sitting on his lap and laying down on his shoulder. "I am sorry if you think I have been avoiding you lately. I...I am just not used to stuff like this."

She smiled and kissed him. "I know you don't mean harm, we all have our moments. I could never be angry at you. No matter what." She said hushed and sweetly.

His eyes watered and he laid his head on hers. "I promise to never hurt you. I will protect you at any cost. Even if we do lose this war, I will continue to fight for you..." He held her gently, just happy to have her near him.

She cuddles up to him more to get comfortable. "If that means you will never leave me, I could care less."

The two stayed together for what seemed like forever, just holding each other. The nightmare was still fresh in Desmond's mind, the scene of Elizabeth dying as he shot her playing over and over. He refused to let her die, she was the only thing that mattered to him, and he would bring an end to anyone who tried to take that away from him.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1500 Hours, Alien Containment Facility

Jessica stepped up to the guards in front of the room holding the Thin Man, Ammelia at her side. Flashing her ID, she said, "I'm here to ask the alien a question about his blood sample. Lance Corporal Cross is here to watch my back." She smiled cheekily. "I'm sure I'll be safe, but the Commander doesn't like to take any chances with the non-combatants."

The guards nodded and stepped aside. As the two women walked through the door, one of the guards said, "Make it short. And don't let it out."

"We're not idiots, you know," Jessica responded as soon as they were out of earshot. Turning to Ammelia, she asked, "So why did you want to see this thing anyway?"

Ammelia walked alongside her. "I've always wanted to meet a creature from another world, so I have a laundry list of things I want to ask it." She looked at Jessica with concern, "You don't have to do this you know. I don't want you to get in trouble for helping me."

Jessica shook her head, grinning widely. "Don't worry about it. I'm your friend, and my sister was the one who got the blood sample, so I'm okay to be here. And I asked the Commander if you could watch my back, and she said it was okay. Kinda sounded like she owed you for something from the way she was talking."

Ammelia grinned back. "Let's just say I helped her solve a little problem," she said as they walked closer to the containment unit.

"Um," Jessica looked up at the Tall figure behind the dome wall. "Excuse me. We, uh, we wanted to talk to you." The Thin Man ignored her, and Jessica added, "I figured you would be bored, and wouldn't mind a brief distraction."

The Thin Man turned. "Yes... I suppose something to pass the time..." It looked down at Jessica. "You again? No, your disposition is different."

"Yes, I'm the sister of the one you saw before. My name is Jessica, and this is Ammelia. She was wondering if she could ask you a few questions."

Ammelia took a few steps closer to his cell, obviously a little nervous about speaking with him. "H-Hello... She's right, I'd like to ask you a few things... If you don't mind."

The Thin Man looked her up and down, as though studying her, assessing her. After a few moments, he nodded. "Very well. Ask your questions, and I shall answer them to the best of my ability."

She coughed into her hand a few times. "How many different planets have you been too? Do you know? There seem to be many different type of creature working with the invaders, are they all from different worlds?" Ammelia asked, holding both of her hands in front of her.

"Myself, just this one." The Thin Man waved his hands down his body. "I was specifically bred to infiltrate this planet. But according to our records, my people have been on over a dozen planets since joining our... alliance, and my superiors were on several dozen more before that. And as you say, the different beings you have encountered came from several of those planets, being those my superiors thought they could use."

"So... How old are you?" she asked, looking up at the Thin Man's eyes.

The Thin Man raised a finger to answer, but stopped suddenly. "I... am unsure. I never really thought about it." He rubbed his chin in thought. "Based on my active memory... I suppose you could say I am four of your Earth years."

"Four? Could be a clone... No a clone would be younger, maybe a week, at most a year..." She thought out loud. "How old do your people live to be, exactly? Because you seem to be a mature adult."

"That I am, or at least I am by human standards. As for our life span, our species matures quickly but ages slowly. We age much like the animals you classify as reptiles. Though my aging was artificially enhanced. In a manner of speaking, you could say the first ten years of my life were skipped over in the span of a week to make my mission ready. Though as I said, my people age slowly, so this time was of little concern... at least, for those who decided to do it." It gave Ammelia a curious look.

"What about the other species? Were they artificially aged as well?" She continued, stepping a little closer to his cell.

The Thin Man knelt down, a look resembling intrigue on its face. "Most are, in an attempt to make a quickly regenerating supply of ready soldier. The beings I believe you refer to as 'sectoids' are cloned, so artificial aging is part of the process. The only beings that do not require this are the arachnids, as their unique biology allows them to be born combat ready."

