RP XSDF Roleplay Thread: Vanguard of Forseti

[Black0ut]

"Memories"

XSDF Battleship Einherjar
Barracks
2246 Hours
March 18th, 2044

Thomas sat on his cot, staring at his dulled sword, the weapon reminding him of a friend long gone. Corey... I miss you buddy. Wolfe thought. Thomas took a closer look at the blade. It had a black sheath made of wood, with Japanese kanji on it. The sword's blade appeared to be made with two metals.

"It's called a Damascus blade, due to the two metals being forged together." Corey said.

"But why call it Da-Da-" Thomas started.

"Because they needed a cool name to call it." Corey said, smiling. "And this one's yours!"

"Wait... Isn't this your family's sword? The one passed down from generation to generation? Why are you giving it to me?" Wolfe asked curiously.

Corey smiled, "Because you stood up for me when no one would. Plus, I still owe you for helping me find my little angel." Corey said with a sigh.

Wolfe chuckled, "If she heard you, she'd probably deck you for that. I mean, she did tell ya to stop.

Corey turned his head and looked out the window and said offhandedly, " Don't you wonder what the world will be like in a hundred years, Thomas. Will we be able to improve life everywhere? Will there ever be a time when soldiers like us are no longer needed? Because if that is possible, then I hope I get to see it." He said, turning back to look at Thomas. "Anyways, thanks you for hooking me up with Becca."

"No problem." Thomas said with a smile plastered on his face.

"Now that you have my sword, you have to make a promise to me." Corey said.

"Why?" Wolfe asked.
"Because it's my family's tradition."

"Alright, fine." Wolfe grunted.

"Save everyone you can. Protect everyone you can. And if you can't," Corey said, "Die fighting for them."

"I was already planning on doing that, genius. Why do you think I want to be combat medic? It's not for my health." Wolfe replied sarcastically.

"Just promise me, Thomas." Corey said, in an irritated voice.

"I promise." Thomas said, rolling his eyes. Corey punched him in the arm playfully and they both returned towards the barracks with smiles on their faces.


Thomas dropped the sword onto the floor, the pleasant memory bringing a painful one to the medic. With a heavy sigh, the big man picked the sword up and put it away. "I wonder if he had lived to see the end of the war, if he would've liked the outcome?" The big man thought out loud. With a shrug, he quickly went back to bed.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Motives

Einherjar Main Engineering
Workspace of Nick & Alice
March 18th, 2300 Hours

Alice squinted as she meticulously adjusted the wiring in the back of her smaller form's head. It was only after her plan with Nick to jump into the body if she was in trouble that she realized she wasn't sure the outdated shell could handle it.

"What... is going on in here?" Alice reached behind Hestia's neck, pulling out a cord and plugging it into her laptop. "Your... positronic network has expanded so much..." She hit a few keystrokes, and an image of Hestia popped in the screen. "Hestia, have you, or Nick, messed with your neural net?"

"No, Alice," Hestia's voice came from the computer, her digital avatar tightly holding her head. "Big brother Nick loves Hestia. He would never mess with my head."

Alice's eyes darted around. "Wait. Did... is that your programming... or did he actually tell you that." She leaned forward. "Is... is he treating you..." A light knock on the door made her jump, and she quickly closed the computer and grabbed a sheet, covering the miniature android. "Come in!"

An engineer named Patrick Diggle stepped in, looking around. "Oh, Alice. I saw the lights on, and I was hoping our littlest engineer was here. Wanted to see if he needed anything." He glanced at the sheet. "What are you working on so late?"

Alice shrugged. "I was working on a service droid Nick was asked to repair. Outdated circuitry. Kinda hard with him being on constant watch and needing his rest, so I was taking care of it for him. You know, so his little guardian would be content."

Patrick nodded in understanding. "Well, he's lucky to have such a pretty young thing working with him. Not..." He laughed awkwardly. "Not that looks are... all you have. Well, obviously."

Alice held up a hand and smiled. "It's okay, Patrick. I took the compliment."

The American engineer smiled back, running his hand through his brown hair. "Alright. Just checking in." He turned to leave, then turned back. "I don't suppose you want to... grab a late night coffee, do you?"

Alice frowned and shook her head. "Patrick, I... I don't think..."

Patrick quickly raised his hands, still smiling. "That's alright. You've said no before, and I'm patient. As long as you don't mind me also being persistent." He did a regal looking bow. "Until next time, malady."

As he turned to leave, Alice's frown deepened.

"Why... Don't you give him a chance? Especially after what you were just saying to me not long ago..."

"It wouldn't hurt to at least try, and who knows... It could be a really good guy you could live happily with."

"Patrick!" Alice stepped forward. In a lower voice, so not to wake Dinah, she said, "Listen, I... are you doing anything tomorrow night?"

Patrick suppressed a big smile. "Oh... I don't know. It's my day off, but I could try and pencil you in... gotta check on things..."

"Well... If you can't, I'll understand..."

"No!" Patrick snapped out, his voice a little panicky. "I-I mean... I'm free all day... and afternoon... and night."

"Great." Alice turned away, hiding her red cheeks. "I get off a 1800 Hours."

"1800. G-got it. See you then." Patrick quickly stepped out before Alice could change her mind. The blond android tried to calm her 'beating heart'. Inexperienced with doing so, she took advantage of her ability to suppress her emotions, and got back to work.

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

Patrick quickly stepped into his room, locking it behind him. "Is it done?" asked a voice in the darkness, causing Patrick to jump.

"Jesus!" Patrick flicked the light switch, revealing an older Japanese man with short, white hair on his bed, wearing the uniform of a security guard. "What are you sneaking around for, Yamaki?! It isn't like anyone will care if..."

"In my business, you take precautions," the older man interrupted. "There are habits you are usually unwise to break. Now I asked you a question, and I expect an answer."

