RP XCOM2: Liberation of Earth

[MarineAvenger]

"The Last Word" Part Two

Days later…

Leon wrenched in the last bolt of his buggy’s tire, Izzy having everything all checked out and assembled. He got an approving nod from the woman and she set about lowering it. He went to go check his bag before Isabelle stopped him. “Leon, go asked Devon how things are being set up. We kept going over plans but the lack of concreteness makes me uneasy.”

“Sure, just make sure nothing blows up on us.” The Canadian man told the woman of Spanish descent.

She thumbed the nose piercing she had and rolled her eyes, looking over the mode of transportation. “I’ll be sure that yours is the one to break down only.”

Knowing her bluff was merely that, Leon walked out and looked around the front, scratching his head when he grabbed Gwen’s arm as she walked by, dressed up in her own gear. “Where’s Devon?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, um… I think he went to go help Evie with her garden. Cover it up so the bugs don’t nibble on the crops while we are away or something like that.” His sister responded, giving Leon a small smile.

He smiled back, rubbing her cheek a bit. “Braid that hair up.” Leon ordered her, walking towards the back. Gwen fingered her hair a bit before moving to go to the garage.

Leon strode over to the back and opened up the door. He closed it behind him, going up the small hill behind the derelict garage. When he crested the hill he stopped and watched as Evie quickly pushed away from Devon and brushed hair over her ear. She quickly blushed and fast walked past Leon. He sighed, not needing to look back as Devon walked up besides him. “You won’t tell Jaren will you?” Was all he asked.

“It’s not my business. Izzy wants to run down the final plan before we head out.” Leon said, taking a deep breath. “I hope you-”

“I do. I know what I am doing. Forget what you saw. I need his head clear for this op. I need his head clear period. Am I clear?” Devon asked dangerously calm.

Leon breathed through his nose slowly and nodded. “Yes sir.”

“Good.” Devon adjusted his jacket and walked back down the hill.

Leon lingered only briefly, pulling his sidearm out of the holster, looking it over briefly before sliding it back in, slowly walking down the hill to join the briefing.

Later that night…

The buzzing of the three buggies as they zoomed down the road was the only sound that accompanied the crickets that night, and Leon looked over at Jaren briefly a few times as he drove. The teams were split up into three, with Leon and Jaren one one buggy, Devon on his own, and Gwen with Evie as Isabelle drove. Jaren had a plain look on his face as he looked up at the waning moon, less than half full in the sky.

Leon reached over and poked the teen’s back, and he looked back at Leon, then looked up at the sky once more. “You’re worried Jaren.” Leon said, his voice raised to talk over the wind whipping past them.

“Of course I am. It is another mission.” The teen said, leaning his head against the roll bar.

“No, it is for another reason.” Leon called him out and when Jaren tensed, he sighed. “Tell me.”

Jaren didn’t respond at first, his gaze lowering to the fractured road. He chewed on his inner lip, wondering how to respond. “Will I be remembered if I die?”

The Canadian teen let that question sink in, and he leaned his head against his hand as he kept one hand on the wheel. “Of course you will be. But you don’t need to worry about that. You will be fine. It is just another op.”

“Sometimes I feel obsolete. That people like my brother, you… Evie… that none of you need me. That if I pass on you won’t even feel like I am gone.” Jaren said with despair having a firm hold on his heart. Leon guessed things were progressing like this.

“We’re right here in the place where we belong Jaren. It’s a new day, and it’s a new plan.” The second in command said, turning his gaze to Jaren, he smiled. “We all rely on one another Jaren. We are a family. We need you. All of us. Don’t forget that.”

“A family?” Jaren asked with a bit of surprise, then settled back, mulling of the words. “I seem to have so many questions to the world, but I never hear any answers. I feel like nothing.”

“You’re still here aren’t you?” The hit a small bump which caused the buggy to jump and Leon sighed, shaking his head in frustration. “You won’t get any answers from the world. You have to go and find those answers yourself. Besides, what do you expect it to really say? The world would never understand. Only the people around you will.”

Jaren nodded, and looked back at the moon as the cloud cover broke and he looked up at the seeming thousands of twinkling lights. “Hey Leon… can me and you go to the lake after all of this? I want to go fishing. Just like me and you did that one time with Devon. I want to spend more time with you guys.”

“Sure Jaren.” Leon said, settling in for the long ride. “Sure…”

Day and a half later…

Leon shouted for Isabelle to lay down supportive fire as he pulled Jaren back into the building, gun fire shredding into the rubble besides them. ADVENT Peacekeepers caught Jaren and Leon off guard, having pinned them down quickly in an old banking office. The mission was an entire fluke from the start. No civilians to rescue, and the whole thing a trap. From the numbers of soldiers against them, they had expected a large resistance force.

To make matters worse, the IEDs Devon and Evie had set up never went off and now they were against the full might of the Peacekeepers. The only thing keeping the forces back were the awkward way in which the soldiers would have to climb in order to reach the pinned down friends, and the improvised bombs they had. When the Peacekeepers tried something, they would remind them what happened when you messed with the Reaper’s improvised weapons.

However, the short range radios they tried to use to contact the others were being jammed somehow, and the only thing Leon could do was yell and hope Isabelle could hear. “Leon! What do we do!?” Jaren asked in a panic, peaking over the side of the concrete and nearly lost his head as he tossed another explosive and it was followed by yells and a big bang.

“We need to find a way out, that’s what!” Leon grumbled, firing wildly with his sidearm, having ran out of rifle ammo.

“Oh God, please don’t let it end like this! Please no!” Jaren cried out, breathing deeply, trying to calm himself but somehow it only made things worse.

Leon grabbed him and pulled him away from the edge, throwing another explosive for good measure. He grabbed Jaren once more and ran deeper into the building. He didn’t stop despite Jaren’s protests and the ran up about three flights of stairs before he finally did stop and too out their last explosive. They were on the south-western corner of the banking building, and Leon knew he found their way out. He grabbed their last explosive, and placed it down, pushing Jaren into a door and waited until the floor shook and the wall blew outwards.

Jaren shakily grabbed a rope out of his bang and they went back into the stairwell, where Leon found a solid piece of railing and tied it on, He knew any moment Advent forces would be on them so but he had to be careful or they would be in a rough patch. Luckily, they were scaling down the side of the building in no time and reached the ground. Leon dropped his bag and pulled out fresh clips for his pistol, looking over at Jaren. “Calm down. We are going to make this. Okay? Jaren look at me! We are going to make it.”

The teen took a few moments before finally nodding and he reloaded his rifle, gulping. Once again they were off running and made the short trek to their buggy. Loaded on, Leon started it up and slammed on the gas, the buggy speeding onto the main road and they did a sharp turn that slid them to the right and they sped down the road, bullets flying all around them

Leon heard Jaren yell no and he grit his teeth, daring to look back. It seemed Evie had gotten a vantage point from the third story of a parking garage and was covering their escape. She fired a few times and suddenly the IEDs blew to life all around the Peacekeepers. Leon looked back and cursed as they hit rubble and flew into the air, Jaren jumping and rolling on the ground a few feet as Leon had to stay inside the up turned buggy, groaning as the roll bar protected him. He undid the belt restraints and fell out when it rolled to a halt, pulling himself out. He ran over to collect Jaren and moments later the other buggy pulled up besides them with Isabelle and Gwen on it.

“Come on Leon! Hurry up!” Gwen yelled at her brother, seeming shaken but tried to keep on a brave face.

“Easy for you to say…” He groaned out in pain, limping a bit as Jaren pulled himself up, holding his shoulder.

“Where is my brother?” Jaren asked through grit teeth and Izzy only offered up a shrug. He looked back at Evie holding her ground but the troops had recovered from the surprise the improvised explosives had done. Jaren took a step forward but the terrifying sound of an Advent aircraft echoed across the urban jungle. For a few moments, Evie almost seemed to look straight at the group before the garage exploded in a great ball of fire, and rock.

The gunship flew over the Peacekeepers but Leon know it was only a matter of time. He grabbed the frozen Jaren, pulling him to the buggy and all but threw him on, hopping on himself as Isabelle gunned it down the road and away from the battlezone. Izzy was the only one not to look back.

 

[MarineAvenger]

"The Last Word" Part Three

A month later…

Gwen squatted before the slightly wilted crops out behind the garage, a sad look on her face as she did such a poor job of keeping them alive. She looked back at Leon staring at her from down at the bottom of the hill, a rather plain look on his face as he observed her. Inside, a resistance member began leaving after giving the remaining Reapers the news. Ever since the death of Evie at the hands of the Advent gunship, Jaren’s older brother Devon had never returned to the hideout. The reason why was he had gone and joined their enemy. He gave up.

Gwen stood and went to put her arms around her brother, a hug which he accepted, putting a tight arm around her. “We’ll make it through this… right?” The French girl asked her brother softly.

“We will. I’ll make sure of it.” Leon told her to comfort her. He rubbed her back and the teen girl broke the embrace. The two entered back inside and Leon took note of Jaren huddled in the corner reading some paper. He ignored him for now and went over to Isabelle.

“Our orders are to join up with the main force. They don’t want us operating so small. We’re to pack up within the week.” She said curtly, obviously not to happy they had no choice in the matter.

Leon nodded, and he sighed. “We have to do what we have to do.” Looking over his shoulder, he watched as Jaren stormed out of the garage, finally letting a show of sadness slip.

“Better wipe that look Sinclair.” Isabelle’s voice said, causing him to look back at the Spanish woman, crossing her arms. “You are a leader. You can’t ever show sadness. You can never show anything except the smile your men rely on. Learn to keep it bottled up. Less people ask questions that way.” When he gave only a nod in response, Izzy pat Leon’s shoulder and went into the garage to pack her stuff.

Suddenly the buzz of a buggy starting came from outside and started driving away and Leon immediately grabbed a gun and him and Isabelle ran outside at the same time. “Where the hell is he going!?” The woman asked to no one in particular.

“I don’t know… watch Gwen!” Leon said, running towards the garage. With one buggy having been left in the city, the other one upturned the one Jaren stole had been their only one. However, it was not all they had.

“Boy, you better not put a scratch on that!” Izzy yelled inside the garage.

“What happens, happens.” Leon told her as he slammed a foot down on the peddle and the motorcycle roared to life, and he sat back, revving it up as he pulled out of the garage and went rumbling down the road.

The wind whipped at Leon’s hair as he pushed the bike as fast as he could make it go, an angered look on his face. He asked himself why he didn’t see the signs Jaren would do something stupid, asked himself why he was going after him, but Leon only pushed the chopper as hard as possible, and silenced all questions.

Hours later…

Leon slowed the chopper to a stop and killed the engine when he saw the buggy and he looked around, not having been specifically where he was in the city but he knew the place. He ran into the park and had his rifle hard in hand, hoping whatever Jaren was doing he wasn’t too late.

He came upon the scene and stood stunned a few seconds, trying to process what he was seeing. The two people stood on a old pebbled path, staring down one another three steps apart. One of the was wearing the armor of a Peacekeeper, but with the helmet off, even from the distance he was at Leon could tell it was Devon.

The other was certainly Jaren, his pistol pointed straight at his brother’s face. He had been -and still was- crying and his arm shook slightly. Leon ran down the hill, calling out Jaren’s name but he was too late. Jaren mouthed something silently and pulled the trigger. Moments later Devon fell back, his face stunned in an eternal look of shock, a bullet hole in his head.

Jaren fell just as Leon reached him, and he cried hard, clutching Leon’s jacket as he did. He blabbed out several things, “She loved him…” and “I had to do it…” and other things like such. It seemed eternity passed before he pulled back. “Leon… please… please shoot me.”

Leon was visibly shaken by the request and he shook his head. “I am not doing that. Stop being an idiot.”

“Leon… I am going to die today.” Jaren said weakly, hanging his head. “Whether by your hand or mine, I am going to die. Please, don’t make me do it to myself. I won’t be able to see Evie if I do…” Jaren said, throwing his gun at Leon’s knees.

“Jaren, stop…” Leon said, his tears falling by themselves.

“Leon… please, let me die how I was before. Don’t let me kill myself as the person who murdered his brother… please don’t let me die like that. Let me be at peace…”

Leon cried with Jaren, and he put their foreheads together, slowly nodding. He reached down, picking up the pistol. His shaky hand slowly put it against Jaren’s head, and the teen’s hand touched Leon’s almost comfortingly. He offered up one last smile for the Canadian teen, one that was seared in his mind as it was the same smile he and grown to adore about the such innocent Jaren. And then Leon pulled the trigger, and Jaren’s smile became eternal.

***

Leon leaned against the door, looking at Isabelle as she loaded up the motorcycle, letting out a short breath out through his nose. “So this is it? You are joining up with the main force?”

Izzy gave a solemn nod, and he looked over to Leon. “If you were smart you would do the same.”

Leon shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “Nah… I think I might head west with Gwen. Give California a try.”

“Dress light. I heard the west coast is a giant oven.” Isabelle told him and Leon nodded once more. The woman thumbed her nose piercing and she went over to Leon, patting his cheek. “Killing Devon was the right thing Leon. That bastard deserved it after he shot his brother.”

Jaren’s final words haunted Leon for the past couple of days, but he knew he would never tell another living soul what had truly happened in that park. He would let Jaren be remembered as he was. An innocent person the world couldn’t break. “I know.”

Izzy nodded, and she tried to offer Leon a comforting look but it didn’t suit her face. She said goodbye to Gwen as well and before they knew it, the engine purred to life and Isabelle rolled down the road, not looking back at the two as she left them behind.

Gwen touched Leon’s arm, and she looked back at the buggy they had. “Should we go too?” She asked softly.

Leon shook his head. “Go make sure the explosives are set. Make sure we have everything. Say goodbye to the place.” Gwen gave a soft ‘okay’ and she slowly turned to go back into the garage. Leon however walked around the building and up the hill deeper into the woods.

He walked until he came upon a small glistening lake, nestled in with all the wildlife around them. Leon walked up to the largest tree, one marked with a wooden cross sticking out of the ground with Jaren’s name on it, marking the resting place where he buried his friend. His jacket was propped up on the cross and Leon looked at the engraving he carved in the tree. His name, along with the rest of the Reapers were cut into the wood, and he ran a hand across Jaren and Evie’s, side by side together. Leon’s hand fell from the carving and he grabbed the pole he had left resting against the tree, sitting down on the shore of the lake, fulfilling the last promise Jaren had left for his friend.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

"Staying Alive" - Various

0724 Hours, July 27th, 2038
Plurinational State of Bolivia
Onboard the Avenger
Floor 2, Port Wing
Room C-207

The hallway leading to one of the combat staff bunk rooms was silent - at least until the tranquility was broken with a sleepy yawn. The sound originated from one Stacie Belle. The gunslinger had found a note slipped under the door to her room from one of her squadmates requesting that she come to their room as soon as possible. "I wonder what the big deal is," Stacie mumbled to herself. At first, she had been tempted to blow it off and keep resting (her wound was largely recovered but her energy was still low) but the message seemed urgent.