"Fascinating..." she said as looked at the creature with a sense of wonder, her nervousness fading. "Well, I've asked you all these questions, it's only fair that I let you ask your own."

The Thin Man smiled. "You intrigue me, human. Most of your associates only care about the tactical usefulness of my knowledge, but you seem more concerned with more... personal details. Why is this?"

"Well, My father is a respected scientist and engineer, so I've always wondered about alien life. I've always dreamed of meeting creatures from beyond our planet, but we haven't had a chance to speak any of you since you came here." She said. "I want to take this opportunity to ask you about your culture, your biology, and your history, because your people may not survive this war... and that saddens me greatly... "

"It saddens me as well." The Thin Man grinned. "But that is the way of war, is it not." It stood up, and pulled off its classes looking Ammelia up and down. "I know much of you culture, biology, and history. It was part of my job. And I know that your people are much more... deserve then mine. More individualized. Tell me, what is your purpose here. And what is it that makes you unique."

" Well I was born Blind and Mute, I suppose if I was one of you I would've just been killed. You're people seem to think logically, but Humans are driven by emotion. That emotion led to my father keeping me until the burden of raising me was too much for him to bear. He abandoned me until my Dad found me, he brought me in, took care of me, and eventually used his knowledge to invent a way for me to see and speak." Ammelia explained, " I'm here because I want to make a difference in the world, I want to help people. All my life people have been helping me, so I figure it's time to return the favor."

"Fascinating..." The Thin Man nodded his head. "You are correct. With our genetic manipulation, one with such impairments would not have been born, and if they somewhere had been, they would have been deemed a failure. And yet... here you are, living, not with your impairments, but in spite of them. Perhaps your... emotion driven culture has much to teach us. Tell me, how is it you are able to see, exactly?"

"I..." she hesitates for second, "I'm not sure if I should tell you... I mean... What if one of those sectoids reads your thoughts?"

The Thin Man thought for a moment. "I do not think that would happen, but you are likely wise to be cautious." It placed it's glasses back on. "I will just have to make a few assumptions based on my knowledge of your technology. In the meantime, was there anything else you wished to ask me?"

"There is... one more thing..." She said, choosing her words cautiously, "What would you do if we released you?"

Jessica's eye widened, but she held her tongue. The Thin Man thought for a several seconds. Finally, it shook its head. "There... is no releasing me. Even if I had some misguided belief that I could escape from this facility alive, I would have nowhere to go. If my superiors got a hold of my, and they eventually would, they would surely destroy me, most likely after probing me for information in a much less dignified manner then you humans did." It signed. "Perhaps... sparring my life was crueler then ending it, despite the good intentions."

"Then I'm sorry," She said sadly, lowering her head, "Let's hope that our superiors will find it in hearts to release you after all this is over... No one deserves to rot in a cell, waiting for death..."

"That... would be nice." The Thin Man turned his back to them, its hand on its chin in thought.

Jessica walked up behind Ammelia and whispered, "You weren't planning on actually... you know?"

"No I wasn't, If I let him out one of two things would happen... Either he would kill me then or the Council would kill me later." Ammelia whispered back, looking back at her, "I just wanted to know what he would say... From his response, I think that we may be able to release him when this war is done."

Jessica nodded, smiling at her friend. "You know... I hope you're right." She wrapped her arm around Ammelia's shoulder as they walked out. "With how bleak things can be around here, it's nice to have a little optimism, right?"

"Yeah, but I'm just worried about our tall friend. It doesn't feel right to treat him as if he is some kind of monster. I hope the Commander will see that he is a feeling, thinking being like us." She responded, taking a quick look back at the Thin Man. It turned its head, watching as Jessica and Ammelia walked through the exit.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53: "It's Complicated" Part One

X-COM Headquarters, Somewhere in Siberia
1745 Hours, The Bar, X-COM Primary Rec-Room

Alexia let out a loud, drunken laugh, splashing a small amount of her drink on to her hand. She looked at her company, a burly soldier whose name she was unsure of. Johnathan, perhaps. “Th-that’s funny… I-I wonder what… how funny it might have been if I… I wasn’t…

“Loaded,” Malkovich finished. “You sure drink a lot for someone who obviously can’t handle a drink. You alright?”

“Me? Alright?” Alexia bobbed her head up and down. “Just… trying to muddle mine… my head up so I don’t hafta think a… of somethin’”

“Well, lucky me, I guess.” Malkovich smiled. “You… attached to anyone?”