"Yes, yes. It's done." Patrick sighed as he slumped into a chair. "Are you sure about this? It doesn't... seem..."

Yamaki laughed grimly, standing up and walking over to the nervous engineer. "Is that doubt I'm hearing? Do I have to remind you of the consequences..."

"I'm not backing out of anything!" Patrick swallowed hard. "But... b-but there were two things I was promised. First was the money. Second was that no one got hurt if it could be avoided. Are you sure she..."

"It, Mr. Diggle," Yamaki interrupted again. "You gave no sign to my employer that you wouldn't be able to stomach damaging a piece of hardware. Does your laptop know you hold it in such high regard?"

Patrick snared at the patronizing tone, but didn't dare say anything. "That isn't... she seems... it seems... are you sure we have the right one?"

"Our sources tell us it is part of the XSDF, and has been for years," Yamaki explained. "That 'engineer' has the same name. And I have this." He held up a voice recorder, hitting play. It played the chattering of at least two Baʒir.

"I... I can't understand..."

"That's what translators are for," Yamaki muttered, rolling his eyes. "They speak of a robot woman with yellow hair who helped them with something. I was watching them because I saw they were with Fischer recently." The Japanese man gave Patrick a condescending look. "Get the point, Diggle? Or should I paint you a picture?"

"I get it." Patrick snapped, but looked a bit relieved. "Good. If she's just some machine playing at being human... and she's the one you were looking for?"

"Not that many androids out there." Yamaki walked over to the door. "Play the part well, though. Don't let on until we're ready. It fakes our emotions pretty well." He grinned. "If you can get it to... open up to you, all the better."

He stepped out before Patrick could say anything else. The engineer let out the breath he felt he had been holding in the whole time his guest was there, and flicked off the lights, suddenly feeling incredibly tired.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

BMPixy & ZombieSplitter53
Early Position: Part One

Ayako gently nudged the woodblock print before her, until the level she had placed upon it read that the piece of art was perfectly straight. With a relieved sigh, she slowly began to remove the level, taking care not to accidentally disturb the print of rolling hills and mountains. However, the shrill buzz of the intercom rendered the effort useless, the sudden noise startling Ayako and causing her to knock the print out of alignment. Suppressing an annoyed groan, the engineer stepped over to her desk, and flicked the intercom.

"Moshi moshi, what is it?" Ayako asked.

"One... Alice Fischer is here, claiming you requested her presence," the secretary replied, his bored tone obvious.

"Ah, yes, send her in at once." Ayako said, before flipping off the intercom, and settling in behind her desk, letting out a steady sigh to compose herself.

The door slowly opened, a nervous looking blond with a slight British accent peaking in. "You... you called for me, sir? Ma'am! Doctor!"

"Ah! Yes, come in, come in, have a seat," Ayako said, motioning to the chair across from her. "Would you like some coffee?" she asked, gesturing to the coffee pot on the side of her desk - which held a substance that more resembled pitch than coffee.

"Um... no. But thank you!" Alice sat down, rubbing her hands nervously. "Listen... I'm really good at my job. One of the best. One of... of your best. If you let me go, I can think of at least half a dozen projects that would fall through. You..." She put on a stern face. "You need me."

Ayako raised an eyebrow, a concerned look evident on her face. "Wait..." she said, holding up a hand. "Why do you think I brought you up here?"

Alice worded silently for a few moments before laughing nervously. "S-sorry. I just... haven't felt this good about a job in a long time, and the last job I had where the new boss called me to his office on his first day... it was my last day."

"Ah, my sincerest apologies," Ayako replied, bowing her head slightly. "Rest assured, if I wished to dismiss you, I wouldn't have bothered sending for you in the first place. Though with your record and the glowing praise from my predecessor, I can't see why I would ever think of letting you go. It'd be stupidity on the level of nuclear hand grenades."

"Oh..." Alice shook her head. "I-I... I guess that's one for the list of... worse first impressions. Um... w-what can I do for you, doctor?"

"Please, just call me Ayako," the Afro-Asian replied. "And I asked for you because while reports can tell me what you've done and what you know, I need to get to know you to figure out how to best use your talents for the good of the whole ship, you understand?"

"Yes, of course." Alice folded her hands. "I... I-I'd like that very much, actually. Other then my work with this one engineer, many of the other projects have been... hit or miss."

"Care to elaborate on why that is the case?" Ayako asked, taking this opportunity to reach into one of her drawers and withdraw a small mug reading 'Sleep is for the Weak'. "Is it conflict with the other engineers, lack of proper equipment, time constraints, or something else?" she added, filling the mug with some of the 'coffee'.

"Time constraints aren't usually a problem. I work fast. And the equipment is usually top of the line." Alice shifted uncomfortably. "I... I usually don't... like calling other people out... but a lot of the people I've worked with... well, they're hit or miss. Many are inexperienced, and while most are willing to learn... and they are, I can assure you, some... well..."

"Some of them have a stick shoved so far up their behind that they have more in common with a shish kebab than a person?" Ayako prodded, taking a brief sip of her drink afterwards.

Alice held her hand over her mouth, suppressing a laugh. "Um... yeah. Some of them have it in their heads that, just because they're not fighting, they shouldn't be held to such a high standard." The android woman lowered her eyes a bit. "It... it probably sounds silly, but... I like to imagine every soldier that brings out a piece of equipment, a weapon, or a craft I've worked on... is bringing a piece of me out there. So, if those items fail to meet the highest of standards... it is the same as me failing on the battlefield."

"That's certainly a healthy attitude to have in this line of work," Ayako said, leaning back slightly. "After all, the eggheads are relying on us to make their dreams a reality, and the jarheads need us so they don't go out to fight with only a rock and a pointy stick. So, what do you think we can do to spread our kind of thinking among the other greasemonkeys?"