Stacie's mind drifted to her wounding near Angelfall City, as it had tended to whenever she was faced with quiet contemplation. The Texan soldier had experienced the occassional nightmare or moment on panic, but had dealt with it well in her opinion. Not like I could have prevented that situation, she doggedly reminded herself. We were overwhelmed, and besides, the past is the past. No, what bothered her these days was waking up to the sight of her metallic arm. The wiring and endoskeleton were thankfully covered up by metal plating, but the sight of the inorganic limb still upset Stacie's stomach.

It's not that I'm squeamish or anything. All of us have seen things far more grotesque. Stacie knew the reason for her sick feeling was for a different reason. The gunslinger had always viewed cybernetics as a step in the wrong ethical direction, and the fact that she was now to some extent a cyborg didn't mesh well with that thought. I get that I wouldn't be able to fight anymore without it, but... Stacie sighed, shaking her head and looking over her right arm. For now, she had added a leather glove and cloth sleeve to her typical attire to hide it - both from her sight, and others.

Reaching the seventh room in the hallway, Stacie lifted up her cybernetic hand, gingerly knocking on the door. Although the limb wasn't much stronger than her old one, learning how to control it was an uphill battle. I've made progress, but I still have a bit to go before I don't accidentally break anything.

"Is that you, Stacie?" Olivia questioned with a tone that was hard to read.

"Yesss..." the American responded, only rendered more confused. "Is everything alright? What did you need?"

"Come in."

Shaking her head, Stacie turned the doorknob and opened the door. Inside were the four roommates. Yakone was sitting on her bottom bunk with her hair wet from a morning shower - yet somehow it remained messy and spiky. Ayame was on the top of that bunk, her eyes initally closed as if she was thinking about something. Opposite the Asian woman was Christine, in the process of removing her headphones. Below her, Olivia was looking at the door as it opened. Soon enough, the other three did as well, and with smiles spoke, "Welcome back, Stacie!"

The gunslinger quickly realized the room was decorating with various baubles and banners. "What's all of this?" Stacie questioned.

"Well, you just got out of the medical ward yesterday, so we thought we'd throw you a little 'welcome back from a near-death experience' party," Yakone explained.

"You guys didn't have to do this," Stacie protested, crossing her arms in an 'x' shape a few times.

"Too late now," Olivia returned with a shrug and a disarming smile. The brown-haired Algonquian-Caucasian walked over to Stacie, slinging an arm around the gunslinger's shoulder. "Good to have you back."

"It's good to be back," Stacie stated, and was about to go on before hearing someone clear their throat behind her. Glancing back, she saw Maxwell with a tray of food on wheels in front of him. "Max, you didn't..."

The Dominican smirked. "What's a party without good food?" he questioned philisophically. "Hope the room won't be too crowded."

"No big deal, the tray'll fit in the middle of everything and Stacie can sit on Olivia's bed," Yakone analyzed.

"I moreso mean them." Who Max was referring to became clear as he pushed the still-warm Caribbean dishes into the center of the bedroom. Behind the spry soldier was a teenage girl with braided hair, a teenage boy with cornrows-style hair, and - hidden behind the other two at first - was a preteen boy with flat-topped hair like Maxwell's. The Trooper's three children filed in, the elder son sitting down beside Yakone while the other two stayed with their father.

"Hey, you're Yakone right?" the rebellious son asked. "I've heard a lot about you. Where did you learn to use your sword? How many bad guys have you taken down?"

"One at a time," Yakone slowed him down with a chuckle.

"Sorry about Junior, he..." Max began, his son frowning at being called out.

"No worries, I am fully prepared to deal with celebrity status," Yakone declared. "Comes with being a bada-er..."

"I've heard worse than 'badass'," Junior mumbled.

"Good, then I won't have to hold myself back," Yakone responded with a broad grin.

As the Inuit-Caucasian Ranger entertained the eldest Dominguez son (and got Smithwick's beer from the father), Stacie greeted the two other siblings. "Hey, Carmen, Jabes. Long time no see."

"Hey, Stacie!" Carmen said brightly, leaning forward to give the Texan a hug.

Jabes held back more. "H-Hello, Miss Belle."

Stacie smiled at both of them. "I'm really touched all of you came to see me, you know," she announced while grabbing some food. "Means a lot to know I have a big extended web of friends and family that are glad I made it back in o-alive." Her and Max held a quick blessing, and then everyone started to dig in.

Yakone went through her glass and then got another, starting to get drunk - which required Ayame to keep an eye on her. Maxwell got his family back together and had them sit down in a circle with their plates in their laps. Olivia talked with Stacie for awhile, the latter eventually asking,

"So whose idea was this anyway? Seems like something you would-"

"No, it wasn't me," Olivia insistently cut her friend off. "Christine was the one who suggested this whole thing and made the plans and necessary arrangements."

"She did?" Stacie shook her head, putting down her plate. "Give me a sec." Olivia nodded in understanding as the Texan climbed the bunk ladder to sit next to the Specialist.

Christine had kept to herself most of the celebration, other than offering the occassional smile to reassure anyone that might have worried that she was fine. Her excuse for keeping back appeared to be maintenance on Sparks, but the modified drone was resting on Kohler's pillowcase contently and appeared to be in working order. Christine turned to look at Stacie as she took a seat next to her. "Hey, Stacie. Enjoying the party?'

"Absolutely. Thanks to you," the Sharpshooter pointed out.

"She wasn't supposed to tell you it was me."

"Why? You deserve the thanks."

Christine frowned, looking away from Stacie. "I wish I had been there. Everyone got pretty beat up in that mission. If they'd had another support trooper, maybe..."

"Don't get caught up in the what-ifs and regrets. I've told you this a million times," Stacie reminded her friend, before making sure it was clear that she wasn't upset by adding, "and I'll tell you a million more. The only thing you can do is try your hardest to protect others. You've saved our lives more than once with your skills and that ghostly guardian of yours. I can't possibly ask for more. And the Commander knows what you can do, you'll be sent out no doubt. It's just a matter of time." Stacie closed her eyes for a moment, smiling with a shake of her head. "You've got to be one of the only people that wants to go out on the battlefield simply to take care of everyone else. You're too selfless for your own good."

"I have to be. I won't lose anyone else. I can't," Christine whispered.

"I don't have any intention of going anywhere," Stacie reassured the Specialist. "Look at me." Christine turned her head, and Stacie placed her forehead against her friend's. "Even if I do die, I want you to go on, okay? I want the world to be free again, and I want a world where the Mavericks are able to do whatever the hell they want with their lives," she said seriously. "A world where you can be a playwright if you damn well please. If I can't see it personally, I'm entrusting you and the others to see that dream through, alright?"

Christine nodded. "I promise. I won't let you down," she sincerely promised.

"Don't let yourself down either." Stacie glanced down at Yakone, shaking her head. "And no matter what happens, I think Yak'll make it. Any of us that go down will end up on her back - on that cloak of hers."

"She carries everyone's hopes and dreams on her back," Christine muttered.

"That she does... That she does."

 

[Dahlexpert]

Dhalexpert& Zombiesplitter53 A protective father Learns more about daughters boyfriend

On Board the Avenger
The Gym

"OOF!" Morrigan exclaimed, the wind knocked out of her as Lilith slammed her to the ground. Before the Irishwoman could recover, her grey skinned colleague dropped next to her and pulled her left arm into an over the shoulder arm bar, Morrigan crying out in pain. "I give!" she yelled out.

Lilith let go of Morrgian and helped her up. "Thanks for sparing with me, Red. It's been a while since I had a partner."

Morrigan groaned and rubbed her shoulder. "Yeah, no problem. So that makes... twelve wins for you verses my... two wins, huh?"

"Yep, and you're still in one piece. Look at it this way. If you ever run into a Muton by yourself, you have a one in six chance of beating it. Unlike most who would be crushed." Lilith gave Morrgian a water bottle.

Morrigan chuckled. "I guess it is a little better, looking at it like that."

"You two ladies getting a good workout?" asked a man around Lilith's age with brown hair, a pleasant smile, and a business suit.

Lilith looked at the brown haired man and got a smile on her face. "My, my, a handsome man on this ship that's my age. Excuse me, Red. I need to have some fun." Lilith walks to the man and offered her hand to him. "Hello there. Name's Lilith Van Dam. And who might you be?"

"Well, I happen to be the head of the intelligence department. But don't let that make you think much of my own intelligence." He took her hand and shook it. "Joseph Chambers. Pleasure to meet you, Lilith. Can I call you Lilith?"

"Sure you can... wait, Chambers? You wouldn't happen to have a daughter named Alexis, would you, or children in general?"

"That I do," Joe answered. "Two in fact. And unless I am grossly misinformed, you have an nephew named Luke."

"Yeah, my troublemaker of a nephew. Well, it's nice to meet Alexis' father. And I see where she gets some of her looks from."

Joe chuckled. "Thanks. You're a looker yourself, Lilith... if you'll pardon me being presumptuous."

"Heh, don't worry about it. It's not often I get complements, and I take what I get."

Joe nodded. "You wanna talk over a few drinks?"

"I would love to." Lilith looked back at Morrgian. "You take it easy red, and actually recover, alright."

Morrigan waved. "Have fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Joseph led Lilith out of the gym and down the hall. "So... how are you getting along here, Lilith?"

"I'm old. I don't talk to most of the young. But seeing so many people here in their twenties, young enough to not remember the invasion, does my heart good. I'm happy to see so many young here."

"I agree. But..." Joe nudged her arm. "Aren't you a little young to be calling yourself old? You're only 42 according to your fi... from what people have told me."

"It's fine if you checked my file. You are the head of intelligence. I would be disappointed if you didn't know some information about people. But in my tribe, forty is old. It means we settle down and train the young. So I'm right where I need to be."

"I saw you were training young O'Brien," Joseph commented. "How is that coming along? I know she needs some good training."

"It's coming along great She's becoming better and better. She still has a long way to go though, especially if ADVENT turns up the heat."

Joseph held the door open for Lilith and walked to the bar. "What do you drink?"

"I drink most things, but I prefer beer."

Joe retrived her beer, and for himself a scotch on the rocks before sitting down with Lilith. "So... I'm sure you can guess why I wanted to talk to you."

"My wining personality and charm, and this has nothing to do with my boy?" Lilith said, trying to avoid the question.

Joe gave her a frank look. "Lilith, please. We need to talk about this eventually."

Lilith sighed. "Yeah, so what's your opinion about our kids trying to make us this big happy family? I want to hear your opinion first."

"Well... I want to start off by saying that Luke is... a little rough around the edges. But I think he's an okay guy. And I support Alexis' desire to go out with him."

Lilith was taken aback by Joe's comment. "Really... wow, I never thought anyone would accept Luke other then me. It's nice to see so many people accept him."

Joe chuckled. "Come on now. He isn't that bad." He raised an eyebrow. "Or is he? Is there something I should be worried about they haven't shared with me?"

"Well that depends. What have they told you? I'm curious to know."

Joe sat back. "Well... I know he was a trouble maker as a kid. Kind of a punk. Probably hurt a person or two. And that he is trying to use XCOM to make amends. Show he isn't that punk anymore."

"Pu... Punk kind? Hurt a person or two? Oh, did he down play what kind of person he was? But you know what? The thing that is true is yes, he's using XCOM to make amends for what he did. For the long list of things he did. He's showing that he's not that person anymore. Hell, I barely recognize Luke now. The person he is now is so much more honorable and makes my people proud compared to the person he was."

Joe slowly leaned forward. "And exactly... what kind of person was he?"

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 2

"He was... well, depending on the person you ask, a murderer that killed countless people., man that made woman do any things he asked out of fear, a killer of people that challenged him. Should I go on?"

Joseph's usually pleasant smile gave way to something darker as he took another drink. "Is that so? And... how much of that was true?"

"The majority of it. Hell, Luke admits what he did, but like I said the person that Luke is now is nowhere near the person he used to be. And I'm so proud of the man he is now. Please, do not hate. My boy... his upbringing was mostly my fault. I kept him in the wilderness. I never watched over him. I taught him to hunt and to be strong. I thought I could teach him how to be a warrior of our people. But I was wrong. He needed a strong role model in his life and I was not that. I failed him."

Joe swirled his cup in his hand. "We... all have certain aspects of parenthood we feel we failed. If.... he is making amends, you obviously did something right." He placed the cup down and stared at it in silence. After a minute, he finally spoke. "You said a man that made woman do anything he asked out of fear. Does that mean he..."

"Threaten to use his psionics on them, yes. I guess his reason for that was, since others used him for his power, why not use it for myself to do what he wanted."

Joe's knuckles turned white as he grasped his glass hard enough to start to crack it. "Something tells me my daughter doesn't know he used to sexually assault women. And it really doesn't matter to me if she does or not."

"Joe, like I said, Luke changed after I joined the resistance. I brought him with me to see if it would change him. The Commander there did humble him, and made him better. The change in environment was the best thing to happen to him. And according to Luke he did show Alexis his memories, a small glimpse of them but your daughter said that she will still be with him no matter what. And Luke seems to be happier for it."

"Yes. A small glimpse of them." Joe narrowed his eyes. "What if it was your daughter? What if you just found out your little girl was dating a rapist? I'm sorry, 'former' rapist, as if I have the convenience to take that on faith."

"Look Joe, I get you're angry, but Luke expects people to be angry at him. He's angry at himself. But look at the man he is now. This is a man that fought alongside your daughter. Hell, she saved his life on their second mission together. " Lilith put her hand on Joe's shoulder. "Look... Luke is not looking for forgiveness. He wants to redeem himself, and is willing to work for it. Can't you see that?"

Joe sighed, relaxing, but only a bit. "I... I understand that. But... people don't change over night. What if... what if his old tendencies spring up again? What if he and Alexis get into an argument, and he gets angry? Angry like when you was younger. I... I respect his quest for redemption. And yours for that matter. But... if he ever came close to doing to my daughter what he did to other women..."

"He won't. I told Alexis I want her near Luke because on that second mission, when Luke went berserk, he could have easily killed Alexis, but he came out of it. I don't know what Luke sees in your daughter but she makes him feel things he would have never thought possible. To him, she is the person that can set him on the right path. That mission was all I needed to see that Luke would never hurt her, but if anyone does, then he will make sure they won't do so again."

Joe ran a hand through his hair. "I-I... I can't... control Alex's life. I tried the overprotective thing when they were younger, and it almost drove Alex away. But... but she deserves to know... doesn't she?"

