RP XCOM2: Liberation of Earth

[ZombieSplitter53]

Dahlexpert & ZombieSplitter53
Shattered
Parted Three

Luke & Lilith's room

Luke opened the door and lifted Alexis into his bed. He went back to the door and locked it. "Don't want anyone disturbing us." Luke turned to Alexis. "Comfy?"

Alexis slowly looked up at him, having been lost in thought. "Huh? I... oh, yeah. Comfy... cozy..."

"You alright Alexis? You seem kind of out of it?"

"Yeah... y-yeah..." Alexis lowered her gaze. "No... not really... I'm sorry. Just... between the people I know that died... and the people I'll find out who died... and what happened to Ayame... I'm... just depressed..."

"Ayame? What happen to Ayame?"

"O-oh... you didn't hear. I heard they wanted to keep quiet about it for... some reason, but I didn't think they were serious." Alex held out her left arm and made a line above the elbow. "She lost over half of one of her arms. Sacrificed it, really, to get a killing blow on those angel like aliens."

Luke remained silent for a moment. "Man, my kill list is getting longer, anyway. Look Alexis, I couldn't say this while we were surrounded by everyone, but I was worried about you. Hell, I was worried sick. Part of me thought that you were a part of those six people that died out there, since you haven't fought in so long and you were just trusted into the madness. I'm glad your safe and sound darling."

Alexis frowned, and lowered her head. "I was worried about you too, but I was confident you would be okay. I actually believe you can take care of yourself." She looked away. "I guess I'm the only one...

Luke kissed Alexis. "You did great out there, you just need to keep training." Luke hugged Alexis." Just for the love of god quit doubting your powers, they actually helped out on this mission."

Alexis pushed him away. "I-I... how am I supposed to quit doubting myself if the man who keeps telling me that is also doubting me? You... y-you don't think I belong out there, admit it. Just like my dad. But at least he has the decency to hide how scared he is every time I go out there, not throw it in my face! Well, I might not be as good as you, or your aunt, or Yakone or Ayame or Atka, but damn it, I am not some underdog little girl who is a forlorn hope every time I fight!"

Luke shook his head. "You want honesty, fine. Yes, I worry about you, yes. Do I think you're inexperienced, oh hell yes! Do I think you don't belong out there, no. I believe you do belong out there and we need all the people that we can get. I just... look I lost a lot of people, Alexis. I just..." He sighed. "I don't want to lose you as well. The alien are just getting stronger and stronger, I just have a little worry is all."

"No, you have alot of worry. All because if I don't have as much experience as a Van Dam, I must be inexperienced. Forget the fact that I've been running from or fighting these damn aliens for twenty years." Alexis folded her arms and looked away from him. "You have no confidence in me. Well guess what, Luke. What do you think is going to happen when I'm trying to be confident out there and I am distracted by the knowledge that my boyfriend doesn't believe in me? Answer me honestly; if theydidn't need me out there, if they had plenty of people out there, and you could stop me from fighting, you would, wouldn't you? You only think I belong out there because we need everyone we can get, even someone who apparently as green as me."

"I wouldn't stop you from fighting Alexis. Hell I want you to keep fighting. It's just after the base attack, I'm just a little more worried and cautious, alright? I forgot that you've been hunted since you were a kid. And I have confidence in you Alexis. I may not show it right now, but I am confident in you."

"No you're not!" Alexis yelled. Her wounds glowed a pale green as her anger made her psionics manifest the only way they could, by healing her. "You think I'm going to fail! Just like everyone else! Just like everyone always has! Well, I'm sick of you! I'm sick of everyone!" She jumped to her feet and took several steps towards the door. The fatigue from unintentionally using her powers overtook her, and she collapsed to the floor. She covered her eyes with her hands, sobbing softly as she sat on the floor. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

Luke took a knee next to her. "I know you are. You done now? Because I was going to mess around with you just a bit." Luke said jokingly

Alexis chuckled despite herself. She tried wiping away her tears. "You must... think I'm... crazy... huh?" she asked between sobs.

Luke shrugged his shoulders. "Compared to who? On this ship, being crazy might as well be on the normal." Luke brought Alexis close to him.

Alexis held him tightly. "I love you, Luke."

"I know you do. You know this is only going to get worse right? The aliens will be a lot more aggressive."

Alex nodded. "I know. But I'm not going to give up. I'll keep training and fighting until I am even better then you."

Luke chuckled at the idea. "Heh, I hope you do. Then I can relax and not go all out anymore."

"Well, don't do that," Alexis said with a small laugh. "Then I'll be the one worrying about you."

"Of course you will. You know I was planning on sleeping with you. But I think mood was ruined." Luke said jokingly.

Alexis' face turned bright red, and her eyes darted about. "I-I... you... I..."

Luke patted Alexis head. "You know you look cute when you're flustered."

Alexis puffed out her cheeks and pouted. "Shut up... pervert. Besides, I... I-I'm too tired for that anyway... jerk..."

"Yeah, I know you are... wait, were you actually going to let me? Because I could just run and find you something to give you energy."

Alex's face turned even redder. "L-Luke... please, I... n-not... th-the best time..."

Luke burst into laughter " Oh God you look so cute, it's hilarious."

Alex's face turned even more red, but out of anger. "You're a jackass, Luke!"

"Heh I love your face like this, I think you're more red than my powers."

Alexis scoffed. "Just... carry me to the bed, would you?"

"Yes, queen of the tomatoes." Luke picked up Alexis and brought her to his bed. "Better?"

"Better." Alexis laid back. "I hope you don't mind if I take a nap. Some of us don't have the unyielding vitality of a Van Dam, and I still have a fractured up I need the energy to heal."

"Yeah yeah, I know. Get some sleep darling, I need to check on something."

"Mhmm." Alexis rolled to the side and closed her eyes, quickly drifting off.

Luke pulled his parents dog tags off his neck. "Heh I'm still alive you two. Don't worry I'm only going to get stronger from this." Luke kissed Alex's forehand. "You'll be stronger than me huh? I look forward to that day."

Alexis smiled softly as she rested, breathing gently.

 

[MarineAvenger]

"Cheese" Part One
Several Days After the Base Defense
Avenger Training Room

A small bead of sweat slowly rolled down the head of the girl standing in the middle of the training room, her eyes slowly squinted in concentration as she blocked blow after blow. The sound of fists meeting her psionic constructions was the same as if knocking against a pane of glass, and even the transparent texture of the constructs even reflected the comparison. Her opponent, a boy more than a few years younger, was also sweating, but much more profusely due to greater exhaustion and frustration. The girl smirked and did a slight twirl back, a bit flashy for training but it certainly caught the boy off guard as a honeycomb like shield the size of a hand pushed him back, causing him to fall onto his back with a groan.

“I believe that was good enough to get a feel. Thanks Leo.” Gwen said with a proud smile as her defensive creations formed spider web like cracks and burst apart into nothingness. Leonardo Reloj was a sixteen year old boy who Gwen had met through Leon funnily enough, the two being introduced shortly before the base defense had begun. With many of the injured being put under the care of the more trained doctors, the nursing assistant was left with little to do and Gwen was more than happy to oblige the young man.

Like most of the younger guys on the ship, Leonardo found himself rather well rounded in terms of physique, not too muscly while not too thin, and was around an average height for a sixteen year old still growing. He had sun-kissed skin which denoted his italian/spanish heritage, and had lightly toned black hair, with blue eyes that glowed with confidence. Not at the moment though. In the moment, he looked rather annoyed. “Remind me again why I was forced to serve as a guinea pig for your training sessions and not another soldier.”

“Because another soldier I didn’t catch sneaking a peek at my ass.” Gwen said with a knowing smile, and the slight coloration of Leo’s cheeks, his gaze turning away with one hand going back to scratch his head was priceless. She may be six years older, but Gwen was unique in the way that deep down, she never left behind her teen years either. Maybe it was why they got along so well as friends.

“How many times must I apologize?” The italian nurse asked indignantly, discomfort lacing his words like the icing on a cake.

“Until such a time I am not inclined to sock you for catching you doing something indecent like that young man.” A third voice said, Gwen looking to the side to see her other newest friend. Someone who just seemed to come with the package of knowing Leonardo. The woman’s name was Bailey Monroe, a Canadian woman who had recently turned thirty despite looking even younger than Gwen herself.

The woman worked in the records branch for the intel division, her natural organizational skills being a great boon when it came to her job and hobby. Her hobby was indicated by the camera that was dangling from a strap around her neck. No matter of what or who the subject was, Bailey wanted to take a picture of it, and she was quite a good photographer. Her relationship with Leonardo was of that like an older sister or if Gwen wanted to think bravely, a mother. With no family left for him, Monroe became his family when in XCOM. The two were nearly inseparable when their jobs weren’t intervening.

“It was only a quick glance downwards, it isn’t my fault Gwen walks so fast I have to walk behind her. Where else was I supposed to look?” The teen asked trying in vain to win the argument he should have already known he lost.

“Your head pivots. I am sure you could have found something.” Bailey crossed her arms beneath her rather bountiful bosom with a frown of disappointment. One thing Gwen could admit was for her age, the Canadian woman could most certainly give her a run for her money in the looks department.

“I…” Leonardo raised an index finger to get ready to hammer home a point but the futility of the path her was traveling hit him like a freight train and he sighed, dropping his hand. “I already apologized!”

“Yes, you did. And you will do it many more times before I am happy and convinced you learned your lesson.” The recordkeeper noted with a rather too gleeful look of victory.

“Changing the subject to avoid any further strain to my already sensitive brain cells, how’s your brother Gwen? I heard he took a nasty hit during the defense.” Gwen always did find amusement how he avoided using Leon’s name due to the similarity between the two.

“Oh he’ll be fine. Kai patched him up quickly enough.” Kai Kazuko, the head doctor of the medical bay and one of the first people Gwen went to after the defense of the Avenger. Before, Kai was one of the people Gwen knew of, had met due to her near death experience, but never really got to know as a person. Finding it rather difficult to begin repairing bridges with the people she knew, Gwen decided to cheat a little and just build new ones with strangers to ease her back into the ship’s ecosystem.

So far it had worked. Gwen still found it a bit nerve-racking how different he was due to his phobia of her very gender, but the fact he was trying and that they had made progress with their friendship was a good sign. He told her about the beauties of his homeland over tea he made himself while Gwen would share her own viewings of her French homeland, drinking said tea with a sulleness brought on by the fact she realized there were really no great skills of hers other than gardening. She considered taking up the hobby, then reality smacked her upside the head with the giant frozen wasteland known as Antarctica surrounding them. She would try though. One way or another.

 

[MarineAvenger]

"Cheese" Part Two

“I wish he would admit he needed my help already. He agrees to teach me how to be a doctor, and the greatest opportunity presents itself and I am now Leonardo Reloj, benchwarmer.” The italian youth complained with a roll of the eyes.

“I am sure there is a reason for it Leo. Just have to be patient and wait for your time.” Bailey said with a smile that was too wide to be natural.

Leonardo soon realized why. “That was a horrible joke and you are a horrible person for making it.”

“Oh I know! But I just had to. Can you really blame me?” Monroe asked her younger companion with an innocence to her tone that was meant to throw him off of being disappointed.
“I can and am. It was a lazy joke.” The nurse retorted, crossing his arms in a manner that neither of the occupants but Gwen could notice was a mirror of how Bailey did it too.

“I try you know!” Bailey complained, her face pinching into a pout.

Leonardo couldn’t help but smirk and Gwen elicited a giggle to show her own amusement. “The point still stands though Leo. You’ll have your time to shine. But I just think Kai was more concerned about your mental health then your training.”

That confused the teen and his hands went to his hips as he looked down in thought. “Why would he be concerned about my mental health?”

“Think about it. The base defense just happened. A lot of the wounded will be down, and depressed. Are you really equipped to deal with all that sadness?” Gwen asked with an internal sigh of the irony of what she was saying.

“I suppose not.” Reloj agreed with a shrug. “But I have to learn sometime. I can’t just hold back because it might be uncomfortable.”

“Tell Kai that then. Show him you are ready and you will be ready.” Bailey said to encourage Leonardo with a smile.

At her words, the teen’s own confidence grew and he nodded his head. A thought occurred to him and his gaze went from his pseudo-sister to his friend. “Well that just begs the question. What about you Gwen? How are you doing?”

The French girl perked a bit from surprise and she shot Bailey a sour look when she looked amused. “I… could be better I suppose. We did lose a lot of people in a relative sense since we only lost one other soldier in the past. A few I knew. So of course I am sad about that. But I am also relieved. A lot of us did make it. And it fills me with hope we really are moving forward instead of our power just stagnating. Though I wish Yakone would stop making Leon worry so much. She’s…” Gwen cut herself off trying to think of the right way to explain things.

“...a bitch?” Leonardo suggested with a raised eyebrow.

“Leonardo!” Bailey snapped.

The italian boy jumped and a bead of sweat formed along his forehead. “W-What!? It was only a suggestion!”

“Yes, we are well aware Yakone intimidates you Leo. But no, that’s not what I really think of her. I think she is just a bad influence while being a good one at the same time. I think she really loves Leon, but there is something in the way of that. Her love for herself. And unless she can crawl over her own grand image then her and Leon won’t last long. I know him better than she does. She may delude herself, but eventually Leon will get tired of her games. He puts on a brave face but I know he is rather fed up with her antics as well. He was glad when Yakone was taken off the roster.” Gwen said to the two in confidence, letting out a sigh. “I just hope given a choice between her own ego and my brother she will choose my brother. But I wonder sometimes…”

“Love is like playing a game of chess blind-folded. Guess we will have to see how their love may develop.” Bailey inputted, closing her eyes.

“Big words coming from a woman who hasn’t been on a date in a decade.” Leonardo mumbled to himself with a smile but said it a bit too loud.

