RP XSDF Roleplay Thread: Vanguard of Forseti

[Frostlich1228]

Cross Technologies Tower.
2:40 Pm, EST.

Camellia quickly looked up at the large, imposing building. It wasn't as imposing to her though as it was to most other people, she grew up there after all, and the powerful business woman behind the building, just so happened to be her mother. She took a nice long look at the gleaming tower, having undergone many upgrades to it's appearance since she was a kid, mostly to make it look more modern, so many in fact, it barely looked like the same boring building it used to be. Winter let the details sink in, this was more often than not the last she would see of the place for quite a while.

The heiress strolled in happily, walking up to the front desk and smiling excitedly as the finely dressed woman behind it returned it as she noticed her. "Ms. Winter! We were expecting to see you today!" The woman spoke with an almost singsong-y tone.

"Mom spying on me again, huh?" Camellia replied, crossing her arms.

"Oh, Winter. You know your mother doesn't like to call it spying, she prefers to call it, mmm, closely protecting." The finely dressed woman responded, keeping eye contact with Camellia.

Winter rolled her eyes, "I've heard that a thousand times. Still doesn't change the fact that I don't like her watching me all the time. Next thing I know I'll find one of her suits peeking out from under my bed."

"Oh..." The lady scoffed, "You know she'd never go that far. She's just trying to make sure you're safe. You're a pretty famous girl, Cammy, makes you are target for people that want to get your mom."

"Doesn't mean she needs to know my dirty secrets like she knows everyone elses." Winter said.

"Dirty secrets? What do you mean, you're an angel!"

"An 'angel' that constantly talks with my aunt? Not likely." She spoke, looking up briefly before speaking again, "So, my parents in right now?"

The lady frowned slightly, "Well, Ammy is... But Buniq is out of town right now..."

Winter tilted her head, "Why?"

"She's overseeing and checking up on some things in our Russian headquarters, as well as speaking with some friends."

"Probably Jessica or Modya. Don't think we know anyone else in Russia..." Winter replied, taking a second to think.

"Well anyway, I've sent your Mother a message saying you're on your way up. I personally hope you have a wonderful time with XSDF, and please, do be careful alright?" The young woman said kindly, watching Camellia head towards the elevator, giving a quick wave to the lady as she left her sight.

Winter pulled her unique VIP keycard out of her pocket and scanned it on a panel on the side of the elevator, along with her handprint and DNA. The high tech elevator whisked her up to the very top floor in a few seconds, and Camellia left, feeling nothing from the sudden acceleration and stop. She walked down the long, intricately decorated hallways that led towards her destination, a bright red carpet ran up the middle of it, splitting off down two different side entrances as it reached the door towards the main office. One of those paths led to the Vip living area and her old childhood room, while the other led to her grandfather's and the family's executive bodyguard Dorian's living area, both obvious closed off from anyone but close family and friends.

As she looked at the door to her mother's office, Camellia heard a familiar British voice behind her. "Jeans and a T-Shirt? You're going te' walk into yer moms view wearing that? Wouldn't be surprised if she threw a dress on you before you even blink."

Winter quickly turned around to see her favorite Aunt standing behind her, her hair it's normal, long messy brown, as she smiled brightly, "Well I dunno, you know how I like to live dangerously."

Aunt Mary chuckled, "I think that might be a little too dangerous, I mean, who knows what kind of pink, frilly looking thing she has waiting for you in there!"

"That does sound bad..." Camellia replied sarcastically, putting a hand to her chin in fake thought.

"Maybe more for you than me, because I actually like pink." Mary added, "Buuuut, if I was you, I'd rather be caught in a subway naked than go anywhere with that thing on. At least then I can brag about my tit size instead of having to awkwardly fall all over th' place like a hammered ballerina in those bloody heels."

"Well, I do have great tits, so I think I would prefer that, but even if I had to wear that crap, I could just make them all forget about it with a little suggestion." Winter answered, giggling.

"Tsk Tsk Tsk." Mary wagged a finger, "You know what your mom says about 'responsible use of your powers', don't want you to suddenly turn into Darth Vader now do we?"

"That's plenty responsible if you ask me, I'm protecting the 'respectable image of the Cross family and business.' I'll make sure to do the weird, freaky, evil stuff to them out of earshot of any curious people, a nice secluded alleyway should do the trick." Winter answered sarcastically.

"That's my niece." Mary replied, smirking as she walked up to her, "So, excited about joining XSDF?"

"Oh, more than anything! Think of all the action, drama, planets, and new alien species I'll get to see!" Camellia responded, grinning from ear to ear.

"Well, there is a lot of those first two things, take it from me. You should be pretty safe, non-combat role after all, and I'm pretty sure we killed most of the really scary stuff back in our day." Mary responded, sounding almost as if she was bragging slightly.

"So no ancient psionic gods? Ouhh... Bummer..." Cammy gave a slightly pouty face.

"Nope, not unless you become one." Mary smiled, "Try it if you can, we need someone to help stop Atka and Desmond from showing off."

"They don't really seem like the type."

"No, they just do it silently by making your feel super low-tier. Don't worry, I'm sure you won't have that problem. In fact, I'm not worried about you at all, you're a hell of a lot more capable than your mother tells me she was when she first joined, you'll be fine." Mary spoke slowly, "You keep in touch with me, alright?"

"Of course, and, thank you." Cammy smiled again.

"Oh! and here... For your birthday..." Mary reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, rectangular box. Winter tried to open it instantly, only to be stopped by her Aunt. "No, not here... And don't let your mother see it..."

Camellia looked down at the box and let out a slightly flushed smirk, standing up as he walked towards her mother's office.

"But if she does, be sure to record it for me! Her face'd be priceless!" Mary called from behind, giving Winter a smirk and a wave as she looked back.

 

[Frostlich1228]

Part 2

As Camellia stepped into the familiar office, it's vibrant bouquets of flowers were the first to catch her eye, they always were, as her mother swapped them out for different types constantly. The theme of the office this month was red, each month of the year had a different color, but this year it had many pinks and purples mixed in as well, something that wasn't common for her mother to do. She only usually used a color scheme like this when an important event was happening, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was until after a few moments, then it hit her, the special occasion was Winter's own farewell, at least for a while, anyways.

Camellia's mother sat at her desk, wearing a long crimson dress with a black undershirt that complimented the dark red nicely. Her pale blonde hair was in it's normal intricate bun, sitting just above her neck the bun had two small gems in the center to help her hair match the outfit. She smiled as Camellia closed the door, standing up and walking over to give her a big hug, Winter accepted it, smiling as she hugged her mother back.

"Sweetie, it's sooo good to see you again." Ammelia spoke, "You don't come visit enough."

"It's only been a few weeks since the last time I visited!" Camellia replied with a slight raise of her voice.

"A few weeks is almost a month you know, and you're only fifteen minutes down the street." Ammy responded, letting her go and putting her hands on her hips.

"I know, I know, but I have my own life to live now, wish I could've come on my birthday though, but we had a crazy flood of patients and I was forced to work late." Winter explained "I was able to talk to you over the computer though."

"Yeah, I know, but I want to see you in person, talking through a computer screen isn't the same." The businesswoman smiled, "I really don't know how my dad did it for so long while I was away. I don't know how I'm going to do it."

"I'll keep in contact with you as much as they let me alright? And I promise If I get seriously hurt somehow, I'll let you know right away." Camellia reassured.

"Thank you. I'm sure you'll be able to protect yourself, you're strong, smart, and you'll already know a lot of people there. I need to learn to stop worrying so much before I turn into your grandfather." Ammelia chuckled a little.

"People I know will be there? Who?" Camellia asked.

"A bunch of people. I know Sasha and Mikhail are going, as well as Alice, and where she goes, Sunny usually follows. Looks like your not the only one who wanted to jump to this opportunity, huh?"

"Sash and Mikky? Mikky I can understand, but Sasha never really seemed like the... Soldier-y type... Don't tell her I said this but she always seemed a little depressed... She might not have a strong enough will for this type of work." Winter explained.

"Then I guess you'll have to be there to pick her up when she gets knocked down, she trusts you, you two got along well when you were kids and Jess told me she always looked forward to your visits." Ammy put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, "If I learned anything from my time at X-com, it's that even the most 'Green' soldiers, can turn into some of the best, given enough time, determination, and support from their friends."

"You only lasted as long as you did because you got lucky, you told me that yourself." Cammy smirked.

"I didn't say that luck didn't play a part, but it only carried me so far, my training and my friends got me the rest of the way. With their help, we took on the most powerful psion in the galaxy, without even a single casualty." Ammy said happily.

"Wow, that was so cheesy." Winter added with a roll of her eyes.

"Well, that's what happened." Ammelia replied, giving a exaggerated pout, "I'm so proud of you right now, following your heart, preparing to do many great things for a lot of good people. I wish your mother could see you before you left, but I found out the other day that we were hemorrhaging serious percentages of our finances in Russia and I just didn't have the time to go myself, I'm booked with meetings tonight and almost all day tomorrow. Be sure to speak to her as soon as she gets back, she wants to speak with you too. She shouldn't be gone more than a week, or if you prefer, you can just contact her at Moscow."

"Mmhm, I really want to talk to her too." Camellia said, "and I'll be sure to stop by for a visit whenever we dock on Earth near New York."

Ammelia teared up a little and hugged her daughter again. "You're destined to do a lot of great things, I just know it."

"I love you, mom..." Camellia spoke, letting out a joyed sigh.

As the former sniper released Winter she replied, "Mind if I drive you down to the starport? I want to see you off personally and I still have a few hours until my next meeting."

"Of course, I wouldn't want it any other way." Cammy answered, "and I'm sure Aunt Mary wants to see me off too."

 

[Frostlich1228]

Westly Living Center, Luna.
644 Hours, Lunar Time.

A black haired man with a white, oil-stained shirt and dark grey pants stepped into the simple Lunar apartment carrying a large duffel bag of tools in with him. The man set his tools on the wooden table next to a comfortable looking white sofa. The living room the man was in looked pretty average, almost like a living room you'd see on earth if not for the lack of windows. The room was decorated with a large flatscreen TV and a glass coffee table between the couch and television that glistened slightly, revealing that it was recently cleaned. The apartment around the man had a white theme with most of the furniture being snow white, matching the walls. The man walked by the kitchen, which also had a similar theme, complete with things you'd likely find in your everyday home, dishwasher, double sink, a large futuristic refrigerator, and plenty of drawers for storing dishes.

He began to walk up the stairs that were next to the living room when he heard a loud clattering sound and a voice yelling, "Fuck!" As the man finished walking up the steps, a large cluttered workshop surrounded him, gadgets and gizmos were scattered all about around a well dressed man with a pink streak through his dark brown hair, getting much more organized the further away they were. The well dressed man looked over at his roommate, sighing slightly, "Oh, I see you're home."

"Why so hostile? It's almost like you're mad or something." The more practically dressed man replied sarcastically.

"Yeah, why would I be mad, it's not like I dropped a wench on my foot or anything." The well dressed man replied, picking a wench off the ground near his feet.

"Sure sounds like that'd hurt." The black haired man responded.

"Oh, fuck you Jayce..." The other man responded, turning back towards his work.

"What? I thought you weren't mad?" Jayce replied, snickering a little.

"And I thought you weren't an asshole, but then I remembered the entire time I've been staying with you..." The brown haired man said, reaching over to grab a screwdriver.

"Well that's certainly a rude thing to imply, I feel hurt James." Jayce said, crossing his arms.

"I'm not implying anything, I straight up called you an asshole. Because you are one. Maybe if you stop being one, I wouldn't have to constantly 'Imply' it." James spoke, making quotation marks in the air with his fingers.

"So, this is your second to last day on Luna and your spending it cooped up in your lab? Go outside, find some guys, bring them back to our place and we'll watch the pro basketballs together." Jayce said, leaning on one of the many work tables in the room.

James let out a chuckle, "I'd like to see you go outside and ask someone if they wanted to watch the basketballs with you. They'd either think you were an idiot or think that you've barely been outside for the past three years of your life, which are both true."