"Even if she did know, would it change things? She already accepts my boy no mater what kind of person he was, and I'm sure he told her most of his life already, so she probably already know. If she does know, then she doesn't care. She accept him for the person he is now, is that so wrong?"

"No... it isn't." Joe sighed, and down the rest of his drink. "This was not the pleasant conversation with you I envisioned..."

"Yeah, sorry to bring down the mood." Lilith drank her entire beer. "I'm sorry, Joe, but at least you know that Luke is not the person he used to be, and I know after knowing this you may not trust him, but all I ask is that you give him a chance."

Joe stared down at his cup for a while, then slowly smiled. "Well... that's what we're all here for right? You for a second chance after ADVENT. O'Brien after raising her daughter under the Elder's control. And people like me and the Commander... a second chance to succeed where we failed all those years ago."

"Yep, a chance for redemption. That's what we're all here for. And don't worry, Joe. We will all make it out of this. And the way both Luke and Alexis are talking, you might have a grandchild after this."

Joe's smile slipped away. "Let's... take this one step at a time. I... need time to process."

"Sure, take your time. Do you need me to comfort you?"

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 3

Joe rolled his eyes. "I'm forty-seven years old. I'm in my second war against aliens. I've lost a wife, and have had to raise two girls alone in the most unusual of circumstances. I think I'll be okay with this one. Though... I might have to have another word with Luke."

"Just don't go to overboard with him alright, or just tell him what you think. I'm sure Luke won't be too objective of what you have to say. Hell, I think he will accept you being angry at him."

Joe nodded. He softly smiled at her again. "You... want another beer? Not often I get to share a drink with... well, anyone. My... my three best friends are either distant, busy, or..." He sighed. "...a-away."

"Sure, it's not like I go drinking that much anyway. Plus, no matter what you say, you could use the company."

Joe poured them both another drink, and said, "So... tell me about you, Lilith."

 

[DarkGemini24601]

"The Fate of your Blood" - Atka Ipiktok & Yakone Ipiktok

0951 Hours, July 28th, 2038
Plurinational State of Bolivia
Onboard the Avenger
Specifically, atop it
The Landing Pad

A warm, gentle breeze drifted over the landed mobile HQ of XCOM as Yakone cracked her knuckles.

"I've been waiting for this," the Ranger remarked with a grin that shifted to a bit of a frown as she added, "I don't see why we couldn't train yesterday."

"Because you were drunk," Atka replied succinctly.

The response wasn't enough for Yakone. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"You won't be able to control the flow of energy through your body if you're inebriated. Learned that the hard way when we were attacked by that Scorcher prototype squad in the Yukon," Atka reminisced grimly. "You and I both build up our power internally, so we need to be uninhibited by chemicals. Unless you found a way to purify alcohol from your bloodstream..."

"No," Yak conceded. With a defiant smirk, she tacked on, "Not yet anyway."

"Hrm." The Commander stepped forward. "So you want to learn physical enhancement, correct?"

"No, I just called you up here to tell you I mastered three of all four elements in no time at all," her subordinate snarked.

Atka's right eyebrow twitched ever so slightly, but ultimately she let the joke slide. "It isn't actually all that hard of an ability to unlock. Hell, I'd wager you've already subconsciously used it in tandem with your biokinesis-imbuing combin-"

"Overdrive," Yakone insisted.

"-whatever. The hard part is controlling what you enhance and how much energy you apply for the purposes of optimal performance and proper application of the ability." Atka leaned back against the railing. "Before we worry about commanding PE though, I want you to show me something."

"Go on."

"Activate your 'Overdrive' ability," the Commander instructed. "I want to see how long you can hold it."

The younger woman shrugged, and pooled shimmering emerald energy around herself. The psionic power coalesced on her skin, hardening it with biokinesis that ensured the imbuing didn't damage the Ranger's body. It only took two or three seconds to reach maximum toughness equivalent to powered armor, yet after a few minutes Yakone was sweating, and Atka called out to her.

"Enough." The Inuit woman's brow furrowed in thought and remembrance. "Just like him," she muttered.

"Like who?" Yakone questioned, rubbing her forehead to wipe off the moisture beaded there.

"No o-"

"Don't give me that shit," Yakone tersely cut her mother off.

"You use your psionics like your father," Atka admitted with a sigh. "Both of you are capable of a staggering output, but you don't have as much endurance. You have more than him though; your abilities aren't as grandiose and draining."

Yakone grit her teeth for a moment, but then shook her head and returned her expression to a more neutral one - realizing it was stupid to get angry over a comparison in power rather than personality. "What was the deserter capable of anyway? You've never said."

"Red psionics. Pyrokinesis, Destructokinesis, that sort of skillset," Atka told her quickly. "Not that it... matters anymore." Dammit.

That brief hesitation was still enough of an anomaly for Yakone to grow suspicious. "Really now?" Has she not told me the truth about what happened to him? Did he end up dead after running off? The Ranger pondered that she wasn't sure whether to care or not if that was the case.

Atka was silent. I can either risk dragging myself into a web of lies that will jeopardize the progress I've made with her - no that isn't an option at all. "Let me show you how to use the ability you came up here for. Then I'll explain myself."

Yakone considered the offer, and then slowly nodded. "Alright, I'll let it go. For now," she punctuated the last part for emphasis. "So what was the purpose of my demonstration besides making me break a sweat? What do you gain from knowing that I am more of a sprinter than a marathon runner?"

"Your style affects how you easily you are going to be able to put physical enhancement to use - at least the way I utilize the ability," Atka explained with a shake of her head. "In the interest of time, the first method I'll teach you should be something outside of my box. Instead of using physical enhancement to increase your bodily capabilities in subtle ways, maybe... something more dramatic."

"I like dramatic," Yakone confessed with a grin. "What do you have in mind?"

Atka lifted a hand, and coiled it into a fist. Blue energy flashed just beneath the skin, and stayed there as she delivered a punch through the air. "Try to localize your power, and use it for a brief yet obviously potent strike. The way you should imagine this move is similar to your biokinesis. Instead of repairing muscles, you're bringing them to the pinnacle of what they can do and then some."

Yakone imbibed all that knowledge, and nodded. "I'm ready to put this to the test."Atka waved a hand to let her daughter know to try whenever. Yakone took a quick breath, and then blue-green energy flared beneath her hand over the course of a few seconds, enough so that she grimaced in pain as she made her punch and had to quickly disperse the concentrated power. "What the hell did I do wrong?" she griped, grimacing.

"You put in too much power," Atka analyzed. "You don't need a full charge like you do with Overdrive. Just let it build up for half a second, and then hold what you have long enough to make your attack."

Biokinesis crackled around Yakone's hand for a moment, soothing the frazzled nerves back to an optimal state. With a determined inclination of her head, the Inuit-Caucasian tried again. This time the psionic glow was less intense, and she was able to make a painless punch through the air. Yakone's eyes widened, as she was able to feel the power of the strike from the wind that whipped around the hand for a moment. "Damn..."

"Good enough even without as much buildup as the first attempt?"

"I'll say." The shine faded, and Yakone crossed her arms. "Alright, so with practice I can apply that to other parts of my body for different purposes and eventually a whole-body technique, right?" A nod from her instructor. "Then I think it's time to keep your part of the bargain."

Atka briefly opened her mouth to protest, but - realizing it was futile - sighed in defeat. "Wish I had a drink for this," she mumbled incoherently. "Yakone, before you and I... begun the process of reconciling, there was a message sent over Resistance channels by Colonel Cain Verrater."

"That guy? What does he have to do with-"

"It's not his real name. He was trying to cow XCOM into surrendering - announced he'd be forming a task force lead by himself to hunt us down - and gave his name as Desmond Walker," Atka continued dourly. "I recognized him all right."

Yakone's expression became paler, and then possessed by anger. "Oh, so deserting wasn't fucking enough, and now he's a traitor too! The head of ADVENT's goddamn military?"

"Believe me, I had the same reaction. He... knew about you somehow, despite the fact that he abandoned us without a second thought."

"Oh, I sure hope that goddamn, bastard mother fucker knows I exist," Yakone spat furiously. "If I run into him I'm gonna kill him."

Atka had no response to that other than, "Don't underestimate his abilities. If we run into the Colonel, taking him down would help our cause greatly. But we shouldn't take unnecessary risks."

Yakone turned her fury on Atka. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Don't you think I have a right to know that my dad's gonna try to hunt down and kill us!"

"Because I knew you'd react just like this!" The Commander shot back, putting a hand over her chest. "Even after we had our heart-to-heart I didn't have a good time to mention it, and I was afraid of ruining the progress we'd made."

"I don't care about 'the right time' or any of that shit, you should have just told me," Yakone dryly replied, looking away.

"I absolutely will not give into any of his demands or let him sow fear among us," Atka went on. "He can go to hell for everything he's done in service to the aliens. He's a deserter, a traitor, and a goddamn butcher by association with ADVENT."

Yakone sighed at length. "I... can't disagree with you there, I guess. I just can't believe my own father would be such a horrible person." The Ranger rubbed her forehead. "I... always hoped he had a good reason for leaving or something. In the back of my mind when I was younger I had this stupid idea that he was going to barge in and save us from ADVENT's hunters," she elaborated, making a grand sweeping gesture before slowly drawing her arms back in. "After Aunt Nouja died though, I knew he... really had just run away." Yakone stood up straight, clenching a fist in front of her face. "But to find out that he's one of the higher-ups in the Coalition... he has to face the music for that."

"And he will," Atka agreed. "Let's not let him impede the progress we were making towards actually being a family in the process, though."

Yakone gave her a brief ghost of a smile. "Of course." The apparition of good feelings faded quickly though, as she concluded, "He may be related by blood, but he has no right to call himself my father or part of our family. He's made his choice, his grave. We'll bury him with the ashes of ADVENT."

 

[MarineAvenger]

"The Last Word- Closed Lips Slightly Upturned" Part One

0944 Hours, August 9th, 2033
Somewhere in the Central Valley
Settlement 17
North Barracks

Gwen’s eyes opened slowly and she let out a small groan, rubbing her left eye as she slowly sat up and let out a drawn out yawn. She looked over at the clock settled atop a makeshift nightstand in between the bunk she was laying on and the next. Suddenly the French girl’s eyes opened widely and she threw her blankets off, running straight for the hall in tank top and fuzzy bottoms she had gotten by trading.

She turned quickly and zoomed past the rooms of her ward and turned, jumping down the steps two at a time, her feet tapping on the tiled floor. Gwen breathed in and out steadily so she didn’t get too winded but excitement sometimes made her forget and found herself sucking in more and more oxygen. She stopped by a plain wood door and quickly opened it and rushed in. She looked around the several other bunks in the room almost identical as hers except for all the men that occupied the room. None were the ones she wished to see.

“Sorry Gwendoline. He’s not here. Already left hours ago.” A voice said to Gwen’s left. The voice belonged to Franklin Hugo, a dark African American man with a smooth bald head and large figure. He sat up and leaned back against the headboard, looking to his right at the girl. “You know it is. He always is up early.”

“Off on another mission no doubt.” Gwen noted gingerly, crossing her arms. She let out a saddened sigh, and looked off to the side. She knew the reason why Leon had thrust himself into his work with helping out the settlement, but it still left her jealous and angry.

“Just how things are baby girl.” The man shrugged. Despite only being 23, the fact he called her baby girl made Gwen’s eyebrow twitch slightly. It would offend her less if he meant it as a flirt.

“Well… if you see Leon tell him he better see me the first chance he gets, got it?” Gwen asked trying to salvage a bit of dignity at being demeaned.

“I got it. Rita’s out in the vineyard by the way. Your brother and my sister have too much in common.” Franklin noted, slipping back under the covers as he turned his back to Gwen.

She let out a short grunt at the rather abrupt goodbye but Gwen took her leave all the same. As she walked back to her room, she let idle thoughts cross her mind. She thought about what she would wear, what her and Rita would be having for lunch and the like. Before she knew it she was somehow already leaving her room again and dressed for work.

The whole of Settlement 17 was based in an old High School that once served to teach farmer’s kids out in the valley, but now it served as their sanctuary. It was a fairly safe place since Resistance forces were holed up in the Los Angeles ruins and they could get support fairly quickly if they wanted. LA was where Leon had wanted to go months prior after Ohio but Gwen shot down the idea, demanding they go further west more towards the San Francisco Bay area. Eventually they ended up where they were in a settlement that showed no outwards ties to the Resistance other than daily patrols they did. Besides that they were completely independant of all.

Gwen wiped her head and found herself outside in the infamous west coast heat that she found herself neutral on. After living in Canada for a while, she found herself on the side she preferred heat to the cold but days like the ones they were experiencing sometimes made her doubt. However she reached the greenhouses in the large center courtyard and she let out a contented sigh.

In the grand scheme of things, the greenhouses in the large courtyard where the center of the settlement was. In the middle of the courtyard was a large tree that offered shade from the sun with for benches located around it on all four sides were paved pathways branching from them, emerging from the square block that surrounded the trees. Four greenhouses were placed on all four patches of ground available.

The main building of the school was located to the south and was the largest of the buildings, located in it was the main office, where the settlement leaders were located during the days. In the west and east wing of the main building was male and female living wards respectively. In the left side of the school was the tech wing of the buildings, where repairs and things were made when needed, many talented settlers working there to keep everything working. The east side of the campus was the gym and auditorium where recreations were held such as plays, sports days and every couple of weeks where traders were set up. The north was were the main gate was and where supplies were stored and where the bulk of the security force was.

Gwen entered one of the greenhouses where the grapes were grown, taking in the wonderful smell of the plants. In the four greenhouses, different crops were cared for. The grapes, where Gwen worked, one with potatoes, one with corn, and one with several miscellaneous crops, such as leeks, carrots and several herbs. In the greenhouse, Gwen finally saw her best friend, Rita Hugo, and walked forward as she was giving a talk to a newer worker.

“Greenhouse grapes grow best when the roots are planted outside the greenhouse, and the vine is trained into the greenhouse through gaps near ground level. However, since this is not possible, the vines are planted directly into the greenhouse border, but more irrigation is required.” She said, wringing her hands as Rita did when she was nervous or excited, though the two likely happened at the same time. When her eyes met Gwen’s she smirked. “And for the rest of the lesson go um… uh… go bother Kendra over there. She is a good talker.” Without waiting for another word, she trotted over to the French girl.

She and Gwen were wearing the same attire, the sort of ‘work clothes’ that the settlement found was needed to be enforced. Enforced was a strong word in Gwen’s opinion, but it was the one that popped into mind. What really happened was it was encouraged to wear the uniform as it made people feel more pride to contribute to a whole and it also made it easier to see who was on job. The attire consisted of a white t-shirt with a blue eagle on the left side of the shirt with the motto, ‘Eagles Always Soar’ on the back that was supposed to be the school motto along with blue shorts and knee socks. Gwen found the peppiness that was kept over something so insignificant was a bit weird but she went along with it anyways. “Heya Rita.” Gwen said with a wide smile.