Alice thought for a moment. "I've... always been a fan of an 'award and punishment' means of training. If you do well, you get better projects, more responsibilities, and higher praise. But if you don't show respect for the job, you get an equal lack of respect, including the more menial projects that show less trust in you. Other then that, it's about... a boss with a good attitude that leads by example."

"Well then, here's to hoping I can fill that role," Ayako said mirthfully, offering up her mug in a quick toast. "After all, you lot have a lot of work cut out for you, and I'm the one who has to decide how to cut it. Would be terrible if I had a mutiny on my hands just because of some poor work assignments, eh?"

"I... don't see that happening. I mean, look at the popularity of the former Commander, and we didn't mutiny against her. I... feel bad for Mason. I feel bad... for everyone if a leading position on this ship now. You have an unfair burden of earning trust ahead of you." Alice bowed her head. "But you have mine. It might not be the safest approach, but I have a habit of trusting my superiors until they prove I shouldn't, not the other way around. And compared to some of the people I've worked under, you seem... different."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Alice," Ayako said, smiling graciously and inclining her head slightly. "And I must say, I am certainly inclined to trust you as well. You seem the competent and honest type, and I definitely look forward to working along side you. Only thing that would make it better were if some of your rather impressive references rubbed off on you."

Alice chuckled nervously. "I... I'm not all that impressive. From what I heard about you, and your early graduation, you're the impressive one. I'm... just a grease monkey who's dedicated to her job."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

BMPixy & ZombieSplitter53
Early Position: Part Two

"Bah, anybody could pull that kind of stu- no, I honestly can't be modest there, my achievements are a bit on the impressive side," Ayako chuckled, more heartily than Alice. Shaking her head, she added, "But that's besides the point. Not anyone can just go around taking care of whatever comes in here with the ease that your records indicate; hell even I have a hard time with robotics. You seem damn close to omnidisciplinary, and I plan on putting that to good use."

"Oh, really?" Alice's eyes darted around a bit. "I... had no idea I was being watched so closely. I-I'll do whatever you need me to do. I'm here to serve, after all."

"Relax, relax, not like we're spying on you," the Afro-Asian calmly replied, putting her hands up defensively. "Just basing that on peer evaluations, notes from your supervisors, that kinda thing. I mean, hopefully you've got nothing to hide that'd cause me to question those evaluations, but as I said before, you seem the honest sort."

Alice rubbed her hands together, a conversation she had with Brigid and Nick weeks before running through her mind. "Um... I, um... I... I should start on an... an honest foot, then. It... isn't something I want to get out... but I don't want to start our business relationship on a lie..."

"What, did you sleep your way into getting all those good evaluations?" Ayako asked, before hastily covering her mouth in shame, her face flushing slightly. "OhmygoshI'msosorrythatjustslippedout, Ididn'tmeananythingbyit!" she hastily exclaimed, recoiling back slightly.

"Th-that's okay. It was a joke. I-I like jokes. I like... every aspect of humanity. So much, that I've devoted my life to being as human as possible." Alice sighed. "But I'm... not human. Under this layer of synthetic skin is series of artificial muscles, lubrication fluids, and a positronic brain."

For a very long moment Ayako was glad that she had decided not to take a sip of her coffee, as she worked her mind around the revelation presented before her. "You... you mean you're a gynoid? Fully sapient, capable of processing the known spectrum of emotions, all that jazz?"

Alice slowly nodded. "That's right. I was created by Dr. Sonya Randolf while she was working for the FBI in 2016, and given my body during the war. I... I-I am fully sentient, outfitted with the most advanced positronic mind possible, and capable of learning and adapting in every field, including my own emotions. I... I know that doesn't mean much in the eyes of the law. I just hope you can remember what you thought of me when you thought I was simply another human."

"Nani yattenda!? Are you suggesting I hand you over to the law, just because of you being built rather than born?" Ayako gasped, shocked. "Like heck I would!"

Alice blinked several times, then slowly smiled. "Th... thank you, Ayako. You... you don't know how hard it is, to be the same person you always were, but for someone to suddenly look at you differently for finding something like that out. I... I was afraid to trust Commander Streczyk with that information. But with how high you seem to hold honesty, I felt I could take a chance with you."

After taking a quick sip of her coffee, Ayako replied, "I'm not surprised to hear that - those first few things at least. I am surprised that you decided to trust me, considering that you came in here thinking I was going to fire you." Shaking her head to clear her mind, she continued, "But that's besides the point. I get where you're coming from, regarding hiding who you are. And hey, I'm glad you decided to trust me. I'm the kinda person who doesn't care who you are. Just as long as you give your fullest every day, I'll be more than satisfied."

"And I will, I promise you that." Alice hesitated for a moment. "There... there is one thing I'd like to request. It's in regards to another engineer."

"Lay it on me," Ayako replied, leaning back in her chair slightly and taking another sip of her drink.

"I currently work a lot with Nicholas Cauthon in robotics." Alice rubbed the back of her neck. I... I enjoy my work with him. I'm willing to do whatever you assign to me, of course. I just want to keep working with him if possible."

"Of course, I'll do my best to ensure that you two remain together," Ayako answered with a nod. "Though I do reserve the right to, in cases of emergency, reassign both of you to whatever positions I deem necessary for the duration of the emergency. Standard procedure, I'm sure you understand."

Alice smiled widely. "Y-yeah, thanks. " She stood up, reach across the desk. "I gotta say, this... you're a lot... it's an honor to work with you. Just tell me if there is anywhere you need me to be, and I'll be there, tool belt at the ready."

"Think nothing of it," Ayako replied, taking the hand and giving it a firm shake. "I should have the updated work schedules finished by the end of the week, give or take a day or two," she added, gesturing to the mound of paperwork off to the side of her desk. "You'd be surprised how little actual engineering you do in this kind of position."