"See? This is what I'm good at, cheering my friend up!"

"You're also good at telling someone that dropping a wrench on your foot would hurt. One of your many talents I guess."

"Oh it is. So, what're you working on there?" Jayce asked, walking up to see what his friend was doing.

"Tightening up some things on my combat drone. I'm going to need him in top shape when I get to the Einherjar." He replied, pulling back from his drone for a second to inspect it, "Looks good to me. This bad boy right here is going to drop either a lot, or zero aliens, depending on if they let me use it not."

"The... Ein-Her-Jar? Sounds like a weird sexual thing. Is it really called that?" Jayce asked, laughing.

"Yep, maybe it's a term for alien sex or something, after all, I've heard that I'm going to be surrounded by a veritable treasure trove of Captain Kirks and Kirkettes."

"Ah, fuck that sucks... Promise you'll bring me back an alien waifu if you have a spare?" Jayce replied, covering his mouth with his fist.

James chuckled, turning to his friend, "I will make no such promises. Maybe I'll bring back a Humiliata for you though, I know how much you like skinny women."

"Eughh... No... There's skinny and then there's skin and bones..." Jayce said as the picture forced itself into his mind, causing him to shutter.

"Still don't understand why you won't join with me, this is such an opportunity! Two bro's traveling together on an intergalactic road trip, fighting aliens, protecting people, and becoming heroes!" James clenched his fists before giving a shrug, "Well, you'd have to be the sidekick, I'm clearly more competent than you when it comes to tech."

"Hey! At least make me Nightwing." Jayce said, his smiling fading slightly, "Anyway, I don't want to leave because I have a certain future here. Who knows what could happen to me if I leave, rather stay here and have a guaranteed shot at a good life than throw my chips in to XSDF thinking I'll become famous."

"Where's your sense of adventure!? We could be like the soldiers in the X-Com movie, we could take on space gods and save the world!" James explained ecstatically.

"You know what the movie didn't show much of? The people that didn't make it to the end. You're going to be a red shirt when you get there, you know that right?" Jayce said, trying to be realistic.

"You think I'm just going to Carmine it up? Please, you've seen my abilities, my ingenuity, my talent, and if worse comes to worse, I can just hide behind the machines I'll be repairing. I can't see that happening though, what I do see is me blowing some space pirates into little bitty pieces with my trench coat full of grenades!"

"Yes, because covering yourself in explosives will really increase your life expectancy." Jayce added, raising his eyebrows.

"Ye of little faith." James rolled his eyes, "So, now that I'm done here, want to hit the bar? Because the next time I see you, I'm going to have the fame I always deserved!"

Jayce smirked, walking up to James, "Damn right I want to hit the bar! But remember, the first rule of grenades is...?"

"Don't drop the soap?" James answered smugly.

"Close enough. Now let's go get wasted!" Jayce cheered, grabbing James' shoulder and almost pulling him down the steps.

 

[Adrammalech]

| THE LEADER OF THE PRIDE
| Abigail Kirchner / Aya Brea (ZombieSplitter53)
| Shanghai Metropolitan Area
| China, Earth
| January 12th, 2044 – 7:45 PM

“Goddamn it, by the time we get through these clowns, Chilong will be in the dust again,” Combo said, shaking her head.

“Group up, hold this position!” the Captain shouted.

The squad fell in behind a heavy van, shots of gauss and laser pistols plinking against the front of the van like a poorly calibrated kitchen timer. In the center of this makeshift huddle was a woman in alloy armor, gripping onto a silver-plated reflex cannon with ‘Lionheart’ etched onto the side. She pulled off her communications helmet for a moment and began pointing to the battlefield beyond.

“Pitbull, I want you rushing the left walks with Combo, skelp who you can and draw the attention of anyone you can’t. Nyx, you’ll be pickin’ off anyone who gets too brave. Pox and Cowboy will hold ‘ere, watchin’ for the leader and protecting our six.”

“What about me, boss?” Crater asked, holding onto his shoulder straps excitedly.

“You just do what you do best, ya daftie,” Abigail smiled, slapping the young heavy on the shoulder.

“What about Chilong? We have to head him off,” Combo said.

Abby’s eyes wandered upwards, where she noticed a single lit room in a large skyscraper overlooking the street. She looked up at a dilapidated sign above it, a blue and gray logo reading ‘Baosteel.’

“Didnae Baosteel close down?” Abby asked, seemingly at random to the others.

“In 2040, moved in with some other company in Beijing,” Pox stated. “Um…focus?”

“New plan: Combo, you’re in charge on the ground, and Pitbull will ‘andle the flank. Cowboy can provide backup if things get too jaggy.”

“You want me to flank alone?” Pitbull frowned.

“No fear, in Abby we trust,” Crater assured, grinning widely.

“Alright…”

“Ye know I don’t like ye fawnin’ over me like that,” Abby shook her head, then pointed forward. “Let’s move!”

The squad fanned out and moved into their designated positions, dropping two gangsters with superior firepower and tactics alone. As they started to suppress and corner the more entrenched enemies, Pitbull came under heavy fire, only being relieved by a barrage of cover-shredding snipes and bursts. Another van full of Triads rolled into the street, bringing Crater out of cover with a launcher slung over his shoulder. A long zip through the air followed the rocket as it buried into the grill of the van, blasting the vehicle into scrap.

Abigail moved towards the steel company’s old headquarters, busting through the doors of the building beside it. She sprinted up the old building’s staircases, rising all the way up to the ninth floor, just a few over where she had seen the light in the adjacent building. She moved over to a set of windows that would give her a clear path, and quickly surveyed the layout of the room she was aiming for. Feeling confident she knew what she was diving into, she backed up and fired a single round of her cannon through the glass, then set into a sprinting form.

Without another word, she dashed forwards and jumped through the open window, her gene-modified muscles straining to their limit as she launched between the buildings. She aimed her cannon at another window on the same floor and fired quickly, opening the window space up just as she sailed through it. She hit the ground with a hard thud, rolling into her landing spot and getting back onto her feet. Not even giving attention to the pain starting up in her legs, she rushed to a large piece of plywood on the side of the room that connected towards the light source. She crashed through the makeshift wall, raising her silver shotgun at the equally silver-haired man in the room.

“Don’t be stupid, now,” she said, the barrel of her reflex cannon already glowing with a charge.

The elder crime lord laughed loudly and his bodyguards raised their plasma rifles.

“You are the stupid one, lǎowài, to come here alone. Kill her!”

The gang leader dashed away and Abigail immediately fired at him, the bulk of the cannon’s shrapnel getting caught by one of his lackey’s chest. She dodged to the side with uncanny speed as a lance of plasma splattered the wall behind her, and another reflex shot dispatched the second of the henchmen. Abby burst through the door, chasing after her quarry. The triad leader pulled down a bundle of lumber from the wall to block the path, continuing to run despite his old age hampering his speed.

“I’m well scunnered of ye now, Zhang!” Abigail shouted, climbing over the blockade.

“What does that even mean?” Chilong growled, tossing more debris into her path. “Arresting me will serve no purpose, I am just another scallop in a large ocean!”

“Ye’ll all get steamed in time!”

As Abby vaulted over another one of his obstructions, Zhang skid to a stop at a large window marking the end of the building. He shook his head and reached behind him, pulling out the blaster strapped to his waist. As he turned and aimed, Abigail punched into his stomach, throwing them both through the plate window and to the ground below. Zhang tried to grip the captain’s wrists, but as Abby pinned her arm beneath his chin and asserted control, his eyes went wide and he let out a short-lived scream.
A loud shattering of metal and glass ripped through the street and squelched the scream, followed momentarily by the sputtering sound of a limo’s car alarm. Abigail rose from the human-sized dent in the roof, plucking a couple shards of glass from her arms and wiping her brow. She looked down at the broken body of the triad leader, lifeless in the rain-slick indentation, having no chance to survive without his opposite’s gene modifications.

“Maybe cracked instead of steamed,” she smirked.

She readied her reflex cannon again after seeing triads spill out from the other side of the building, fleeing where they had been engaging the rest of her squad. The hiss of the Skyranger’s engines rapidly approached to shouted orders to flee, and in moments it was beside her, landing in the middle of the street. She vaguely noticed a few of her squad members running forwards trying to capture the runners before looking back at the Skyranger.

“Hey, we don’t need extraction yet,” Abigail shouted, walking around to the back as the cargo bay door thumped open. “What’s going on…?”

 

[Adrammalech]

| THE LEADER OF THE PRIDE: PART TWO

Abigail had more questions than answers when she saw who was walking out. A Japanese woman with blond hair and blue eyes smiled at her, a reflex cannon of her own ready to fire at any stragglers. She waved her hand around, saying to the men behind her, “Help round up any stragglers, now that they’ve done most of the hard work.” She nodded to Abigail. “Nice work. A little unorthodox. Are you okay?”

“Pretty good for tumbling a few stories,” Abby smirked. “What brings you out here?”

“Well… two things, really.” Aya looked past Abigail. “Heard one of the last Triad bosses who decided to stick to Earth was due for an arrest, though… something tells me that isn’t in the cards today.”

“Aye, not that I was holdin’ my breath for a peaceful resolution. The criminals grow too old here, get dead set on their ways,” she replied, looking back at the body.

Aya nodded. “A shame. too. If that’s who I think it is, he once proposed working with XCOM in exchange for safety… but the Council refused. Makes you wonder ‘what if’, doesn’t it?”

“Really? I wouldn’t have trusted him either…but it would’ve made for an interesting bunk situation, at the very least.”

“That it would. Well… at least one of the people I came here for is still kicking.” Aya sling her weapon over her shoulder. “You know… there are plenty more of them left, off planet. Are you aware of my… transfer request?”

“Err…haven’t had much time for paperwork, I’m afraid,” Abby gave a guilty half-smile.

Aya gave an understanding nod. “We’re taking one of our newest battleships to Forseti. There is a dispute with an unknown alien entity claiming ownership over the entire planet, and the Commander herself is overseeing the mission. But… she is well known for the…” Aya frowned, her eyes darting away for a moment while she thought of the best way to put it. “For the… distance she likes to keep from those under her. And we have a lot of new recruits. The second officer and I will need help being there for them, and we need someone to have the Labs and Engineering sections report directly to.”

“And ye want me there, doing all that? I…appreciate the opportunities, Miss, but I’m just not sure about leavin’ where I am for somethin’ fancy. As you can see, I’m not the best at sitting still,” Abigail replied, pointing towards the car she just climbed off of.

Aya sighed. “But you’ll be out travelling the stars. You’ll have races of people with very different backgrounds to keep from fighting amongst themselves in a cramped ship. And you’ll have space faring criminals. The rate of piracy amongst the stars has increased since the major tyrannical power of the galaxy ended. You might not have quite as many missions, but you’ll still have your battles to fight. We need a good officer that can be ready to go out there. Lord knows I can’t as much at my age.”

“I cannae say no to a good adventure easily, can I?” she said, working her way onto the ship. “Do they at least have good food in space?”

Aya grinned. “Oh… trust me. If there is one thing I can say about the Commander, she has some high standards. We’ve learned the importance of a well fed crew in space. Besides our food stores, which we will refresh on the way from the colonies, we have one of the largest and best kept hydroponics bay in the XSDF fleet. No worries there.”

“I guess you have the lass you’re lookin’ for then,” Abigail extended her hand. “What kind of title will it be anyway?”

“You’ll receive a rank promotion, as soon as the Commander approves, and be the ship’s third officer. That means you’ll need to learn up on ship protocol incase anything happened to incapacitate myself, Mr. Mason, and the Commander at the same time. And…” Aya scratched her chin. “If Mason was to… change positions for some reason, you’d likely take his position.”

“Almost sounds like you’re expecting something,” Abigail replied.

Aya shrugged. “Let’s… just say I have to be prepared. And I need people I can trust. I hope I can trust you. This might seem a bit egotistical, but… they way you lead, the risks you take, you… remind me of myself in some ways. And of an old friend in others.”