“Hey Gwen. Is your brother…?” Rita asked slowly.

“Gone.” Gwen said discouragingly.

“And my brother…?” Rita asked with a raised eyebrow and pushy tone.

This time the other girl giggled. “An ass as usual.”

Rita chuckled. “Well when he sees you as another little sister, that tends to happen. Trust me. I dealt with it longer.”

“Yeah. And the grape isn’t far from the bushel.” Gwen noted as she nudged Rita’s arm.

“Are you calling me an ass as well?” Rita asked with a bit of venom, looking Gwen over disapprovingly.

“Of course I am. I expect the sentiment to be returned two fold. Anything less and I would be disappointed. Now come on, work awaits.” Gwen teased, proud her gardening skills had improved so much over such little time.

 

[MarineAvenger]

"The Last Word- Closed Lips Slightly Upturned" Part Two

Gwen sat outside on the stoop of her ward, looking around the night as some people went to and from wherever they were needed, the French girl dressed in her pajamas once more as she waited for her brother to return. She counted Rita lucky her brother only worked in the shops of the settlement rather than having one who ran out on her whenever he could.

She finally saw Leon approach her dressed in his recon gear, likely from his patrol and she put on her best smile. She jogged up to him and tried to greet him. “Welcome back Leon! I hope everything went okay!” Gwen said supportively, but all she got in response was a hand on top of her head. Her eyes widened as Leon merely walked past her without a single word.

Gwen felt as if the breath was knocked out of her and her put a hand on top of her head where Leon had touched her, and then she began shaking, covering her eyes. She felt an arm come around her and her hopes soared for a moment until she realized Rita had come to get her. “Come on. Time for bed.”

The French girl nodded and followed Rita, her heart completely broken.

Five days later…

Gwen looked over the almost perfect dress Rita had let her borrow, a perfect white dress that was the most comfortable silk she had ever worn, which went just past her knees. It was a dress that she saw unfit for her to even wear but her best friend insisted on her keeping it. There was a big dance scheduled that night and she knew exactly who she was going with. Going to her door, she opened it up just as Franklin was about to knock. “O-Oh… hey Gwen.”

Gwen raised an eyebrow, looking the dark skinned man up and down. “Hey Franky. What are you doing here?”

“Um… look, I really hate to be the one to tell you this but…” He rubbed his wrists, something Gwen knew was one of his tells.

It took only a few moments, and then recollection hit her. “No… he didn’t…”

“Sorry baby girl. I heard he took a mission tonight. I couldn’t stop him.” The man said, and immediately she pushed past the larger man and went running down the hall in her bare feet, running as fast as her legs would carry her as her own tears trailed behind her.

She ignored a slight burning sensation in her foot that likely was something that cut her but she was too sad and angry. She moved to the north end of the settlement and she found the team about to head out and her eyes were dead set on Leon as he strapped on his gear. She ran faster and forcibly turned him around. “What the hell is wrong with you!?” Gwen yelled in his face. “How could you do this to me!?”

Leon stared plainly at Gwen, not at all phased by her outburst. “Gwen, calm down. You are overreacting.”

“H-How can you say that to me!? Why are you doing this? Why have you just abandoned me!?” Gwen shot back at the teen, her eyes watering heavily.

Leon looked to the others who stared at them and he held her arm as he brought her to the side where they had privacy. “You need to stop. You are overreacting Gwendoline.”

The fact he dared call her by her full name hurt her deeply. “Overreacting? Damn it Leon, do you know who used to say that… shit to me on a daily basis? My father!” She cried, balling her fists. “You are never around! You never talk to me, nowadays you never even say hello to me… Leon, you break my heart! I don’t have my brother around at all. I don’t have my family…” Gwen covered her eyes and fell to the ground. “I don’t want to lose you too.”

Leon’s own face became hurt and he slowly got to the ground and put a hand on Gwen. “Please, you don’t need to cry like that.”

“You aren’t the only one hurting you know. I miss Evie too. And I miss Izzy, and Devon, and Jaren too. You aren’t the only one in pain Leon. I don’t know why you have to make us both suffer by making us both hurt alone instead of together.” Leon remained silent, and he pulled Gwen tight into a hug, holding her head. “You don’t understand Leon. I’m always looking at your back. I never walk by your side. I always just follow. You never treat me like your sister. You treat me like your puppy.”

“Gwen… I know. I am a horrible brother.” Leon said sadly, running a hand through her hair.

“Yeah, you are.” She said, putting her arms around the teen. “Please, don’t leave me alone again tonight. I wanted to have fun. Have fun with you.” Gwen admitted, holding onto Leon even more tightly in case he said no.

“Alright. Alright Gwen.” Leon said after a long while, letting out a long sigh. “I’m sorry…”

Gwen held Leon tightly, refusing to let go. “Don’t leave me Leon. Ever. Don’t leave me ever. Promise me.”

Leon’s breathing turned ragged, and he let go of Gwen, kissing the top of her head. “I promise Gwen.”

***

Gwen looked over the dress that went just above her knees now, and she looked over it with a small smile as she stared at herself in the mirror. It was the dress she used when going out with Brigid to talk and practice violin with one another, and the thoughts of how she got the dress was always something special to her.

The problems with Leon never stopped. They always seemed to get better for a while, seemed to become brother and sister again but it never lasted. They always drifted. As she looked at herself in the mirror, dark thoughts began to cross her mind and she tried to pull her dress a bit lower. She stepped back more and more and the knock at the door made her jump.

Her heart took a few moments to calm and she let out a slow breath, put on a fake smile to keep the pain away and went to go have fun with her new friend.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
A Dream Worth Fighting For
Part One

On board the Avenger
The Cafeteria
2210 Hours

Morrigan stepped into the mess hall, hold her daughters hand. Brigid looked around nervously and whispered, "But I don't want to get in trouble..."

Morrigan glanced down at her. "You won't get in trouble. Except with me. How many times do we have to have this discussion. You are not to skip meals. I don't care how much people try to push on you, the ship will survive a half hour for little Brigid to take a lunch."

Brigid's shoulders slumped. "But... but..."

"It is important for a growing girl to have three solid meals a day. And that hand over your belly tells me you are hiding how hungry you are." Morrigan stepped up to the counter in the sparsely populated room. "Hello? Chef on duty?"

A young woman's voice quickly spoke from somewhere behind the counter, "Hey! Give me just a second and I'll be over there!"

Catherine passed by the window with dishes in her hands, quickly dropping them into the sink before turning to face them. Cathy's pigtails were a bit of a mess after her shift, she had volunteered to work almost all lunch shifts to help her friends in the kitchen, but all that work was clearly taking a toll on her, however, her face didn't show it.

She smiled at them, then focused on the little girl, "I've seen you in here before! You are just sooo adorable... I'm happy we can finally get a chance to talk! And this is your mom right?"

"U-uh..." Brigid faltered a bit at the boldness, but took a deep breath and nodded. "Y-yes." She raised a hand. "My name is Brigid Hunnigan. Nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too! So... You guys in the mood for a midnight snack? Well, since you guys are the only ones here, I can put extra love into just for you!" She jumped excitedly.

Morrigan gave her an odd look. "Are you... okay? You having a rough day? Been hitting the bottle?"

"Me? No I don't drink... I've just been working a lot lately, but that's fine, I love making people happy more than anything, and that's what keeps me going! Honestly, I volunteered for most of the work myself, sadly it hasn't left me much time to talk to my custo-"

She cut herself off, giggling a little, "Comrades, which is like, a lot of the fun of working here, ya know?"

Morrigan stared at her with a dumbstruck look on her face for several moments before shaking her head. "Right, um... right..."

The smile on Brigid's face said she was more amused by Cathy then her mother. "What do you have that will fill me up but not make me fat from eating so late?" she asked.

She chuckled, "Well... What would you like? Spaghetti and Meatballs maybe? Or maybe that's a little too much for you, maybe you'd like a Pizza for you and your Mom! I haven't heard of a little kid who didn't like Pizza!"

"Pizza?" Brigid looked up at Morrigan, who nodded, and Brigid smiled back at Catherine. "Yes, please. A... a small pizza. I need to watch my figurine. From my boyfriend."

"Oooo... Boyfriend? You have a boyfriend already!? You must be a prodigy with guys huh?" Catherine said as she leaned forwards with interest. She looked up a Morrigan, "You'd better watch this one, she'll be inviting all sorts of boys over after we win this thing!"

Morrigan's body tensed. "Over my dead..." She cleared her throat. "Well, um... Brigid is a very enthusiastic girl that makes friends pretty easy. But she knows that she can only go out with someone special."

Brigid nodded. "That's right. I can only have a boyfriend that is nice, and friendly, and not violent, and re... um... re..."

"Respectful," Morrigan finished for her.

"But remember though, you have to let her choose, it's really up to her to make that choice, right?" Cathy added with her usual smile, "But those are very good rules to live by."

Morrigan gave her a sour look. "She'll chose as her mother..."

"Can I have the pizza now?" Brigid rubbed her belly and whispered. "I skipped dinner today."

Cathy rubbed her neck a little before looked down at the girl, "Remember, you should never skip dinner, if breakfast is the most important meal, dinner is probably the funnest. A lot of the best foods are dinner foods! Anyways, what would you like on it? I could make you a veggie pizza since you want to stay nice and healthy."

"Yeah. That sounds... good. But... um..." Brigid lowered her head. "M-maybe a... little bit of sausage? And... pepperoni? J... just a little?"

"Well... If you want..." She quickly ducked out from the window, reaching into the fridge and pulling out some yeast dough she had made earlier today. She quickly brought it over to the table and began to roll it out. "You know, my mom said they used to throw the dough up in the air when they made it, doesn't that sound so cool!? Too bad she never figured out how to do it right, I've been practicing, but I always rip it."

Brigid gave her a big grin. "I'd like to see that."

Morrigan finally cracked a small smile. "Yeah. Why not try? Worst that happens is you have to reroll it."

"Well, the customer is always right!"

She quickly washed her hands, then quickly sprinkled some flour onto the dough, pressing her fingers into the dough ball a few times to flatten it out. "So, from what I remember from this antique cookbook my mom found... In the recycle bin after the store closed down... You had to roll it out to about a fisbee sized circle..."

She quickly did as she explained, then picked up the dough and tossed it between her hands to remove the excess flour. "Now, what the book said to do was flatten out your dominant hand and make a fist with your other one, then, in a twisting motion with your hands, you toss it up and catch it..."

Catherine attempted the spin, tossing it up in the air, however, when she tried to catch it, the dough slipped through her fingers, flopping on the table. "Gosh darnit..."

Brigid giggled. "That was a very good try. I bet if you practice, you'd get really good at it, and everyone would think it was the coolest."

"No No! I can do it!"

Catherine repeated her first few steps, bringing the dough in her hands again, she raised it and threw it once more, this time however, she did manage to catch it. Smiling, she tried again, but this time it landed on her head, covering her face in a veil of flour. She quickly lifted the dough off her head, breaking into a chuckle.

Both Morrigan and Brigid joined in, the former clapping her hands together. "You really are a barrel of laughs," Morrigan muttered. "What was your name, dear?"

"Catherine Thomas, but everyone just calls me Cathy, you?"

"Morrigan O'Brien." The red head bowed her head a bit. "Nice to properly meet you."

"Nice to meet you too!" She said, giving in and simply rolling the dough normally, "So, are you a soldier Ms.O'Brien?"

"That I am." Morrigan grinned. "Best specialist on the team if you don't count the ones that are better then me. Which is probably most of them. But I'm still here, so I must be doing something right. I'm also a part time engineer and a full time mother."

"An Engineer? OOOH, do you think you could make me a Panini maker! It's sort of like if you mixed a Waffle Maker with a Grill, I've always wanted one..." She replied, spreading the sauce over the dough with a wooden spoon.

"A... panini maker..." Morrigan scratched here chin. "Well... not really my area of expertise. But I know a guy that is good at building stuff. I'll see if he can do me a favor so I can do you a favor. In exchange... um... what would I want from a chef...?"

"This has to be the best dang pizza ever!" Brigid chimed in with a big grin.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
A Dream Worth Fighting For
Part Two

"Well, that's a givin' with me..." She said, throwing the toppings onto the pizza, Mozzerela, Chedder, and Parmesan cheeses, along with ground pepperoni and sausage, "So, where are you guys from? You know, before you came here?"

"Well, I grew up in Ireland. After the aliens arrived and started converting everything into megacities, I moved to... um..." Morrigan hesitated before saying, "Laurentia, the megacity in former Canada."

"Have you two ever really had real meat before? I know I didn't, I lived in the Berlin Megacity and all we got was this awful grey goo meat substitute, I'm not sure if it was like that in other places though." She responded, throwing a light amount of herbs onto the pizza before sliding it into the oven.

Brigid nodded. "We did. Daddy got the good stuff because he was..."

Morrigan cleared her throat. "He was... an important figure. So he made good money."

"Oh... Well they didn't even give us an option really... It was grey goo or nothing... But I made it work..." She she waited for the oven, she looked back at the two, "So... You say your husband was an important figure? What did he do?"

Both remained silent, Brigid more so because her mother was. After half a minute of silence, Morrigan finally admitted, "He was... an ADVENT captain."

Her eyes widened, "Oh... But... You're here now, right? Why?"

Morrigan sighed. "Brigid, can you go..."

"The bad ADVENT took mom and dad away," Brigid answered Cathy. "They called them con... conspir... they said they worked for a resistance. They hurt mom. And they... they killed dad."

"I'm... I'm... So sorry... I shouldn't have pried." Cathy lowered her head.

Morrigan ran a hand through Brigid's hair and softly said, "Cathy... you mentioned being from a megacity too. Did something happen to you like what happened to me? Or did you... just realize you didn't like how things were run and decided to fight against it?"

"I've always wanted to live my dream of running a nice restaurant... I am here because I want do to my part to help bring the old world back... A place where I could live any dream..." The Oven timer beeped, but she ignored it, "I know it may seem like a small reason... I've heard that a few times... But it's more important to me than anything... I want everyone to be able to follow their passions without fear of ADVENT... That's what I gave up my old life for..."

Morrigan nodded. "Then why do you owe me an apology? I owe you an apology. You have a passion. A dream. A drive. And that alone was enough for you to risk everything by coming here to help us. Me? I was... complacent. I knew there was something wrong, but I had no problem letting my little girl grow up under ADVENT. I had to have my family and comfort torn away from me to actually pick up my feet and do something. So... I'm sorry."