Alexia frowned. “My… sister is.” Her companion gave her a confused look, not understanding the relevance, but she continued. “But maybe… you and I can *hick* be attached tonight…” She scooted her chair next to his, and reached her hand out, gentle running it through his hair.

Modya walked into the bar, and glanced around. His gaze settled on Alexia, and he showed a look of surprise. What in the world is she...or is it Alexia that’s…?

Alexia leaned forward. “So, uh… your room far.” She giggled, knowing full well how close there soldier barracks were, and somehow finding her own silly question funny.

“Uh, no… I guess not.” Malkovich grinned nervously. “If you… think you’re in the right mind.”

Alexia shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. It’s about fun tonight.”

Modya walked over, his expression darkening. “Please, excuse my friend...she’s not one to hold alcohol well. At all,” he said to Johnathan, and then gave Alexia a look of restrained disapproval and surprise.

The new soldier’s eyes darted between Alexia and Modya. He stood up, and said smiled at Alexia. “You know… I should… probably call it a night anyway.” He made for the exit, stopping briefly by Modya’s side and whispering, “Not that I’m not a little disappointed, but in her condition, wouldn’t seem right.” He walked out, and Alexia folded her arms, pouting.

Modya turned his attention fully on her. “I am guessing I am speaking to Alexia, as Jessica is not brash enough to have this much alcohol,” Modya surmised with frustration evident in his tone.

Alexia silently worded her mouth in a mocking fashion. “Oh, look who thinks he’s so smart.” She said, either the booze or her general attitude making her act childishly. “Ya bone my sister once, and you think you know all about who’s who in the old Lockheart brain.

"...excuse me?” Mody asked with rising anger. “I do not think you have the right to speak about myself and Jessica in such a vulgar manner…” Who told her we…

“OOO!” Alexia waved her hands in front of her face. “So scary. What are ya goin’ ta do about it, big guy?”

Modya sighed, and took a deep breath. She’s not in her right mind, Modya...give her some slack… “What I am going to do is make sure no one else gives either Lockheart anything strong to drink after this.”

“You… you can’t tell me what to do!” Alexia grabbed her drink. “I don’t have to stop drinking if I want. I can talk how I want. H-hell… I-I don’t even *hick* have to talk to you if I don’t want.”

“If you stepped back and realized how childish you sound you would be ashamed, you know,” Modya replied simply.

“Childish?” Alexia laughed. “Y-you… haven’t seen childish. THIS is childish.” Alexia closed her eyes. A moment later, she opened them again, dropping the drink and looking around in confusion.

“...she didn’t…” Modya began in surprise.

“W-where?” The young scientist rose to her feet, immediately falling back into her chair. “I… has she been drink… drinking again?”

Modya nodded, and shook his head in frustration. “Apparently she thought it would be funny to leave you like this…why was she in such a sour mood?”

“She’s m-mad at me.” Jessica frowned. “I t-told her about us. I felt guilty not letting her know. But she *hick* she is such a child. She always has been. A-Always living in my shadow, trying to live up to my superior intellect, and now she’s upset about… about you…”

Her… “I should probably take you back to your room, It’s probably best to just take a nap and let this wear off,” Modya suggested. He glanced at the bartender. “And I mean it. Do not give either of the green-haired scientists anything strong. If they ask for it, water it down. Please.”

The bartender nodded, and Jessica gave him a nervous smile. Leaning on Modya for support, she asked, “C-Can we… go to your room, actually? There is something I need to ask you about… and we can’t if my roommate is there…”

Modya remembered the last time she wanted to ‘talk.’ Then again, leaving her drunk with Leon around can only result in him being an ass. “Alright,” Modya said cautiously.

The pair quickly make their way to Modya’s room, smiling at passersbys as the drunk girl pretended not to be so drunk. Arriving at the room, she carefully sat down on the bed. “Modya… do you have any regrets about the other night? Because, I just want you to know, I don’t.”

Modya smiled gently. “Neither do I, Jessie.”

She smiled. “I’m pretty sure I know why… Alexia… is so upset. I mean, I get everything handed to me. It comes so easy. I have the brains, I’m my mother and Joe’s ‘real’ daughter, and when most people see us, they see ‘Jessica’, not ‘Alexia’. And then something comes along, something she realizes she wants, and once again, her sister already has it. Do you… catch my drift at all?”