“Doesn’t sound egotistical at all, says more for me than you. For most of these lads, anyone with an old XCOM patch is a damn hero, larger than life,” she replied, rubbing the back of her neck. “I grew up gettin’ told the same legends as them too. Not that you don’t know, with my stammerin’ first we met.”

“And I’ll say again what I’ve always said to everyone. We were just happy to do our job. But I appreciate it.” Aya gave Abigail a serious look. “Listen to me, now. I want you on that ship with us. I really do. But it needs to be your choice. I need you to come with me because you want to, not because you feel obligated.”

“You’re not bullyin’ me into it, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Abby smiled, then grew more serious herself. “I feel the age creeping up on me too, though I’d never let the others tell. Not exactly retirin’ age, but just can’t sprint like a mad dog for ages now. Maybe a change of scenery would be good, aye? Like I said, I’m not great at sittin’ still for long.”

“Well… we have a nice holo-training room you’ll probably make great use of.” Aya offered her hand, a big grin on her face.

Abby shook her hand, offering up a smaller smile of her own. “Well then, shall we pick up the kids and be off? I’ll be needin’ to ask quite a few questions about this new post, probably best we’re moving while I do.”

Aya nodded, let out an apprehensive breath she had obviously had held in since she arrived.

 

[Adrammalech]

| THE WHITE HAT
| Taoming Wang
| Near King's Road
| North Point, Hong Kong, Earth
| January 14th, 2044 – 6:10 PM

Tao stopped underneath a large awning off the street, looking up at the rain stream over the edges. He pulled his phone from the pocket of his jacket and turned it on, a small green display of a phone icon and an audio visualizer popping from the screen.

“Are you at the safehouse yet?” Tao asked.

“I can look after myself,” the phone issued in a deep modulated voice. “Get on your shuttle, do not worry about me.”

“Just lay low until I have enough money to get us both somewhere quiet. Shouldn’t be long with colony pay.”

“I know how to lay low.”

“No projects, no righteous causes, no attacks…”

“I’ll just put everything in airplane mode, is that it? You know I made it two years without you even knowing, double that without your help.”

“And then what?” he growled, looking down at his shoulder.

A couple seconds of silence rolled over the line. “I’m sorry. Please stay safe.”

“I’ll be fine.”

The phone display sunk back into the screen, quickly being replaced by a hologram of a cute looking woman’s face.

“Renci, have there been any changes?”

“No, Mr. Wang. You will be expected to be aboard by tomorrow, the 15th. Would you like to see taxi services or bus schedules in your location?”

“No, thank you.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”

The display vanished back into the phone, the screen’s light blinking off as Tao put it back into his pocket. He walked out into the neon-capped streets, the local marketplace within seeming thicker than usual as the rain chased away the young and the families. The reduced population still didn’t stop the traditional manners of the side streets though, as a brusque man in a $1,000 suit rammed directly into his shoulder on his way, not even reacting to him turning towards him.

He shook his head and slipped into a small recess between the buildings, scanning side to side for anyone watching him. With a swift but understated kick, he bent the cover of one of the building’s outlying vents, taking a knee beside it. He pulled out a smaller duffel, slinging the strap onto the existing one of his laptop bag. After heaving it up, he walked back out into the market streets, trying to remember the path to the closest XSDF outpost so he could get a shuttle to the Guardian Angel.

It was a fifteen minute walk to the outpost, nothing but pouring rain and blinding street signs for most of the way. As he walked into the door, he immediately went towards the receptionist, unconcerned with the waiting room or anything else by the desk.

“Taoming Wang, I’m leaving on the Einherjar tomorrow to go to Forseti,” he stated, pulling a clean sheet of paper from his bag. “I need a shuttle to the Guardian Angel.”

“Of course, sir,” the receptionist said, looking at the paper, “take a seat, an agent will be with you shortly.”

“Thank you.”

As Tao sat in one of the cheap seats in the front of the office, his hands roamed into his pockets, running into a pebble-sized obstruction he did not recognize. He pulled out a black receiver, feeling worry creep into his mind. He used his fingernail to split open the plastic shell, a rolled up slip falling out, reading ‘I’ll be in touch.’

“…Fuck.”

 

[Adrammalech]

| THE TRANSIENT TROUBLEMAKER
| Willow “Tessa” Ryan
| XSDF Theta Outpost
| Liberty’s Reach, Progressus
| January 16th, 2044 – 11:50 PM

Jones glared across the table, looking down at the two socks and the single glove on the table and back up towards Tess, huddled tightly behind her cards. With a grin, she hooked her thumb underneath her shirt and tugged it symbolically, Tess’ eyes widening a bit.

“You know you want it, Ryan,” Jones taunted, smiling widely.

“I think you’re just nervous,” Tess thought out loud.

“I think you’re excited,” she winked.

Tess bit her lip a bit and nodded. “You’re on.”

Tess dropped her cards onto the table, their numbers in a neat and sequential line. Jones followed suit, her cards each showing the same suit. Tess dropped her head into her hands and the other three soldiers at the table cheered excitedly.

“First shows on you, Ryan,” the support grinned, leaning forward in his chair.

“And what theater it is,” Jones smirked, openly ogling her.

She crossed her arms down over her waist, only stopping when she heard a door open on the other side of the room. A man walked in and the laughing tattered off as they looked at him, standing with an officer-like cadence but with three stripes too little. He looked over at Tess sadly, and nudged his head to the side, silently asking to talk. She got up from the table and started towards him.

“Get back here soon,” Jones taunted, “you owe us a little something!”

The squad started laughing amongst themselves again as Tess walked with him to the corner of the room, both of their arms crossing subconsciously.

“Keeping busy, Tess?” he asked.

“What are you doing here, Will? You were reassigned a week ago.”

“I wanted to see you before you left. When are you going?”

“Soon, a couple of days probably, whenever the Einherjar can stop by. It’s not a big deal.”

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready? Not doing…this…”

“I’m just playing a little game.”

“Stop playing coy,” he shook his head. “You think now’s a good time to start playing strip poker in the middle of the barracks? They’re still whispering about us back there.”

“I’m leaving, what do I care?”

“I wanted to convince you to stay,” he frowned, stepping back a bit. “Do you even care? Or are you just happy enough to run away every time something bad happens to you?”

“A little less clingy boyfriend, and a lot less commanding officer please,” Tess scowled. “We got caught, we got slandered, and now it’s over. What, you want me to stick around, see if I get caught pressed up against the wall with you again?”

“I’d talk about what you meant to me, but I can see you don’t really care. I’m in deep shit too, you know? Deeper than you! And still I can only think about how my girlfriend is basically vanishing just after,” he sighed. “Just be careful out there, boo. You keep going like this and trouble’s going to be on you like a magnet. Eventually there won’t be a new colony to run to.”

“Try not to get your panties too twisted, I can handle myself…but thank you.” Tess pulled off her shirt casually and wrapped it into a ball, tossing it into his hands. “Keep it, so you don’t miss me too much.”

He gave her a confused look as she walked away with a smile, a series of juvenile cheers and whoops coming out as she got back to the table with her near-topless body. She continued carousing with her old squad, showing no worries about packing, moving, or her ex-lover vanishing through the door.

 

[Adrammalech]

| THE MAGIC WAITRESS
| Tabitha Le’talla
| Sagittarius Saloon
| Sea of Serenity, Luna
| January 14th, 2044 – 2:40 PM

It was a dull day at the bar, as were most days in human society. Almost everyone on Luna was at work, just as Tabitha was, leaving little room for stopping by Mr. Adams’ pub. Still, she couldn’t unlace her apron or unbutton her collar, for fear of someone coming in just as she did. In the middle of the empty tables was a young man with a tan complexion and ruffled black hair, bearing a whitish coat like most of the lab technicians who came in did. He smiled as she placed a small glass onto his plate and produced a clear kettle, pouring the bronze liquid inside to the rim. She then dropped a small napkin and a tiny pastry, the young man watching her crystal blue eyes all the way.

“Enjoy, Tarik,” she said politely, turning away.

“Wait,” he nearly shouted, reaching towards her, “um, are you busy?”

Tabitha looked around the bar, as if to exemplify to Tarik that he was the only one here.

“Would you sit with me for a while?” he asked.

“Mr. Adams doesn’t pay me to sit, as he is fond of saying,” she sighed.

“Ah, it’s your last day, is it not? I am sure the whip will remain sheathed tonight,” he grinned. “You wouldn’t make a man beg, would you?”

Tabitha untied and hung her apron for a moment, sitting down across from him. Although she was curious as to what he wanted, her face betrayed no emotion, and she simply stared waiting for him to get to what was on his mind.

“Are you alright? You seem…distant,” he said.

“No more than the usual,” Tabitha replied bluntly.

“R-right, sorry. I was kind of hoping for the…uh, red version today, to be honest.”

“You can’t just pick parts of me like an ice cream bar.”

“Of course! I’m not trying to…let me start over,” he said, taking a sip of tea and clearing his throat. “I wanted to say…I’m going to miss you. Adams doesn’t have the manner or skill that you do.”

“Thank you, Tarik. I will miss many people here as well. Luna was closer to home than much of my world was.”

“Have you considered staying?”

“I’ve considered everything. XSDF should be as accepting to me as the people here, and I will be able to exercise and manifest my gift without paying for it.”

“You are very frugal, and wise,” Tarik smiled, taking another cautious sip. “But what about the dangers? Far from any kind of home, on ships you are not familiar with…”

“It would not be my first time alone and drifting, I assure you,” she replied, pointing to Tarik’s untouched water. “May I?”

“Of course,” he nodded.

She sighed as she took a long sip of the room temperature water, reclining a bit in the chair as she scanned the empty room again.

“What if I suggested another way? My lab is drifting into psionics, and they would likely pay well to have you join their research team. And I have an empty bedroom…I make a wondrous baklava.”

“That’s very kind,” she smiled slightly, “but my bag is always packed. I’ll be on the ship tomorrow, for better or worse.”

“I understand,” he said. As he finished the last sip of his tea, he leaned back and pointed to the glass of water. “One more time, for the road?”

“Of course,” she chuckled.

Tabitha stood up and closed her eyes, five streams of energy flowing from behind her. They coalesced into a Tamearin-like form, looking exceptionally spirit-like and natural with flowing and aqueous instead of solid or static. The spirit cocked her arm across her chest and waved it with a great swoop, three strands of the water pulling out of the water as if they were being sucked by invisible straws. They swirled into rounded cubes of crystal ice and dropped back into the glass, splashing and clinking lightly as they cooled the rest of the water. As quick as it came, it fell apart into the threads that bound it, flying back towards her.

“Incredible,” Tarik smiled. “I will have to see what you can do once you get back. Perhaps a whole pitcher next time.”

“Of course,” she said.

A bell rang out from the door as another patron walked in, taking a seat by the window.

“Duty calls. Take care.”

“You too, Tabitha,” he nodded.

She walked towards the second customer, catching the clock out of the corner of her eye, seeing there was only a couple hours remaining until she left for the port.

 

[Adrammalech]

| THE WARLORD CONSORT
| Khorochar
| XSDF Recruitment Office
| St. Petersburg, Russia, Earth
| January 14th, 2044 – 4:30 PM

It was a fairly busy day in the St. Petersburg office, several human soldiers sitting calmly in the waiting room for their assignments, along with a couple Replitans and Tamearin trying to fit into the room. The large glass doors of the entrance banged loudly as they were pushed completely open, a Balmadaar over eight feet tall ducking underneath the transom and into the room. He clutched a small and weathered cardboard box and scanned over the room, seemingly unphased by everyone there staring at him. He looked for a bench that could accommodate his 400-pound frame, taking a cautious seat with the rest of the recruits. A few minutes later, the receptionist at the desk called across the room.

“Um…Mister Kora-char?”

The Balmadaar stood, approaching the desk with his box in hand. He gave a respectful bow before speaking, his voice spilling out in a deep and smooth bass.

“I am he, but it is ‘Khorochar,’” he replied.