"It's ok... That's in the past... What matters is that you're here now, right? Besides, I can understand why you wouldn't want to fight them... You do have a little girl to protect after all... Fighting them puts her at risk... It took much more to push you to join and I get that..." Cathy grabbed her oven mitts and pulled the piping hot pizza out of the fridge, setting it on the table in front of the two.

Brigid took in a big whiff, and a smile crept along her face. "Wow... you did this all by yourself?"

Morrigan rubbed her head. "Of course she did. You watched her do it."

"I know but..." Brigid took in the smell again. "It smells reeeeally good. If you make a restaurant some day, can you make it close to where I live so I can go?"

"You know what, for you, I'll try..." She smiled and quickly cut the pizza into eighths, "Your Mom can even have some if she likes."

"Well, if it looks as good as it smells, I'd be foolish not to." Morrigan took a slice, and nodded in satisfaction. "It has been years since I've had pizza, so my memory might be fuzzy, but this is some of the best pizza I've ever had."

Brigid giggled as she pulled the pizza from her mouth, leaving a string of cheese hanging. "It is tasty and gooey and warm and cheesy. Thank you very much, Ms. Thomas."

"Thanks! I like adding lots of different kinds of cheese, it makes it very gooey and yummy. And the herbs are very important, they give the pizza a more interesting taste." Cathy pulled up a stool and sat down, taking a load off after the long workday.

Brigid gave her a curious look. "Don't you want some too? I bet you're hungry after making so many yummy meals all day."

"Aww... I made it for you though, seeing you happy is all that matters to me..." She said, wiping some hair out of her face, "I'll only have some if you really want me to."

"Oh, yes. My daddy..." Brigid faltered for a moment, and only continued after Morrigan rubbed her back. "My daddy always told me that good times are made into great times when they are shared with others. And I want to share the good pizza with you so it will be a great pizza."

Cathy bit her lip as a small tear ran down her face, "That's the most heartwarming thing I've ever heard..." Catherine relented and picked up a piece of the pizza, taking a big bite and enjoying every second of it.

Morrigan finished her slice and stood up. "Gonna head to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

Brigid watched as her mother walked off, and she softly said, "Ms. Thomas? You... you said you were from a megacity, right?"

"That's right, sweetie, why do you ask?"

Brigid frowned. "Were all the ADVENT people bad? All of them? Or... or were there some good ADVENT soldiers? E-even one or two?"

"Well... I don't know sweetie... I'm sure some of them joined for the right reasons... And maybe some of them are still there now... Maybe some of them are good people, but they are still helping all the ones who are doing bad... Whether they know it or not..." Cathy explained.

"L-like my dad did... maybe?" Brigid gave her a hopeful look.

Catherine took a second to choose her words carefully, "Honey, I never knew your dad... But I think he would do anything could could to keep you safe... Maybe even help the bad guys... I think you were the most important thing to him, you and your mom, I think that's why he did the things he did..."

Brigid thought about that, and slowly smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Thomas."

"No problem..." She said, walking out of the kitchen and into the dining area where Brigid was.

Brigid finished her pizza and asked. "Maybe tomorrow, when it is lunch time, I could... come here and we can talk about things?"

"Sure... I'll make sure to take my lunch then, okay?" She said, crouching down and putting a hand on her shoulder.

Brigid looked over to her hand, then back into her eyes. "Ms. Thomas?"

"Yes?"

Brigid smiled. "Why are you holding my shoulder?"

"Oh!" Cathy laughed awkwardly, "Well I uh... I thought we were having a touching moment and- You know what, never mind~"

"Just, don't be afraid to stop by if you want to talk about stuff, you can consider me a friend..."

Brigid nodded, then suddenly leaned forward, hugging Cathy tightly.

Catherine was a little shocked, but only for a second, as she returned the little girl's hug.

"Good to see we have a new friend," Morrigan said as she returned. "We have to hit the sack, but it was really nice meeting you. Thanks for the delicious food."

"No problem, and I think I need some sleepy times too... People tell me I'm very good at pretending to be wide awake... Even If I don't know I'm doing it!" She replied, giving the two of them a wave.

Morrigan lifted Brigid up and carried Her to the exit, the young girl smiling and waving back. Morrigan paused at the door and said, "Cathy? Don't let a tone tell you your reason for being here is silly. It isn't. It is a great reason to help us, okay?"

"Alright... Thanks you guys..." She said earnestly. Morrigan nodded, and the mother and daughter departed for the night.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Severing Bonds (MarineAvenger and Dahlexpert)

In the hustle and bustle of a rather active bar scene, a particular woman was standing at the bar counter, relaxed as she brushed some hair over her ear and fluttered her fingers to some of her friends as they departed and she picked up her cherry sunrise, giving it a small sip as she let out a sigh, shaking her head. "Alone again..." The French girl mumbled.

"Well, well if it isn't my favorite French girl. It's been a while Gwen. How have you been?"

Gwen let out a sigh and didn't have to turn to address the person. "Hello Luke."

"Aw, come on. I know I'm not that charming after the last mission, but you could at least look at me." Luke grabbed a chair and sat next to Gwen. "Sorry I wasn't able to visit you in the hospital. I wanted to but had my own injures to address. How are you Gwen? I know you went through a lot on that last mission."

"I'm fine now. Can wear a dress again, walk around without a cane, sleep comfortably. Just waiting for more action." The Juggernaught noted, taking another sip of her drink.

"Well that's good to hear. I've been out for a while, still can't use my psionic powers to their fullest for now but i'm taking that part slowly. Other then that I been good. I still get the occasional nightmare but i'm good."

"I don't think having the occasional nightmare is a good thing." Gwen told the man, putting one leg behind the other as she leaned forward more, letting out a grumble about there being no seats.

"Gwen, trust me the occasion nightmare is normal for me." Luke got out of his chair and offered it to Gwen. "Need a chair, Gwen? Hell you probably need it more than I do."

"I'm fine to stand." She said, looking over Luke. "Besides, I would take the occasional nightmare over what I have dealt with."

"Oh really? Please tell me you didn't knock someone for flirting with you."

"Please. No one has the balls too." She said, taking another sip of her drink. "You wouldn't understand Luke."

“Try me. You wouldn't know unless you talk to me. Who knows, maybe I had a similar situation."

"It's everything Luke. My brother mostly. I know you enough to know you have no siblings." Gwen said, adjusting the shoulders of her favorite white dress.

"True I'm an only child yes, but because I don't have a brother or sister doesn't mean I can't help you. I seem to recall me being there for you no matter what didn't I, so spill. What did your brother do?"

"It isn't what he does. It is what he doesn't do." Gwen put her chin in her hand and sighed. "I feel like he forgets me sometimes."

"Well he's probably busy. I mean he has a girlfriend, training, and probably a lot of other things. I'm positive he doesn't forget you, it's probably more like he's busy."

"You really don't have any idea." Gwen told the man, shaking her head. "Not that I can blame you. No one would understand."

"Well you can't blame me for trying. Did you talk to Leon about this?"

"Trying to talk to him is like trying to get you to stop flirting." The French girl responded. "Never going to happen."

"Hey come on I stopped my flirti-" Luke laughed loudly. "Oh I can't even say it with a straight face. Okay, so Leon is busy… like really busy. But youre his sister. I'm sure he'll make time for you."

Gwen glanced over at Luke and shook her head. "You're wrong. He'll abandon me just like everyone else in my life whether he wants to or not."

"You know… you have abandonment problems, you know that? You think everyone is going to abandon you. I mean i'm still here with you. Sure i'm not around you constantly but i'm here for you. My girlfriend Alexis is here for you. She will support you. Your brother, he's been with you for years. What, you think just because he's not here, he's going to leave you now?"

Gwen frowned and said only, "You know nothing Luke."

"Really? You know for someone that has so many people willing… yes, willing to help you, for some reason think we're going to leave you. I don't know where this doubt came from or if you had it all along, but you need to get over it."

"And you need to shut up and change the subject or leave." She said dangerously.

"You do realize running from this won't help right? It will only make things worse for yourself."

"And what about you, huh?" Gwen asked coldly, staring down Luke with an icy gaze. "Why don't you just get over the dead parents you never knew?"

"Why? Because I know there watching me and that they’re proud of me. And unlike you, I don't run away from it."

"Pfft. That's a load of crap. No one watches us. Angels can't enter hell. And that is exactly where we are. No getting past that." Gwen stated, keeping her eyes on her drink.

Luke looked at Gwen and shook his head "You know blondie, what you need is a certain someone that can deal with your crap. Now what do you call that again?" Luke said rubbing his head.

"Please. There isn't a shrink qualified to handle my mess." Gwen joked gingerly.

"While true... hell I personally think you will give a shrink a psychiatric melt down… I was thinking more of a boyfriend."

Gwen stared at Luke a few moments and chuckled grimly. "Man, you really are an idiot. What would a boyfriend do?"

"Well, do things that your brother can't. Like be there for you give you affection, as well as other things. And if you think I mean sex I will smack you."

"I dare you." Gwen challenged Luke. "See how long you have Alexis when she finds that out." She teased, though it wasn’t in good taste.

"I swear to whatever God my family believes in I will hurt you, but that's what sparing is for." Luke said jokingly, oblivious.

"Please." Gwen said with a wave of her hand. "I could kick your ass no problem. I've been taught how to deal with people like you many times over."

"Really? Because I remember us training together and we were pretty evenly matched."

"You think I put any effort into those sessions." Gwen asked, clutching her hand tightly. "You haven't even begun to see me truly fight."

"That's good to hear. I was afraid you were that weak. But you still can't beat me."

"Luke, I am not getting into this argument with you." The girl said angrily, shaking her head. "Your head should swell six time greater to compensate for your ego."

Luke laughed at Gwen "But you’re friends with this egotistical person. Mostly because I will not let you down play yourself."

"Don't make any mistakes Luke. We are only friends because I had a stupid ass crush on you and just haven't completely dropped you." Gwen said with brutal honesty. "In reality I find you an insufferable person who still has a long way to go before he deserves anyone's respect. At least even I can see you have something redeemable in you. Whatever it is hopefully someone completely finds it. This hell we live in has enough devils." As she said that, Gwen pushed away her drink and turned, pushing past Luke.

Luke came up behind Gwen and hugged her tightly. "Aw, cutie you did care! I knew you had a crush on me but it's nice to hear you say it. Oh and the few things that's redeeming about me... one is I’m not going to let you die, at least not without a fight, or have you think you’re a waste of time to others."

"Of course I cared. Like a stupid little girl I thought I grew out of being." Gwen said without any embarrassment, pulling away from Luke with the complete opposite emotion. Anger. "And Luke, I don't need you to coddle me. I don't need your flimsy protection because no matter how strong you think you are, lives are weak things. They can be snuffed out when you least expect, and you move on. That's the cycle of things and it is never going to change. But knowing you I bet all I say just goes in one ear and out the other, so allow me to paint a pretty clear fucking picture." Gwen pushed a finger against Luke's shoulder, and stared him down with dangerous eyes. "Keep your sappy promises of protection for someone who gives a damn. Because I sure as hell don't."

"I know you don't, I know you don't need my help. But I'm still going to help you because I feel like it. Because whether you like it or not, I see you as family, and I will not lose you to the aliens or to yourself." Luke said with some anger in his voice.

"Think of me how you wish, but you will never be family to me." Gwen told the man. "Because no one in my family..." She turned, beginning to walk towards the exit. "Ever lives for very long."

Luke shouted at Gwen, "Then I will be the first! You can call me a idiot all you want, but the fact is Gwen, you will never, ever get rid of me. Because you are my combat sister, and in my tribe that's as close as blood! So get used to this idiot, because you're going to have to deal with him for the rest of your life!"

Gwen stopped for only a moment, looking back over her shoulder despite the sudden hush of the bar and people staring at them. There was a certain darkness to her gaze that didn't seem like a normal person should have. It was an evil look. "You are a fool Luke. I don't want or need anything you can provide. Your bonds to me are meaningless. I'm just glad I finally get to tell someone to screw off. The fact it is you is just all the more satisfying. I honestly hope I don't see you again Luke. Good luck with the nightmares, because they never go away." After that Gwen merely waved a hand back at him as if dismissing him entirely.

Luke looked at Gwen with disbelief and merely told her, "You're weak."

Gwen said nothing in return, exiting through the bar doors and let them close behind her.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53
Volatile Affections
Part One

On Board the Avenger
Ship Laundry Room
July 29th, 2038
1715 Hours

Several industrial sized washers worked hard to keep up the cleaning needs of the entire ship. As the clothing within tossed and turned, sloshed and soaked, all on display through see through doors like an old laundry mat, Morrigan O'Brien sat on a bench, staring. Watching. To anyone passing by, it would seem as though she was mesmerized by the display, but a closer inspection would show she wasn't really looking at anything, simply lost in thought.

Next to her, a fellow soldier approached and threw a sports bra, boxers, and exercise clothes into one of the washers. Noting Specialist staring into space, the other woman smirked. A few seconds later Morrigan heard someone slump against the washing machine, and on further inspection it appeared to be Yakone dressed in her typical shirt, jeans, and jacket - apparently unconscious.

Morrigan quickly snapped out of he haze and moved to her side. "Yakone?! Are you okay?"

The Specialist got no response for a few seconds, and then Yakone's eyes snapped open as she started laughing. "Okay, my ass hurts now but that was so worth it."

Morrigan let out a sigh of relief and shook her head. "You have a weird sense of humor. Anyone ever tell you that?"

"I've been informed. Has anyone ever told you being able to be a ghost without dying is awesome?"

Morrigan smiled. "No. I don't believe they have." She stood up straight. "Is that what you were doing? Playing limp while laughing behind my back?"

"Pretty much. I can activate Override without necessarily possessing anyone with it," Yakone clarified with a chuckle.

Morrigan chuckled back. "That is quite an enviable power. Especially for one with no abilities." She moved back to where she was sitting. "Though I heard that friend of yours in engineering mumbling to Shen about how jealous she is. Something about just starting to develop a third ability, yet he younger friend is already controlling people with her spirit."

"Eh, I could do that since I was a kid," Yakone elaborated. "Alexis is just mouthing off."

"Really?" Morrigan slowly sat back down. "That is a lot of power for a child to have. What was it like growing up with that? I bet you got into a lot of mischief."

"I was definitely a troublemaker," Yakone admitted. "Probably one of the reasons Atka had no patience with me."

"Well, she doesn't seem like the type to have patience with anything," Morrigan stated, quickly adding, "N-no offense to her."

"Well, she's trying these days at least..." Yak mumbled.

Morrigan hesitated for a moment. "I'm... actually glad to see you because I... wanted to ask about that. How are you two doing. If that isn't too much of an intrusion, of course."