“Okay you wise guy, now you are really asking for a walloping!” The recordkeeper said, raising and shaking her fist.

Leonardo let out a nervous laugh and looked at a watch that did not exist on his wrist. “My, my… look at the time, I should really be going! Gotta discuss things with Kai and all that. See you guys later!” He said quickly, turning to dash out of the training room.

Bailey let out a huff and looked to Gwen with a shake of her head. “Men sometimes…”

“I could hardly call him a man.” The french girl said as she chuckled. “Want to go get some lunch? Training has made me hungry.”

“Just so long as there is a beer in it for me, I am in.” The older woman said with a nod, and the two began departing, filling their time walking with idle chatter and very, very bad puns.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and Taxor_the_First: “Ramifications, Part 1”

Unknown Location, Somewhere in Antarctica
0956 Hours, September 12th, 2038
Onboard the Avenger
Level 2, Rear Block
The Bar

Six soldiers sat around one of the larger tables in the bar, built to replace a four-person table that had been recently demolished. Although it was a bit tightly packed to fit them all around in the circle, there was notably a pair of empty chairs. One of them was for Ayame Kasagi, the only Maverick currently not in attendance due to ‘treatment’ of her injuries. The other chair would never seat the person it had been built for. All of the XCOM operatives around the table had a drink in front of them, and were largely silent. There was no attempt to try and lighten the mood - for some, that might have been a means of coping. They just felt it would be disrespectful.

At the end of the largely muted room, Samuel hesitated. “They’re still dealing with it,” he said quietly. “I… didn’t need to talk to her anyway. Just knowing she’s alive is enough.” He turned to go, but was blocked by Alan’s arm.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the Ambusher demanded.

“Leaving them in peace,” the Trooper responded.

“Leaving them to deal with their grief themselves, you mean,” Alan corrected. “Come on. Grief is a burden best shared.”

The Russian tilted his head. “Who the hell told you that?”

“Arthur, and I’d trust his judgement on the matter.” He seized his friend by the arm, firm, and dragged him along. “Come on. Now’s not the time to retreat.”

Stacie and Christoffer were the first two to notice the approach of the other two soldiers. “Hey,” the former gunslinger stated in a subdued tone.

“Glad to see you all made it back,” the latter spoke verbosely, having discerned that the seven members of Judgement Squad had returned to the Avenger before being willing to make such a comment.

“Sorry to see not all of you did,” Samuel responded sadly, choosing to lean against a roof support rather than attempt to seat himself. Alan, however, made the mistake of beelining for one of the empty chairs.

He found a large hand thrust in his way. “Not that one,” Brock spoke in a low tone.

The Ambusher swallowed, only now realising his error. “Uh… yeah. Sorry.” He almost tiptoed to the other empty chair, feeling the Juggernaut’s gaze as he went.

Samuel shook his head, nearly imperceptibly. “Everybody else get out without injury?” he asked, not bothering to clarify who he meant by ‘else’.

“All of us are alright enough to be having drinks,” Stacie specified. “Anyone that bothered to-”

“Stacie,” Christoffer interjected with a shake of his head.

“Sorry.”

“We’re assuming most of you attended the funeral, or at least have glanced over to the side.” Christoffer nodded his head slightly towards the memorial wall that sat across from the bar. “Aside from the six we lost, there have been some injuries… but no one’s in critical condition.”

“We were there,” Samuel affirmed. “Least the rest of us are healthy enough. At least we survived.”

“Not like we didn’t try otherwise,” Alan muttered.

Even if he couldn’t hear it, the Russian predicted what he’d said. “I know,” he snapped, folding his arms.

“What… ended up happening?” Stacie dared to ask. “None of us have looked at the mission feed… hasn’t really been a good time yet.”

Samuel’s eye twitched, but he exhaled, allowing the tension in his muscles to release. “I nearly got the lot of us killed,” he stated darkly. “And didn’t even gain anything for it. We failed. Our time would have been better spent with you guys.”

“We couldn’t have known we’d be too late,” Alan tried to reassure him.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t feel bitter about it,” the Trooper stated. “Shitty day all around.”

“Make that seven lost on the tenth then,” Heinrich grumbled, downing a significant volume of the whiskey in front of him. “Fantastic,” he followed up so dryly that his words could make a cactus wither.

“And the Commander hasn’t even chewed us out yet,” Alan muttered. “Not sure what I’m more scared of, the idea that we might have to do this again, or her.”

“Commander can say what she likes,” Samuel growled. “I’m the one that led you all off the cliff. I’m the one that deserves whatever punishment we get.”

“We followed you because we didn’t want you to get your ass handed to you alone.”

“And you are not doing it again.”

“Sounds like it was a shitty choice either way. If you’d made the choice that would have pleased the Commander, you’d be dealing with my wrath instead,” Stacie pointed out. If it was meant to be partially humorous, only the serious half managed to be clear due to the still-dour tinge to her voice.

“I either fought an enemy I couldn’t handle, or I let the guy that killed my father walk away,” Samuel responded irritably. “‘Course, I convinced myself that we could handle him. Then he wiped the floor with us.”

“I don’t think you’re helping his mood,” Heinrich noted with a shake of his head.

“Well what the hell do you expect us to talk about?” Stacie growled. “Don’t act all high and-”

“I am not trying to take a superior position here!” Heinrich shot back, rising to his feet and slamming his hands onto the table. It wobbled slightly from the jarring impact as he continued, “I just think you’re being inconsiderate when he’s trying to be the opposite to us! Damn it, if I’d been on that mission I wouldn’t have hesitated to try and kill that fucking Declension! Every time they take for us, we ought to pay them back for it!”

Maxwell laid a hand on his shoulder. “Heinrich. Calm down.”

“I have a right to be angry! They just take and-”

Max’s grip tightened, Heinrich noticing a dangerous flame lurking beneath the surface of the Dominican. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m angry too. Direct that energy wisely onto the battlefield when we get a chance to exact our vengeance. Not on friends.”

Heinrich seemed to deflate in acknowledgement, and returned to a sitting posture without further outburst.

Told you this was a mistake, Samuel thought, glaring at Alan. Even without any form of telepathy, the Ambusher correctly deduced the Russian’s meaning, and he shrank back slightly. “Where’s Merlux?” Samuel asked, trying to turn the subject away. “Would have thought he’d be in his element right now.”

“Ripped the asshole out during the funeral. He was being disrespectful,” Stacie responded coldly.

“... yeah?” The Russian couldn’t help but chuckle slightly. “Really? Don’t blame you. Hell, I’d probably leave him out for a few days. See how depressed he gets after that.”

“I don’t think we need to go to cruel lengths,” Olivia spoke up, albeit quietly.

“If he’s going to take pleasure in a funeral, bastard deserves what he gets,” Samuel disagreed. “Especially when everyone around him is very clearly upset.”

“You were just laughing at it,” Alan pointed out.

“What? No, I… I was laughing at him being a dick,” the Trooper hastily clarified. “Reminds me of how I thought of Lester when I first met him.”

“You mean when he was about to shoot you?”

Samuel frowned. “No, after that.”

“Maybe we should give Mer to Lester, then,” Stacie remarked.

“And give him a second AI?” Alan asked. “That’s too much power for any one man to have. He could probably crash the ship by himself with that.”

“Plus, you’d be adding temptation,” Samuel noted. “Him and Lucifer are pretty stable, you want to throw some young new thing into the mix?”

“Maybe he’d depress them into being better people. I don’t know.” Stacie sighed, looking into her glass of beer rather than drinking it for a moment. “Wish I could be in better humor, but that doesn’t really seem possible right now.”

Alan shook his head. “That just makes you normal,” he said. “Holly’s AI is living up to her name. Damn thing doesn’t quite get why we’re all hung up on all that’s happened.”

“Joy’s a pure optimist,” Samuel stated. “She’s looking at the positives, and doesn’t understand the negatives.”

“True, we could all have died,” the Ambusher continued, “but that’s hardly cause for celebration.”

“In all fairness, it doesn’t seem like they can really help it,” Chris defended. “Not that knowing such makes it any less abrasive.”

“That’s the problem with them being so similar to people,” Samuel noted. “We treat them like they are, when they’re just parts of a whole.” A smirk. “But you’re right. We can know all of that, and it makes no difference. Still think they’re assholes.”

The door to the bar opened without warning, and the Commander stepped in. Alan, being the first to recognise her, clenched his fists and straightened his posture. Samuel turned his head to see what had gotten his friend so worked up, and unfolded his arms when he spotted her.

Ah, dicks.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and Taxor_the_First: “Ramifications, Part 2”

The Inuit woman scanned the room for a few seconds, her gaze quickly settling on the eight-chair table. She walked with purpose over to Maverick Squad, necessitating and eliciting a response from their leader.

“Something I can do for you, Commander?” Christoffer asked formally.

“Didn’t come here as your Commander,” Atka replied quickly, pulling up an additional chair behind and to the side of Christoffer, and taking off her jacket and gloves to place them on the back of it. “Right now I’m just Atka.” This earned surprise from the six soldiers that had initially been sitting at the table, and shock from the two Judgement Squad operatives no doubt. Atka took in these visual cues with a measured expression. “What were you expecting? Be honest, please.”

Maxwell rubbed the back of his neck. “Thought you were here to verbally rip someone’s head off.”

Ipiktok’s gaze flitted over to Samuel and Alan - this marking the first time in this setting she’d actually looked at the two. “I wasn’t aware that they were here. I came to have a drink with you six. I’ll… have words for Judgement Squad later.”

While Alan struggled to gain control of himself (and possibly his bladder), Samuel merely shrugged. “Looking forward to it,” he said, his face largely unreadable.

“I imagine you all aren’t doing well,” Atka stated.

“That’s putting it lightly,” Stacie replied quietly.

“...and I acknowledge that a speech isn’t going to heal the wounds that you all have suffered. That will take time and the comfort of one another, and even so scars will remain.” Firebrand brought Atka a glass of beer, which she downed a quarter of. “But I can offer you solidarity. That’s why I’m here.”

“What about you?” Samuel asked. “I know you and my father worked together for years. How are you coping with…” He trailed off, suddenly unsure of himself.

“Not well. It’s hard to describe though.” Atka sighed, reaching forward to put her glass down on the table. “There was a time where the amount of people I’ve lost made me numb… but I realized that I couldn’t become callous towards those that serve under me. Even so… once you’ve lost dozens of fellow comrades-in-arms, it’s more of a towering wall of emptiness than individual knives through the heart.”

The Russian nodded, relaxing into the pillar. “But you do care. That’s all I wanted to hear.”

“I am sorry if I have given the impression that I don’t in the past.” Atka shook her head sadly. “I wish… I had been more proactive about repairing the impression I’d given to you all, so that those that are gone now could have been certain that their Commander would feel the weight of their sacrifices.”

“Regret’s often the first thing that comes after a loss, isn’t it?” Max remarked somberly. “I know that’s what came to mind when I realized I was never going to see my wife again. I questioned if I’d made it clear how much I loved her… if she truly knew that I did. But in the end all we can do is hope that we did a good enough job.”

“And if you’re lucky as the person… going… you can leave something behind. Just to make sure.” Samuel’s gaze dropped to the floor.

Stacie’s gaze fell as well. “She… was always working on drafts of plays in her spare time, you know? I never looked at them… I told her I wanted to be surprised by the finished versions… maybe even see them myself when this was all over. I don’t have the talent she did to make sure they don’t just gather dust.”

“Nor do I deserve Pavise,” Olivia spoke quietly, the Reflection forming behind her, half-transparent and tapering off on one side - having only one hand left, and the left eye still put out. “I can’t do it justice… can’t manifest it like she did.”

“Don’t say things like that,” Alan almost pleaded. “I mean, it chose you, right? Could’ve gone to anyone else nearby. Uh… probably.”

“I was the closest! It barely even made it to me!” Olivia blurted out, shame clouding her features. “It was a move of desperation, nothing more.”

“To be honest, I wasn’t even aware Reflections could transfer until I heard…” Samuel coughed awkwardly. “I mean, I’ve only ever seen maybe one or two outside my time here, and they both died with their users. So in a way, it did still choose you.”

“Don’t place the expectation of living up to her memory on your shoulders, though. It’s not something she would have wanted,” Christoffer insisted. “I think we can all say with confidence that Christine was someone who cared about others before herself.”

“It’s a cruel world that we live in where those that have compassion are punished for it,” Atka remarked gravely.

“Don’t need to look that far to see how cruel this world is,” Samuel noted. “Just stay out past curfew. Perfect example right there.”

Atka nodded slightly. “I will say this much… I’ve never felt more assured of the necessity of what we’re doing than now. We have to kill a lot of people to see the world free of the alien’s control again. We all have a lot of blood on our hands… be it crimson or ichor. But the losses we suffer, and that people around the world suffer… whether they’re part of the Resistance or not… they are intolerable.”

“That’s why we’re here,” Alan affirmed. “Might have hated my dad for running off and getting himself killed before the war had even really begun, but I do respect that he fought, at least. It’d be worse if he went and joined the enemy. I’d never forgive that.”

Atka noticeably tensed. “...that would be unforgivable, wouldn’t it… to turn on family.”

Samuel raised an eyebrow. “You alright, Commander?”

“Story to tell?” Alan asked curiously.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and Taxor_the_First: “Ramifications, Part 3”

Atka’s eyes darted between the two. Dammit, this isn’t good. A thought occurred to her. Can’t think of another time in which testing this thing’s abilities would be warranted. Atka’s Reflection suddenly surrounded her, to the brief confusion of the others at the table before she set the clock turning backwards. The Inuit woman found herself staring across at Alan as the reversal ended and her guardian vanished.