“My apologies, sir,” she stammered, “I didn’t mean to offend, I’ve never seen a…I mean, not since I was a…”

“Please, pay me no mind,” he said with his hand out. “I am just an old man, wandering for purpose. I am more interested in you. How is it working for XCOM? You must be a great warrior.”

“I…well, it’s XSDF now, has been for a few years, sir. And…I’m just a receptionist.”

“But you must’ve had some sort of journey to this desk, yes? Were you wounded in combat? Grounded due to an exotic mental disorder? Psionics too dangerous for a squad? Tell me of your story.”

“Um…I worked at a life insurance company…before this,” she offered.

“’Life insurance’? I have not heard of it. Is it some form of rescue squad? Were you a medic, or a pilot?”

“I sorted medical data and determined yearly payments…in an office in Kiev for a couple years.”

“I see…still, I am sure you have some potential. I heard a clerk shot an alien on the Arkbird.”

“I believe so, yes…you sure know a lot about us.”

“Every culture has…’romantic heroes,’ I believe you would say.”

“You mean like pirates or ninjas?”

“Yes, and XCOM is that for all humans,” Khorochar grinned widely. “The pirates and ninjas of Earth, for the galaxy to imagine about.”

“I kind of feel bad,” the receptionist chuckled, scratching her head. “You know about us but I barely know anything about the Balmadaar.”

“Our culture was stolen, I’m afraid,” he replied, his smile unrelenting despite the dark declaration. “Many of our tribes believed in elites, chieftains, gods…the lines blurred at times. My mate’s mother was seen as a god of war for a time, until…”

The receptionist began to frown as his smile faltered, her eyes escaping back towards her screen and then snapping back.

“Your shuttle is ready, Mr. Khorochar,” she said with a comforting tone.

“Yes, of course.”

He shook off the creeping feeling and picked up his box. As he rifled through it, he pulled out a small figurine from the box and a business card from the tray on the desk. He took the small pen between his large fingers and dulled claws, carefully scrawling a drawing of it onto the card’s back. As he finished, he offered it to her.

“An old idol, from my tribe. Should you wish to learn more…find our ‘ninjas.’”

“I don’t know if I could, but I’d be happy to try,” she smiled.

“Your people have a confounding saying…’google it.’ I wish you luck.”

With a bow, he stowed away the figurine and sealed the box again. He walked towards the double doors leading down the XSDF hallways, pushing them open with his knee and ducking under the archway again, leaving the secretary to ponder a world of Mutons with Viking helmets or tricorne hats.

 

[Dahlexpert]

January 17 2044 3:27 pm

Marseille France

OK Noire, just get it over with yes mom may get mad but let's just get this done.

Noire enters her home with a bag on her back. Mom Dad i'm home,are you two here?

"One minute." Jean stepped out of the kitchen, some flour still covering his hands. "Hey, dear. I..." He glanced at the bag. "It... is it time?"

What! No Noire rubes her head. Dad were's mom. Eva also came out of the kitchen. What's up Noire?

Um Can I talk to you guys about some things, if it's OK.

Jean nodded. "Of course. What is it, dear?"

Um, can I talk to guys about the organization you were with before the XSDF. Can I talk to you both about XCOM?

Eva and Jean both looked at each other, and they both nod there heads in agreement.

Sure baby what ever you want.

Great so um dad since you were an engineer what was it like down there, because mom told me her story's to me when I was a kid as bed time store's. But I never learned about what you did?

Jean chuckled nervously. "Well, Noire... there isn't much to tell. Or at least nothing as exciting as your mother. I worked throughout engineering, dabbled my hands in robotics. I even helped design and android for one of the other engineers. I spent most of my time in the psionics lab with your Aunt Jeanne."

So. you created the androids and worked you worked in the psi labs. Is that were you met mom?

Jean nodded. "Yeah. I flirted with her a bit, and figured she wouldn't be interested. Turned out she was, and she... she sure caught my interest."

That's a polite way of saying that,I well treated him like a king. Eventually I grew to love him ,and I need him in my life.

Noire looked at her mom. That's sweet, but mom can I ask you something?
Of course.

What are you like when you're not holding back?

Um get your father's perspective first and then I'll tell you.Eva says nervously.

Jean chuckled. "She's like a typhoon. She blows in a leaves nothing standing. Those who dare stand in her way soon learn to regret it."

Thanks dear, yeah that's nice version of it.pretty much if I go full out,the person that triggered me to go that far, that person will not be living long.

Noire looked at Eva in amazement. Wow that's incredible, so your like a one woman army?

Well more like a army of 10 with military training.

Wow that's amazing!

So dad, when was the last time you saw mom go all out?

"The footage from the final fight with the Ethereals." Jean shook his head. "Your mother tries to stay in top condition, but we retired for a reason. She could still kick my butt, though."

You, god damn right I still can. Any way sweaty after the war was over, a week later I was pregnant with you and after you were born I decide to be a family woman and be a mom. And long and behold I got three more kids after that.

Noire smiles at both her parents. You two are really amazing, you know that.

"And so are you, Noire." Jean placed a hand on his daughters shoulder. "So... why all the questions?"

Um well, I want to join the XSDF.

Eva's eyes widen Sigh, I knew this day would come eventually. Jean you talk to her about it I need to gather my thoughts.

Noire looks at her mom. What's wrong with mom?

Jean shrugged his shoulders. "You need to understand, Noire. We view the XSDF as another XCOM. And... we did great things there. We met each other there. I'd never change that, but... but it wasn't exactly all good times. Constant fighting. Alien threats. Your mother being pushed to her limit. Your Aunt Jeanne nearly dying. She's... worried about you."

Noire looks at her mom who's in the kitchen who seems to be drinking a beer. Dad, I know mom is tough and is a amazing soldier but. I want to join to help people, I want to on other planets and also. Get people to change there views on people that are augmented.

"I know, honey." Jean grasped Noire's hands. "And... I know the XSDF is the best place to do that. We... just worry, is all. But I... I want you to do what's best for you."

I know dad but. Noire looks at Eva and looks worried. Um can you try to convince mom that me joining is a good idea, I just want her to be OK with this so can you pleas talk to her.

"Of course. Wait here." Jean stepped into the kitchen, and placed a hand on Eva's shoulder. "You okay?"

You know 24 years ago I was pregnant with our first child, I was so happy and when I finally gave birth to her she was so beautiful. I was so happy, that I finally have a family of my own a great husband and now a beautiful daughter. But in the back of my mind I knew that at some point the XSDF will try to and recruit her I would hate that day.

"I know." Jean sighed. "But... they do good things. And it's her choice. We... we should be supportive."

Sigh fine it is her choice, and even though I don't like it your right we should support her. Can you give me a minute so I can tell her that it's OK.

Jean gently kissed the back of Eva's head. "I know it is hard, Eva. But... I trust Noire. And I trust the XSDF."

Yea, I trust Noire the XSDF not so much. If Morrgian was apart of it then maybe I would trust it but at the moment I don't. Eva down the rest of her beer. Sigh i'm getting to old for this.

Eva leaves the kitchen and goes to Noir and sits on the chair. Alright, after talking with your father I decided to let you go to the XSDf.

YES! Noire jumps on to Eva and holds her tightly. Thank you mom, I promise to not let you down.

I know you wont i'm also giving you permission to go all out. onley on missions though got it?

Got it thank you mom, I love you.

I love you to. Noire goes to her dad and hugs him tightly. Thanks dad for asking mom to let me join.

"Of course. Just watch yourself out there. And don't forget to work with others." Jean glanced at his wife really quickly. "Don't go rushing into battle when you have teammates to help you out."

Right, I promise to do my best. Thanks again dad, i'll make you both proud. But can you go check on mom I don't think she likes the decision i'm going to go the XSDF recruitment center. Noire kisses Jean cheak And I promise to be careful and not charge into battle. No runs to the door and leaves.

Jean smiled lightly. He returned to Eva's side, wrapping his arms around her. "She'll be fine. I know it."

It's not that, you and I both know what the aliens are capable of. Be damned the the treaty, we know what the aliens can do how tough they are, and even though we can defiantly beat them now more then we ever could. But I still worry for her. Eva starts to tear up a little. I mean, she's our first born and i'm just worried for her is all even though I know she can handle and situation that comes her way.

"I know." Jean held Eva close. "Just... have faith. She'll be okay."

Eva squeezes Jean. Sigh your right, I have to have faith in our daughter. Sigh I just hope she comes back to us and thanks Jean for the support.

Any time." Jean sighed. "Anything I can do to make you feel better?"

Let's just drink together OK, it's been a while since we last drink. Though we should probable finish dinner. Our youngest will be coming home soon so let's finish dinner, and then just drink the night away.

Jean nodded. "You got it. Something tells me he'll like it if I tell him he can stay at his friends house tonight." Jean leaned close to Eva's ear. "I can think of something else we can do that would require some privacy..."

Eva starts to grin 25 Years and you haven't changed a bit, hum Alright pulse it's been a while since we had the house to our selves so why not.

 

[Dahlexpert]

January 28 2044 7:35 AM

Progresus

Cassia is training with her cousin Roland on Progresus. Roland swings his wooden sword at Cassia, Cassia uses her shield to block the attacks. Roland uses his left arm and punches Cassia in the face, Cassia uses that force to spin around and bashes him with her shield.


An alarm goes over Cassia phone. Cassia we have a problem!

What is it, Cassia kick Roland in his chest.

It’s your dogs, there acting up again.

There what, Cassia blocks Roland’s attack and tosses him to the side. Sorry mate but I have to go and handle my pets if you don’t mind.

Fine well train another time, and just when I was wining.

Cassia rushes to the beast pin. And sees her alien dogs acting up. Cassia uses her psionic to calm the beast down. OK easy easy good boys just relax. Cassia slowly walks towards the alien beast keeping an eye on each of them making sure none of them get behind her or surrounds her. Reave hay I sees you stay right where you are, Graves don’t you be snarling at me. Cassia sees that alien hound like creatures starting to approach her, Cassia slowly moves forward and put’s her hands on both the alien animals.

Good boy’s good boy’s, Cassia leaves the peen and turns to her supervisors. What the fuck happened that caused them to act up?

They were acting up because of me. A man wearing a suit approached Cassia.

Ou you people, what does the XSDF want with me this time?

We have a new contract for you Cassia.

Of course you do, you don’t come to me or my family for any other reasons other than for us to kill someone or to help with a colony if your security forces are low. So what kind of mission is it this time?

The planet Forsetis were having some trouble over there.

Well, it's in the far part of the Galaxy so yea you would be having trouble. I mean getting any thing over there will take weeks to long for ammo medical supplies and troops.

That's were you come in, Were putting together a task force to go to the planet Frosetis. And since you helped with building a colony before.

Sigh you need my help, I expect payment.

Of course miss Van Dam, so do we have an agreement?

I'm not agreeing to squat until I get more information, who ever this "Task force" is the need to stop here to get to Frosetis. So when they get here I will be having a word with who ever is in charge.

Sigh very well miss Van Dam, your trans port will arrive in a few months.

Great that should give me plenty of time to get ready, Thank you.

The man in a suite left Cassia office. Sigh Great another mission Sigh ou well at least it will be fun.

 

[BMPixy]

“Week -1: The Verge of History”
XSDF Battleship Einherjar
1321 Local; January 12th, 2044
Communications Room

“Anyways, I’m just saying, you’d think that with that kind of the mastery of the genome, they’d be curing fucking cancer rather than breeding dinosaurs!” Frederick shouted, slamming his fists on the table in front of him.

“Hey, dinosaurs are cooler than a cure for cancer, you can’t blame ‘em for going with that,” Elicia explained, leaning back in her seat and crossing her arms behind her head.

“Yeah, but a cure for cancer won’t eat you and then take your buddy home in one of those Chinese take-out boxes,” the Foulke replied, rubbing his temples in agitation.

“Riri, I think you’re overanalyzing thirty year old movies again,” she said. “You just gotta accept it as part of the premise. After all, if they didn’t breed dinosaurs, there’d be no park, and thus no movie.”