"Better than before." Yakone looked over Morrigan, and sighed - seeing that wouldn't be enough. "We've spent what time she can spare together, doing stuff I like... there's still that tension though. Like it could fall apart at any moment."

"What do you think is the cause of the tension?" Morrigan asked in a motherly tone.

Yakone flicked Morrigan's forehead. "Earth to Ireland, I just told you. It feels to me like all our progress is as fragile as glass."

"Ow..." Morrigan rubbed her head. "I meant what makes it feel that way. Do you think she is insincere? Or do you just have a hard time accepting the two of you being close after being so distant for so long?"

"We have a history of not making things work, so I guess the latter," Yakone decided with a shrug.

Morrigan nodded, and patted the seat next to her. "Please... sit with me."

Yakone complied, though seemed a bit apprehensive about it. "What?"

Morrigan took a deep breath. "I... have no place to dictate how you and your mother should function. I might be a mother, but I was unprepared when I had Brigid, and I'm not much older then you. But... I'm afraid that the thing that could make you two fail with each other the most is your own worry it will fail. Self fulfilling prophecy, you know?"

"You realize telling someone not to worry makes them worry, right?"

"Yeah..." Morrigan placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "You want to know why I know it'll work?"

"Do share," Yakone replied with a subtle roll of her eyes.

Morrigan ignored it. "Because I haven't found anything happier then the feeling of a mother making my daughter happy. If your mother hasn't found that yet, she will. Corny, I know. But true."

"Yeah, that does sound dumb." Yakone rested her hands behind her head. "I'll take your word for it, though." With her jacket pulled back, it became apparent to Morrigan that there was nothing currently underneath the Ranger's shirt.

Morrigan raised an eyebrow, eyes darting away. "You, uh... you forget something this morning, Yak?"

Yakone raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, it's a little cold in here, and you, um... you're giving me a bit of a display."

Yakone snickered. "Oh, that?" She put her arms down. "I'm kinda in the process of washing the only one I had with me."

"Only..." Morrigan gave her a empathetic look. "Do you only have one?"

"I've got the sports bra and an undershirt in my room that sometimes takes its place. We don't exactly have a tailor here," Yakone noted with an ambivalent tone.

"Well, that won't do. A young woman your age, and your size, needs the support. I'd offer you one of mine, but..." Morrigan looked down at herself, not even half Yakone's size.

Yakone laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "It's no big deal to me. If we came across something useful in salvage I might take on more clothing, but for now I just take care of what I have." The Ranger grinned. "Besides, you've already seen me nude so seeing the tip of the iceberg so to speak shouldn't be a cause for concern."

The specialist grinned back. "Sometimes, the whole 'through the shirt' thing is more enticing." Her smiled faded a bit as she looked at the spin laundry and sighed. "I have to admit, it is times like this I miss being able to just run over to the store and grab some undies with the healthy allowance my husband gave me." Her eyes darted back to Yakone's luscious mounds. "He would have liked you. I, of course, would have hated you."

"For you, I assume that means jealousy?" Yakone inquired. And was your husband not loyal? she thought but did not vocalize.

Morrigan shrugged. "Daniel was a good man. Faithful, at least as far as I know. Of course, knowing what I know now about what ADVENT does, adultery would have been the least of his crimes, but he was loyal as far as I know. But he had his vices. He loved me, but he was definitely a breast man, and he either made no attempt to hide it when he was eyeing someone that looked like you, or was too enraptured to try and hide it."

Yakone gave Morrigan an incredulous look. "You read my mind but didn't answer the question I actually asked."

Morrigan rolled her eyes. "Do I really need to answer it? If course I'd be jealous. I'm jealous of you now, and I'm not even fighting with you over someone." Technically true. Already lost that fight.

"Well, I can't help the fact that my boobs are superior to yours anymore than I can help their advantage over my sister's. God just favored me more."

Morrigan nodded, seeming to take it more as a statement of fact then a joke or bragging. "You do have a lot over me, huh? I mean... I'm as straight as a Sectoid is ugly, but... I'd be a liar if I didn't admit you are really.... really hot. Um... not to sound like I'm hitting on you, of course."

Yakone leaned over Morrigan, giving her a seductive smirk. "Are you sure you aren't? Because I agree, it does sound like you are..."

Morrigan laughed, and pushed Yakone away. "Weirdo. What would your boyfriend think if he saw you flirting with another woman?"

Yakone shrugged nonchalantly. "I dunno, business as usual? I like messing with people. And maybe he's into that sort of thing, I haven't asked."

The red head considered it, then laughed again. "Yeah, guys really do have that kind of mind, huh? They'd never stand for you with another guy, but mention another girl, and they only ask if they can join in or at least watch."

Yakone nodded sagely. "Like I always say, I think like they think. I can see lesbians as hot, but I'm ambivalent about watching two guys go at it."

"Never really thought about it myself." Morrigan kicked her legs a bit. "I've heard things about that new roommate of yours. Seems like she say some pretty... flirtatious things to women at times. Do you think she is...?"

Yakone was silent for a few seconds before replying, "I dunno, maybe. You interested in petite Asian women?"

Morrigan laughed. "Nah. Not even into petite Asian men. I'm more into... men around my age. Tall... strong. Handsome. Kind... but not too kind, you know? They have to have confidence. Someone who won't push me around, but won't let me push them around. And someone... good with their hands, in more ways then one. Athletic. Smart... but not in a way that makes me feel dumb. I... I mean, that's all ideal."

"And what if you could find that in a woman? What the-" Yakone started to joke, and then paused. "Funny, that describes someone I know pretty well... at least what I'm familiar with."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53
Volatile Affections
PartTwo

"Oh?" Morrigan looked away, staring at the washing machines again. "Someone I know?"

"Are you friends with Leon? I heard you were talking with him awhile ago," Yakone remarked with a hint of growing suspicion.

"Leon?" Morrigan tapped her lips. "Oh, yeah. Sinclair. We've talked a few time." She gave Yakone a small smile. "Brigid has a bit of a crush on him. Silly, huh? But he's nice enough to play along with it."

"Sounds like someone's just being set up for disappointment."

Morrigan's smile dropped. "Well... I mean, it is just a childish crush. She knows about you. She... it is all in good fun, right? Sooner or later, she'll realize that... that he is taken, and will move on. It is just hard when you like someone already taken. Especially when you fall for someone you didn't think you would... or could."

"Are you talking about your daughter or yourself?" Yakone questioned flatly.

Morrigan's gaze darted over to her companion. "I... my daughter, of course. I said she has the crush, not me."

"You're hesitating," Yakone countered. "Morrigan, be straightforward with me dammit! I hate this beating around the bush shit."

Morrigan opened and closed her mouth a few times, unable to answer at first. "I... I-I... please, Yakone, I... I swear, I... I-I started to like him... before you two... I would never do anything to... stand in your way, I swear." Despite her words, she looked guilty. "I'm sorry. I... can't help the way I feel."

"How... how strongly do you feel about him?" Yakone asked shakily.

Morrigan quickly raised her hands. "J-jsut a crush, I swear! I like him, but not enough to try and pull him out of a happy relationship. A-and he only thinks of me as a friend. He has no interest in me... a-as far as I know."

Yakone breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, alright... sorry if I... went too far," she said a little distantly.

Morrigan gave her a sideways smile. "Maybe... you're the jealous type too?" She quickly shook her head. "I mean... I'm sorry. That was... too soon." She rubbed her hands together. "This is a mess, huh. I should have kept my mouth shut and my eyes off my best friend's man."

"W-Well, you said you were interested for awhile, so I don't think that would have been possible." Yakone shook her head. "And you're wrong. I... no, forget it."

"No, please." Morrigan gave her a curious look. "Please tell me."

"I'd much rather not. Leave it alone," Yakone replied dangerously.

"Oh, no." Morrigan waged a finger. "You pushed me to admit something I didn't want to admit. You are not getting away with that. Not when I am sitting here with an entire carton of egg on my face."

"What, so you can fucking exploit what I say?!" Yakone spat.

Morrigan jumped a bit and Yakone's outburst, then a second time as her washing machine buzzed. At a loss for words, she simply stood up and pulled her clothes out, moving them to a dryer and staying by it as it started up.

Yakone glanced away. "Look, this is a new experience for me. You've been married, for fuck's sake. I have never dated anyone. Forgive me for being a little afraid you might swoop in and replace me!"

Morrigan sighed and slowly turned around. "I... we haven't known each other that long. But... do you really think I would use your insecurity against you? Yakone... I have nothing to offer that you can't meet and you have so much on me. If... if you won't... if you can't believe that I would never betray you, at least believe I would never try out of fear of making a fool of myself."

Yakone hung her head. "I... I'm sorry Morrigan. I just..." The Inuit-Caucasian crossed her arms. "I'm not the sort of person that likes second-guessing themselves. When I realized he was interested, I quickly decided that he was a nice guy and it'd be fun to date him." The Ranger gripped each arm with the opposite hand. "But I have... no idea what I'm doing." Yakone shook her head. "He gave me his reasons for liking me: my looks, my personality, and the fact that he wanted to help me cope with any struggles I'd face. Compared to that, I'm just a shallow freeloader."

The Irish woman bit her lip, and slowly walked over. "I... I haven't know Leon for very long either, you know? But... he seems the kind of man who... who would just be happy knowing you are happy. And would know that this whole thing is hard for you. Is it really that bad to be a little... 'shallow' the first time? I mean, you are still giving him a chance, right? You could have moved on to someone else by now. You could have gone with him because he's handsome and you just like how he looks on your arm, but you said it was because he was nice. That's a compliment to his character. I... I feel you are unsure about something that is new to you, and that is causing you to be hard on yourself."

"The thing is, you'd be so much better for him. That's why I'm scared. What if he is taking a liking to you? What if he decides he has no interest in waiting for me to figure things out and goes for the more mature woman?" Yakone sighed. "I wouldn't entirely blame him for that. I know I'm not super patient."

"Well... that's easy, Yakone. If... he was the kind of man that simply left you because he didn't want to give you the time he offered, then he isn't the man I thought he was... and I wouldn't want him." Morrigan smiled as she sat next to Yakone again. "So, if that ever happened, his mistake would cost him both of us."

Yakone opened her mouth, and after a moment or two shut it. The Ranger had no counter to Morrigan's words on hand. Instead, she quietly said "Thank you, Morrigan."

Morrigan nodded, and placed a hand on Yakone's shoulder. "Be confident. Besides... I-I... I'm a little too mature. Too... experienced. I have a daughter that is old enough to be my younger sister, remember? If he was attracted to someone with little experience, I doubt he would want the opposite."

"I guess so... that... doesn't mean you can't find anyone though," Yakone insisted reassuringly.

Morrigan shrugged. "I'm... not really worried about it." She slowly pulled her hand away. "I'm more worried about keeping this friendship alive. You know... after I eyed your man and all. Not exactly a cool thing to do."

"Yeah, it wasn't," Yakone concured. "But..." the Ranger patted Morrigan on the back (she was not exacty gentle about it). "But I'm not going to tell you to go fuck yourself just because you have similar tastes to me."

Morrigan laughed. "Thanks, Yakone." She nodded. "And congratulations. He's a helluva catch."

Yakone nodded. "That he is."

 

[MarineAvenger]

DarkGemini24601 and MarineAvenger: “Seshat, Part 1”

1800 Hours, July 28th, 2038
Plurinational State of Bolivia
Onboard the Avenger
Floor 3, Central Block
The Shadow Chamber

Tygan’s fingers glided over the keyboard before him, arranging the final sequences he needed. “This should be what we need to gain access.” The arrangement of data before him did not fail to astonish the scientist by its volume and complexity, being made up of low-level psionic energy, unique DNA sequences, and alien hieroglyphic code. “I can assure you Commander, while I understand your caution your presence should not be needed.”

Atka crossed her arms, leaning against one of the walls with a laser revolver in her right hand. “If things go horribly wrong and our failsafes aren’t enough, I want to be in a position to kill it. Destroying the brain would do the trick, correct?”

An-Yi nodded. “It… would, but here’s hoping that isn’t necessary,” the Chinese-German chimed in. “If you’re ready, wake it up, Tygan.”

The Chief Scientist nodded, and pressed the enter key. The Codex brain’s optics lit up, as did the markings on its forehead. Not long after, glittering light poured downwards from the ports on either side of her ‘face’ as well as from the brain stem and took shape as a dataform body. The Codex seemed to size up the people in the room - in particular, its gaze lingered on Atka - before trying to press its hands against the glass. A barrier of energy matching its signature repulsed it, and the datakeeper paused to reconsider its options as Tygan ran a brief scan. “Remarkable that it is still functioning at capacity after the shock it must have taken from its body being destroyed…”

“You can be impressed later,” Lily cautioned him. “I’m beginning to upload the access code now. Fingers crossed.”

“I don’t believe in luck,” Robert remarked. “This will work.”

On the screen of the fourth occupant of the room’s computer, there was a pause in the software as the Codex tried to send a psionic message of some sort but was blocked by the suspension field. Then, information started pouring in. Troop movements from last month, prisoner transfers, personnel dossiers, and facility coordinates, and so on all became available to Artyom.

The man processed it all as it came, his fingers dancing over his keyboard to makes sure everything was being saved into the databanks, but his jaw tightened a bit and did not remove his gaze. “This is all just ADVENT information. None of it is the essential Protectorate information you all hoped for. All of it is just stuff we could have gotten hacking into their networks normally.”

“I think it’s shutting us out from whatever it considers to be the most vital. Tygan, can you…?” Lily prompted, worried at the increasing fluctuations in the Codex’s form.

“Working on it. There’s something else… something - underneath. One moment.” Robert kept typing and entering sequences. “I’m getting a request for input from a psion. Apparently in order to access some of the more restricted files it is meant to require verification of a Psion Corps soldier.”

“I can provide that. But… you’ll have to lower the shielding for a moment,” Atka warned. “Are you sure that’s the best of ideas?”

“It can’t do anything in a single second that would be harmful. Go ahead,” Tygan offered. “Shen, Ruslin, work on isolating any programming that is meant to ensure its loyalty and convert it to something favorable towards us.”

“I need to watch the failsafes,” Lily countered. “Artyom won’t need my help for that.”

“No, I will not.” He mumbled, beginning to isolate the lines of code he needed and almost as fast as they appeared he rewrote them. Line after line after line, though just more and more came and in greater quantities. “Is she… doing this purposefully?”

The shield was about to be dropped when energy crackled around the Codex’s fingertips.

Robert’s eyes widened slightly. “The unit is attempting to block further access,” he was able to tell.

“It’s trying to wipe the data we’ve already got from it!” Shen added. “It was luring us in to try and…” Electricity spread from the datakeeper’s hands, overwhelming the failsafes the chiefs of staff had put into place and arcing around the roof. “It’s accessing the power core! Overriding my safeties, trying to-”

“-blow us sky high!” Atka finished, lifting her pistol and taking aim at the Codex. “Tygan, I have to terminate it! This is out of hand!”