"Of course. In the meantime, is there anything I can do for you now?" Alice offered.

The head engineer quickly glanced around her office, noting the still misaligned woodblock print as well as the rucksack she had yet to empty of knick-knacks and decorations. Finally, an idea sprang into her head. "Actually," Ayako replied, "a better question to ask would be what I can do for you. I mean, you did spill a deep secret relatively unprovoked, least I could do is repay it in some manner."

Alice tilted her head slightly. "Sure. What... did you have in mind?"

"Ah..." Ayako hesitated, leaving her mouth hanging open as she frantically wracked her brain for the idea that had just slipped out of her grasp. After a long moment, she lowered her head in defeat. "Dangit, ideas are certainly slippery, aren't they?"

Alice blinked several times. "Um... okay. If you can think of it, let me know."

"Right, until then, you're dismissed," Ayako said, quickly shaking her head and standing from her seat. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Alice. I look forward to seeing what you can do."

"Thank you, Ayako." Alice bowed her head again, and took off, smiling to herself.

Ayako briefly stretched her arms over her head as the door closed behind Alice. After a short moment of silence, the lead engineer grabbed the level off of her desk, made her way back over to the print, and began the process of aligning it once again, a faint smile traced upon Ayako's face as she did so.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Frostlich1238 and DarkGemini24601: "Relics of War, Part 1"

High Orbit around Forseti (March 18th, 2044)
The Einherjar (11:49 P.M., A.S.T.)
Floor 17: Hangar F

The small cargo freighter's engines dimmed as it turned to its side, coming to a rest in the main hangar of the Einherjar. It was only able to carry about 8 passengers and 500 kg of extra cargo, but that was for a reason. This ship was meant to transport important cargo speedily, such as the three cryosleep pods taken from the Abductor that had dared to attack New Manaus.

Commander Mason stood with his hands behind his back, watching as the ship opened its hatch and extended a ramp. He had Lieutenant Wong and SGT Muthambe flanking him, as well as a few snipers, shadow operatives, and infantries lurking beyond in case they were needed. The data retrieved from the damaged canister files suggested the occupants could be dangerous if provoked.

"Which one do you want us to open first?" The African gunner on Fred's right asked.

Frederick considered Masambe's question for a few moments before responding, "Let's start with the one labeled "Experiment 18." The Commander frowned. "And hopefully discern what her real name is."

With a nod, two engineers cautiously walked over to either side of the first canister as it was rolled out. One attached a square device that began to crack the code keeping the electric lock in place, while the other did a final check to make sure the occupant would be safe upon awakening, if a bit disoriented and groggy at first.

"Sarah, Masambe, please step to the side. If i need you I'll signal you, but otherwise I'd rather not scare her with armed guards." Sarah opened her mouth to protest, but Frederick convinced her by adding, "my Neural Dampening should dull her empathic abilities. You don't have anything to worry about." With that, Fred's assistants hid behind crates, and the two engineers stepped back from the opening casket as the Commander approached it, ready to catch the person contained inside if they stumbled out.

Experiment 19 did indeed stumble out into Mason's arms, but he was forced to take a step back due to it being far heavier than he had expected. The person appeared to be covered in some kind of white, almost porcelain metal, and had a thin body shape like that of a young woman, however the way she fell had concealed her face from the Commander, so he couldn't easily see what she looked like.

"Relax for a moment... The disorientation should pass," Frederick informed her gently, helping support her rather than beinn able to do it all on his own. He waited patiently for her motor functions and clarity to return as the effects of twenty-five years in cryosleep took about 5 minutes to wear off.

After a few seconds, she slowly moved her head to look at him, revealing a doll like face without a mouth to be seen as well as fully mechanical, glowing eyes. She tilted her head, not recognizing the figure holding her. Who are you...? Human... Are you one of his new projects?

"My name is Frederick Mason," he answered, continuing, "I am the Commander of the XSDF. We're a peacekeeping organization from Earth." Frederick decided it was best to let her know as soon as possible. "You've been in stasis for about 25 years. The Ethereals - the beings that took you captive - lost the war against humanity, thanks to the actions of the organization that became the XSDF. You're on one of our larger ships."

They were at war? I'm surprised they lost... I doubt any military could ever beat them... She thought, transferring it to his mind. Which nation are you from?

"Well, I personally am from the U.K., but the XSDF is an international organization. We have a few extraterrestrial individuals but none of them will give you any trouble," Frederick explained. "And if you need comformation you can look through data in the computer room. There's plenty of information to bring you up to speed there."

Her head tilted down, Then... What of my master? The one who did this to me? If I still live, then so must he...

"I don't know, honestly," Frederick answered. "The Ethereal that experimented on you could be among the deserter fleet from which we found you, or he could be on their homeworld." He shook his head. "But regardless, he doesn't matter anymore. He certainly isn't your master. Consider yourself a free person again, as it should be."

No he is not... Forgive me, he punished us if we did not address him as such, an old habit. 19 stepped back and managed to stand on her own, but she moved in a very stiff, marionette like fashion.

"Do you know the other two?" Fred inquired, gesturing towards the other two cryosleep pods at the base of the cargo ship's ramp.

Perhaps... She slowly moved over to the pods, looking over them and examining the numbers before turning around and nodding her head, I do... These are Experiments 24 and 37... They were on the ship and frozen with me... The others were back on the main vessal... but after so long... I do not know if they are still...

"I'll have to check in again with the battleship that intercepted the Ethereal abductor, but these are the three that were sent to me." Frederick walked over a bit closer to the pods. "Anything I should know before releasing them? Our files that we found on the abductor weren't exacty... Complete."

24 is a child with extra organs added, allowing her to house and incubate thousands of genetically altered spiders, she was created as an infiltration unit, but for what I don't know. 37 is the most recent creation of his, all I know about it is that it's a machine of some kind, I have never seen it myself, 19 replied, turning around.