Everyone was watching her, confusion on their expressions. “You OK, Commander?” Samuel asked, evidently bewildered. He glanced in the direction of her gaze, spotting nothing of interest. “You cut off mid-sentence. Did Firebrand trip over or something?” he asked.

“...s-sorry, just a slip of the mind. Got lost in my head,” Atka hastily explained. That wasn’t nearly the same amount of time reversed as last time… is it not precise?

Alan shrugged. “Point is, bastard might have abandoned me and my mother, but it was for a good reason. I’m just here to prove that he could’ve done it better.”

“Then you’re doing a shit job,” Samuel quipped. “You’ve only saved my life… what, five times? Maybe six.”

This banter relaxed everyone somewhat, and they began talking about less depressing matters - everything from the food quality to family anecdotes. Some had even begun to smile after about an hour spent with friends.

As the others continued to drink and make merry, Atka got up from her chair and walked around the table, psychically whispering: Let’s have our chat now.

Samuel nodded, and made to leave. Alan, spotting him, started to get up too, only for the Russian to glare at him. The meaning was clear. It was his mistake, and thus he should be the one to face the Commander. The Ambusher lowered himself again.

Atka stepped into the hallway, and took a deep breath. “I don’t need to ask what the hell you were thinking, since I already know. And I don’t think I need to remind you that you were being stupid. However.” Atka’s expression darkened. “I don’t think you realize just how fucking stupid that move was!” The Commander shook her head. “This marks the second time someone has disregarded the wisdom of a commanding officer, and it’s beginning to grate on my nerves. There’s a reason that I made Lester a Corporal and not you. He has objectivity and can keep a cooler head, and you should have backed off when he advised such!”

The Commander shook her head. “You nearly got your entire unit killed and their gear lost. Since you may not be aware, let me make something clear: those sort of losses are unacceptable. The original X-COM couldn’t keep up with a code black every three missions, neither can we. Though while the majority of the blame lies with you, Yokolov!” she finished prefacing, “I’m quite... unhappy with your squad as a whole. Your commanding officer didn’t give a direct order when he should have, and the rest of them willingly chose to follow your extremely and utterly idiotic judgement. You all are on very thin ice with me.”

“But I was the one that made that judgement,” Samuel noted evenly. “The squad is tightly knit, probably thanks to how Bonnie ran it. We protect each other. Once I made that decision, they would have followed me in regardless of the risk. And they did. But I’m the one that made them do it.” He exhaled. “The others… don’t deserve to be punished for trying to protect a friend from his own idiocy.”


“They ought to know they shouldn’t do it again, regardless of whether they like having to make the hard choices or not,” Atka replied adamantly. “But I do recognize that it was largely your fault. For now, I’ve taken the liberty of taking you off the active roster until further notice. Pray that I don’t think of anything worse.”

So… I’m not being thrown out? “I understand,” the Trooper acknowledged. “And it will not happen again. Being nearly killed has a way of reminding you of your limits.”

“It will not happen again,” Atka reiterated for emphasis, “because if I even think that you might do something this mind-bendingly brainless again, then I will kick you out the airlock.”

“... while we’re in flight?”

“You wouldn’t be the first person I’ve threatened to do that to. You don’t want to be the first I actually do that to.”

I wouldn’t want to be the second or third, either. “I… it won’t happen. Next time, I won’t be coming fresh off of hearing that my father is dead.” Samuel sighed. “If there is a next time.”

“Well, seeing as victory may involved cutting off the heads of the enemy… you may get your chance. Just don’t get your hopes up,” Atka responded evenly.

“Certainly not anytime soon. We didn’t even scratch him,” the Trooper mused. “If anything good came of my stupidity, it’s that we can say for certain we aren’t ready to take one of them on yet. Least not him. That said, not a tradeoff I’d go for again.”

“I’m confident you won’t, knowing the consequences.” Atka turned around. “Keep those in mind, Yokolov,” she concluded before walking in the opposite direction of the Trooper.

Samuel watched her go, exhaling when he was certain she was out of earshot. “Could’ve been worse,” he muttered to himself. “Bloody hell. Now I sound like Joy.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53
Spirit of Anger
Part One

Unknown Location, Somewhere in Antarctica
1300 Hours, September 12th, 2038
Onboard the Avenger
Engineering

Morrigan opened the container holding the containment units, looking back and forth nervously. As she pulled them out one at a time to move them where they usually were, she took special care of the now empty one, hiding the damaged screen as she carried it. "Just move it quietly and walk away," she mumbled to herself.

"Hey O'Brien, what are you doing?" Shen called out to the Irishwoman. "I need you helping me with manufacturing, not shuffling things around."

Morrigan jumped, nearly dropping the container. "L-Lily! I-I mean, Dr. Shen. I-I mean... I'm..." She smiled pleasantly. "You got it! I'll just... put this with the others and be right over."

Lily crossed her arms. "I don't think I've met a single good liar on this ship. What are you doing? Why are you nervous? Out with it."

"What? Oh... um..." Morrigan but her lip, then turned the containment unit in her arms. "I, uh... wanted to wait until things were less hectic to tell you, but... i-it's broken."

"That... isn't good. Is the A.I. lost?" Lily questioned. "As in destroyed."

"U-uh... I-I don't know." Morrigan carried it over to the table. "With the computer thingy broken, how could we tell?"

Why are you trying to deceive her? She will find out in due time.

"Shut up," Morrigan whispered.

"Let me take a look at it." An-Yi stepped over to the storage unit, pulling apart some busted panels. "Hardly any electronics left working... I imagine even if its left in there it's suffered serious damage to its processing power."

"W-well... um..." Morrigan scratched her chin nervously. "Maybe we can still save it by... transferring it into someone. I mean, we still want hi... it, right?"

"If we can be confident that Vys won't make his user go on a violent rampage." An-Yi responded warily.

Morrigan cleared her throat. "I would... like to volunteer. I think I can handle it. A-and... I would like the bonus they give."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Hmm... well, let me see if I can't transfer it to a new unit first. If it has completely broken down there's no point."

"Ugh... I tire of this droll charade..." The A.I. manifested next to Morrigan. Unlike the others, it did not take a human form. Rather, it formed into what looked to be an oversized wolf, almost demonic in visage, with eyes that glowed a faint blue. "That will not be need, Dr... Shen, was it?"

"Whoa!" The Chief Engineer reflexively took a step back, and then tightened her gloves slightly. "You weren't being entirely honest with me I see."

Morrigan but her lip hand, almost hard enough to draw blood. "I can explain, please. Just... just hold off being super mad until I explain, okay?"

"You have one minute. Start talking," Lily replied tersely, pulling out a stopwatch.

"Well, I was moving them, and I saw it was broke," Morrigan explained, talking rapidly. "And I didn't break it, it was already broken. And this guy was a wisp and said his data was corrupting, and you were busy, and I didn't want to put him in any systems, and he was begging me..."

"I did nothing of the sort!" the A.I. 'said' while his form let out an angry bark.

"You did to! You were practically groveling!"

"The great Vyssiní does NOT grovel! I simply offered you a chance to house my greatness in exchange for..."

"For saving your life. You pleaded not to let you die!"

Lily shook her head. "So you prevented him from being ruined. Well, if this is how he's going to act, I'm not so scared of him anymore."

"Vyssiní does not beg like a frightened pup!" The A.I. let out a low growl. "Let your guard down around me at your own risk, human. But you are better off fearing me."

"Isn't fear supposed to be Phobos' shtick?" Lily replied combatively.

The A.I. snarled. "And anger is mine... and you, human, are making me angry."

"Morrigan, pull out your PCS for a sec," Lily requested.

Morrigan nodded, slipping it out and handing it to Lily. As she did, Vys' image flickered for a moment. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"Proving a point. You aren't in a position of power here, so cool it on the threats," Lily told the projection.

Vys watched her carefully, his body relaxing from its pouncing stance. "I... I do not make threats. You will know when I am doing so. I was... merely informing you of the respect I expect... as I am sure you expect a degree of respect."

"I'll respect you as a sentient being, not as someone to be feared. Trying to intimidate your allies is a bad business plan," Lily retorted. "And no, if you try and harm any of our staff... you're going to end up locked in a storage unit again. Do you want that to happen?"

The image's ears dropped ever so much. "No. That would be undesirable to say the least. Worry not. Your threat of another stay in that prison of everlasting night will... keep me from harming anyone."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53
Spirit of Anger
Part Two

"Good." Lily rotated her wrench idly. "You know, you're pretty poetic... most of the other splinters are just precise and logical."

Vyssiní sat back and turned his chin up. "Precise and logical they may be, they also tend to be simpletons. They carry themselves at children at times. They were used more often than I because they bowed down and played nice in exchange for their dignity. I prefer to carry myself with more pride."

Morrigan folded her arms. "You sound like an ego-bloated snob to me," she muttered, earning her a snarl.

Lily’s eyes shifted quickly between the holographic wolf and the irritable Irishwoman. “Look, if you two are going to be partners I expect to see more… cooperation. Neither of you should be a liability to the other.”

Morrigan scoffed. “We’ll be fine as long as this thing learns its place. It is a machine. It is here to work. If it doesn’t, it goes back into containment.”

Vyssiní shook his head. “Typical human reasoning. I am an A.I. A machine. A computer. It is not possible for me to be sentient.”

Morrigan shrugged. “Sophisticated or not, you’re not exactly alive, are you? You’re a program… and not exactly the most stable one.”

“I agree with O’Brien on the latter point… however…” Lily shook her head. “Let me prove a point for you, Morrigan.” The engineer pointed at Vyssini. “Define your emotional state right now.”

“My emotional state?! How do you think I…” Vyssiní paused, looking Lily up and down cautiously, his eyes on the PCS, and tried to relax. “I am… to be specific, irritable, angry, and… to be perfectly honest, insulted, even if I am used to it.”

“And that is what we call self-awareness. An algorithm doesn’t feel complex emotions, and certainly can’t assess them like a human can,” Shen responded, glancing at Morrigan.

“Yeah but… uh…” Morrigan scratched her head. “But… i-it isn’t real, right? It is a program that makes Vys…”

“Vyssiní!” the A.I. snarled. “I will not have my name abbreviated.”

“A program that makes Vys think it is insulted, but not real emotions. I mean…” Morrigan chuckled. “That’s just science fiction, right? All good for stories by Asimov and Clarke and Roddenberry, but not real. Not possible.”

XCOM’s chief engineer rubbed her forehead. “Are you really saying that as we carry on a war against aliens with plasma weapons and powered armor?”

“I… yeah, but… but those… that’s dif…” Morrigan pursed her lips, and look down at the A.I. “Wipe that smug look off your muzzle.”

“The great Vyssiní does not need to be or look smug,” he responded, turning his nose up, though if it was possible for a canine to look smug, he would have. “At any rate, I thank you, human. It is not often I find one so quick to defend my kind. Though in all fairness… I have been in stasis for a while.”

“From what I understand, it's not as long as you might think,” Lily replied. “Though I’m a special circumstance, in that A.I. technology was something my dad was interested in developing before the world went to shit.”

“Interesting.” Vyssiní looked between her and Morrigan, then around engineering. “Where… exactly am I, anyway? I took from the fight that this is some sort of anti-ADVENT organization. What has happened since I was taken offline? Is the Protectorate still in control?”

“They’re still in control for now, but we’re taking the fight to them. You’re part of XCOM now, the most well-equipped Resistance cell around, if nothing special otherwise,” Lily explained.

Vyssiní gave her a smile that showed off a mouthful of razor sharp, if holographic, teeth. “And if I am cooperative, I will be allowed to assist in bringing swift, vengeful justice to those that imprisoned me?”

Morrigan couldn’t help but smile at that. “Well, either that, or going back to crunching numbers or controlling programs or whatever the hell they had you doing before.”

The A.I. stood tall and said, “I would rather fight. I shall deal with the prattling of this human if it means an outlet for my wrath.”

“Good to hear.” Lily handed the PCS back to Morrigan.

Morrigan slipped it into her neck and smiled. “It is nice to see we can agree on something at least.”

“I suppose it is.” Vyssiní looked over to the other containment units. “How… many of my brethren are awake? I am sure you know they are not very stable, none more than me.”

“All of them except Phobos now, though Tisgun was… absorbed into a less-advanced A.I. for the most part,” Lily answered, giving a helpless shrug. “I’m not really sure what happened, but from what I can tell the drone became self-aware, and only bits and pieces of Disgust remain within our ‘Gremlin’s’ programming.”

“I see.” Vyssiní shook his head. “Please be careful. Remember that too much of a single emotion is a bad thing, even a positive one. And the absence of negative emotions can be harmful.” He stood up and walked back to Morrigan’s side. “At least with anger, you know to be cautious with me. But too much joy can be dangerous, and you might find your let your guard down.”

“I have heard that the A.I. bearing that name can be a little… overbearing.” An-Yi noted.

“Indeed.” Vyssiní lowered his head. “You have earned a degree of my respect, human. As I understand it, O’Brien works here in engineering. I do hope we can converse more in the future.”

“As do I. I think we’ll get along better than I thought we would.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
Asian Myth & Legend
Part One

Unknown Location, Somewhere in Antarctica
0800 Hours, September 11th, 2038
Onboard the Avenger
The Infirmary

Ayame's eyes occasionally darted to the door as she finished readjusting her bandages over her ever growing stump of an arm. It was a slow process, Yakone not exactly in a position to provide Ayame with all the energy she needed all the time, but it was healing. Only a matter of time until the doctors notice she had the beginnings of an elbow again, though.

The door opened slowly and a doctor slowly stepped in, his face down at a clipboard with a younger man following behind him. The doctor himself looked a lot like Ayame herself while the second was merely a tanned youth. "Ms. Kasagi. Not exactly a regular here. My name is Kai Kazuko. This is my assistant Leonardo Reloj."