“Yeah, I know that,” Frederick said, “But it still irks me that they did that. Also, why are you still calling me Riri? Thought I’ve been telling you to cut that out for what, five, six years now?”

“Two reasons,” Elicia answered, “One: You’re obviously not that offended by it, since you brought it up at the tail end of your response rather than interrupt me. Zwei: It rolls off the tongue easier than Frederick, and I’m not calling you Fred or Freddy or anything like that.”

“That’s three reasons.”

“Hey, I’m just a med school dropout, you’re the double major of quantum engineering and material physics, you can do the counting. I just spray people with nanomachines until they stop dying for the moment,” she replied.

“Speaking of your employment, you said you were gonna ship out soon, right?” Frederick asked. Elicia nodded, prompting him to add, “When’s that gonna be?”

“Sometime in the next week or so.” Elicia shrugged noncommittally, and continued, “Don’t have my calendar on me, so I can’t give you the exact day.”

“Forseti, right?” Frederick grabbed a quick sip from his drink, and said, “That’s pretty far off the beaten path. Hope you guys don’t plan on trying to get there in just a few jumps.”

Elicia shook her head, and replied, “Nah, I heard we’re gonna be making a few stops along the way, pro’lly for supplies and the like. I think Progressus and Novum are on the itinerary, though don’t quote me on that.”

“Damn, if you were headed by Megha I’d ask you to pass a package along to one of my old flatmates there. Bastard ordered it a few months back, then left on his work-study before he could pick it up.” Frederick gave a resigned shrug. “Oh well, just gotta find another way to get it there.”

“What did he order?” Elicia asked, cocking her head slightly.

“Ah, er…” Frederick’s face flushed slightly, and scratched the back of his head uncertainly. “Not something I’m, uh, willing to talk about on a channel that’s likely being monitored.”

“Oh, that kind of thing…” Elicia winced involuntarily at the thought, before shaking her head dismissively. “Well, hopefully you’ll be able to find some way of getting it to him. Oh, yeah, almost forgot: since I’ll be out of system for a while, we’re gonna have to cut back on our weekly chats.”

“Of course,” he replied, “I’m sure that there’ll be plenty of other people needing the relay bandwidth, don’t want to hog it all up ourselves. Any idea on what kind of modified schedule we’re looking at?”

“I dunno, it’ll probably just be whenever I can find time.” Elicia gestured to indicate the situation was out of her hands, before resting them back behind her head.

“Great, I’ll have to find something else to fill this timeslot now,” Frederick bemoaned. “Finally got my schedule set up where every waking moment is productive, then this happens.”

“Such is life,” she said. “Maybe you could, I dunno, go out and stop focusing on productivity so much? You’re in your twenties, Riri, it’s supposed to be the time where you get out into your life and experiment, have fun, make mistakes and get stronger for them!”

“I swear, if this turns into another tirade about why I haven-” Frederick muttered.

“Hell, you haven’t even had a single significant other in your life! Seriously, are you even trying to live?”

The man palmed his face annoyedly, lowering his gaze as he replied, “We’ve been over this half a hundred times now, I’ve been too busy with my classes, my theses, helping the postdocs out with their work, and keeping myself fed and rested to have much of a social life. Double majors are hard work, Elise.”

“Yeah, and you’re gonna burn yourself out if you keep working that hard! Do I need to show you the rope metaphor again?” Elicia asked. “It’s especially concerning, as with me out of the picture, all the social contact you’ll have is with the other labbies and eggheads.”

“And that’s bad how?” Frederick queried.

“August 14th, 2039,” the blonde replied, giving herself a satisfied smirk.

“Alright, fine, fine, I’ll see about getting some lads together for a pub crawl,” the other replied, waving his hand dismissively.

“Good. I’m prescribing for you to do that once a week, party size of no smaller than four, minimum alcohol intake of say… 500 milliliters? Yeah, that sounds about right.”

“Hey, you aren’t licensed!” the Foulke protested, “I’ll sue you for malpractice if this turns out bad!”

“Oh please, whenever have I been wrong about that kind of thing?” Elicia replied smugly, folding her arms over her chest.

“Well, there was that one ti-”

“Oh, look at the time, I gotta get going!” Elicia interrupted hastily. “I’ll see you next week, bye!”

“Wait, wha-” Frederick managed to stutter out before the line went dead. Slowly Elicia let out a small sigh, and stood from her chair, shaking her head. God that night was horrible, why’d he have to bring it up? she thought as she made her way out of the communications room. Then again, I did bring up the dihydrogen difluoride incident, so I guess it wasn’t entirely undeserved. Oh well, is about the time where I normally hit the gym, probably for the best I cut it off there.

Shrugging noncommittally, Elicia stepped into the elevator. As she leaned back against the wall, the lift began to slowly slide down the rails, prompting the soldier to close her eyes and listen to the quiet humming of the ship. Don’t worry Elise, he’ll be alright without his big sis to keep an eye on him. Just relax, you’ve got a big quest ahead of you. Everything else will sort itself out in time. As if on cue, the lift doors slid open, and Elicia stepped out of the elevator, her normal half-smirk splayed across her face as she began walking down the halls of the ship.

 

[BMPixy]

“Week -1: Raise the Standard”
Seikronyr Consulate, Forseti
0813 Local; January 9th, 2044 / 72.3135
Office of Tak-sharu kan Katesch

Tak-sharu leaned forward, resting his head momentarily on his splayed out fingers, the metallic digits slowly drawing away the heat from his jaw. Slowly he breathed in, holding the breath for a moment, before releasing it. Now slightly more relaxed, Tak-sharu sat straight, typed in a last few hieroglyphs into the computer before him, and tapped a button on the screen in front of him. A few seconds later, the computer displayed a translated version of his message, and Tak-sharu began the arduous process of correcting the grammar issues.

“No, the inclusive or there,” he muttered, tapping a few more keys on the console. Really should invest in an English keyboard, would spare me the trouble of having to submit to these thrice-cursed machine translations… Tak-sharu idly thought. But then I’d have to justify the expense on the reports, have Nitetis-dhul send one of his lackeys to perform the necessary conversion, and have to deal with the inevitable bugs that occur when two different species’ tech collides with only adhesive and hope to keep it together. Thrice-cursed incompatible operating systems...

A gentle buzz echoed from the door, and Tak-sharu took a brief pause from his grammar checking to bring up the external camera. Noting the familiar faces on the other end of the camera, the consul flicked his arm across the touchscreen, unlocking the door.

“I graciously thank you for your presence,” Tak-sharu said with a sense of practiced humility as his two guests entered the room, the door sliding shut behind them.

“And we thank you for allowing us into yours,” the two other Seikronyr replied, slightly out of sync with each other as they laid down in front of the desk that filled the back of the room.

“Though I will note that your request for meeting prevented me from beating my personal simulator record, Tak-sharu-hiba,” the more obviously augmented Seikronyr added, her whiskers flickering in slight agitation.

“My apologies, Osahar-ba,” Tak-sharu replied, lowering his head briefly. “I hope the news I plan to share alleviates the annoyance of such a loss.”

“Let me guess, you have more news regarding the XSDF’s arrival?” the third Seikronyr asked.

“No,” Tak-sharu said, leaning forward over the desk with a mischievous look in his eyes. “It instead concerns our meeting on Novum shortly after the new sonada begins, Nitetis-dhul.”

“What,” Nitetis said flatly, locking gazes with Tak-sharu.

“Your comedy is becoming less tasteful, Tak-sharu-hiba,” Osahar growled. “It is one thing to consort with xenos, but to actively seek them out? You best have had this approved by High Command first.”

“Of course, Osahar-ba,” Tak-sharu replied, “All of this has been approved well in advance by High Command. Wouldn’t have had this meeting if that were not the case.”

“Very well, though I have little interest in this arrangement,” the MEC trooper said, relaxing slightly.

“How interesting, considering that you’ll be my escort for this endeavor.” The diplomat chuckled slightly, while Osahar shot to an alert position once more, sputtering for words.

“W-what!?” she barked. “Tak-sharu-hiba, this is ins-”

“‘The purpose of the consulate garrison is to ensure the safety of the consul first’,” Tak-sharu quoted from the display in front of him. “‘This includes escort when the consul must head off-planet for any duration of time longer than two days.’ I’m fairly certain that we’ll be gone longer than two days, do you concur Nitetis-dhul?”

The scientist closed his eyes and grunted in affirmation, replying, “Yes. I suppose you will also wish to travel in my presence as well, and I shall have to preemptively say no.”

“Ah, but the adventure, and the foreign te-” the Hibaya caste member began to say, but Nitetis interrupted him.

“We are in the middle of several crucial experiments, and I do not wish to leave them under any supervision but my own,” he said, sitting ramrod straight and looking down at the smaller male. “Though I shall have to take some time to modify Osahar-ba’s cyber-suit to be able to handle XSDF hardware.”

Osahar laid her arms out in acceptance, and responded, “Very well, and I suppose you’ll also have to remove the non-essential proprietary tech as well?” Upon hearing Nitetis’s grunt of affirmation, she added, “Very well, just make sure to avoid resetting my kill counter. Only way to prove to those thrice-cursed fools that I am combat effective against psions.”

“It should only require a few hardware modifications, and only a few software changes to sort out compatability issues. It shouldn’t take more than a few days to complete,” Nitetis said.

“Speaking of modifications, Nitetis-dhul,” Tak-sharu interrupted, “You might want to have a few of your subordinates make some slight modifications to the HEAP round: we’ve been authorised to sell the plans to the XSDF upon our arrival, and I don’t want any issues like the round being too large for the chamber.”

“Duly noted, we should be able to remove issues given a few days. I’ll patch it over the neural network to you when it is finished.” Nitetis paused, and added, “Also, try to purchase any AI-related tech in addition to High Command’s shopping list. It would be… most favorable if you did so.”

“I will make sure to keep that in mind.”

“And, as protocol dictates, need I remind you both of the Three Great Foreign Policies?” the scientist asked, glancing quickly at each of his his compatriots, seeking confirmation.

“There are no Seikronyr with psionic capability,” Osahar replied.

“There is no fifth caste,” Tak-sharu added.

“Seikronyr capital ship sensors run on proprietary tech, which cannot be sold nor examined for reasons of national security,” Osahar continued.

“The fabrication of evidence otherwise on these matters will be considered a crime on par with treason,” Tak-sharu finished.

“Good,” Nitetis said, nodding in approval. “Just ensure your familial situations don’t influence you to insinuate otherwise.”

“We are no traitors, Nitetis-dhul,” Osahar replied with a slight expression of discomfort. “I have only two children, and Tak-sharu was an only child. That is the truth of the matter.”

“With that,” Tak-sharu interrupted, “I believe that concludes most of our business. Osahar-ba, if you’ll let the ground crew know to begin preparing the ship for the journey, that would be most appreciated. Otherwise, you are both clear to resume your day.”

Both of the other Seikronyr grunted in agreement, and stood from their position, making their way out of the door. Tak-sharu sighed slightly, glancing out at the wall-projection of the burgeoning Forseti skyline. However, before he could let himself get caught in the admiration of life on a planet, he shook his head and got back to work.

Not like these grammar errors are going to correct themselves, he mused silently. After all, it would be a rude surprise were we to show up unannounced over foreign territory.

 

[BMPixy]

“Week -1: Dramatis Personae”
XSDF Battleship Einherjar
1312 Local Time; January 10th, 2044
Recreation Room

“Y’know, there’s three types of aces. There’s those who seek strength, those who live for pride, and those who can read the tide of battle. Those are the thr-”

“Oh, would you can it with that whole ‘three aces’ thing Vince?” Hayden interjected annoyedly, taking the chance to idly toss a peanut at the pilot in question. “There’s more types than that.”

“If you are so illuminated on the subject, why don’t you share them with us, Nelson?” Lindberg shot back, as he reached down to grab the peanut off the floor and tossed it back on the table.

“It’s simple,” Hayden replied, leaning over the table and beginning to count on her fingers as she spoke. “There’s those aces who take the enemy head-on. There’s the ones who can turn any situation into one favorable to them. Then there’s the ones who control the situation from the very start. Lastly, there’s the ones who simply stand strong against the waves, waiting for the right moment to act. Those are the different types of aces.”