Frederick nodded slowy. "We'll open that one first then, and carefully," he said, both to the two engineers and the hidden soldiers. The engineers moved to the third casket, but found that when they cracked the code, it opened to reveal a contajner of reinforced glass filled with a liquid looking like Tz6.

"What's this?" The first engineer muttered. "Why'd they put a bunch of gene goo into suspended animation?"

"Is this... The machine? What is this, Terminator 2?" The second engineer wondered.

I... Do not know... Perhaps he took the real 37 with him... 19 said, looking at the case.

Frederick approached it as the stasis deactivated, more curious than anything. The Tz6 inside the container started to shift and stir of it's own accord, causing it to rumble enough to make it fall over. After a few seconds, the shifting began to make it roll towards the opening of the pod. Frederick stepped back cautiously, his guardians ready to act on a moment's notice, but kept themselves hidden as the pod opened to allow the strange being inside the ability to exit its container.

The strange ooze shot out quickly, mashing and molding itself into a recognizable shape. A bulbous head began to form, and then from that, spindly limbs connected with the ground, holding it up vertically. Big eyes formed on the Sectoid frame, looking around the room at the humans, but particularly 19.

A shapeshifter…? “Can you understand me?” Frederick addressed the machine. “You’re on the XSDF battleship Einherjar.”

The Sectoid’s face began to tear open, forming a mouth that looked extremely unnatural on a creature normally devoid of one. “Of course I can understand you, human.” The creature looked around, “This isn’t the ship I was left on, I take it I was moved?”

“In a sense,” The Commander replied. “You’ve been in stasis twenty five years, during which time the Ethereal Empire lost the war against humanity, and we established a peace on even terms with the XSDF, representing Earth. Therefore, we have no reason to be enemies,” Frederick clarified in case the thought was crossing the Tz6 robot’s mind. “I can always confirm with Aetherum if you need proof.”

“So, they actually lost the war against that band of psionic scavengers? I bet master wished he could’ve finished my ‘loyalty’ training in time, he was so certain I would’ve been able to slaughter all of them with the rest of the forces that remained.” The machine said, walking around the Commander, examining him.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Frostlich1238 and DarkGemini24601: "Relics of War, Part 2"

“I’m glad we’ll no longer have to find out the result of such a conflict,” Mason muttered with a slightly uncomfortable tone. “In any case, you’re free to live your own life now that your old master is no longer relevant. Although there isn’t… legislation protecting androids, I’d give you the benefit of the doubt as to if you’re a sentient being or not. You certainly… seem like one.” Frederick straightened his collar. “I would recommend taking on a more human form though, at least if you choose to remain in our space.”

It looked over at the female engineer to its right, then smiled, morphing itself into a crude, inky black silhouette of a slim female human with snow white eyes. “So, you organics are still as terrified of us as my master was? Well, at least it’s founded, most of us could kill you without a second glance, I know I could.” It looked at the XSDF emblem on Mason’s uniform, “Well… That looks a lot like something I know…” It said in an almost sing-song voice.

Frederick crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t use the term ‘fear’. There aren’t many of your kind, especially none like yourself, that have been created by humanity. But we’d be right to be cautious with comments like that.” The Commander shook his head. “I suggest you keep thoughts that sound like threats to yourself while you’re on my ship, or in XSDF-policed space period. If you bring any harm to terran citizens or my crew, you’ll be held accountable just like anyone else. And while not all of the abductor’s files survived the past 25 years… we know where your vulnerabilities lie.”

“I didn’t say I was going to, I just said that I could. Sure sounds like you’re afraid of me trying something, even if you know how to kill me.” It replied, taking a step back, “But I don’t exactly have to follow my master’s orders anymore, now that he’s likely in custody. I doubt even he would tell me to try something at this point, we lost 25 years years ago apparently.”

The Commander sighed. “You aren’t very knowledgeable of basic human nature if you think that, or perhaps you’re just being sarcastic… but let me make something clear right now. You will abide by the laws we do while you’re here. And do you know why I insist upon these things?” Frederick looked at 37 intently. “Because I am looking to protect the lives of my crew. Not out of fear, but out of loyalty to them. The thought has crossed my mind that you three could join the XSDF if you lack any other purpose, but I will only allow that if you are prepared to offer the same sort of loyalty.”

“Hmm… It’s not like I’m unused to taking orders from organics, but if you want my help, I want something in exchange… Sound fair?” It asked calmly.

“That depends,” Frederick responded with equal cool. “I imagine you’re not as interested in the typical pay associated with being an XSDF scientist, engineer, doctor, soldier, or so on… so what is it you’d want in return for your service?”

“I want you to find out where my old master is. He’s clearly alive, since we’re still here, maybe he’s even in your custody since you’re the descendants of XCOM, or maybe he’s somewhere else. I just want to make him pay for years of servitude.” It answered, “That’s reasonable right?”

Frederick raised an eyebrow. “That seems to entail you would want him dead. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say he’s in Humiliata custody… the name the Ethereals go by now. We left a trusted group of them to police their own, so he’s likely not in any of our prisons. But while I can have the XSDF attempt to locate your creator, I can’t promise anything will happen to him. If he’s changed his ways, or if he’s in a Humiliata prison, then that’s outside of the XSDF’s jurisdiction.”

“Good.” It turned around to look at 19 and the other pod, recognizing the markings on it, “You going to let the kid out too, or do you have a problem with the crawly ones?”

Frederick rubbed the back of his neck. “We are going to have a conversation about those, I’m sure…” He nodded to the engineers to repeat the process a third time, though this time he had them lay the opening cryosleep casket flat so the occupant could get out themselves. And so that if 24 brought out the spiders, they wouldn’t be near them.