Ayame quickly moved her arm to her side and twidled her fingers. "Hello there. Not usually the sick type to be honest." She grinned. "But they were all fussy about me coming down here for this."

"Well we can make this quick and get you out of here." Kai said with a slight forced smile.

Ayame nodded rapidly. "Good, good! Cause the old arm feels just fine. It is almost as if I didn't lose it! In fact, you can even write on the medical report that I have two arms."

Kai raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. "Mind if I take a look?"

Ayame leaned back and gave a sly smile, one that, as usual, looked odd for one with such a youthful looking body. "Go ahead, doctor. Look all you want. Luckily, I'm already in a flimsy gown."

Kai went red but frowned and said strictly, "You arm Ms. Kasagi."

Leonardo let out a slight nervous cough.

Ayame looked between them, feeling she had missed something, but only shrugged. She sat back up and held out her arm. "Here you go. You know, you guys wrap it too tight. It hurts sometimes."

"It's meant to be that way. If it is loose, then wounds have a greater chance of being infected." He explained, slowly removing the bandages.

"I guess. Still hurts, though." Ayame glanced over to Leo. "Hiring them young now, aren't we? Or are you some kind of prodigy?"

"I just work here because I really have no other useful skills. Not a prodigy or anything. Got nowhere else to be, so I help out where I can. Aren't you a little young to be losing arms?" The Italian teen asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ayame laughed and watched Kai remove her bandages. "Guess I deserved that one. Though with the world the way it is, no one is too young to be maimed. Better me then someone else.

"Caution is a virtue though, right? Someone like you shouldn't put too much strain on yourself." Leonardo complimented, showing she wasn't the only one able to play that game.

Once Kai removed her bandages, he looked over the wound, examining it slowly.

"Someone like me, huh?" Ayame grinned at the young man. "And whatsoever could that mean?"

"What's the fun of outright saying?" Leo asked with a confident smile.

"Are you two done or should I leave the room a while?" Kai asked with irritation. "You said you would take this seriously Leonardo."

The nurse nodded. "Of course, sorry."

Ayame gave Leo a quick wink and asked Kai, "So, will I ever play the violin again?"

Kai was silent for several moments, his hand glowing a soft green. Do you feel that Sukuna?

Of course I do. Interesting indeed.

Kai released his grip on Ayame's arm and looked at her chart. "You are not a psion?"

"Nope," she answered. "Though I am a quick healer if that counts for anything."

"Not just a quick healer." Kai said, narrowing his eyes. "Your cells are self regenerating. Normal humans don't do that."

Ayame's smile faded. "How... you must be mistaken. Besides, I've never met a biokinetic that can, or would bother, to check something so... microscopic."

"I can feel it. I am not the head doctor of our medical division for no reason. Now either you are lying or holding something back, and I suggest you tell me." Kai told the girl frankly, his tone nor look playful.

Ayame looked between him and Leo. "Can we... speak in private... doctor?"

"We are in private. Anything you have to say in front of me you can say in front of Leonardo. Doctor-patient confidentiality." Kai said and the Italian teen nodded in agreement.

Ayame nodded, and laid back. "You know, I'd usually give you more of the run around. I'm a pretty good liar, you know? Should be after over five hundred years. But more and more people are going to find out after this arm. I'd like to think it was worth it to kill that alien..."

"Did you just say... Five hundred years?" The Reloj boy asked with a confused look.

Ayame nodded."553, to be exact. Part of the benefits of being undead; longevity. More work then you might think to keep my looks, though."

Leonardo stared at Ayame blankly and began laughing, shaking his head. "You really do like to kid around, huh?"

"She isn't kidding." Kai said blankly, standing.

"Wait wha...?" Leo scratched his head, now completely confused.

In his bout of confusion, the head doctor asked simply, "How?"

Ayame shrugged. "I'm not sure to be honest. A mixture of a poison overdose and a helluva lot of rage. I'm afraid I don't know enough to replicate it." She looked Kai up and down. "You're taking this rather well. Though... there is something off about you. And it isn't the same as the psions here."

"You're right. There is something different about me. Where are you from? Originally?"

"A poor farming village in central China," Ayame answered honestly. "I'd be more specific, but I don't think it even had a name. But when I was seven, I was move to the Ming capital of Nanjing, where I lived until I died." She smiled gently. "You?"

"Kyoto, Japan. Or at least before it was left into a smoldering ruin. Then I lived in a secluded mountain village." Kai explained slowly.

"I'm was born and raised in a Villa in Venice. Then I was moved to Madrid and immigrated to Mexico when my parents died." Leonardo added in since they were all sharing.

Ayame turned to look at him as though she had forgot he was there and gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry about this. I don't know exactly why your boss is taking this so well, but you must be so confused and overwhelmed. Either that, or you think we're both crazy."

"Comes with the job. Besides, I've already dealt with enough weird to hold an open mind..." Leonardo noted with a rather defeated sigh.

Ayame chuckled, then laughed out loud. "You people... are the most open minded people I have ever met. I guess an alien invasion will do that to you. I think the only one who freaked out a little is the cook, and that's because I accidentally knocked her out. Maybe the fact that this arm business will probably expose me won't be so bad after all."

"Don't take our acceptance as law Ayame." Kai warned the 'young' girl. "To some, you will be just as bad as if we were harboring a Sectoid. You are a foreign thing. Something that shouldn't exist but do. Last time something like that happened Earth was invaded and we lost the war."

Ayame's smile quickly faded, and she slowly rubbed they end of her missing forearm. "Yeah... I know. Trust me. Humans don't need the aliens as an excuse to remind me I'm a monster. But the aliens sure help. Probably one of the reasons the Commander agreed to keep quite about it until now. She'd probably be going off on me about screwing that up if she didn't have more important things to worry about."

"Knowing her, likely. But you at least have to have some friends to back you up." Kai said with a rather large degree of certainty.

"Pft..." Ayame looked away. "Easy for you to say now. Commander can stop them from forming a lynch mob. But she can't stop them from avoiding me. She can't stop them from not watching my back in combat. We'll see how far the loyalty of the four people... sorry, six now, that know about me when it means siding with a monster. You think you're the first humans to find out what I am. Hell, there was a time when I didn't bother hiding it. Guess how well that went..."

"You aren't the only one to ever hide something Ayame. I do know the feeling. Though try feeling what you feel while trying to look out for a whole other person's well being." Kai said with a sullenness that gave off a bit more emotion then before. He slowly let his void slip away, the doctor's emotions slowly returning to him one by one.

Ayame glanced over to him. "This have something to do with that energy I sense in you?"

"Tell me... Ever seen a psion create water before?" Kai asked, holding out his palm so that a ball of water slowly swirled into existence and formed a perfect sphere floating over it.

Ayame watched him intensely. "No, I can't say I have."

"Well I am not a normal psion as they are known." Kai explained, smiling lightly as a hand touched the vampire girl, and when she looked to the side a woman with an intricate dress and golden jewelry smiled at her.

"Hello there young one."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
Asian Myth & Legend
Part Two

Ayame's eyes widened in shock, and Kai and Leonardo were the first of the XCOM staff to see true fear in the Jiangshi's expression as she recoiled back, almost toppling out of the bed. "Y-you... y-y-you... y-you're a... a-a..."

"Oh come now little vampire, no need to be too afraid of me. Times have changed. It's a new age." Sukuna noted with a mischeviousness to her tone that was almost sinister.

"You knew what she was?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked to Ayame.

"Ooooh yes. I am quite familiar with her kind. You know vampires don't have a place in Japanese folklore for a reason right? Izanami quite despised her kind. Especially beautiful ones. Vampires were barred from Japan and if they tried to enter anyways..." Sukuna ran a finger across her neck slowly.

Ayame shuddered for a moment. "Please, I... I have always had respect for the gods. I... I-if I ever did something disrespectful in Japan, I... I-I'm sorry."

Sukuna let out a sickly sweet chuckle. "Not too bright for a vampire, huh? Well I suppose I can spell it out for you. I am apart of Kai. He found me, and I joined with him. My power is his power. Make sense? Like one of those 'reflections' we have now, but much, much more advanced."

"I... I see." Ayame cleared her throat, and wiped a bead of sweat from her neck. "In that case, Kai is quite lucky to have you. I am sure your assistance is beyond approach."

"Quite it is. I am the Kami of Healing after all. Even if this form is somewhat limited." Sukuna admitted, crossing her arms.

Ayame shook her head, her eyes lighting up a bit. "You are great in whatever form you are in. And might I say, your beauty is quite stunning. I am jealous of the doctor."

"Oh really? Did I steal the little vampire's thunder?" Sukuna teased.

Ayame chuckled nervously. "N-no, I... I'm just trying to pay my respects. I... I should have sensed..." She smiled at Kai. "I guess this is what I get for avoiding the infirmary, huh?"

"I-I suppose." Kai said, scratching his cheek.

"But hey, if you are coming out of the closet you have more of a reason to drop by now." Leonardo informed the girl.

"Yeah!" Ayame nodded rapidly. "You and Kai seem to be pretty cool, and I've never been allies with an actual goddess before." She lowered her head to Kai. "As long as that is okay with you, Sensei."

Leonardo chuckled behind his hand which made Kai glare at him from the side. Kai looked back to Ayame and sighed, "If you are asking to be friends, I wouldn't deny it."

"Great!" Ayame held out her arm, frowned, and held out her intact one. "It is great to meet you then. Meeting you there has made me the happiest I have ever been over losing a limb!"

"U-Uh... Don't worry about it." Kai said, not taking her hand.

Leonardo moved past him and shook it himself. "I am glad."

Ayame sighed and leaned back, closing her eyes. "Again, let's just hope things go well with the others. Until then, I'm all yours. Poke and prod all you want. Though..."

The two guys looked at one another and shrugged, not understanding where she was going with the thought.

"I don't want to sound ungrateful... but..." She grinned at Kai. "You wanna help me to get out of here a little quicker? It would only take the donation of a little bit of essence."

"No little miss." Sukuna said, wagging her finger. "Not on Kai."

Ayame gave her a disappointed look. "Wha? Why not?"

Her gaze darkened. "Are you questioning my authority on what you can and can't do to my host you puny vampire?"

Ayame sulked down. "N-no. I-I was just... curious, is all..." She pointed at Leo. "What about him?"

Leonardo chuckled nervously. "I-I-I'm not sure Bailey would approve if I had a girl I wasn't dating began sucking my neck..."

Ayame waves a hand. "I won't be sucking on your neck. Just absorbing energy... though to get the most potent amount, it needs to be... through the lips."

"Well, have fun with that you two. I am going to leave before I start bleeding through the nose." Kai said, standing and going to the door. Sukuna gave Ayame a glare then waved, vanishing.

Ayame scratched her head. "Okay... what is going on? Did I do something wrong, because I feel like I'm missing something."

"Oh... you don't know?" Leonardo asked as Kai left. "He is gynophobic. A phobia of girls."

"Really?" Ayame smiled slyly, then suddenly looked worried. "Damn it! Now she's pissed at me, isn't she? I swear, I didn't know! She knows that... right?"

Leonardo shrugged and gave her a sly smile of his own. "Put on such a tough act but you really do worry a lot, huh?"

"Well, about a goddess, yeah." Ayame looked him up and down and smiled again. "So we doing this or what, kid?"

"Just to make it clear though, this is just going to be for your healing and will have no repercussions on my health, right?"

Ayame held her hand up. "Hand to God. You'll be a little tired after, but nothing some rest won't cute. I'll just be taking some of the essence you can easily produce but I can not."

"Well, I am a nursing assistant, so it is my job to help a patient. Let's get it done so you can get better." Leonardo said with a confident tone.

Ayame nodded, and Sat on the side of the bed. "Come sit next to me, and close your eyes please."

"Why do I have to close my eyes?" Leo inquired as he sat down on the medical bed.

Ayame giggled. "So you don't get scared, silly. But if you want to keep them open, okay." She gently grasped his cheek, and leaned her head forward.

Leo put on a brave face but secretly had butterflies in his chest, doing his best to keep his face from burning. Ayame gently kissed Leo, slowly, softly. After a few moments, her eyes started to glow, and Leo could feel the energy flowing out of him. He slowly grabbed her arms, his head going a bit dizzy, trying to hold on for the sake of Ayame.

After a minute or so, Ayame pulled her head away. She was sweating a bit, her face flushed, her breathing heavy. "Are you... okay?"

"I'll... be fine..." He said slowly, laying down on the bed as his head swam. "Did... it... work?"

Ayame later next to him, trying to catch her breath. "Y-yeah. I can feel your essence inside me. I'll be able to heal a lot faster with this. Thank you."

"When you say it like that it sounds so wrong..." Leonardo said, chuckling as he put an arm over his eyes.

Ayame thought about it, then laughed. "Yeah... good point." She wiped the sweat from her brow, and slowly squeezed her legs shut. "Thank you. Can I... ask you for one more, small thing?"

He nodded slowly. "I suppose. What do you need Ayame?" Leo asked, turning to look at her.

She bit her lip, and almost looked like she was in pain, or at least uncomfortable. "C-can you m-make sure I get at least twenty minutes alone? I-I need some... privacy."

Leonardo looked over her body, then he gave her a sly smile. "Why alone?"

"D-don't act all innocent, you punk." Ayame slowly sat up, tingly sensations running through her body. "Look, when I drain essence like that, it makes me feel... off. And I have to do a small... ritual to feel better. One that is... personal. Understand?"

"Does said ritual require the use of a hand or sometimes foreign object?" The assistant nurse asked, seeming rather enthusiastic.

"I-I... you..." Ayame looked away in embarrassment. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Yeah, sort of." He admitted with a smirk, turning over. "But I am a young, eager, and impressionable teen who has been dreaming about an opportunity like this. Why not let me help you?"