“Puh-shaw,” Vincent snorted dismissively. “There’s more to an ace then how they fly. It’s about how they think, not just whether they check to make sure they have an advantage going in or not.”

No, both of you are overcomplicating it, Jefferson interrupted. There are only two types of aces: the dead, and the soon to be dead.

“Ooh, and then we have Edge here with the continual reminder of our impending mortality,” Hayden said mockingly, prompting a short chuckle from Vincent.

The keen reminder that I will die helps keep me alive, the Sectoid replied with a noncommittal shrug. I do not go in with the foolish assumptions that I am immortal and am naturally more skilled than my foes, unlike certain pilots I could mention.

“Oh, Jeff with the fox two on Don!” Vincent cried out in shock, leaning over and slapping Hayden on the back, whom was now blushing furiously. “Where’s your countermeasures, buddy?”

“Q-quiet, you,” she stammered, her brow furrowing in rage.

“And that’s a confirmed kill for our Li’l Grey Friend,” Lindberg said, leaning back in his seat and taking a sip of his drink. “So LaLa, you’ve been awfully quiet on this whole matter,” he added, nodding at their silent comrade. “What’s your view on the types of aces?”

“Edge is right, there’s only two types of aces,” Lawrence replied with a measured tone indicating he had been thinking on this matter the whole time. “But what they are is where I differ. The two types of aces are as follows: those who become legends, and those who don’t. Because, let’s face it, how many of you remember the famous French ace René Fonck?”

After looking over the perplexed faces of his wing-mates, Lawrence shook his head and continued. “But you do remember Manfred von Richtofen, the ace whose sole claim to fame was painting his plane red and getting five more kills than Fonck,” he said. “Thus, my point. Either you become a legend, or you don’t. No in-betweens, nothing else matters. Either you find glory in the skies, or you become doomed to obscurity, no matter how you fly, how you think, or if you survive. The sole measure of an ace’s worth is through their legacy.” A moment of silence fell over the group as Laforge finished.

“Well, someone’s obviously been spending too much time thinking and not enough training,” Vincent interrupted brashly.

“Bah, just consider it the musing of an old, blind man,” Lawrence replied with a dismissive wave of the hand.

“Please, you’re not old until you start sprouting grey hairs,” Hayden said. “Advice my father always told me.”

“I’m incapable of growing hair due to the incident that cost me my eyes,” Lawrence deadpanned.

“O-oh… I’m sorry ‘bout that,” Hayden replied timidly, covering her mouth as she hastily averted her eyes.

“Nah, it’s all good, I’m just messing with you,” Laforge reassured, a small chuckle escaping from his lips as he gently tugged at his baseball cap.

“Jeez Hayden, you’re really getting shot up today,” Vincent quipped.

Not unlike her first sim as part of Bone Arrow flight, Jefferson added, his relaxed expression at odds with the cutting edges of his words.

“Hey, I was going for a target of opportunity, I sure as hell didn’t know there were twelve hundred SAMs hiding in that village,” Hayden retorted, desperately tried to defend herself.

“Except for the fact that it was on the mission briefing, they were clearly marked on radar, and I was screaming warnings at you during your whole dive,” Lawrence countered, prompting Hayden to growl menacingly. “I’m just saying.”

“And then you end up crashing into a windmill, and when combined with your love of Arthurian legends, it forever branded you Don Quixote,” Vincent finished. “Gotta admit, that was one of my cleverer moments.”

“I swear to god I’m going to murder you all,” Hayden muttered a little louder than she planned, prompting a short chorus of laughter from her fellow pilots.

“Don’t worry, the ribbing will fade eventually,” Lawrence said, taking a sip of his drink. “Hell, took these guys what, four or five months to quit making Star Trek and X-Men jokes about me?”

“Yeah, don’t get so heated Don, it’s all in good nature. Well, from me and LaLa at least, not sure about Edge, he might be serious about it,” Vincent added, shooting a way gaze at the Sectoid in question.

I am a Type One, Vega, I am merely acting in jest. If I were a Type Three, on the other hand… Jefferson said, trailing off menacingly.

“You’d be scampering in the vents, rubbing your greasy paws together while hatching your latest ‘master plan’ to destroy your enemies forever,” Lawrence finished.

No, I’d be striding across the battlefield as something not unlike a god, smiting my foes with fury of tamed star, driving them away in rout, and hearing the lamentations of their civilians, Jefferson replied, his eyes glinting as he fantasized over that alternate universe.

“And that’s why we call him Edge,” Vincent explained to Hayden. “What’s next, you’re gonna teleport in behind their leader, whisper ‘nothing personal, kid’, and then stab them with a katana? Or are you gonna paint your suit black and red, go by the name Death Dealer, and play nu metal the entire time you fight?”

Silence fool! You know not the horrors you invite upon yourself! Edge shot back, standing and locking eyes with Vincent.

“Fight me, right now!” Vincent roared, shooting up from his seat. “I’ll fucking cut you!”

A moment of silence passed between the two, as tensions palpably rose. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the two broke down laughing, Vincent pounding the table with his fist while Jefferson fell on his back, the two cackling up a storm. After a moment, even Lawrence joined in, leaving Hayden to glance desperately between the three, a look of shock and confusion plastered on her face for all to see.

Ah, this is Bone Arrow, Lawrence thought, rubbing his visor out of the reflex for wiping away tears. This is the banter we get to look forward to for the rest of our careers. God, Hayden’s probably gonna have an aneurysm after a year of this. But hey, it’ll pro’lly be funny when it happens at least. Feel bad for the rest of Phoenix Squadrons, they’ll have to deal with our shit day in and day out. But hey, such is life.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Ascension
Part 1

Newcastle Airport, Newcastle, Australia
5:23 PM, January 6th, 2044

“I still find it laughable,” the cripple grumbled. “We go through all this airport security and no one seems to give a shit who they’re dealing with.”

Samantha, walking beside him, merely patted him on the shoulder. “They aren’t the ones that need to know. So they don’t.”

Isaac sighed, pushing the wheels of his wheelchair forward. “Yeah, yeah. I guess I just miss the sly wink of the paid-off security guard, the guy at the metal detector suddenly realizing his shoelace is undone at the exact moment my luggage goes through.”

“Back in your day?” Samantha giggled.

He barked a laugh. “Very true,” he said, “very true.”

The two stopped at the waiting area, Isaac parking the wheelchair next to the seats while Samantha sat down. She reached over and grabbed his weathered hand, grasping it. He grasped back, making her smile. “So. Space?”

“Yeah. Space.”

“Not exactly where I pictured my life going.”

That brought a scoff from the old man. “Never bloody is. Expect the unexpected, and all that.”

Samantha nodded, then frowned. “Did you lock the doors before we left?”

Isaac rolled his eyes. “Yes.”

“Windows?”

“We never open them, they’ve been locked for years.”

“Oven’s off?” She held up her hands when he turned an incredulous expression on her. “What?”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I don’t want to have to fill out a shittonne of insurance papers after we come back, alright?”

“Like we need insurance.”

The Huntress shook her head. “I don’t like relying on the Overseer for our livelihood.”

“Which is why you volunteered for an active role in the military, right?”

“… you’re still upset.”

Isaac flung his hands upwards, and let them fall to his armrests again. “No, no, not at all. Not in the least bit upset that one of the few people I still care about that remains alive is insisting on joining a cruise to a sector of space infested with pirates and who knows what else.”

“You didn’t have to come,” Samantha responded somewhat haughtily. “You could have stayed at home.”

“And do what? Sit around moping?” Isaac made a pschtt noise. “Fuck that.”

The look she gave him screamed ‘are you serious?’ “I know how much you hate official stuff, and how much you hate being the Overseer’s representative. Why not ask Samson to do it instead? Or-“

This time he outright laughed. “Samson? A representative?” He laughed again. “I’d pay to see that.”

The Huntress pouted. “You know what I meant.”

“I do, and I disagree.” Isaac shifted in his chair. “Like I said, what’s the alternative? Either I sit around at home doing jack shit…” He turned his head to look at her. “… or I do something productive close to you. Which would you prefer?”

“The last one, obviously.”

“Just don’t expect me to take you out for any candlelit dinners, if what I hear about the current Commander is correct.”

“Strict?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Joy.”

“Hey, maybe it’ll stop the baby boom from originating before the war even ends this time.”

Samantha visibly recoiled. “Please don’t.”

Isaac cackled, but ceased talking, instead turning his head to gaze out at the plane they were to board. They’d go from this airport to another in Sydney, and from there into orbit. And from there to the Einherjar, the vessel serving as a mobile base for the duration of the operation. And from there they’d go to Forseti. He exhaled. “We’ve got quite the trip ahead of us.”

“Yep.”

“I’m too old for this shit.”

“Then go home.”

“No.”

“Then shut up.”

Isaac cracked a smile. “Yes ma’am.”


*

Sydney, Australia, Earth
9:18 AM, January 7th, 2044

Penny attempted to close her eyes when the light shone in her face. Problem was, her eyes were already closed. Instead she turned away, groaning. The person responsible turned back to her and frowned.

“Oh, come on. Rise and shine! Today’s the day! Up you get,” he said, moving to the bed and lightly tugging her arm.

“Bugger off Charles,” she mumbled, drawing the sheets up to her head.

Charles merely laughed. “You can’t seriously be that tired. We weren’t up that late.”

“… strenuous activity…” the tired scientist muttered, making no move to raise from her slumber.

Her husband tilted his head, and sighed. “Well, we know who was doing all the work then.” He prodded her bare back. “C’mon. Up.” He dodged the half-hearted swat of the hand, and prodded her again. “We’re on a schedule, remember.”

Penny groaned again, but began lifting herself up. “When’s the flight leave?”

“Three hours.”

She immediately flopped back onto the bed. “Why would you wake me up now then?”

Charles stared at her, before shaking his head and resorting to poking her back again. “Because it’s nearly twelve, and we need to be there a few hours in advance?”

She was silent for a moment, before turning her head slightly and half opening her eyes. “… it’s that late?”

Her husband glanced at the digital clock sitting on the table on his side. “Yeah.”

“Son of a-“ Now resigned to being awake, Penny rose and swung her legs off the side of the bed, standing up and stretching, all the while Charles attempting to avert his gaze and failing miserably. She checked her phone to see if it had fully charged, then yanked it off the cable once she’d determined it had. Something on the screen, however, made her pause. She swiveled on her heels back to Charles. “You said it was twelve!” she said indignantly, showing him a screen that quite clearly said ‘9:23’.

Her husband desperately attempted to make eye contact. “You needed a boot up the ass,” he said, meekly.

Penny shook her head. “You’re a bastard,” she said, moving to the wardrobe and selecting a few items to cover herself. “And a pervert,” she added.

“I do remember promising to be true to my nature when we got married.”

“I didn’t say I was complaining,” she said, slipping a shirt on and winking at him.

Charles grinned. “And that’s why I married you.”

“Couldn’t find anyone else that could deal with your shit?”

“There was that, too.”

She huffed and left, making her way to the kitchen. “What do we have for breakfast?” she asked.

Her husband followed her out. “Weet Bix or toast. That’s about it.”

Sighing, Penny took the toast, tossing it in the toaster and grabbing the last remnants of the butter from the fridge. “Remind me why we’re doing this again?”

Charles shrugged. “It’s basically stuff we’ve done before. It earns us brownie points with the boss. We get to go together...”

“So far you haven’t said anything good.”

“The pay’s decent.”

Penny stopped, holding her plate, and considered briefly. “Yeah, that’ll about do it.” She shook her head as she sat down, and began consuming her toast. “I just hope we aren’t signing up for another war.”

Her husband huffed. “Nah. We’re civilians, anyway. Can always request a transfer back if things escalate.”

“No, I mean…” She tapped her fingers together thoughtfully. “They’re clearly taking this seriously. Why else would the Commander herself go? And why would they ask for us? We’re weaponry scientists, not like they just want us to invent new light switches or something.”