A small girl crawled out of the pod after a few seconds, looking around the room after a long yawn. “Where am I? This isn't where I went to sleep…” Frederick explained for the third time, beginning to wonder if he should have just woken them all at once, despite the risk.

“25 years? Wooow… That’s a long time… I haven’t slept for that long before, I’m sure my babies need to stretch…” Spiders started crawling around her arm and up to her shoulder. The arachnids were various colors, mostly black with different hues of stripes, ranging from every color and shade you could think of, making it seem like each was completely unique.

Frederick did his best to hide his nervousness, and cleared his throat. “About them… I do have a few ground rules for when they’re allowed out. You’ll be given your own room, and they may be out within there. However, if you’re in a public room or in someone else’s room, you’ll need the permission of anyone else there. With large rooms with a lot of people, or just in the hallways, it’s probably best if you keep them… pocketed, so to speak.”

“Really?! Our own room?! We’ve never had our own room before! Master always made us sleep in the pod, but it’s alright, at least my babies were cozy.” She replied, excitedly, looking at one of the spiders on her arm, laughing a little bit as it crawled onto her nose.

Frederick blinked for a moment, then shook his head. “In any case… you three, welcome aboard the Einherjar. Do any of you… have names aside from your designations? I’m sure you’d prefer to be called something other than numbers.”

The amorphous robot looked at him, “I’ve never needed a name. 37 was the only designation I ever needed,”

24 looked up, “Oh, my name? I’ve never had one… My code name was… Arachne…. Will that work?”

Fitting… The Commander shrugged. “If that is what you’d like to be called.” He turned to 19. “What about you?”

19 perked up a little, My name? It’s been so long since anyone asked… L-L-La… Lanore? I think that’s it. I can’t recall my last name… It was complicated.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you all. I’ll have you escorted to your rooms, though you’ll be free to roam the parts of the ship designated for civilian staff afterwards as long as you don’t cause any trouble.” He glanced at 37. “Once we take care of some paperwork you’ll be assigned to…” He considered the thought of the android in the regular ranks for a moment. “The special forces. I think you’d be best suited to working alongside them.” Turning back to the other two, he added, “I’ll give you some time to think about whether you’d like to stay with the XSDF or not, Lanore… and you’ll likely remain with us for awhile, Arachne.”

Arachne smiled widely, stepping closer, “Thank you! We are going to have a nice time here, I can tell! My cute little bundles of love are just as excited to be here too!”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

“The Black-hearted Queen of Red Diamonds, Part 1”

High Orbit over Forseti (March 19th, 2044)
The Einherjar (12:00 P.M., Ailey Standard)
Floor 3: The Situation Room

The date and time set by the mysterious faction - demanding that possession of Forseti be transferred to them - had arrived. Standing in the Situation Room, his Central Officer and Fleet Coordinator on the bridge, Frederick felt as if he were a gunslinger in a western. I certainly hope that I won’t be firing any metaphorical guns here, but if my suspicions are correct… Shaking his head, the Commander of the XSDF glanced briefly at his new Lieutenant Commander. What a way to join up, he silently noted as the screen flared to life, and he turned back to face it.

<Incoming Transmission>
<Unknown Caller>
<Patching Them Through>

All at once a menagerie of shadowed figures appeared on the communications screen. From left to right there was a lanky human silhouette, an even lankier humanoid, a tall, imposing warrior, a three-legged amphibious cyborg, two humanoids of equal measurements, and another human-sized figure with a tail. In terms of posture, the leftmost human leaned casually on his neighbor’s shoulder while said tall companion stood rigidly at attention. The warrior had her four arms crossed in a seeming mixture of confidence and contempt. The tripod’s posture was indistinguishable by any but those of its own race that would recognize a stance of arrogance and antagonism. The two humans stood back to back in confidence, while the solo humanoid on the far right was twirling something between its fingers.

An eight person was seated in a royal-looking chair further to the front of the displayed room that divided the warrior and three-legged alien to the left and right. The chair was composed of twin gold-lacquered armrests, a design - in symbols foreign to the two XSDF officers that looked upon it - carved into the back of the tall chair, and a comfortable silk pillow to sit on. Seated on this lavish throne was the aforementioned eighth member of this odd gathering. Her appearance from top to bottom was as follows:

Black metallic boots pointed on the end of the toes and heel in the form of downward-angled triangles, looking almost as if they ought to be part of a set of armor. Contesting this observation were blood red pants that seemed as if they were made of a combination of nanofiber and silk, interrupted in the middle by two black heart-shaped kneepads, and at their end by a gray belt. That belt had a circular representation of a globe on it, though the strange shapes on it had some meaning as of yet unknown. Above the belt was a light piece of power armor, black but characterized by thin, softly-glowing blue-green lines of elerium transfer. It had a v-neck collar that defied the notion that it was for protection more than show and revealed a dark gray shirt underneath that confirmed the noble’s female gender with a slight window to her shapely chest.

The power armor extended to either side in shoulderguards that were slightly slanted to either side but ultimately ended quickly, a few rings of metal going down the upper arms of the woman and ending at about t-shirt leath. Beyond that the dark gray shirt took over, going all all the way to the wrists, though it was interrupted on the elbows by bloodred diamond-shaped elbowguards. She wore metallic red gloves that, while armored, were light just like the protection power armor vest, and moved easily as the ‘noblewoman’ reclined in her chair, crossing her legs idly as she twisted the fingers of her right hand. Looking up at the audience, she showed her face that had previously been shadowed.

Above the red heart-shaped amulet she wore around her neck were features too smooth to be true without plastic surgery or genetic modification. The noblewoman was striking beautiful, enchantingly so, with jet-black hair that’s bangs would have partially masked her face had she not brushed them aside, and the rest that extended down to between the base of her skull and shoulders. For all intents and purposes she appeared human, though her red irises reinforced the theme of possible genetic modification. Seeming to side up the Commander and his assistant for a moment with those powerful yet alluring eyes, she finally spoke.