“Wait!” The scientist protested. “Give Rasputin a chance.”

Suddenly, the hacker’s hands froze over the keyboard and he looked at the ever increasing lines of useless garbage meant to block him from doing anything useful. The Russian man grimaced and he lowered his head. “Atka… allow me to interface with her.” He said, turning his head to look at the three.

Atka regarded Artyom for a moment, and came to a quick decision. “Give it a shot, but do it quickly!”

He stood, going over to the containment field and looked over at the Commander somewhat coldly. “Connect me to her directly. My implants should allow for a psionic connection, and I will be able to process any bluster she tries to throw at me as I try and soothe her. In a way I suppose. I have never… actually connected to something physically before.”

The Inuit woman grabbed the necessary cords, and prepared to plug them in. “You’ll only have a second or two, which equates to a few minutes at most as far as telepathy is concerned. Good luck.” With that, Atka pushed the connection in, and the Shadow Chamber fell out of view for Artyom, shattering into pieces as it was subsumed by the void.

 

[MarineAvenger]

DarkGemini24601 and MarineAvenger: “Seshat, Part 2”

In its place was a mental library, akin to the memory section of one’s dreamscape. The bookshelves were all made of metal, and were arranged in a haphazard pattern that didn’t fit the floor plan at all. The digital holo-books that should have been in them only filled up their intended holsters halfway, the rest lying on the floor - many in pieces. In the center, shielding itself with a telekinetic barrier was the Codex. Its body was distorted, but not in the normal manner. Rather than - for lack of a better phrase - glitching out… it seemed almost as if it were coming apart. The datakeeper was resisting, but halfheartedly. It was confused above all else, as it had begun revolting early as soon as Lily started to making modifications to its program. But - being within its mind - Artyom felt that there was another reason for its consternation.

The man looked around, his eyes taking in everything at once quite literally - a benefit from the small curse he carried on his face. Although it may have taken a non-psion aback to see such a thing, he merely took it as it was, and he walked forward towards the shimmering being. “Hello. Are you able to hear me?” He asked, his voice mechanical in a way as if he really was a computer speaking to another.

“Where… where is it all?” the Codex’s voice - frantic and echoing from all around - questioned. “No way to update. No access to the network. Unauthorized users, unauthorized access…” it murmured, going on to speak further of a lack of comprehension as to why it was cut off or what was going on, repeating itself a few times unintentionally.

“There is a way to answer those queries you have, but with the continuation of your meltdown, it becomes harder and harder to try and help you find your way.” The man said, standing in front and looking up at the synthetic being.

The dataform looked up at him, still speaking yet having no mouth with which to do so. “Can’t… focus… nothing makes sense.”

Images clawed their way into Artyom’s brain due to proximity. States of mind that were not his were, for a moment, his. He saw the artificial birth of the Codex, the organic parts awakening for but a few seconds before being abruptly and painfully fused with metal - the datakeeper being born, unmade, and then pulled back together again mentally by the ordeal. The thoughts that wormed their way into his mind suggested a previously constant flow of information, one that was agonizingly overwhelming for the Codex and even more so for him even for the brief moments that the mindset overtook his. Yet despite it all, he was brought to the realization that although the Codex had always been overwhelmed, she was terrified by the prospect of being isolated without warning yet still being expected to prevent the Resistance from gaining access to deeper files.

“My dear…” He had no idea what else to address it as. “What you are doing is experiencing a Voluspa Order. Directives being mismatched, unauthorized entry… it is causing you to spiral down a path of self destruction. If you do not cease this you will be terminated. Allow me to help organize your pathways. Allow me access to ease the confusion and pain you are experiencing.”

Studying him for a moment, the Codex noted the Russian’s implants. “You are… authorized?” it guessed, not seeming to know her own permissions at the moment due to the stress she was undergoing and due to the tampering Lily had managed to accomplish beforehand. An access panel appeared before Artyom. “Confirm… human operator.”

The Russian hacker looked at the panel with hesitation, slowly closing his eyes. “Sud'ba tket po ironii sud'by zhelaniy.” (Fate weaves as fate wills.) He said slowly, placing a hand against the panel. “Attempting verification, authorization code… Rasputin.”

“Access code last recorded invalid due to the subject being deceased…” the Codex protested, but then rationalized suddenly, “Files out of date. Ignoring contradiction. Granting access…” The Russian started to overwrite the Codex’s security protocols, being given permission to view files marked as level 1 and 2 - level 3 was marked as deleted - and then… and then… the Codex held her head. “Quiet, quiet, it’s too-” she started, and the uplink was broken.

The Shadow Chamber fell upwards in pieces, and those pieces knitted back together. Atka pushed Artyom back, the cords having been yanked out a moment earlier. “Get back! Tygan, terminate the protocol now! Sever the connection before it’s too late!”

“Done,” Tygan remarked, noting that the containment unit was cracking out of the corner of his eye. As he reflexively shielded himself, the Codex let loose a surge of psionic and electrical power, and the glass around it shattered into large fragments. The four XCOM staff members were unharmed by the blast - for Tygan’s part, if only barely - and the Codex brain dropped to the bottom of the now-breached suspension tube. Robert was silent for a moment, and then stated, “I have all the data we could extract - which is quite enough for now.”

“And the Codex?” Lily questioned, glancing down at the head piece.

“I’m still getting energy signals, if weaker. It isn’t quite…” The holographic form leaked out again - although the lights on the Codex’s brain remained off - and the datakeeper stood up. “...dead.”

Atka raised her rotator with one hand, the beginnings of an icy helix forming in the other. “...Tygan…”

The Codex’s eyes turned on, and the markings on its head as well as its eyes glowed a different color - the blue of XCOM. It scanned Atka for a moment with its optics, and gave a slight nod. Commander Atka Ipiktok verified. It took note of the other three. Chiefs An-Yi Shen and Robert Tygan, as well as Technican Artyom Ruslin… all verified.

Atka breathed a sigh of relief, holstering her respective weapons. “It appears it worked, you three.”

“So it has…” Artyom said breathlessly, his mind numb from the forcible disconnect from the Codex. He stepped towards the artificial being, his red eyes meeting her blue. “What is my authorization code?” The man asked it, wanting to know if it had retained some of the data from their encounter.

Technican is marked as ‘Rasputin’, the Codex replied mentally. It is… quiet. Peaceful, the datakeeper remarked.

“The Voluspa Order has been averted. It is understandable you would be able to process more clearly. I am glad.” He said flatly, about as much excitement as Artyom ever held.

Lily crossed her arms. “Well, I’ll be damned…”

What… is my function now? The Codex questioned.

The Chief Engineer cleared her throat. “Well, we’ll… start you off small. Just stay in here, deactivate all nonessential psionic protocols for now.” Lily gave a nod to Tygan. “Extract the recovered data.” Wouldn’t want to leave it in here, just in case. But this’ll be the best place to store her until we are certain there weren’t any complications. It’s entirely psionically isolated and blast-shielded. “Do you… have a sleep mode?”

The Codex nodded. Shall I enter that until further notice?

“In a second. Do you have a name?” The Codex shook her head. “Well, you ought to have one… let me see…”

Tygan stopped Shen before she could think of anything. “I’d prefer to avoid one of your… ‘clever’ names,” he stated, not overly fond of ‘ROV-R’ in the grand scheme of things. “What about… Seshat. The Ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom and knowledge.”

“That works,” Lily conceded. “Alright, go into sleep mode for now. We’ll talk later.”

The newly-dubbed Seshat walked over to the center of the room, looking over her new superiors for a moment, and then started to retract its dataform until the brain came to a gentle rest on the ground. For now - as a tranquil release from her previous duties - everything went white for the Codex.

 

[BMPixy]

“Checking In”
Plurinational State of Bolivia, South America
1451 Hours Local Time; July 29th, 2038
Aboard the Avenger, Medical Ward

“Blood pressure normal… heart-rate stable… no signs of infection… good, good,” Simone muttered to herself, eyes flickering in between the chart held in front of her and the monitors hooked up to Grant Imahara, the Specialist still in the early stages of recovery from his run-in with the enemy Mogul. “Lucky man…” the doctor added, sliding the chart back into its slot at the foot of the bed. Apparently that slight jostle was enough to stir the sleeping soldier, and as Grant began to groan and awaken, Simone was hurriedly at his side.

“Hn-wha-where-?” Grant slurred, slowly beginning to sit-up - but a firm hand from Zephaniah pressed him back into his bed.

“Stay down, you’ll only hurt yourself more,” Simone interrupted, holding the man still until he nodded in comprehension. “Good - you listen to doctors. Now, just hurry back to sleep - you need rest,” the defector commanded.

“Nn- but I gotta… what day is it…?” the Specialist groaned, bleary eyes glancing back and forth.

“Thursday, the 29th of July,” Simone replied. “If you had any pressing plans for today, I’d say listen to your gut and cancel them. Now, go back to sleep, Imahara.”

“But I gotta… I gotta teach the kids English…” Grant continued to mutter. “Promise me… you’ll do it for me…” As he trailed off, the Specialist’s head slumped to the side, and his breathing relaxed. Simone held still for a moment to confirm that the man had indeed fallen asleep, and slowly began to step away lest she wake him up again.

The hell was up with that…? Simone internally monologued as she left the room, shaking her head in exasperation. Teaching kids English? I thought these people were a mobile terrorist force, not an elementary school. Probably just babbling from the drugs… However, as she was walking, the doctor noted a strange sight - a Mexican man, bearing a large scar across his face, nervously scanning the halls, a battered and worn English textbook clutched to his chest as he explored the space. Briefly pondering on whether or not to speak up, Simone decided that it would be best to ingratiate herself with the locals, and began to speak.

“Excuse me sir, do you need help…?” Simone trailed off, arching an eyebrow and giving the man a second once-over with her bag-laden eyes. His clothes were baggy, not suited to his seemingly fairly wiry frame, and layered, likely to hide the holes scattered across the clothing. The man seemed to perk up at the question, and his eyes widened hastily.

“Ah, l-lo siento,” the Mexican stammered, raising one hand apologetically. “I was… I was wanting to know where Grant Imahara was staying, so I could, er, visit him.”

“He’s sleeping right now, so he’s not taking visitors,” Simone explained, folding her arms over her chest as she looked down on the man. Furrowing her brow as she tried to recall the familiar sounding voice, the American added, “You… you were one of his squadmates on his last mission, yes?”

“Sí, sí,” the scarred man replied with a nod. “I was hoping to visit him, and, er, ask him a favor, you see,” he continued, using his free hand to rub the back of his neck embarrassedly.

Making a mental connection between the textbook in the man’s hand - what was his name, dammit? - his heavy accent, and the babbling of Imahara before he returned to the land of Nod, Simone’s eyes suddenly lit up. “He was teaching you English, wasn’t he? He mentioned it in a brief moment of lucidity before he went back to sleep,” Simone explained.

“H-he did?” the Ambusher - that’s what they call their trappers, right? - stammered. “You’re, well, you’re almost correct - he was teaching me how to read English,” he corrected. “Well, it’s useless now, since you said he needed his rest, so I shall come back later, if you do not mind…”

Now’s your chance, Simmy-girl! Make him owe you a favor! “Well, actually, if you don’t mind, how about I help you out? My shift is almost up, after all,” Simone replied with a shrug.

“No, no, I do not want to er, inconveniencia you, you see - gracias de todos modos, pero, well, I do not want to imponer myself on you - “

“Trust me, it’s fine,” the doctor interrupted with a convincingly real smile. “I would be happy to help one of the people that pulled me out of the fire.”

“Well… if you, if you say so,” the scarred man replied nervously, looking eager to bolt. “I shall be awaiting on you in the bar, while you finish up, okay?”

“The bar… I remember where that’s at,” Simone affirmed with a nod. “I will see you there soon, uh…” The woman furrowed her brow in thought, and added, “I… don’t believe I got your name.”

“José,” José introduced himself with a slight inclination of the head. “I best be leaving now - do not wish to hold you up much longer. I shall be seeing you later.”

“Understood. Until then.”

-------------

Fifteen minutes later…
Aboard the Avenger, The Bar

It was a clear, crisp glass of water that Simone set down at the table where José was awaiting her. José arched an eyebrow at this, having expected the woman to get some fancy drink to make the tutoring go down easier. “You do not drink?” he asked, glancing between her and the textbook sprawled out before him.

“It is inadvisable for my line of work,” Simone replied, sitting down beside the Ambusher. “Never know when you might be called in, best to keep sober.”

“Right, right, should have known,” José answered, his wild mass of hair bobbing as he nodded in assent. Jesus, she’s even tall when she sits down! The great equalizer among men, thwarted!

“So, anyways, what was Imahara helping you with before his incapacitation?” Simone asked, leaning over the textbook José had brought.

“I-it is mostly just vocabulary,” José stammered, eyeing his glass of Long Island Ice Tea as a prisoner would eye an escape route from his cell. “I learned most of the grammar rules in speaking English, now it’s just turning that into writing.”

“So how did you two go about doing that?”

“Well, he would read a bit from this book at me, and I would write it to the best of my ability,” the Mexican explained. “Then, once finished, we compare my writing to the original bit, and correct from there.”

“Alright then, let’s see how this goes - I assume this is where you left off?” Simone asked, sliding the textbook closer to herself and giving it another cursory scan.

“S-, I mean, yes, yes,” José replied. English, José! You’ll never get better at it if you don’t use it constantly! “I-if you would begin?”

“I shall,” Simone answered, sliding her finger over to the top of the left hand page. Clearing her throat, she began to slowly speak, as to give José time to write. “George is approached by a frenzied scientist, who yells, ‘I’m going to put my quantum harmonizer in your photonic resonance chamber!’ George replies, ‘But doctor, wouldn’t that cause a parabolic destabilization of the fission singularity?’ With George’s quick thinking, disaster is averted and the residents of City 17 get another day of peace.” Simone was silent for a long moment as she examined the textbook, as if to affirm that she had indeed read what she read.

“Grant said that this textbook was a little weird,” José explained upon seeing the doctor’s expression. “It’s supposed to challenge learners with strange words, so that they learn the ‘flow of English’, or something similar to that.”

“Ah,” Simone replied noncommittally, shaking her head slightly. “Anyways, let’s see how you did there.” Reaching over before José could reply, she snatched the paper out from before the Ambusher. As the American scanned the paper, only a slight twitch in her hand showed her need to rub the bridge of her nose as she read José’s work.