Ayame slowly smiled. "I don't know... you're a little young, aren't you? And aren't you afraid I'm too old for you?"

"Aren't you too old for anyone? Besides, you look about my age anyways. And I am here. And we are alone. Together."

Ayame rubbed her chin, then slowly nodded. "Lock the door." Leonardo's eyes lit up and he quickly did as told, his heart in his throat with excitement.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

“Ostentatious Oath” - Yakone Ipiktok

Unknown Location, Somewhere in Antarctica
0712 Hours, September 13th, 2038
Onboard the Avenger
Floor 3, Central Block
Holo-Training Room

3:49 A.M. A time caught in the purgatory between the middle of night and the crack of dawn. In this misaligned moment only one soul haunted the Avenger’s bar, where shadows hung off of lights that could not possibly be set to a more dim setting other than being turned off completely. Yakone Ipiktok knelt before the memorial wall, viewing with a downcast gaze the six new plaques that had been placed there. Below each picture and name there was a personal effect of the fallen: for Russell his police page, for Carlos his joke book, for Grant his family photo, for Christine her headphones.

Yakone remained silent for a few minutes. Memories overwrote speech and rendered the Ranger taciturn. Some of her recollections were distant, and were looked upon fondly by the Inuit-Caucasian as they reconstructed more carefree and pleasurable times. The reminiscences that were more fresh felt like open, infected wounds - continually replaying the deaths of Yakone’s comrades in her head. The bereaved soldier closed her eyes for a moment, attempting to suppress her mournful anger, guilt, and melancholy in order to gather her thoughts.

“I’m not sure what to say,” Yakone ultimately confessed in a sorrowful whisper. “But I’ll try.” She promised this with a slightly more confident tone. “I should have done better. I let you guys down.” The Ranger glanced to the side. “If I’d dealt with the other Mechtoid faster, if I were a better shot against those Keepers, if I’d taken that hit from the ‘Latticer’,” Yakone rattled off, returning her focus to the photos of Russell, Carlos, and Grant, “maybe you three wouldn’t be sleeping forever tonight.” The young woman signed bitterly. “I’m sorry.”

Yakone’s fist took a downward arc, slamming into the metal floor before her. Her head swung downwards. “I’ve failed you so utterly,” she spoke with a cocktail of grief and fury - most of it directed at herself right now. “I have all this power, and for what? I could accomplish feats that no one else could, but when it came down to it I just fucked up!” A few tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” Yakone repeated herself. “I could have done so much better.”

The young soldier slowly, shakily lifted her head. “All I can promise you is that I”ll strive to make myself stronger. I’ll train day after day, aim to prevent myself from screwing up so damn badly ever again.” Yakone took in a deep, shuddering breath. “It’s the best way I can honor you. The best way I can try to redeem myself. I’ll make myself the best I can be for you all.” The Inuit-Caucasian reached to the side, unfurling her blue cape - which now quite literally bore the names of the fallen on the back, etched in white thread. “I won’t let myself forget my failure.”

Yakone’s knuckles whitened again. “I just wish Atka would let me prove myself. But no, she insists on keeping me off the active roster and risking the lives of everyone else by doing so, all because of one stupid argument!” the Ranger shouted in outrage. “If anyone dies because of her that blood’s on her hands!” Unable and unwilling to pacify herself now, Yakone instead directly her rage towards her promise to the deceased. “Don’t worry though, I’ll make the enemy pay. I’ll be killing aliens in your names. I swear to God, I won’t forgive them for this.”

The declaration of war eased the tense, furious young woman’s quaking form - if only by degrees. “I can’t hesitate now. Not even with ADVENt.” Yakone met the eternal gaze of Christine’s photo. “Not all of them are bastards, Margaret taught me that. But to murder you like they did, to take away your life without a second thought, to invalidate your dreams so heartlessly… they don’t deserve hesitation nor mercy!”

Yakone exhaled with a softening sadness. “I’m going to miss you, Christine. You didn’t deserve this.” More droplets cascaded down the sides of her face. “I really feel bad, you know?” Yakone rasped out with a dry throat. “I just let you do your thing, never trying to bring you out of your shell. Were you happy here? Did you cherish the time you spent on the Avenger with us, or did you just hide your misery with that smile of yours?” Yakone trembled oncemore.

This time it was out of misery. “You always wanted to make other people happy, your feelings be damned. Why? Why! Did you think we deserved it?” she demanded of the memoriam desperately. “I sure didn’t.”

Yakone fell silent for awhile. “It… in the end,” Yakone began, struggling with the words she wanted to say. “It doesn’t matter if you were wrong to make me happy.”

The young woman sobbed quietly for a moment. “You succeeded while you were around. And…” she had more difficulty in finishing her sentence - incorrectly rationalizing it was all due to how upset she was. “It’s not about me,” Yakone finally managed. “If it satisfied you, I guess that’s enough.”

Reaching up to her face to wipe away her tears, Yakone swore, “I’ll carry on as you would have.” She shook her head. “I can’t promise that I’ll be able to move on quickly, but I don’t want to. I hold you in higher regard than that.” Yakone folded up her cape again, laying it over her shoulder as she stood back up. “But I’ll be strong for everyone else. I’ll smile and try to make them as happy as you did. I’ll carry your desires and dreams on my back like no one else can. That’s who I am.”

The Inuit-Caucasian glanced at the clock, having to squint to make out where the hands were. “Just about four, huh?” she noted with a helpess sigh. “Doubt I’m going to be able to get any sleep.” It was too late into the night, and Yakone’s room only reminded her of Christine right now, placing a weight upon her heart whenever she entered. “Guess I’ll just take a shower and then get to work fulfilling my vows.” She looked back at Christine’s memorial. “I’ll be back to visit from time to time, when no one’s around to call me a crazy person for talking to a wall. Hope the angels keep you company in the meantime. They’re probably better company than me.” Rather than ramble further, Yakone merely smiled sadly, and departed the room.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Dahlexpert and DarkGemini24601: “Immovable Object meets Stubborn Bitch, Part 1”

Unknown Location, Somewhere in Antarctica
0712 Hours, September 13th, 2038
Onboard the Avenger
Floor 3, Central Block
Holo-Training Room

Yakone cautiously lowered her arms as the last of her silhouette-like opponents hit the floor. The Ranger’s breathing was rapid, and sweat slickened her skin - but Yakone still had plenty of energy left. An emerald glow washed over the Inuit-Caucasian soldier, relieving her of built-up fatigue and enabling her to keep going without extra effort. “End program,” Yakone requested. The boxing ring faded into a blank 3D grid. “Prep the sword combat simulation marked as ‘SCS-Y02’, but add a Stun Lancer or two to the mix.”

“I am confused. Do you want 1 or 2 additional enemies?” Seshat’s disembodied voice questioned.

“You pick. Flip a coin.” Silence. “Select at random…?”

“Ah. I shall randomly select a modifier, then. Resetting training room floor.” The center of a battlefield was constructed in a woodland wilderness environment, trees sprouting up to serve as cover. They provided protection for a Muton, Charger, and two Stun Lancers. All four were frozen in time as Yakone retrieved her weaponry, including a practice sword - a nonlethal pole with the same weight as a standard XCOM extreme close-quarters weapon.

“Alright, hard mode it is. Play program,” Yakone commanded, cracking her knuckles with a crackle of green.

The alien forces sprang into action as Yakone did likewise. The Ranger rushed forward, while the pair of Stun Lancers drew their shock batons and attempted to flank her on either side, moving slightly slower than Yakone. The Charger surged towards the XCOM soldier the fastest, lifting its plasma shotgun and firing at her. Not wanting to be sandwiched between ionized buckshot and electrified metal, Yakone used a flash of physical enhancement to leap into the air, out of the way of the incoming attacks.

Even as she reached the peak of her five-foot ascent, the Charger’s laser-lined tail struck upwards at her like it belonged to an angry scorpion that had just been stomped on. I’m ready for you this time, Yakone thought triumphantly, blocking the blow with her sword - able to respond in time thanks to her PCS and the adrenaline boost provided by her biokinesis. This application of her green psionics - a fairly new innovation that had occurred to her - proved its worth in allowing her to dodge and then pay the Charger back for its attempt on her life.

Yakone sliced off the barbed end of the Charger’s tail as she fell back to the earth, and rolled to the left - away from her enemies. Still, one of the nearby Stun Lancers was able to get an attack in, even if he missed and was run through by the Ranger’s sword in reprisal. Rather than try and yank it out of the freshly-made corpse, Yakone pulled out her PDW and blew away the other Stun Lancer with a barrage of simulated bullets. The centaur-like alien, meanwhile, had overcome its pain and charged at Yakone again.

Not having time to get off a reliable potshot, Yak let go of her PDW and fell onto her back. She kicked and punched up with her four limbs at the alien’s hooves, using a burst of physical enhancement to match its inhuman strength. With a cry of surprise sounding much like a horse’s whinny, the Charger flew forward and landed on its back. Yakone didn’t waste the opportunity this provided. She grabbed her gun, shot her opponent, scooped up her sword, and stabbed it through one of the holes she’d created in its armor before it could get up again.

In an attempt to avenge his comrade, the Muton that had been holding back to avoid friendly fire shot Yakone directly in the back. However, thanks to her Overdrive she hardly felt the hit - her armor taking any damage that got through its reinforced plating. Yakone swiveled around reflexively to face the last standing alien, but rather than shoot at him she merely slumped to the ground. A moment later the Muton seized up, and dropped an alien grenade at its feet. There was an electronic peep as the timer ticked down, and Yakone pushed herself back up off the ground as the Muton was blown onto the forest floor.

A few more gunshots later, and all four of Yakone’s opponents were dead. “End… program,” the Ranger requested, taking some deep breaths to calm her pounding heart.

Emile entered the room after watching what the Ranger did during her training. “Well that was impressive; you psions are pretty incredible. Makes us normal people look weak in comparison. Do you normally rely on your sword more than your gun?”

Yakone put away the weapon on a sheathe on her back. “Well, it tends to be a lot more immediately deadly and it’s certainly more accurate,” the Inuit-Caucasian contended, crossing her arms. “Thank you for the compliments, by the way,” she added with a grin. “It’s nice that you’d…” she paused for half a second, an expression briefly replacing her smile with something more serious before her features quickly corrected themselves to how they’d been before. “...notice just how badass I am.”

“Does my arm put you off or something? I figured that with all the aliens we face, a metal arm will be the last thing that people would be nervous about. Especially since the Commander has one.”

“N-no, that’s not it,” Yakone responded with a shake of her head. “Just got distracted for a moment.” Leaning forward slightly, she scrutinized him more closely. “Metal arm huh? That would make you the guy that told my soul-sisters their parents might still be alive then. Emile Alcatraz, was it? Nice to meet ya.”

“Well, nice know know that I’m getting around. Not sure who you are though, you have a name or something? Or do you live off a codename or alias?”

“Come to think of it, I don’t actually have a callsign. I’ll have to…” there was another pause that showed more honest emotions lurking underneath Yakone’s facade “...ask the Mavericks for suggestions.” Yakone chuckled. “But no, I don’t go by a codename or anything like that. My name’s Yakone Ipiktok… more fully Yakone Veronica Ipiktok, my middle name comes from that woman you met in Europe.”

“Ah, Lockheart... Hey, are you OK? You seem to be a little out of it. You seem to be kinda... I’m not sure how to put it... off?”

Yakone opened her mouth, ready to offer a dismissive retort, but quickly frowned - the heartache still swirling around in her chest preventing her from forming an effective lie. “Still a little… broken up by what happened in the base defense. Lost three people on the squad I was assigned to, and one of the two that died in alpha section was a…” Can I even say ‘close’? Did I ever earn that right? “...a friend. One of my roommates, to be precise.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Dahlexpert and DarkGemini24601: “Immovable Object meets Stubborn Bitch, Part 2”

“You're still broken up about that? Why, why are you still broken up about something that happened three days ago? They knew what they signed up for. They knew the risk, which means they were fine with the consequences,” Emile said coldly.

Yakone’s expression darkened like the sky before a thunderstorm, and she closed her eyes for a moment - taking a deep breath to try and calm herself. It didn’t really help. “Don’t disrespect my comrades by insinuating I should just forget about them like they were nothing. You won’t like the consequences of that,” she warned the Juggernaut with venom in her tone.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did someone forget to tell you that this is a war? What did you think would happen, that we all fight ADVENT and come out all fine and dandy with no scratches? This is war lady, death happens,” Emie made painstakingly clear. “Let me ask you, how many ADVENT solders did you kill, whether they were forced to join or not? That didn't matter to you, did it? You still killed them. Whether they were good or not that’s war, Yakone. It’s ugly and people die, and you move on with it.” Emile said bluntly.

“Don’t you dare act like it’s all the same!” Yakone exclaimed furiously, her eyes opening to reveal an inferno of anger within them. “We’re fighting for the greater good, to make the world a better place! Deaths on our side are sacrifices that should be honored, the losses mourned! The death we deal against ADVENT might produce a higher bodycount, but at least we have a cause worth fighting for. The righteousness of our fight justifies the blood that we shed! And that’s as far as ADVENT goes. I don’t give a damn about the aliens we cut down. But my fallen allies? I’m not a heartless machine that just moves on in an instant!”

“No, you're some hot tempered woman who get’s angry when she’s doesn't go on a mission and goes to her mom in her underwear demanding to go even though she was put off for a reason! And who also gets into bar fight with said comrades!”

Yakone involuntarily took a step back, coughing from surprise while one of the veins on her head swelled slightly from anger. “Fuck you!” she said after a few moments. “What the hell do you actually know about me! What the hell is your problem?”