Charles stepped behind her and began rubbing her shoulders. “You worry too much.”

“You mean I think too much.”

He moved his hands to her neck. “You overthink, yes. Is that a bad thing? No. It means you’re prepared, is all.”

“It means I’m paranoid as shit.” She glanced over her shoulder. “But I suppose ‘overthinking’ is better than not thinking at all.”

“Exactly,” her husband said. “You’ve got a brilliant brain in that head of yours, Pen. It’d be a waste for you not to use it.”

Penny smiled and leaned back slightly. “Thanks. You’re not too dumb yourself.”

Charles laughed. “Bah. We both know who the smarter one is here.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Still a charmer.”

“Nice to see I haven’t lost my touch,” he said, patting her on the back and moving back towards their bedroom. “I’m going to get my stuff together,” he said, disappearing inside.

Penny merely nodded and returned to her meal, chewing the heated bread slowly. Part of her would enjoy the challenge, really. Expanding on her old work. Refining it. Perfecting it. Surpassing it.

She frowned, remembering exactly what her research was for. And hopefully never needing it.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Ascension
Part 2

Einherjar, XSDF Battleship
10:15 AM, January 7th, 2044

“Watch the edges,” Isaac warned as the worker pushed his wheelchair out of the aircraft and onto the hangar floor. “Jesus Christ, what was that?” he demanded. “Were you trying to give me a goddamn heart attack? Throw me over the side?”

The worker flinched from the sudden tirade. “Sorry, sir, I was trying to be gentle-“

“Try harder next time,” the cripple snapped, grabbing hold of his wheels and pushing himself forward, away from the unfortunate worker.

Samantha, following him out, shook her head. “Don’t mind him,” she said. “He’s just jetlagged.”

"From what?" The worker glanced between the two passengers, before rolling his eyes and giving up. “I’ve got a job to do,” he muttered, moving away to begin the refueling process.

Isaac turned around to check to see if Samantha was following him, then stopped when he saw her folded arms. “What?”

“You’re a horrible person.”

He shrugged. “I’ve got a stereotype to reinforce.”

She tilted her head. “Was that supposed to be a justification, or agreement?”

“Touché.” The cripple turned his head to examine the rest of the hangar. “Uh… the bloody hell are we supposed to be going?”

“Same place as us, I think,” came a voice not far away. It belonged to his daughter, who was striding towards them alongside her husband with a grin on her face. “Didn’t realize you’d be here,” she said, embracing him in the chair.

He merely laughed. “How’ve you been? Haven’t seen you properly for months!” Without waiting for an answer, he snaked his head around her and examined the space around them. “Where’s my grandchildren?”

Penny pulled back immediately. “What?”

Her father stared at her. “You’re not seriously telling me I don’t have grandchildren yet.”

“Dad!”

Charles interjected. “We’re not quite sure we’re ready for anything like that just yet.”

“Why the hell not? I need someone to call ‘whippersnapper’.”

Penny’s face hadn’t lost its faint red colour. “What business is it of yours?”

Isaac shrugged. “Well, you know. Even with all the medical advances we’ve been making…” He pointed at her stomach. “… you’re running out of time.”

“Isaac!” Samantha admonished.

“What?”

His daughter smiled, trying to ignore her father’s pushing. “Sam, how are you? Still putting up with this prick?”

Samantha spread her hands. “He can push me around verbally, but I get to do it to him physically. It evens out.” She frowned, a thought crossing her mind. “Why are you two here, anyway?”

“We could ask you the same question,” Charles said, eying Isaac’s fake leg. “We’re here for weapons R&D.”

“Again,” Penny added.

“I’m here to make sure the Overseer’s interests aren’t shafted,” Isaac said. He indicated Samantha. “She’s here to recapture her lost youth.”

Samantha narrowed her eyes at him. “Lost?”

He turned around, and looked her up and down, his gaze lingering on her hips and chest. “You’re no trophy wife, I’ll tell you that.” He merely laughed when she smacked him in the back of the head. “Alright, enough banter. We should probably get processed and all that. Who do we go to?”

Penny shrugged. “No idea. I’m looking for Tanaka. I think you’d be looking for Brea.”

Isaac nodded. “Alright, alright.” His face took on an odd expression. “Wait, Brea? Not as in Aya Brea, the old Central officer?”

“That’s the one.” His daughter frowned. “Why, what’s wrong?”

Isaac ran a hand through his hair. “We didn’t… get off on the best start,” he said. “Between her and the Commander…”

“I’ll protect you, don’t worry,” said Samantha, patting him on the back.

“I may need it,” he said worriedly.

 

[Alzdude28]

0530 - December 14th 2043

Somewhere in Northern Canada, Earth


The rabbit struggled in the snare. Al came across the creature early on the last morning of the winter survival exercise. For the past 7 days the recruits had been scattered across the mountains, with only the equipment they could fit in a small rucksack, a transponder and an emergency beacon. Al was in his element. He had been born on a mountain, in dense snow a little over 6.5 lightyears from where he was now. The training had been gruelling, and most recruits feared the final survival exercise most of all. For Al it was like he’d returned home. Later as he sat by a small cooking fire, watching the rabbit cook he found himself looking into the smoke and seeing scenes from his childhood rise unbidden. Fishing in the underground lakes, hunting in the high pastures… and the day his village was destroyed. He rose, snached the rabbit from the flames and turned away, repressing the memories once more. It had been more than 80 years. For the humans that would be ancient history. After finishing breakfast he went about his daily routine, reset and bait traps, gather wood, repair the burrow. Unless there was a blizzard and the Skyranger couldn’t land he wouldn’t be needing any of this any more, but it always payed to be prepared. After that, he settled into the largest part of the exercise. Waiting. He lay back against the wall of the burrow he had dug into the snow and picked up the bone flute he had carved during the first few days. Soon the haunting melodies of Styx Prime were carried by the wind over the unforgiving mountains.



1100 - December 20th 2043

Moscow, Russia, Earth


Al was standing to attention in his No. 1 Uniform (custom manufactured, there were no other drakes in the XSDF. Or Earth itself to his knowledge.) at the passing-out ceremony of his training battalion. At 2.25 meters Al towered above the majority of the unit, with only an Ardenian coming close. Needless to say, Al had never quite felt that he fitted in. The others were friendly enough, but there was always something that never felt right. He had no great qualms about leaving the battalion. The ceremony dragged on, Al had never liked Earth customs. Too much talking, for too long. It didn’t help that his English was far from perfect, and his Russian consisted of a handful of curses and the word “водка”. He didn’t feel that he needed any more. When each finger is tipped in a long claw, saying “please” was not required. At last the training officer pronounced them all “Private, First Class” and they were free to move around again, returning the blood to their legs.


1800


The party was getting underway when a Sergeant approached Al and told him that the C.O. wanted to see him. As he left the barracks he saw that a fresh layer of snow was falling.

The C.O. was waiting in his office. Al saluted and she gestured for him to take a seat. “Transfer orders. Someone up there has been watching you.”

“Where do they want me?”

“You’ve been selected to join the Einherjar. Shuttle to the Guardian Angel leaves at 0700 on the 22nd. There’ll be a transport waiting for you at 2200 tomorrow. From there you’ll fly out to Einherjar on the 1st of January. The commander there will fill you in on any further details. As far as I know you’re bound for Forseti.”

“Ma’am” Al saluted again, taking the envelope containing his new orders and leaving. It wouldn’t take him long to pack. He didn’t have much.


1430 GMT

31st December 2043

O.S.S. Guardian Angel, Earth Orbit.


Al walked out towards the shuttle with a duffle bag, containing uniform, wash kit and a handful of personal effects, slung over a shoulder. He was among a crowd of others heading for the Einherjar. Technicians, Engineers, Scientists and one or two soldiers. Under the wing a Japanese pilot in the uniform of an XSDF interceptor stepped out to greet them. “All those coming aboard Einherjar, I am Senior Aircraftsman Takigawa Hideyoshi. I’m flying your fighter cover today. We don’t expect any trouble, and we haven’t for a very long time, but the higher-ups decided that there wasn’t a more useful task.” He imitated a steward. “Our flight time will be approximately 5 hours, in the unlikely event of an emergency, hang on tight, and hope that either me or your pilots can get you out of it.” With that he turned and climbed into the SL Collector that was waiting in the next launch bay.

The passengers then started filing into the shuttle. Al silently cursed the designers of the shuttle. The hatch was a foot or two shorter than him. He was yet to find a human-made door that he didn’t have to duck through. He settled into a seat next to a young woman in civilian clothing. As he tried to get comfortable in a seat made for someone far smaller than him she cleared her throat nervously. “Excuse me, if you don’t mind me asking, what species are you? I’ve never seen anyone quite like you before.”

“Drake. From Styx Prime.”

“Fascinating, I’m Brienne. Brienne Martinson. I’m joining the engineering department.” At this Al just grunted and closed his eyes. Brienne could see that there was no point in trying to carry on a conversation.

As the brief conversation concluded, in the next launch bay the fighter pilot readied his ships. Hideyoshi went through the familiar checklists. He powered up and tested each system, then when satisfied he radioed to the controller “Guardian control, Goose Five Two Zulu, request launch.”

“Goose Five Two Zulu, Guardian control, launch approved. Cleared to enter the launch tube. Advise when ready.”

“Roger Two Zulu cleated tubes, will advise.” Hide put the main engines into idle, and connected to the catapult. “Two Zulu, ready for launch.”

“Control, Launch system initiated, departure procedure Delta, Have a good flight.” The machinery in the bay moved the Scout-ship into the launch tube. The doors sealed behind and the tube began to depressurize. Hide flexed his fingers on top of the controls, waiting for the external hatch to open. As it slid aside, revealing the stars beyond, the catapult engaged, propelling the Collector out into space. Hide fired up the main engine once he was clear of the Guardian Angel, and waited for the shuttle to undock.



0145

1st January 2044

Einherjar


By now the shuttle had docked and the hangar had repressurized. Al watched as the hatch opened, to reveal the inside of the Einherjar. Technicians were running across the deck, carrying fuel lines and umbilicals. Across the deck a weapons team was rearming a Seraph. He stepped out of the shuttle and made his way to the airlock to the rest of the ship. He set off to find the Quartermaster, to collect his gear and find out where his bunk was. He had a good feeling about this voyage.

 

[PrismaCube]

A rather disappointing start to my journey.


Germany, Berlin
Alexander's Bedroom
Jan. 8th 2044 23:34

Sitting at his table very late at night Alexander was examining a white object under his magnifying glass from his sketching table. In his right cybernetic hand he had a small plier, carefully holding a wire with it and moving with the beat of his own heart and the movement of his breathing. More steadier than a sniper he attached the wire into a port inside the white object. Slowly leaning back he admired his work.

“If all went well, according to my plan…” Alexander took out a car battery from under his table and hooked it up to several wires that were poking out of the white object. Putting on a welding mask and some safety gloves for safety Alexander turned on the battery and waited. On the side of the white object a small blue bar started to glow bright and a small electric sound could be heard, flowing through the wires almost like a heartbeat. Removing the welding mask and gloves Alexander swiped some sweat away from his forehead, leaving a small oil print behind. Leaning back in his chair and looking at the ceiling the only thing he managed to say was. “It worked…”

As Alexander stood up out off his chair he grabbed his guitar from the side of his desk and walked towards the window. A small chip glowing slightly a light blue was hovering above a small hover platform that stood on the edge of the window frame. Alexander observed the chip and smiled.

“I’m getting ever more closely. Soon it is time to wake up from your slumber, you have been sleeping for a while after all.” Sitting down on the side of bed Alexander started to tune his guitar.

“My dad always sung this to me when I was younger. It is a common song, and although I do not believe in god, this song means a lot to me, it has a much deeper meaning if you think about it. I hope you will like it as much as I have.” Alexander strums the guitar once.

“Rufus was not the first to sing it. But in my opinion he did it the best. This sounds much better on the keyboard by the way, okay here we go.”