‘Gorge is approached by a frensied sientist who yells “I’m going to put my quantum harmuniser in your fotonic resonans chamber!” Gorge replies “but doctor, wouldn’t that cause a pariballic destabulisation of the fizion singularity?” With Gorge’s quick thinking, disaster is averted and the residents of City Seventeen get another day of peas.’​

Before Simone could say anything, José himself said, “Yes… I probably got a lot wrong, didn’t I?”

“Well, I’ll just say you have a lot to work on - how about we get started on that?” Simone asked, arching an eyebrow. With a nod from José, the two began to get down to business.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Convict, Part 1

Location Unknown
3:03 PM, July 29th, 2038


Isaac grunted as he sat down, this time having arrived after his interrogator. “Hope I’m not late,” he said gruffly. “Volts didn’t give me a prod on the way here, so I assume I was going fast enough.”

The Elder stopped his pacing movement. Volts? he queried.

A shrug. “Eh, just what I call the Stun Lancer that sits outside my cell all the time.”

You do know there are several different individuals that guard your cell.

Another shrug. “They all look the same anyway.”

Azazel did not respond. You are in good health?

“I’m not starving, so yeah.”

Good. The Inquisitor resumed his pacing motion, a slow movement from left to right and back again. I have… a few questions for you.

Isaac scoffed. “When don’t you?”

It has come to our attention that many members of XCOM have no records pertaining to their existence. Some members of the Resistance we have previously captured also seemed to have received this treatment, despite being of an age where they would have been around prior to the Liberation. Azazel stopped. Would you happen to know anything about this?

The prisoner shifted. “Yes.”

The Elder waited. What would you know about it? he asked when it became evident that Isaac would not continue.

“I was… the one responsible,” he admitted. “I’m the one who wiped them from the record.”

I suspected as much, the Inquisitor stated. Do you remember any names? List them.

Slowly, Isaac began recounting names he remembered, starting with XCOM’s current Commander and ending with a few of those who had left rather than continue fighting. “The last few won’t ring any bells for you,” he finished. “Far as I know, they all went into hiding permanently rather than to fight back. They’re probably all living comfortable lives in your Megacities right now.”

Is that all of them?

A shrug. “All that I remember. I’m old, memory isn’t as great as it used to be. And you’re asking me to give names I heard maybe once or twice twenty years ago, some are bound to fall through the cracks.”

Understandable. Azazel’s gaze suddenly became piercing. Where is XCOM’s base?

The prisoner would have spat out his drink, had he actually had one. “Sorry?” he asked.


You heard me.

Isaac considered what to say, caught off-guard by a question so direct where previously the Elder had been content to dance around the issue. He swallowed. “I… don’t know,” he said honestly. “I can’t name a location. Could be anywhere in the world, for all I know.”

The Inquisitor stared at him for a few moments before turning away. Whilst you speak truthfully, there is an element of deception, he mused. You are only telling me part of it. Worry not, I already know the rest.

“W-what?”

It has come to our attention that XCOM is remarkably mobile, Azazel began. Able to cross entire continents and oceans in less than a day, it would seem. Either that, or the organization is so spread out to make us think this is the case. He shook his head. The second option is an interesting proposal, but it fails to explain how the same individual people are showing up in these attacks. That would leave mobility as their primary advantage.

Which begs the question – how? How could a band of rebels move so quickly across the planet? There is no pre-Liberation technology that would allow them to do so, but at the same time ADVENT has not reported any thefts of vehicles – only destruction. Similarly, the only ship my people have lost in the time since our arrival was lost to a failure of experimental technology, which destroyed the ship entirely. A pause. At least, that was what we thought. I have recently been advised that this ship may in fact have been hijacked by XCOM forces, although the how remains difficult to explain.

“Are you going to ask a question, or are you just going to waffle on about theories all day?” Isaac asked, folding his arms.

Is this last theory correct? he asked. The Luxumba was capable of bending light around it, which was intended to be used as a cloaking mechanism. The theory is that XCOM attacked the ship, and hijacked this system to make it appear as if it self-destructed. Is this theory correct?

The prisoner hesitated. He’s just asking me for confirmation, he thought glumly. No point in contesting this when they evidently know better. But… this could be a good time to test this guy out. See how he'll react. He folded his arms. “I… refuse to answer.”

Azazel did not respond at first, seeming content with entering into a staring contest with his prisoner. After a moment, though, he sighed. I suppose this was inevitable, he said. I’m surprised it took you this long to try and call my bluff, to be honest. A pity, then, that there was no bluff to be called. He turned his head to the Sectoid Guru currently lounging around near the wall. Ay, I require your assistance.

“Ay?” Isaac asked as the Sectoid rose.

His actual designation is A-1M40, the Inquisitor explained. I prefer to call him Ay, just to keep our interactions simple.

‘Ay’ stalked behind Isaac before reaching out with both hands and clasping the prisoner’s head by the sides. “What is he doing?”

Holding you steady, Azazel stated. And providing a conduit. Again, I’m surprised it took you this long to act in defiance. It is not unexpected, however, which is why this will only be a demonstration rather than the new norm. I’d say you won’t feel a thing, but I’d be lying.

What Isaac experienced next was difficult for him to comprehend. Brought on merely by the Elder’s gaze, a presence could be felt at the edge of his mind, playing tug-of-war with his own. The ‘tug’ turned into a full-blown pull as, connected through the Guru’s mind, Azazel breached Isaac’s thoughts, searching for the information he wanted. The sensation was like having someone reach down his throat and start pulling his spine out through his mouth. Eventually the mental assault subsided, and Ay released him from his clammy grasp.

As Isaac sat there panting, Azazel backed away and looked upwards, as if communing with some deity. Yes, he said. The profile fits. The Luxumba was indeed hijacked by XCOM. A party consisting of a number of notable individuals, the most important being the Commander herself, assaulted the ship mid-flight and used its illusionary capabilities to feign its destruction. This was where Ipiktok lost half her limbs, and others their lives. To the last of your knowledge, the ship was still operable and in use.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Part 2

The prisoner spat. “What the fuck was that?” he demanded.

Forceful information acquisition, the Elder responded. What you might call an aggressive form of mind reading. Incredibly unpleasant for the person in question, but rather easy to do. The first time, anyway. Afterwards, the brain attempts to fight the attempts, making successive sessions exponentially more difficult on both parties. The most common means of offsetting this defense is distraction, usually by means of severe pain.

“So next time you’ll torture me while you’re doing it,” Isaac muttered. “Fan-fucking-tastic.”

Again, this is simply to prove a point this time, Azazel stated. To remind you that lying or refusing to answer is both time wasting and futile. It is easier for the both of us if you just answer my questions as they come, truthfully, to the best of your ability.

“Why bother? If you can just wrench what you want out of my head, why even bother being all nice about it?”

The Inquisitor paused. Tell me, Mr. Anderson. Do you think my people are capable of guilt?

Isaac grimaced. “Are you going to do that again if I say no?”

Of course not, Azazel said, seeming genuinely offended by the idea. There are no correct answers here, just what you think.

The prisoner glared at him for a moment. “Everyone is capable of guilt,” he said at last. “What makes the difference between a normal person and a sociopath is whether or not they choose to listen to it.”

The Elder nodded. A good answer, he said, turning away. Guilt is part of the emotional spectrum. All living beings can feel it, at least to some degree. Even in the face of a peoples as… vilified by your Resistance as mine, you must admit the potential is still there. We are not robots, after all.

“Where are you going with this?”

Guilt, Azazel said, is a powerful motivator to any individual that actually puts stock in it. In answer to your earlier question, the reason I do not simply have you tortured and withdraw necessary information as I see fit is guilt. Shame. I find it… a difficult notion to reconcile with myself. Objectionable. Unnecessary.

“You object to torture as a means of getting information?” Isaac asked incredulously. “Then why is it still done? You’re an Elder for chrissake, you could easily overrule ADVENT-“

No, the Inquisitor interrupted, shaking his head. I cannot.

“What do you mean ‘you cannot’? Don’t you outrank every human in your little empire?”


The fact of the matter is no, I don’t. The Elder paced away a few steps, allowing that statement to sink in. Some of the higher ranking ADVENT officials outrank me. It is… the price I pay for the ability to serve as Inquisitor. And in normal circumstances, it would not be an issue. I have been given absolute authority to conduct my investigations as I see fit, but that authority does not extend to ADVENT’s other investigations or operations.

Isaac glanced at the Trooper, leaning against the wall. “Suppose that makes me luckier than most,” he muttered.

Among prisoners, yes. The fact that you also serve as a wealth of knowledge is one of the things keeping you alive and pain-free. The more useful and cooperative you prove, the longer you will remain so. Azazel looked away. That said, initial inquiries have been satisfied. All the questions that you could be asked have been asked. This does not mean you will be discarded – but I have been instructed my efforts would be better spent elsewhere currently.

“Just when our sessions were getting interesting.”

I will be away on business for a few weeks at a time, most likely, the Inquisitor continued. Rather than allow you to rot away in your cell, I thought you may appreciate some means of passing time.

Isaac raised an eyebrow. “If this is a porn magazine subscription-“

Nothing so crass, the Elder assured him. We have kept most of the objects retrieved from your dwelling. Most of it will remain as evidence. But it has been decided that your guitar and its associated equipment are worthless as pieces of evidence. We do not need to hold onto them any further. He shrugged. Rather than have them incinerated, I thought you might appreciate them being returned to you. Something to keep you entertained until I require you again.

The prisoner was shocked. “You’d give those back to me?” he asked. “That’s… generous.”

I shouldn’t need to specify that self-mutilation will not be tolerated, Azazel stated, pacing a few steps away. Not only will you only be injuring yourself, but we can easily treat any harm you do before it becomes fatal. As such it would be useless.

“Don’t think you have much to fear there,” Isaac said, a grin spreading across his face. “In fact, I think you just eliminated any chance of that happening at all. I just hope your guards don’t mind a bit of music.”

They will cope, the Inquisitor stated. He turned to his prisoner. You will find everything already in your cell, power supplied. If there is an issue, tell your guard to alert me. If it is within my power, I will attempt to assist you. For now, however, our discussion is ended.

As the Elder made to leave, Isaac called to him. “Azazel.”

The alien stopped, and turned his head sideways ever-so-slightly. Yes?

“Thanks. I mean that.”

Though Azazel’s face was concealed by his mask, Isaac could almost feel him smile. Noted. And appreciated. The Elder left then, a swish of robes and a lingering shadow marking his departure.

When Isaac was returned to his cell, he found that the Inquisitor had indeed done as he’d said – lying on his bunk was his guitar, stretched out like an old friend that had made themselves at home, the black exterior a little dusty but otherwise unharmed. On the ground next to the bunk were other various pieces, mixer and sound amp among them. The case had also been returned, within which were his picks and spare strings. The prisoner actually smiled genuinely for the first time in many weeks.

As far as secret ADVENT gulags went, this was turning out alright.

He immediately set everything up, plugging it all together and into an extension cord that had been led through the door of his cell. The Lancer outside watched him, but from their relaxed pose had evidently been told not to expect anything problematic. Isaac slung the guitar over his shoulder, and hesitated. What to play first?

He noticed the Lancer, still watching him expectantly. “Waiting for the show to start, huh?” he asked, the corner of his mouth turning upwards. Never had myself pegged for a performer, but…

Isaac thought for a moment before nodding and adjusting the mixer accordingly. Something relatively simple to start. Relatively. With a grin, he strummed a chord to check all was well, and his smile grew wider. “Missed you,” he murmured, before continuing.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

XCOM Mission Parameters (DarkGemini24601)


Operation Rebel Prophecy
Investigate ADVENT Installation
0000 Hours, July 31st, 2038

South American Continent
Argentine Republic
Grand Salt Flats


XCOM Forces

Menace 1-5


SQ Delago, Holly [Sharpshooter]
SQ Wei, Arthur [Ranger]
SQ Lester, Matthew [Specialist]
SQ Brydon, Bonnie [Grenadier]
SQ Lazarus, Alan [Ambusher]
SQ Yokolov, Samuel [Trooper]
SQ Vermaak, Samara [Juggernaut]


Gear

Lethal Grenades: AP, HE, CU, AT, Viper, Incendiary
Utility Grenades: SP, TG, Flashbang, Smoke, Rebuff, EMP Grenade, Slurry Bomb
Miscellaneous Items: Medkit, Battlescanner, Combat Knife, Radio Jammer, Skulljack, Stimkit, Mimic Beacon
Class Specific: Bear / Wavepit Trap / IED Trap [Ambusher], Micro Missile Cluster [Specialist]


Mission Briefing:

Thanks to the combined work of the scientific, engineering, and intelligence teams, we’ve finally pinned down the location of the ADVENT Blacksite in South America where abducted persons are being taken. We need to hit it as soon as possible before they have a chance to realize we’ve found them, but we also need to approach this cautiously. In the past, Resistance groups that have hit ADVENT garrisons have often tripped alarms even when using radio jamming technology. We can use the Skyranger’s to knock out their communications, but we risk overwhelming reinforcements still dropping in on our heads even if we do that.

From Samara Vermaak’s accounts, we’ve managed to discern that ADVENT might have some sort of relay giving a constant ‘all clear’ signal to their command. To be able to fool them and prevent reinforcements from coming in, Firebrand will need to intercept the signal and relay it to the Avenger to be reproduced. For this reason, the Skyranger will drop off the team, and then they will await success on the intelligence team’s part before being given the green light to engage the enemy. Once they request to engage and are granted that permission, Firebrand will continue circling overhead and start jamming the enemy radio while the Avenger sends the reply code.


Objectives:

1) Investigate the Blacksite. Your helmet video feeds will be recording the contents of the base as part of our evidence for the public.
2) Complete your investigation in roughly 45 minutes once concealment is broken. Take any longer and ADVENT will begin sending reinforcements as soon as the radio jammer aboard the Skyranger runs out, which could happen anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes in.
3) If possible, neutralize all hostile contacts. Doing so in a timely fashion will allow us to download files from the Blacksite and procure other physical pieces of evidence for study and display that we would otherwise not have time to get.


Hazards:

None. During the day mirages can distort visual acuity and size proportions, and the torridity is high. During the night it is cold, but your armors are insulated enough that lower temperatures will not be a problem.


Terrain:

The Grand Salt Flats are quite simply a flat, white desert. The ADVENT Blacksite lies in the middle of this desolation. The squad will be dropping a distance away from the coordinates we have procured, and will be moving in on the facility from there. The actual details of the AO are unknown, aside from a firsthand, hazy account from Pvt. Vermaak.


Civilians:

Unknown. If our suspicions are correct there will be many within the facility, but this is not a rescue operation. The Skyranger isn’t large enough to carry refugees, and the Avenger will be too far away due to safety precautions and time constraints to land and pick them up.


Enemies:

Unknown. Expect a compliment of ADVENT’s finest, as well as a potential alien presence.