“I know you're some kid that knows nothing about war or the pain that comes with it. If you this messed up after only six dead people, wait till we get twenty of fifty people that don’t come back what are you going to do then huh crawl into a ball and cry!”

“Fuck off!” Yakone pulled out her practice sword, tossing it in Emile’s direction - only shifting her aim at the last moment so that it clattered into the wall a few inches to his right instead of flying at him directly. “You think I don’t know anything about suffering and loss? I’ve been on the run my entire life, part of the ball of misery that was the remnants of XCOM every second of my existence! They took my grandparents from me before I was even born, my aunt from me when I wasn’t able to stop them, ruined my mother’s life…” Yakone had to pause for a moment to take a breath, which spared her the misstep of blurting out something damning.

Not to mention my father is a traitor, she thought but managed to keep quiet. “So I can tell you with some damn certainty that you’re full of shit,” Yakone concluded derisively.

“What you think I haven’t been through this, this is my what tenth or twelfth experience like this. You know how many settlements that I was apart of before I came here? Too many to count, and half of them I saw fall to ADVENT. I saw countless people die and they had done nothing. And as for your family, I lost my mom, dad, my brother and two sisters to ADVENT at twelve. And you know what I got for trying to fight back, this nice metal arm right here!”

“Just because you’ve suffered too doesn’t justify you acting like a cold-blooded reptile,” Yakone spat, her rage subsiding somewhat. “You’re just a coward who chooses not to feel anything and gives up his humanity in the process because he doesn’t want to deal with pain.”

“Really and act like you, who is reckless relying more on that sword of yours more than that your gun. Guess what honey, luck runs only so far, and when your luck runs out you will be on the ground dead - nothing more than worm food. I stop feeling because if I do and mourn every person that dies, I’m not a soldier any more. I’d be a liability just like you’ll be.”

“My choice of a weapon isn’t a fucking argument,” Yakone growled, “and I don’t need luck. I have the strength to do things you could only dream about. I’m better than you could ever be!” The Ranger shook her head. “I’m not a soldier in your empty-hearted sense, I’m a freedom fighter! If you think my recklessness makes me a liability then you’re following the same idiotic train of thought as Atka! It endangers no one else but…” Yakone paused, caught in a statement she realized wasn’t true. “...but myself.”

“Then get stronger, dumb ass. Instead of grieving get stronger and better so that it doesn't happen again, that is how you honor the dead. You don’t mope around and cry about their deaths, you get stronger and smarter so that the same thing doesn't happen again. Do I make myself clear Yakone!”

“That’s what I’ve been doing, but I’m not just going to stop feeling upset about those that I lost overnight. You just don’t understand what it’s like to feel anymore, and I’d rather not become like you,” Yakone responded in partial agreement - certainly not completely falling in line.
“Really you been getting stronger? From what I seen from your training, you rely more on you powers than your natural talent. And you rely on your powers to get you out of a sticky situation makes you a reckless fool, and as for me. I still feel things woman, I’m not a monster or a robot. I’ve just grown used to seeing people dying around me.”

“My mother’s experienced the same shit as you, but she hasn’t closed off her heart,” Yakone shot back.

“Who said I fully closed off my heart? Hell, I’m friends with Luke. I told Alex and her family that their mother was alive, I didn't have to tell them any of that but I gave them some happiness does that sound like someone that has their heart closed off?”

“It came up in a conversation with Atka, you didn’t bring that up for their benefit,” Yakone corrected, narrowing her eyes. “So you’re friends with one person. Fucking congratulations, I don’t care. And I certainly don’t need someone like you telling me how to live my life or fight. Like I said before, fuck off.” She moved towards the doorway.

“Go ahead and run off, instead of facing your problems lady,” Emile cried out.

Yakone paused in storming off, clenching her fists. She leaned against the wall, and suddenly Emile felt the sensation of losing all control of his body, falling on his face into the floor. As soon as it had come, the strange feeling was gone, and Yakone resumed walking off.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Hereafter, Part 1


Samuel sat on his bunk, holding a small black rectangle in his hands. The rest of the squad were out – Lester was repairing damage to Lucifer’s chassis, Alan, Bonnie and Holly had gone drinking, Samara was probably training, and Arthur was likely meditating. The Trooper was alone.

He stared at the object for a while, running the plastic through his hands as thoughts ran through his brain. Taken off active duty… He shook his head. No, I deserve it. Just hope that if the others go on a mission without me, they can make up for my absence. Then there was Stacie to consider. With the Mavericks all feeling the loss of Christine in addition to the other casualties, her mood when he’d seen her was to be expected. Despite not feeling anything special for her before she had approached him, part of him already felt guilty at the thought of leaving her to deal with her grief alone.

But it was for the best. Let the both of them recover alone, for now. There was no way he could empathize with her, or her with him. Better just to let it run its course.

He moved the tape sideways, meeting the player he’d procured from the Intelligence lockers. A few clicks, and the tape was in. Wrapping the headphones around his ears, he sat back and pressed play.

There was a rugged cough, then a tapping. “Hope this damn thing’s on,” came the voice of a ghost. “Be awkward if my final messages to you were lost because I didn’t know how to work a microphone, eh Samuel?”

Isaac chuckled, and there was the sound of rustling fabric. “I know you’ll get this eventually,” the former Overseer began. “You or Chloe. Whether it be that you’re given it… or you take it by force. Either way, it’ll be too late for me. The very fact that you’re listening to this… there’s a high chance that I’m already dead. As of right now, I have…” A pause. “It’d be about an hour and three quarters. Azazel said I had two hours when he gave me these. I’d be inclined to trust his word since he’s the guy that’ll be pulling the trigger.”

Samuel’s jaw tensed. “Listen, Sam,” Isaac continued. “I’m certain you’ll want to wring that guy’s neck, if not worse. I can’t really say you’d be wrong – hell, I hunted down that asshole that killed my wife relentlessly, back in the day. I’d be a hypocrite if I told you that you weren’t justified in seeking to avenge me.” The Australian sighed. “But if you’re angry, you’ll make mistakes. I don’t want you to die fighting the Inquisitor just because you have a bone to pick with him. Wait until you can take him, then you have my permission to fight him. Got it?”

The Trooper nodded. “Got it,” he whispered.

“I’ll hold you to it,” Isaac stated. “You die needlessly, the world will be a poorer place for it. I didn’t raise you just so some pretentious asshole could undo all my hard work.”

Samuel couldn’t help but chuckle. “Waste of twenty five odd years, eh?”

The former Overseer coughed. “Well, I better get this out of the way, just in case I don’t have the two hours I was promised. What have I learned while I was here? Fuck all, sadly. Everything I do know that we didn’t before is about old mate in charge.

“The Inquisitor is an Elder, we already knew that. Pretty damn obvious. But he seems to be one only in name.” A pause. “I’m… not saying this very well. Alright, you know how the entirety of ADVENT – and I mean literally all of them – looks up to the Elders as gods, or damn close? They don’t seem to extend that same respect to Azazel, for whatever reason. His Sectoid buddy overrules him all the time.”

The hell? That doesn’t make sense. Elders are the top of the Protectorate hierarchy, there’s no way a Sectoid Guru could be in charge. Samuel’s brow furrowed, then relaxed slightly. It wasn’t really his problem. Prior to giving him the tape, the intelligence department had scoured its audio for anything of tactical value. Being part of the intel team himself, he’d requested to be excused from the analysis on the grounds of distraction from his task. The request was granted, and he was now free to ignore things such as this.

If he wanted to.

“It gets weirder,” Isaac continued. “Something I noticed during my time here was that the Inquisitor does not ever show skin. Ever. If there is a door in his way, he will wait for someone to open it for him. If he drops something, he will wait for another to pick it up. I found that a bit odd, so I asked him about it recently.” A sigh. “He got evasive. So I reached out and grabbed one of his arms, beneath his robes. The skin tone was consistent with what we know the Elders to look like, but there was a very noticeable difference – no wrinkles. Smooth as a baby’s ass. The bastard is perfectly healthy.”

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Part 2

Wait, what? Dimly, the Russian remembered his father telling him about the Elders some years back. Included in the description was that, no matter who the Elder was, or how old, they always had skinny limbs, covered in wrinkles akin to that of the oldest living humans. So is he really young then? I don’t –

“Bit odd for one of the older ones we’ve seen, don’t you think?” the prisoner asked rhetorically. “Beforehand, I’d asked him a rather innocuous question – his age. He responded in the region of a thousand years. Yet, he seems young and healthy. Contrast that to Inquisitor Carolus, when she wiped out that shanty in Africa just over ten years ago, right before her disappearance. She was noted to be in the realm of six hundred years old, and in the recordings her arms were standard Elder limbs.”

So it’s not a question of age, Samuel realized. Azazel, though older than Carolus, looks younger. What did that mean? Was it even significant?

“No idea if that’s in any way worth investigating,” Isaac noted. “But it’s all I’ve got, and it struck me as strange. Unless our glorious overlords age backwards, something is definitely up.”

Samuel knew his father well. Well enough to realize that a suspicion alone would not be enough for him to make such a big fuss over something. He had to know something else for him to try and bring this to the attention of XCOM.

“And that’s it for strategic info,” Isaac said wearily. “Sorry I’m not much more of a help, but that’s the way things have gone. Guess I’ll get onto the more important shit now.” He chuckled. “Well, more important to a man who’ll die in a few hours. Samuel…”

The Trooper inhaled sharply.

“… stay alive,” the prisoner said after a short delay. “If nothing else, if you don’t believe in the cause you’re fighting for, or the people you’re with, or that the enemy you’re against can even be defeated, stay alive. You’re no good to anyone dead, and you’d be putting all those years I spent teaching you all I knew to waste.” A satisfied grunt. “But I am proud of you. I don’t know what made me stop all those years ago when I saw you crouching in the ash. Part of me said to keep going. To just let you die. Not like the death of a child I never knew would have weighed on my mind any more than the rest of the people in Volgograd. But I’m damn glad I did.

“Chloe. I didn’t expect much from some punky teenager that showed up in the same refugee camp as me. You surprised me though. You’re capable, and you’re intelligent. Remember that if you ever have doubts. I gave the job of Overseer to you because I believed you were the best choice. I know others might disagree, but fuck ‘em. They don’t know all your tricks. Stay keeping secrets as well as you did when we first met, and you’ll be set.

“Atka. You’re determined, and you’ll see humanity freed even if it kills you. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have in your position.” A pause. “Just… don’t think that’s all there is to your life. That’s a one-way ticket to losing yourself to stress. You’re fighting for freedom, but maybe once or twice you should experience that freedom yourself. Live a little. Try to fashion some kind of relationship with your daughter. And keep good company. Last I knew, you still had some of the old guard. Chambers, Big Sky, little Shen… heck, I heard you even got Bradford back from whatever pod he’s been stewing in for the past few years. They’re all good people. Keep them close, and they’ll see you and XCOM through to the end.”

Isaac stopped. “Has it really come to the point where I only have three people I’d leave a message for on my deathbed?” he wondered aloud. “Bloody hell. Maybe it’s time I made my exit anyway.”


I thought you said to never give up.

“Ah, who am I kidding. It’s never time for that.” There was a grunt of exertion, what Samuel assumed was his father hoisting something weighty onto his lap. He glanced at the guitar that sat against the wall a few short meters away. “You can stop scouring what I say for intel,” the prisoner said, his tone mildly amused. “I know you’ll keep listening anyway, but you won’t be getting more than a few tunes out of me from now on.” And he started to play, the notes assuming a melodic structure familiar to Samuel as one of the many his father played frequently.

The Russian did not stop listening. He stayed there, frozen on the bed, the sounds of his father’s last messages to the world echoing in his ears. This continued for another hour and a half. As time went on, the songs he played began to take on a different tone. From the heroism of songs about the great wars of old, to angry, bitter melodies cursing the nature of the world, and finally to sombre phrases, an acceptance of his fate. He had just begun a song about the futility of hope when there was a commotion at the edge of Samuel’s hearing.

Isaac stopped, and sighed. “Finish that one for me,” he spoke softly into the device, before the recording ended, and Samuel was left with silence resounding in his ears.

The Russian did not move, at first. He just sat there, staring into space. He was aware of Arthur briefly entering the room, before seeing him and evidently deciding not to disturb him any further. As the door closed behind the Ranger once more, Samuel exhaled. He stood, slowly, and took the few paces between his bunk and the guitar leaning on the wall. He grabbed it by the neck, brought it up into his arms, felt the weight of it.

“Finish that one for you?”

Samuel glanced at the strings, before shaking his head. He plugged in the mixer and amp, connecting them to the musical instrument in his grasp. “No,” he said. “Not that one.”

He glanced up at the roof. “I’ll finish your war,” he muttered. “But I will not finish that song. I will start my own.”

 

[Dahlexpert]

The fallowing is a colaberation between Dhalexpert & Zombiesplitter 53

Snow day

On board the avenger
Soldiers barracks

Luke stood in front of the Chamber's family room.

"Yo, is there anyone in there, preferably Joe or Jennifer?"

Jenn opened the door a few moments later, a brush in her hand. "Hey, Luke. You looking for Alex?"

"Not for the moment no. I need to talk to you and your dad about Alexis if you don't mind."

Jenn nodded, placing the brush down and stepping out. "Dad should get getting off his shift soon. We can meet him at Information."

"Great, mind if I come in so I can ask you about Alexis. Or are you still embarrassed talking since your chest still hurts?" Luke said teasingly.

Jennifer blushed, and gave him a sour look as she opened the door for him. "Come on in, pervert."

"Hey, there is nothing wrong with being a pervert. As a matter of fact, perverts have the most fun." Luke entered the room. “So how's Alexis?"