The silence broke with the song of the guitar, the player only lit by the moonlight and the street lights from outside. Snow falling down and the wind softly howling through the night. “I’ve heard there was a secret chord…”


The following morning Alexander walked outside into the snow in his bathrobe to pick up his mail, getting the newspaper out of the mailbox with one hand while drinking his hot coffee with the other. The Newspaper read the following:

*Jan. 9th 2044*
Does Virtual Reality make your kids stupid? Find out this and more on page 4.

Alexander sighed at the headline and tuged the newspaper under his arm. “More paper for the furnace…” Going through his mail while walking back to his house Alexander noticed a small floating cube following him.

“Aecu! What are you doing out here? Get inside now!” The small floating cube made a bunch of electric noises that almost sounded like a laugh before floating back inside the house. “That silly Cube.” Once inside the house Alexander got dressed and started to pack his stuff for his big trip to his new job. This would be the first time Alexander would leave earth, he knew he would be gone for a long time so he made sure to pack everything that was needed. “Aecu do me a favor, while I’m out visiting mother could you make sure that everything I out on my bed is also on the list of things I need to take along? After that you can surf the web for the rest of the day” The small floating cube responded with a quick beep and floated off. Locking the door Alexander got into his car and drove off to the hospital.

A small knock on the door of room #107.

“Come in.” An old voice responded. Alexander entered the room with a small smile. “Hello Mother.”

“Oh, Alexander, I thought you were already in space.”

With a small laugh Alexander responses. “Next week mother, I will be going on the Einherjar to start my new job as the lead engineer.”

“Would you look at that, I bet your father would be proud. Our own son lead engineer of a spaceship. Forty years ago I would never have thought that would even be possible.”

“Me neither mother.” Alexander smiles.

“You were not even alive forty years ago.” Alexander's Mother smiled back.

Alexander sat down beside his mother and held her hand.

“You will be alright without me mother. Sofia will take care of you while I’m gone.”

“Oh you need not to worry about me son, I’ve lived a long time I know how to take care of myself. But I do appreciates Sofia’s help.”

Another small knock could be heard, and a blonde nurse entered the room.

“Speaking of the devil.” Alexander stood up with a smile on his face.

“Oh Alexander!” The nurse said with a surprise. “I did not know you were here visiting your Mother.”

“I did not really sign in at the front desk. I just came for a quick visit. I still have things to pack at home for my big trip.”

Sofia’s smile disappeared from her face. “Oh right you are leaving next week right? How long will you be gone.” Sofia stood on the other side of Alexander’s mother bed. “Hello Von Braun.” She said with a smile, while checking the blood pressure.

“Hello dearie.” Alexander’s Mother responded.

“About two years, but certain situation could increase my time, anyway…” Alexander looked at his watch. “I’m running late, I still have to pick up some new tools. Incase they don’t have all the tools I need up there.” With a smile he left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

Alexander's mother turned her head towards Sofia. “I guess you will have to wait another two years for that ring.”

Sofia got a little disappointed expression on her face, but wiped it away with a smile and said.

“And you will have to wait a couple more years for your grandchildren.”


*Sofia*

I decided to visit Alexander two days before his leave. Two years would be a long time so I wanted to spend another night at his place. I do love Alexander, and I know he loves me back, but sometimes I feel like he is keeping secrets from me. The Basement is always locked when I visit him. Today is wasn’t and I decided that this was my final chance to look at what he has been hiding from me. After the sex I made sure Alexander was truly asleep, poking him a couple of times and pulling his beard. With no reaction I sneaked out of bed and went downstairs to the basement door.

As I opened the door a small sound emitted from down below, but it was too hard to make out what exactly it was. I turned on the stair lights and walked down the stairs slowly. The cold air in the basement gave me goosebumps and it seemed to get colder the deeper I got. Once I arrived at the bottom of the stairs I found a lightswitch for the entire basement. I turned it on and looked around. Seemed like a basic basement. Red tool shelfs filled the side. A bike. A small workbench. A lot of scrap metal lying around. Only one thing seemed to be different. A small table in the middle of the room with something on it covered by a blanket. I feelt like I was in a frankenstein film. The sound was coming from the direction of the table. Slowly I creeped towards the blanket and although I was scared I slowly lifted the blanket. What greeted me was more or less a surprise to me. I knew Alexander built robots. but this… this robot looked different from the once I have seen him built. Staring at the robotic figure that looked like a naked C3-PO unit from Star Wars I noticed that the sound was emiting from what looked like a giant battery of some sort, fused into the body of the robot skeleton.

Whatever I saw down there that night, it sure was no ordinary robot. Alexander talked a lot about robots so I have come to learn the basic structures of robots, but that thing was...different.


*Alexander*

I packed the last of my things and hailed a taxi to take me to the airport. Three bags full of clothes, tools, and DvD’s for two years and a small floating cube. But the most important thing that I will carry til I get to the ship was strapped around my back. From the outside it looked like a metal backpack. Which was exactly what it was suppose to look like. Nothing suspicious about that. At the new Airport in Berlin I took a flight to Russia, where I took a shuttle to space. During the flight into the atmosphere it felt like a normal flight with an airplane, but once the gravity turn hit us my heart started to become light and I got a bunch of butterflies in my stomach. A small sound emitted from metal backpack which got me a bit worried, it was not suppose to be active during my travel something went wrong. I would have to check it once I get to the ship. For a small second we were weightless, although I was strapped in I feel myself slowly flying out of my seat. If it were not for the straps I would probably be turning 180 degrees over and over again. A minute later the pilot announced that activation of the shuttle gravity field once we fully got into orbit.

A couple of hours later we arrived at the Hangar E of the Einherjar. Although this was the first time I went to space I feelt like this trip felt rather rushed, I thought I would have way more things to take in during my travel to space, but aside from the experience it was pretty plain and boring. A rather disappointing start to my journey.


January 15th. 2044

“I have arrived at the Einherjar…”

 

[Zain Shah]

XSDF Recruitment Camp


After many weeks of rigorous training at the recruitment camp, Alexandros finally proved himself to the recruiters at the camp and was allowed into XSDF as a soldier. His silence on the battlefield proved to be deadly during stealth drills and his proficiency with side arms secured him his place.


Alexandros stood along with half a dozen soldiers listening to the woman he had previously met however she had a much more commanding tone this time.

“Listen up soldiers. You are going to be tasked with keeping galactic peace so I don’t want to have to regret my decision and take you out of XSDF; is that clear?”

“Yes ma’am.” The group replied in unison.

“You are going to be assigned to different ships. You three are going to be on the Arkbird... you’re going to guard the Valhalla and you two are assigned to Serendipity.”

As the soldiers left Alex’s sight, he was the only left still standing there.

“You and I are on the Einherjar, Alex.”


Einherjar


As Alexandros took his first step onto the battleship, he instantly became enthralled by the sheer scale and technology, having come from a sheltered upbringing.

“In the name of the all powerful Light, what is all this?”

Alex was herded towards his room along with other soldiers who he noticed looked a lot more… professional than him it terms of military might.


As soon as Alexandros arrived at his room, he found himself greeted by a sectoid. In an instant, Alexandros put up his fists and said “Stay away from me you vile creature; what are you?”

The nameless sectoid put his arms up in surrender “I’m just here to show you to your room, human.”

“What are you?” Alex repeated, stepping closer to the alien

“I’m a sectoid as you are a human, I’m one of the scientists here at XSDF.”

Alex slowly dropped his fists, still wary towards the small grey creature.

The sectoid looked at his clipboard “You’re with Samantha Steele in this room.”

The sectoid began to walk away but stopped and said “Don’t try and provoke any other aliens, they’re a lot scarier than me.”

“I still don’t trust you.”

“Many don’t. That’s fine by me, you’re just another on the list.” The sectoid replied with an unusual courtesy.

As the sectoid left, Alexandros focused his stare on him thinking “I still don’t trust him.”

 

[Euan]

James was excited. He was leaving for the ship in two hours. He looked around his apartment - bare, empty, quiet. There was the mark on the wall where the picture of his parents had hung. It was in his backpack now, along with his dad’s old ipod, cheap headphones, a notebook, pencil (Americans spent millions designing a pen that’d work in space, Russians brought a pencil), a couple of books and a wood carving of a raven. Anything else he wanted he had - a ring with runes, a pendant featuring a tungsten feather and a leather strip bracelet.

He wasn’t rocking the jacket today. Sometimes he liked the cold. His hoodie was open over a simple black t-shirt. “If they didn’t think I was emo before…”

He combed the flat checking it for anything he might’ve missed. He caught an epidote pendant and put it on.

Walking back towards the door, James remembered what it was like before he sold everything. That’s where the TV was. And there was my bed. We don’t need to go into what happened in that corner. He checked his phone for the time - 10:30. Shuttle leaves at 13:00. Off to the pub I guess.

An uneventful stroll lead him to his ex-usual pub - The Cleavers’ Arms. “Hey! James!” the barkeep called, “Haven’t seen you in ages!”
“Hey John, how’s business?”
“Quiet at this time of day, you kiddin’ me?”
James tossed over some cash “Lager, thanks.”
“Bit early, ain’t it?”
“It’s my last time on earth for a while, might as well enjoy myself”
“Seriously though, you aren't doing this, are you James? You really wanna go up there?”
“Yeah, I do.” James frowned, "Just get me a drink, John."
John laughed. “Aight, aight, I'm only askin'” He poured the lager and passed it over. “Enjoy, mate.”
“Thanks.” James took it over to the table by the window and put the drink down, dropping his bag under the table. He didn't realise how dirty the floor was.

He took a sip of lager and leaned back in his seat, looking out on the street as it started to rain. The raindrops hit the window and slipped down, racing each other to the bottom, combining halfway down for better or worse. Another sip. A car drove down the road, way too fast. Another sip. The heavens were starting to open and the rain was getting faster. A second car ripped through and splashed a couple. The guy yelled at the driver and tried to look after his disgruntled girlfriend. Another sip. James looked down at the glass - half empty. He glugged the rest down, wiped his face with the back of his hand, grabbed his bag and left.
“Catch you later!” John called.
The door closed. “No you won’t.”

James’ fabric hood did little to protect him from the rain. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked briskly down the street. A couple of people bumped into him, and he scowled. People. The rain was lessening but the day was still overcast. There were five people huddled in the bus shelter. James leant on it, outside. He grabbed his ipod and played some Kidneytheives. Bit retro now but hey - if a band's good once it's good forever. The bus arrived. James was the last to get on.

Stepping off the bus, the rain had completely stopped. A walk took James to the launch site for the shuttle.

This is it. Let the challenge begin.

The shuttle was smaller than he thought. He was strapped in with some generic supplies and some raw resources and readied for launch. The flight was surprisingly uneventful - no windows, no moving, nothing. Even the gravity didn’t change. Even on arrival, it just felt like he’d stepped on a big ship on water… if the water was perfectly flat and had no rise-and-fall.

There was a hum in the background - he’d tune that out, he figured. The gravity wasn’t perfect, but hey - everything feels heavier when it’s cold and raining outside, right? And the smell wasn’t even half-bad. Better than a lot of the places he’d been stuck in before, at least. He was picked up and escorted to his quarters by a generic soldier. The room was split like a mirror - two single beds on either wall, two bedside tables, two wardrobes and a cetral coffee table.

“You haven’t been allocated a partner yet. We’ll call for you in the morning. Until then, you can chill here. Dinner’s at 7:30, non-negotiable. Have a good evening, recruit.”

After the door had closed, James sighed and dropped his bag on the table before sitting down on the left-hand-side bed. He unpacked slowly, laying everything out similar to how it had been at home. Notepad, pens and the photo on the bedside table. Books on the floor, next to the bed, jewelry hanging on the end of it. Unpacked clothes in the wardrobe. Ipod charging from the only socket - other end of the bed. That’s inconvenient.

Lying on the bed, James looked up at the ceiling. Bit bland for his taste. He wondered if he’d be allowed to write on it. He prayed briefly and went to bed, skipping dinner. The bed was surprisingly comfortable.

Too early to draw any conclusions, James thought, But I think I’ll like it here.