“Ah, Commander Mason. It’s so good to meet you at last. I trust you have not decided on whether you’re going to hand Forseti over to me or not?” The noblewoman assumed rather matter-of-factly, leaning forward slightly in her chair to see his reaction. “Oh, and do broadcast this shipwide. I don’t want our negotiations to simply be behind closed doors.” Hesitantly, Fred nodded, allowing the transmission to show up on televisions and monitors across the Einherjar.

“I don’t think we have any intention to without further proof…” Frederick said cautiously, seeming taken aback that a human was seemingly in charge of this unknown factional entity. “What exactly is your claim to Forseti? There were no buoys sending out signals, no settlements on the surface, nor any presence within the system when the XSDF first scouted it out. And the same was true when we founded Ailey on the surface.”

The woman smiled. “Perhaps you didn’t do a good enough job. Our signal was malfunctioning slightly at the time, and I will attest to a degree of incompetence from the scout team I sent to the surface. They set up a relay on the northern continent that you could locate if you checked for it now, but we have been absent managing other affairs until we returned two months ago to realize it had been malfunctioning.”

“Then is the claim really yours? Especially since you can’t prove either way that the relay existed there beforehand, though I don’t need to check to confirm that it’s there now,” the Commander of the XSDF replied. “Perhaps it would help if you told us who you are. Right now we don’t know what your faction actually… is, and what space they might control. For us, this is the border of known space.”

The noble shrugged. “While I wouldn’t go so far as to tell you specifics and compromise our security… we are the Tandarin Forma Delimore, or as it is common for many to abbreviate, the TFD. We are the ‘Sovereigns of the Galaxy’, a stellar entity that makes the XSDF’s achievements pale in comparison,” she declared. Forsaking her lax posture for a standing position, she continued, “My name is Trismegistus, and I am the TFD’s Supreme Sovereign. You may refer to me as Queen Trismegistus if you wish.”

Frederick frowned. “If you know so much about us why have we never met you before?”

Trismegistus wagged a finger chidingly. “Because we like to keep our capabilities and presence known to only those we wish to know us. But Forseti is a sign that we’ll be making a larger mark on the galaxy. I’m sure you can find some other planet to mine Elerium… and some new miners,” The Queen finished with her lip twisting upward in a grin.

The Commander shook his head. “That’s unacceptable. You don’t have proven claim of Forseti, while we have citizenry on the surface we aren’t going to give up to some new player on the galactic scene. Perhaps we can work something out, but if it’s all or nothing I’m afraid that cannot and will not happen.”

Trismegistus plopped back into her throne, not seeming all that bothered. “How unfortunate… or, rather, how wonderful.” Chuckling, the Queen explained, “I had to see if you were a spineless fool that wasn’t going to be worth my time… but although you’re no Astasha Streczyk… I think you’ll be a fun opponent.”

Frederick paled slightly. “Are you implying you’re going to go to war over this? Can’t we work something out?”

The Queen of the TFD only laughed again. “You don’t really understand, I see… I’m not goaded into fighting you… I want to. The galaxy’s changed a lot over the past 25 years. It went from being a hell to navigate through with the damnable Ethereal Empire, to a rather peaceful and boring place recently. But I realized it was finally my chance to end my boredom and engage in the great game of warfare again. The XSDF proved themselves to have potential due to the actions of their predecessor, but ultimately Layrinxa 2 and this meeting have finalized my decision.”

The Commander of the XSDF’s expression darkened. “Layrinxa 2… you were the ones that… so I was right!”

From the shadows, the leftmost member of Trismegistus’ entourage stepped into the light, a familiar pale grin revealing the Trickster for who he really was. “Meet member one of the Augmented Royal Guard… we fondly refer to him as the Trickster, though I’m sure you already know that,” The Supreme Sovereign announced. “Despite his excellent performance, some of your team managed to survive with their psionic powers… so troublesome, but so interesting to watch.”

“You’re out of your mind, attacking the XSDF and declaring war just for entertainment!” Frederick yelled in rage. She’s not even human, is she, with all that talk about being bored and waiting a long time… or certainly no simply-modified human.

“Aww, is the new boss having a bad day?” The pale killer by Tris’s side taunted, rolling an alloy knife between his hands.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

DarkGemini24601 and MarineAvenger: “The Black-hearted Queen of Red Diamonds, Part 2”

“So… that is the maniac I heard about from that crap shoot of a mission. Seems more astute to a circus rather than a battlefield.” Viviana commented to herself before stepping forward slightly. “You said you find some of our own men’s psionic capabilities troublesome… does that mean you do not have any proper deterrents? If your men are simply scared off by a few explosions, this will be a very short war.” Come on… slip us an unintentional bone. Any look into your capabilities further is just better for us…

Trismegistus yawned, and snapped her fingers. Behind the tall figure there was a burst of energy that seemed darkened by more than just the room’s lighting, likely an electronic effect. All that was visible was a robed, eight-foot tall being behind him, very likely a Reflection. “Does that answer your question? Oh, believe me, I wouldn’t play this game without having a way to subjugate psykers. And if you think you’re getting an advantage by what I say…” A devilish smile on Tris’s face widened. “You are sorely mistaken. I could have chosen to show you nothing of my wonderful Royal Guard, but then again, I could defeat you just as easily as the Temple Ship’s full might would have at the onset of the Ethereal Subjugation War with another attack like the one I orchestrated on Layrinxa Two. But that’s no fun at all.”