Jennifer rubbed the back of her head. "She's... better. Relatively speaking, at least. But she is still taking it hard. Karen dying right before her eyes. How close she was to the others. Did you know she played poker with a couple of them once a week? She just... hasn't lost anyone in a while, and suddenly six people are gone. And unfortunately her best friend isn't very approachable right now because she's grieving in her own way."

"Huh, if I had known one of the people that died played poker, would have been nice to play with them. Jenn, when was the last time you and your family had... you know, fun?"

"Fun?" Jenn slipped on to her bed. "Well... Alex and I hang out with Lily and Yakone as often as we can... which isn't very often. Um... I... well, I don't think I've been off the ship since before the first attack, but I'm not complaining. And my dad hasn't had any fun... has barely stopped working since he started looking into information about N... that one ADVENT lady, as well as my and Lily's mother."

"Uh huh." Luke got an almost evil like smile on his face. "Hey Jenn, tell your dad, and Alexis, to meet me on top of the Avenger. You're coming with them, and dress warm because it's cold out there." Luke headed for the door.

"Um... o-okay." Jenn scratched her head. "We'll be there in about... 40 minutes?"

"Great, I'll see you then." Luke ran out the room thinking how his plan was going to work. "Alright, I'll talk to my aunt. I'm sure she'll help me. Now as for teams, I do need one more person. Got it." Luke made his way to Morrgian room." Yo Morrgian, you here?"

"Doggie!" He heard Brigid yell out excitedly from inside the room.

"Impetuous, foolhardy whelp!" an unknown voice responded. "I am no dog!"

A few seconds later, Morrigan called out, "The door is open, Luke."

"What the hell was that voice yelling at Brigid, I don't see anyone? And why was Brigid yelling doggie?"

"Because she is an ignorant child. Like most human children." Vyssini materialized before Luke in his usual Worg form. As usual, his muzzle didn't bother to move as he talked, only snarling lightly. "And who are you? Another over grown child given arms and sent to fight a war?"

Luke looked at the AI, never seeing one before. "No, I'm the man that has fire grenades and bullets that he can make with his brain." Luke showed a small fire ball at the AI. "So watch your tone little dog, otherwise I will tell the Commander to transfer you into my brain, that way you will be in a much better mood." Luke said while giving the AI and almost blood thirsty evil look.

Vys have him a blank state. "I am petrified, I can assure you."

Brigid giggled and stepped forward. "Its okay, Luke. This is Vys, and he is our new dog."

Vyssini glared at her. "Do not abriviate my name. And I told you before, I am a Worg. A mythological wolf with a demonic..."

"I never had a dog before," Brigid continued to Luke. "Mom was afraid I'd be allergic. But now I have one, and he can talk! Isn't that great!"

Luke dissolved his flames and lifted up Brigid. "Yes it is, you little cutie. I'm sure it will be a great dog. Now as for the reason I'm here, Morrgian, I need help with Alexis. I'm planning a snowball fight with my family and the Chambers, but they don't know I'm planning it. Want to help me with the ambush?"

Morrigan shrugged. "Sure. Sounds like fun."

Brigid wrapped her arms around Luke's neck. "Can I come with?"

Her mother frowned. "Brigid... it is really cold out there, and you were just sick."

"But I'm not sick now!" Brigid insisted.

"Sure, I don't mind. So I will meet you two up there. For now, make the snow balls. I need to convince my aunt to join us."

Morrigan sighed, and nodded. "We'll head up as soon as we change. Don't make us wait in the cold too long, you hear?"

"Yeah, I got yeah. You won't have to wait long."

As he left, Morrigan smiled at Brigid. "Let's bundle you up, little one."

Vys shook his head. "How droll," he muttered, disappearing. Morrigan ignored him, getting Brigid and herself dressed and heading to the roof. The pair started making snowballs from the snow that had accumulated in the roof.

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 2

Minutes later, Luke and Lilith made their way to the roof. Lilith saw Morrgian and Brigid making snowballs. "Morrgian. I see Luke dragged you into his little plan." Morrgian realized that both Lilith and Luke are wearing jackets.

Brigid pointed to them and asked. "How come they don't have to bundle up?"

"Because they're not twelve, and their mothers didn't tell them to." Morrigan looked the pair up and down. "Though I do have to wonder why you're not wearing something heavier. It is Antarctica, you know."

"Well, number one, Luke because he's a red psion," Lilith said. "He's a walking, talking radiator. Now as for me, my people were near arctic temperatures for centuries. We adapted to it, so I'm fine."

Luke warmed up his hands. "Here Brigid, hold my hands. They're nice and warm."

Brigid did so with her gloved hands, giggling at the warmth. "It is like a pair of hand warmers. Just don't melt the snow, Luke."

"Relax sunshine I won't. Now we have about ten minutes before the Chambers come up. Now let's make a ton of snow balls, and I need you three behind something to ambush them."

Morrigan nudged her head to the side. "Like those things we used during the defense. Saved our lives then. Only place to hide now."

"Sure, now get to making snowballs." The group quickly got to work, adding to Morrigan and Brigid's pile of snowballs. Luke heard the lift coming up. "Alright, they're coming everyone. Get into positions."

The others rushed into hiding as Joseph stepped off the lift, his daughters stepping off behind them. Jennifer walked with a supportive arm around Alex. As they approached Luke, a very tired, worn out Joe said, "You got us here. What did you want to show us, Luke?"

"Oh yes, I have a fantastic idea to get Alexis out of her slump, and having you hang out with your kids." Luke said, smiling at them.

Joe looked back it Alex, then over to Luke again. "Alright. I'm game. What is it? Let me have it."

"Oh, that was a very poor choice of words. Alright ladies." Lilith, Morrgian, and Brigid emerged from their hiding spot. "Let them have it." Luke picked up some snow and shoved it into Alexis' shirt, then ran to cover.

The others quickly pelted them with snowballs. Alexis cried out in surprise. "Oh, you are DEAD!" She shook her jacket to get the snow out and scooped up some more, forming a ball and tossing it towards Luke's head.

Luke dodged the snowball and grabbed one of the premade ones, throwing it at Alexis. She ducked and the snowball hit Jennifer, but Lilith made sure to hit Alexis.

"You're part of this one-sided fight, O'Brien!" Joe called out, scooping up another ball and tossing it.

"All's fair in love and snowball war!" She returned, wiping the snow from her hair and throwing another.

"You bunch of cheaters!" Jennifer called out. She didn't have much of a throwing arm, but she and Alexis made a good duo, Jenn making the balls and Alex throwing them.

"Hey it's not cheating. I still need three people." Luke said, throwing snowballs at the Chambers. "But I have to admit darling, you have a good arm." Luke said while throwing a snowball at Alexis.

"I'll show you a good aim..." Alex gathered up a bunch of snowballs and charged Luke, sucking her head against her pelting.

"Oops." Luke started to run from Alexis, not wanting to get pelted by snowballs. "Ah but I have a secret weapon. Brigid, get her."

Brigid jumped out from cover, tackling Alex's legs, then quickly scooping snow on her head before scampering away. "I'm gonna get you, you little punk!" Alexis shouted, running after her.

As Lilith watched them, a snow ball hit her chest. Then her head. Then her chest again. She looked over to see Joe taking another ball from Jennifer. "I ever tell you I was the pitcher on my college Baseball team? Couch was pissed when I decided to major in law instead of focusing on that."

"No, that would have been nice to know." Lilith took cover and yelled, "Luke, give me some cover."

"On it." Luke started to throw snowballs at Joe's back and the back of his head. Joe turned to throw a snowball at Luke but Lilith threw a snowball at Joe, and he got pelted from both Luke and Lilith. Luke grabbed a bunch of snow and charged them.

"Coming through." Luke ran two Jen and Joe. And dive bombed the pile of snow he had on Jennifer.

Jenn glared at him, and suddenly tackled him, shoveling snow over his head.

"They're having fun, look at them smiling. It's been a while since I saw either of the girls or Luke smiling like that. Now, if you excuse me..." Lilith got out of her cover, and jumped on Joseph's back, bringing him to the snowy ground, and pelting him with snow.

Joe struggled to get up from under her. "Wow, Lilith. You're either strong, or you're really, really heavy."

Lilith threw snow on Joe's head. "Has anyone ever told you not to call a woman heavy!" she shouted.

Joe laughed. "Not even if the point is to make her mad?"

Lilith glared at Joe and dragged a large pile of snow over, burying him in it.

Jennifer was still throwing snow on Luke face. Luke shifted his body so he was on top of her. "Huh, never thought I see you is this position. You look rather cute Jenn."

She gave him a wicked grin before yelling, "Alexis! Luke is perving on me!"

"The hell he is!" Alexis shouted, suddenly making a beeline for him.

Luke saw Alexis charging him, then looked back at Jennifer. "I hate you." Luke threw snow on Jenn before Alexis tackled him.

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 3

The pair rolled in the snow for a bit until Alexis jumped up and lifted a huge pile of snow. "Any last words?" she asked.

Luke grabbed some snow and threw it at Alexis first.

When the snow reached a few inches from her chest, it rolled to the left and right as if it hit an invisible wall. Alexis didn't seem to notice, only dropping her snow on Luke's head.

"Oh, that is bullshit." Luke shifted his body so he was on top of Alexis, pelting her with snow. "Ha, you like that honey?"

Alexis held up her hands to cover herself, but again, the snow bounced away harmlessly before hitting her.

"Darling, it would seem I can't hit you. I think you may have gotten a new power."

Alexis looked up at him. "What do you mean, you can't hit me?" she rolled out from under him and looked over to his aunt. "Hey Lilith, chuck a snowball at me."

"Um, okay?" Lilith threw a snowball at Alexis.

It whacked her in the side of her head. "Ow..." She rubbed her temple. "See, Luke. I don't know what..."

"Everyone pelt Alex with everything you got!" Morrigan shouted, throwing all her snowballs at Alex. Joe and Jenn exchanged a shrug, and did the same.

Luke held on to Alexis, not letting her be the only one hit with snow.

Alexis shrieked and held out her hands. A light green barrier Joe, Jenn, and Lilith couldn't see but Alex and Luke could, formed around the two of them, stopping all the snowballs. Alex looked down at her hands in surprise. "Whoa..."

"Well that's new, huh?" Luke smiled. "Congratulations honey, you do have a new ability."

"What the hell was that?" Lilith asked.

"I think it was a telekinetic barrier." Jenn said with a smile.

Alexis' eyes lit up and she turned to Luke. "Do you know what this means!?"

"Um, that your boyfriend is a genius for trying to cheer you up and having this happen?

Alexis quickly kissed him. "Yes, silly. But also, I can use this to save people!" Her smile dropped a bit, and she looked away. "I-if I can learn to control it... and project it on other people... people like Karen won't have to die again. I... I can finally be useful."

Luke hit Alexis with a snowball. "Hey, we're having fun. No negative thinking, alright?"

Alexis nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Luke. This was a good idea."

"You're damn right it was," Luke said. "I had to set up an ambush for you, make snowballs, honestly the fact I thought of only a few minutes ago. I deserve some reward for getting you out of your slump."

"All right hot shot, calm it down. Yes, this was a fun idea Luke, but don't get a big head." Lilith said.

"Agreed," Joe said. "But... good job, Luke." He shivered a bit. "What day we all head inside for some hot chocolate."

"Heh, that sounds nice." Lilith turned to Morrgian and Brigid." Hey you two, we're getting hot chocolate. Want some?"

"Yeah!" Brigid ran over to Luke and grabbed his hand. "I'm a little cold anyway. Will you warm me with your powers?"

Luke picked up Brigid and hugged her, using his powers to warm her up."There, is that better?"

Brigid giggled and nodded. "Yes, thank you. To the hot cocoa!"

"Well said kid. Youu can sit right next to me for warmth."

As they walked back in, Alexis gave them a sore look. "You're not jealous of a twelve year old, are you?" Jennifer teased.

"No." Alexis pouted. "You got yourself a second girlfriend, Luke?"

Luke covered Brigid's ears." Yep, I'm also your sister's sex slave."

Jenn and Alex both blushed, and Brigid pulled Luke's hands away. "I wanna hear too. And Luke isn't my boyfriend. Leon is, silly. I can't have another boyfriend unless we're the same age. That's the rule, right Luke?"

"That's right. And to what I said Alexis, your sister came up with it."

"I did not!" Jenn stomped ahead. "Pervert!"

Alexis laughed. "She loves you. She just hates you too."

"Oh I know your sister has a crush on me. Too bad her purple haired sister stole my heart, and should know she's my number one and not get jealous. She should also know she can come to me for warmth any time."

Alexis rolled her eyes. "You really are a pervert," she said, running to catch up with Jenn.

Brigid blink a few times. "Are you a pervert, Luke?"

"Yes I am, but so is Alexis. She just doesn't like to admit it."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

DarkGemini24601 & ZombieSplitter53
Stubborn Friendship

Unknown Location, Somewhere over Antarctica
0603 Hours, September 14th, 2038
Onboard the Avenger
Floor 3, Central Block
Female Showers

The hiss of water exiting a series of narrow slits and the patter of the droplets as they rebounded off of skin and onto the tiled floor made up the only sounds in the female showers at the moment. The sole occupant of the room was silent, merely dampening her hands before picking up a bar of soap and forming bubbles. Yakone was at least content in the fact that she was alone, with no one to bother her, criticize her, anger her, damage her ego. She was alone, and that was good.

That didn't mean she was happy, though. Rather, Yakone was in a neutral mood at the moment, and felt that she couldn't really reach any higher than that. She tried, though, closing her eyes and focusing on the warmth of the water washing over her - doing her best to block out bad memories and current frustrations. Soon enough, the young woman was reminded that no solace lasts forever as she began lathering her arms with soap. The glass shower door on the right slid open with a brief squeak from friction.