“She… might not be the only one.” The words came back to Modya when Jessica finished. “You’re saying she…” he began. “She…”

“She is… I’m positive. And she’s upset that you chose me over her, regardless of whether you realized it or not.” Jessica frowned, suddenly looking very sad. “She… she doesn’t mean to be mad. She knows it isn’t your fault. But like I said, I get everything, and she gets nothing. She does everything she can to look out for me, and I never seem to appreciate it.” She looked up at Modya. “What do you think? About her liking you, I mean.”

“I...I am not sure how to feel,” Modya said hesitantly, but added a little more, seeing that wasn’t enough. “I mean...the first time she truly approached wasn’t on the best terms...and now this...but both times she’s had a reason to be upset. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t feel bad for her that things always go this way for her…”

“She… sh-she’s a really good person.” Jessica insisted. “She’s smarter than people give her credit for, and she has a big heart. I know she didn’t leave the best first impression with you, but once you get past how impulsive she can be, you’d love her! And she’s really sorry about how she treated you. She kept encouraging me to give you another shot, even though she knew she loved you too.”

“I’d love…” Modya replied in confusion. “Are you saying I should give you up for her? I wouldn’t…” he trailed off, not sure what Jessica was trying to say.

“I know this is gonna sound weird, but… do you think you could love us both?” She gave a cautious smile. “I mean, like she told me before, we’re just two parts of the same whole. I know it’s strange and all, but I’m sure she feels the same way.”

Modya blinked, processing what she had just said. “That’s...I...uh…” Modya sat down, rubbing his forehead. Not the worst id- “There’s the issue that...I don’t know...one of you might I feel I love one more...and I don’t know that it wouldn’t be true…” Modya stammered, drowning out the thought he was about to have accepted readily.

Jessica shook her head. “A-Alexia isn’t that naive. She knows that I’ll always have the main spot in your heart. She just wants you to except her. To show her love like you show me. To… to be willing to touch her… the way you touched me.”

That sounds eerily like what she said when...but that’s different…isn’t it? “I…” Modya put his hands together for a moment, then separated them, trying to come up with something to say. “As...as long as you understand this doesn’t effect how I feel about you...and that it’s not like...last time.”

Jessica nodded. “It isn’t like last time. I mean it. That was wrong, tricking you like that. Nothing like that this time.” She stretched out her arms. “Will… will you hold me?”

Modya went over to Jessie and embraced her. “This is as confusing for you as it is for me, I take it?”

“You… you have no idea,” the young scientist shook her head, her body starting to shudder. “W-will… you kiss me?”

“Sorry you have to go through all of this…” Modya muttered, and leaned down to kiss Jessica.

She quickly pulled away, bursting into tears. “I… I can’t…” She started to sob. “Why… why do you have to be so good to me?” She turned to Modya and scowled. “Why do you have to be so nice. This would have been so much easier if… i-if you were the womanizer I thought you’d be. But now I have so much guilt, and now you’ll hate me forever.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and ZombieSplitter53: "It's Complicated, Part 2"

Modya paused, and drew back. He was silent for a moment, and then looked down, pushing his ushanka over his eyes for a moment. “Why...couldn’t...you just have an actual discussion about this, Alexia? You didn’t have to trick me,” he said painfully, though there wasn’t much anger in his tone.

Alexia shook her head. “I… don’t know. Pride. Because I couldn’t take it if you rejected me to my face.” She rubbed the tears from her eyes, but more came. “I’m… I-I’m not like Jessie. She’s always so cheerful, so pleasant. People love her. But not me. I’m the one people are afraid they’ll have to talk to when they walk up to us. And like you said… I did nothing but berate you and put you down before. Why would you ever believe me when I say I… that I have feelings… th-that I…”

Modya looked up again. “Because you whispered something awhile ago, and I hadn’t completely forgotten. And I’m more understanding than you give me credit…” He sighed. “And you were wrong before. I don’t hate you for this...I’m just thankful I realized what was happening this time before I did something that was going to hurt all three of us.”

Alexia laughed lightly, but continued to weep. “Y-you mean… before I did something. I… I-I don’t understand why I feel this way. M-maybe it’s because how much Jessie loves you. Maybe I just… don’t have enough experience to know any better. But how I feel is real to me… but all I keep doing is making things worse. I-It’s all I ever do, especially to Jessie.”

Modya sat by her. “You shouldn’t say that. You and I both know she doesn’t see it that way, and if you really want to fix this...do it now. Wake her up, and we can actually resolve this,” he said, firmly but not unkindly.

Alexia bit her lip, and slowly nodded her head. Closing her eyes again, she opened them a moment later. Again looking around in confusion, she breathed a sigh of relief when she looked up at Modya. She reached up and touched her moist cheeks. “What… what did I miss?”