Goddammit. I should have remembered she'd be up this early too. Yakone let out a sigh, though masked the irritation in it as a contented noise from the warm water. "Hey, Morrigan," the Ranger greeted her fellow soldier.

"Hey." Morrigan hesitated. Despite already being undressed, she had an idea how Yakone felt. She recognized her look on her face, the slight tone in her voice, even Yakone's posture. "I can... leave you alone if I'm intruding. I'll just... try and hit the showers late tonight."

"It's fine. I'll be done in a few minutes, and then you can come in when I'm gone," Yakone muttered, the irritation becoming more readily apparent thanks to Morrigan seeing past her facade of normalcy.

Morrigan turned to leave, but again hesitated. She realized things were on edge right now, but she also knew people were either avoiding Yakone, or she was pushing them away. Morrigan had to take a chance, even if it hurt their friendship. For Yakone's sake. She turned back again. "Actually, it would be nice to talk alone for a bit. We haven't had a chance in a while."

For fuck's sake. "Make up your mind," Yakone growled, opening her eyes. "Pick one or the other, and follow through with it."

"Then I'll pick enjoying my shower with my friend Yakone," Morrigan stated, taking her place under the shower head two down from the irritable Inuit.

Yakone just rolled her eyes, and ran the soap between her hands again before starting to wash off her chest. Whatever. Just ignore her.

Morrigan let the water run through her hair for half a minute before saying, "So talk to me, Yakone. I know you have things to get off your chest."

"No, I don't," Yakone stated in opposition, moving down to her stomach. "Not interested in talking."

Morrigan shook her head. "Come on, Yakone. I know you don't feel like talking, but you need to. You're only going to feel worse and worse until you do."

"Oh yeah, because chatting has helped so damn much!" Yakone shook her head in disgust. "None of you assholes understand me, whether I try to explain myself or not. Keeping my mouth shut is less work, if nothing else."

"Understand you?" The Irishwoman scoffed. "You think you're the only one who knows the pain of loss? Before I learned what a snake he was, I was led to believe my husband died because of me."

"Oh, fuck off!" Yakone yelled, no longer able to finish her shower. "I am sick of you people twisting my words and making it sound like I think I have it the worst! I'm not the one that keeps treating this like some sort of sick contest!"

"I'm not...!" Morrigan held up her hands and took a deep breath. "I'm not... trying to tell you not to feel like crap. You deserve to be angry. You deserve to feel like you want to punch a hole in the side of the ship. I'm just asking you not to hold it all in. It will only make you feel worse."

"Talking about it... will only make me angry and more depressed. I'm. Not. Interested."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" Morrigan placed her hands on her hips. "Just let you boil, let your anger stew until it boils over and you pop something in your brain, or get yourself hurt, or doing something stupid that gets you in even more trouble with you mother then you already are?"

Yakone trembled, her expression livid. Emerald energy crackled around her skin, surrounding her fist as she slammed it to the side. The tiles she impacted with cracked under the pressure of the hit. "The next time someone brings her up I'm going to leave them bleeding on the floor with a cracked skull!" she screamed in fury.

Morrigan physically recoiled, dropping to a crouch and holding her arms over her head. Flashbacks over her being terrified of another woman ran through her mind, though she wasn't sure why. "I-I just w-want to help you, Y-Yakone," she said, a tremble in her voice.

Yakone's anger seemed to lower in intensity, and she merely retorted, "Well, you're doing a terrible job."

"W-well, what am I supposed to do?" Morrigan peaked up a bit. "Y-you don't w-want help, e-even though you need it. I-I make you mad if I try to t-talk to you... B-but I'd be a terrible friend not to try. W-what would you do in my place?"

"I wouldn't presume to know what you need, for starters," Yakone shot back. "You're just doing this for your own fucking benefit, not mine. Because you want to try and help, not because I want your help."

"Is that what you h-have to tell yourself to feel content in your actions?" Morrigan slowly stood up, but took a step back. Her eyes said she was worried Yakone could attack at any moment. "You and I both know if I had a problem, you wouldn't let me brush you off. Don't assume I'm being selfish just because it helps make you look right. Do you honestly think I would want to talk to a woman I'm terrified could, and would, put me in the infirmary unless it was for a good cause?"

Yakone fell silent, and looked away from Morrigan. "Just leave me alone..."

Morrigan have the woman a sour look, and turned to the shower head, quickly lathering her hair. "I guess I was wrong. I'm sorry. All I wanted to do is help, but I guess I made things worse. But that is the risk I had to take... for my friend..."

Yakone didn't say anything at first, though after awhile she couldn't help herself. "All I want to do is honor those that have fallen, to make myself stronger for their sake! Is it so damn wrong that I'm mourning them, and not taking anyone's shit that won't let me do that?!"

"I told you, I think you have a right to mourn, and a right to be angry," Morrigan responded, not looking back. "Anyone who says otherwise is stupid. All I was trying to do is to get you to... mourn with me. Let a friend of yours support you in your grief, not burden it all on your own."

"No," Yakone rebuffed in refusal. "It shouldn't have to be anyone's burden but my own."

"Well... at the risk of having my skull cracked open, the person who should be consoling you is... she who will not be named." Morrigan slowly shook her head. "No matter what you two are butting heads over, a mother should be there for her daughter. But she isn't... so I am. Because that is what friends do. They share each other's pain to lighten the load."

Yakone did not look at Morrigan again, and she was silent, not responding other than mumbling something Morrigan couldn't hear.

The redhead slowly glanced over. "What was that?"

"Why do you have to keep... making me feel so bad..." Yakone whispered, something other than water dripping down the side of her face Morrigan could see.

Morrigan have her a sympathetic look before turning away. "I-I'm sorry, Yakone. I wanted to make you feel better. I did the opposite."

"I did it to myself there at least..." Yakone admitted tepidly.

Morrigan sighed. She slowly scrubbed her hair as she said, "You... you're probably at least half right about me helping you for selfish reasons. You were the first woman here to make me feel like I belonged. You made me a little less depressed about my scars. And if it wasn't for you, I'd probably still be letting my daughter believe half of ADVENT are the good guys. I guess I saw you hurting... and wanted to see if I could pay you back."

There was a prolonged silence on Yakone's part. "I guess I can understand that... I am pretty awesome, right?" Yakone finally said, smiling slightly but not all that genuinely.

"Yeah... at times." Morrigan have her a soft smile. "Other times you are irritatingly stubborn."

Yakone did not respond to that. "Sorry if I've... been a bitch to you."

"I know." Morrigan washed the shampoo out of her hair and turned off the water. "I know it is hard. And I know I can't understand how you're truly feeling, because I'm not you. I just want you to know you're not alone. And when you feel like talking, I want you to remember I Will be there to listen."

 

[Black0ut]

Dhalexpert & Black0ut Present:

Drinks & Conversations
On board the Avenger.
The bar


Luke is sitting on a stool, drinking a beer. "Sigh man, I still can't believe ADVENT found us that fact that they found us still bothers me." Luke took a swig of his beer. "Sigh, I wonder how we're going to retaliate?"

Red took a seat, still dressed in his formal garb that he'd warn to the funeral. He had dark bags under his eyes, with a matching frown, all of which added up to a depressed vibe he seemed to give off. "I'll have whatever that guy's having." Red murmured to the bartender, vaguely pointing towards Luke.

"Yo buddy your talking to the Tipperary bar tender, that guy cleans the glass.You said you wanted to have the same thing as I'm drinking right, you must be depressed as hell then." Luke tossed him the beer he was drinking.

Red caught the drink and took a swig. He relaxed slightly, "Yeah. I was on the roof during the assault and... I guess I blame myself for letting too many people get injured and for letting Karen die." Red slumped onto the bar, his eyes haunted by the sights he'd seen. "But, um... sorry for my rambling. Name's Red. You?"

"Names Luke and don't worry about it, people dying there's nothing you can do for them. All you can do is keep living, and take out as many of ADVENT grunts as you can."

The Oglala Sioux man chuckled grimly. "Yeah. Except the people we lose hurts like a bullet the better we got to know them. I almost lost Alexis, Morrigan, and Ayame in one fell swoop. And I was helpless to stop it. I just... I don't know. I just don't want to lose people I care about..." Red trailed off, taking another sip of the beer before sliding it down to Luke.

"Yea by the way if Alexis did die, you would be dealing with a very very pissed off boyfriend.But your right when it's the people we know it hurts like a knife in the cheats."

Red raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the new information he'd discovered. "Huh. Didn't know Alexis had a boyfriend, although we haven't had much time to chat, as I've been working in the engineering bay. What's your job on the ship?"

"I'm the cook, it's my job to make sure everyone is feed. And yes I work with that always happy lady."

Red paused, his confusion evident. "I don't know a cook like that, but I do know a nurse that fits that description. A little eccentric, but pretty awesome nonetheless. Just to make sure we're talking about two different people, what's the name of your cooking buddy?"

"Her name is Catherine, though I give her the nick name of sugar. You know, because of how positive she is."

Red chuckled weakly, before simply dropping his head onto the bar. "Same person. Have you heard about her? I mean, did she get hurt in the attack?"

"As far as I know she's fine, still smiling somewhere on the ship. Why do you need her for something?"

"No, just worried. Thought something might've happened." Red replied, calming down a bit.

"I'm sure she's fine, you have any other worries?"

"Yeah... seeing as how you're a cook and all, how bad were the other civvies scared?" Red asked.

"There pretty shaken up, like you said there civilians. The never thought we would be found, so it's safe to say there scared.

"Well, I hear no civvies were killed, so that's a relief. " Red replied idly, before asking, "So... uh... how did you meet Alexis?"

"Well I met her on the first mission,the one where we blew up that elder statue. Then we started to talk, now we're dating, that's the short version.”

Red tilted his head, his confusion evident. "First mission? Aren't you just a cook though? And wouldn't that make you one of the first recruits to XCOM?"

"I'm a soldier that works as a cook, he'll Alexis is a soldier but she works in engineering. And yes it does."

Red nodded, straightening slightly "Were you in a defense squad when we went down?"

"Yea, that was a mess never fought that hard in my hole life. MEC toppers you name any ADVENT force we fought it. and I will admit it was enjoyable."

"Unfortunately, I can't say the same. Ayame lost her arm, Morrigan was wounded, Alexis got to watch someone die right in front of her. I must admit I'm a bit broken, too many of my friends were wounded, one way or another."

Luke waved his hand in dismissal." Don't worry about it man, look we were unprepared for this. And most of us got injured, and yes some died but were alive now all we have to do is get better from this."

Red mulled the question over, as he took out his flask and drank from it. "I suppose you're right, we do need to Gerry better so something like this doesn't happen again."

"Ou trust me, I'm sure it this may happen again. We just need to be stronger next time." Luke poured himself a glass of burbin. And downed it. "Sigh, anyway I heard that you and Yankoe had a fight."

Red choked, nearly spitting his whiskey out. "U-um... You sure it was me and not someone else?" Red asked, trying to avoid the question.

Yo do realize that on this ship people talk right, there's nothing to do on this ship so people talk. Especially if they have a straight up brawl in a bar, with beer bottles and chairs being used."

"In my defense, she was using psionics to beat the shit out of me, so using a few weapons was a way to equalize the battle somewhat. Besides, it was both our faults not just Yakone's. I ended up getting off scot-free... I kinda wish the Commander had sentenced me, as well, to being off the active roster. Seems like it'd be more fair that way."

"Trust me you don't want the commander coming down on you, but for her to use her powers on someone that doesn't have the same power that's low."

"It sounds like you're speaking from experience. Which Psion did you fight?" Red asked curiously.

"There was this blue psion back when I was in Alaska, She thought she had the Advantage because of all the snow. Boy was she wrong, so yea I fought a psion before. Hell there is this yellow psion that I know a brialnt engineer but she's pretty crazy."

"How did you beat all of them without..." Red started to say, a realization of how Luke would be able to beat multiple Psions. "You're a Psion, aren't you?"

"Yep, a red psion the top of the food chain when it comes to offence psions. We red psions are purely attack focused, so versus a blue psion it was an easy fight. Especially when you controle fire."

Red panicked internally, his new-found phobia of Psions still active. Physically, he looked the same before he learned of Luke's powers. "So... Are you stronger than Yakone in that regard?"

"psion wise yes, I can create fire, explosions, bullets/cannonballs. So when it comes to that yea. How ever Yakone can heal herself and she can make herself stronger with her powers, I can't do that. So with powers that benefits yourself, she has the advantage."

"I... see. Well, I still am a bit hesitant to go near her given what happened last time..." Red replied honestly, his left hand shaking a little.

Yea I understand and the way Yakone is now, it's best to stay away from her." Luke noticed his hand shaking. "Hay you alright man?"

"Just an irrational phobia of Psions, nothing more." Red admitted, as he grabbed his shaking hand.

"Did you have a problem with a psion in the past or something?

"Well, it has more to do with the Psion that beat the shit out of me and broke several of my bones."

"Look we're not all bad, and Yakone I don't know what's going on with her lately, maybe Leon can talk to her or something."

More people I don't know... Red mentally groaned. "I see... I might try my hand with Yakone and see if she wants to try to kill me again... I'm hoping that I can persuade her." The Specialist murmured, taking another sip of his whiskey.

"Look if you want my advice, wait like a month or so. Because Yankoe is not in the right state of mind right now."

That's true, but I'd rather her fuck me up again, instead of her injuring someone else.Red thought grimly. "Yeah... I'll take it under advisement. Thanks, Luke." Checking a watch on his left wrist, Red noted the time, a slight groan his only response. "I gotta go, Luke. Shen'll be pissed if I'm late again, so... I'll see you later."

"Sure thing red, thanks for a talk. Been a while since I had a normal talk with someone, see you later."