The Russian sighed. “I think Alexia’s the one that needs to tell you that herself. Just don’t be angry with her, she didn’t do anything…” he trailed off, unsure of how to phrase what had just transpired.

Jessica’s eyes widened. “What… did you do, Alex?”

I… I’m sorry, Jessie. I wanted to know if Modya felt the same way you did, but I… couldn’t ask him face to face.

Jessie’s eyes widened even more. “S-so what did you do? Did you pretend to be me? H...How dare you?!”

I-I’m sorry. I… I just… couldn’t face him… because… you were right about how I… feel....

Jessica breathed deeply, in and out, her fists opening and closing, her anger obviously bubbling to the surface. “So, what, did you try to have your way with him again… you… you… YOU…”

Modya placed his hands on Jessica’s shoulders. “Jessie...she already feels horrible, and nothing really happened between us. She can’t feel worse than she already does…”

Jessica glared at Modya, as though she was about to lash out at him. He looked into her eyes, and her anger started to dissipate. “I… I want to know exactly what she tricked you into doing.”

Modya nodded, sitting back down on the bed. “...she stopped after I thought I was kissing you…” he said, a bit afraid that she was going to retaliate for that.

Jessica took a deep breath. Her eyes darted back and forth in thought. “You… you said she stopped? What do you mean?”

“After...I kissed...what I thought was you…” Modya said slowly, “She felt guilty and drew back, and I figured out what was going on…”

Jessica released her fists. “Why did you stop?”

What do you mean, why? Because I couldn’t go any farther. Because I felt so bad for going as far as I did. I couldn’t keep it up, have him touch me the way he touches you, even if he said he would give me a chance when he thought I was you.

Jessica looked at Modya with surprise. “You… said that?”

Modya clasped his hands together, not meeting her gaze. “I won’t try and say it was because I thought it was you saying that. I’m sorry, Jessie…I…” Modya’s voice caught.

Jessie looked down. “I… I was hoping we could talk about it together. The three of us. And I know it’s probably crazy for you. I’m sorry. She… we shouldn’t have put this much pressure on you. It isn’t fair to you.”

“Well...that’s why I had her wake you up. So we could get this over with sooner rather than later,” Modya said, leaning up a bit.

Jessica smiled. “Kind ,Modya, always so thoughtful.” She scooted a little closer to him. “So… is it okay. I mean, if it is ever too much, we’ll leave you alone, and never bother you again. But if you can accepts us for what we are… then I know two girls who you could make very happy.”

Modya smiled tiredly. “If you are okay with it, I can do that. Just...no more confusing me as to who I’m talking to.”

Jessica closed her eyes, and Alexia gave a surprised look. “What are you doing?”

You need to finish what you started. No running away.

Alexia smiled. “I… I promise, Modya. And I’m sorry. I’m just… childish, I guess.” She reached forward, cautiously running her hand across Modya’s cheek, then his neck. “But, you already knew that. But I promise I’ll never lie to you like that again.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Modya said, his smile revealing that he was not being as harsh as he might sound.

Alexia leaned forward, hoping she hadn’t ruined her chances for another kiss.

Modya rested a hand on the back of her head, and responded in kind, kissing Alexia gently.

Alexia leaned forward more, pressing against Modya and kissing him more passionately. Pulling away for a moment, she whispered, “You’re lucky to have Jessica. She’s the best girlfriend you could ever had. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have my perks too, you know…”

Modya chuckled. “You’re not wrong, considering how much I can feel my heart racing right now…”

Alexia closed her eyes for a moment before saying, “Jessica has decided to give us some privacy. Maybe we can do something about that racing heart…”

Modya pulled Alexia close. “I wouldn’t mind that…”

 

[Dahlexpert]

Facing reality

Eva is in her room tapping her bed's edge. You know it's been a weird few days for me. first the organization that I worked for declared war on X-COM, I find out that my mistress and my clone both have been brutally murdered. The person that killed my Mistress and clone took control of EXALT, My mistress at some point made another clone that is made out of mostly my DNA. and that she made her own clones based off her DNA which almost makes them my grandchildren.

That's a lot to take in a few days, but one thing is certain. I no longer work for EXALT, at least for now any way until my child takes over the organization it's still weird calling Ellen my kid. Eva sighs well if i'm going to war then all I have to do is get stronger and stronger, until I find victor and kill him.

Eva put's her head on her pillow and falls asleep, and then a alarm wakes her up. God damn it.