The Trickster stepped back into the shadows, and Frederick narrowed his eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

“I’m sure we will,” The TFD Queen replied condescendingly. “And as I’m sure you’ve gathered, I’m the wonderful mastermind behind the pirate cooperation you’ve seen recently. They also call me the Pirate Queen, smartly enough.” With a tap of her fingers against her throne’s armrest, Tris’s expression darkened. “And oh, since I’m sure you’re listening somehow, I suggest you stay out of this one… Avenging Angel. Your services might be disruptive to the great game by some fluke, and I’d rather you… choose your next move wisely.”

Who is she talking to? Frederick wondered briefly. “Well, thank you for confirming practically every connection that had been made in my mind. If you’re responsible for everything… then the XSDF’s course is clear. We’ll take you down, no holds barred. This so-called “Great Game” of yours is doing to be your undoing, Trismegistus. Count on that.”

“Now that’s fire.” Trismegistus’s smile became excited. “Show me what you have, Commander Mason! Show me what you have, Extra-Stellar Defense Force! I look forward to waging war against you.” With another rise out of her chair, pulling a black cloak with a red interior from beneath the throne out and attaching it to the back of her chestplate, Trismegistus bowed, as did the shadowed figures. “The Sovereigns of the Galaxy formally declare war on humanity.” And with that, the transmission cut off, leaving a simmering Frederick the need to calm down, but another purpose as well.

The Commander turned to his second in command. “Could you run the footage again?” Grimacing, he added, “Without sound… please.”
Viviana nodded, walking over to a console and bringing up the video, starting it from the beginning but muting the volume. “What is it you expect to find?”

“If this Trismegistus is throwing us some hints as to her capabilities to spice things up, then we should make full use of them. This ‘Royal Guard’ of hers are obviously a mixture of military officers and elite troops… what we saw with the Trickster confirms that. She said he was the first… and likely, that means he’s one of the weakest if what we’ve seen is any indication.” Frederick pointed to the tall Reflection-user.

“There’s an oddity there, to start,” he began. “That’s likely a Replitan… but you know as well as I do their psionics are not strong enough to produce a Reflection. It must be some artificial effect… which suggests we shouldn’t expect psionics to be our trump card like you might have been hoping. Even if that wasn’t an act, and she does really despise psions, she at least understands her enemy. Though, other than that, I’m wondering if they specialize more in weapons and genetics technology. The Trickster’s abilities might be a hint at that, combined with the effectiveness of the commandos on Layrinxa 2 and their lack of psionic use.”

“Somehow… I think even though that woman has something of an ego problem… she doesn’t seem like one for empty gloating or threats. I think she wants us to doubt ourselves… she obviously has inside dealings with the XSDF, else her information might not have been so… accurate.” Viviana looked up at the screen. “Those two there… the one with the four arms and the one with three legs interest me.”

Frederick gazed at the figures on the screen for a moment as they idled. “The four-armed one can’t be a normal Balmadaar… the limbs are too gangly. I only know of one other race that fits that profile, and we’ve only met one before. Remind me to have someone speak with SPC ‘Al’ at a later date about that, since he’s likely noticed that as well if he was watching.” The Commander shook his head at the other alien, and asked to the shipboard computer, “Where are the three members of the SSS Consulate?”

“Tak-sharu kan Katesch is located within his ship in Hangar F, Osahar cin Ankhor appears to be socializing in the Barracks, and Nitetis sen Senna is located within the Laboratories at work.”

Frederick gave a sigh of relief. “Well, if they’re not mutinying then I suppose that Seikron with Trismegistus is an outcast of some sort. It’s unusual to see one outside of the consulate otherwise from what I understand.”
“Well… if it is indeed a rare occurrence perhaps they have some knowledge about this rogue of theirs.” Viviana continued to study the video. “There also appears to be another normal human there… and that tail on the other one… Tamearin perhaps?”

“With the Outcasts of Tamaer obviously under their thumb, that doesn’t come as a surprise, though I am wondering about the number of humans they have… and I have my doubts that Trismegistus isn’t human. She certainly hasn’t put up much of a facade around that, but I’m not sure what else she could be.”

“Who knows… we have seen their tech, and we don’t know if they have even gene mods comparable or better than ours. From the reports, we had to book it from the mission so fast that we didn’t get to salvage anything… so it is all a theory at this point until we get our hands on some of their stuff.”

Frederick nodded. “And I’m hoping we can… but at the same time I’m dreading fighting enemies that strong again. We’re going to need to approach this with caution… but now… we’re definitely at war.”

 

[MarineAvenger]

"Chip on Your Shoulder" (ZombieSplitter53 and MarineAvenger)

March 20th, 2044
Room of Cayden and Korra
1212 Hours

Cayden rubbed his sore shoulder, having slept on it the wrong way the previous night, sitting on the couch in the common room, everyone else pretty much out. Ever since what had transpired between him, Korra, and Brigid, he always dreaded getting up in the morning to see if either of them about in the room. If he did see them, he just left and usually didn't come back until it was bed time. As for Mikhail and Sasha, he had just been giving them room, knowing full well multiple people had come and gone to see them, and that when they were ready he would speak with them. For now, Cayden was simply playing idly with a deck of cards he had found in one of the drawers, not playing any sort of particular game but they just gave his hands something to do.

From out in the hall, he could hear the sound of arguing, which got steadily louder as the individuals approached the room.

"For the last time, I said fuck off!"

"That's exactly what I want you to help me with! You weren't so prudish when you approached me two weeks ago. What, now that your roommate..."

"Those are rumors! And things change."

"I've heard of a certain Tamearin you wouldn't want to hear those rumors."

A moment of silence. "If... if that's supposed to be an attempt at blackmail, you'll have to do better then that."

Cayden's brows furrowed and he got up, walking to the door and opening it, looking down the hallways where the voices were coming from.

"So you don't care at all if I tell... what was his name?" A tall, lanky man arguing with Korra placed a finger on his chin. "Oh, right. It was Ga..."

Korra's hand flew across his cheek. "You leave him out of this! This is none of his buisness, no matter what he might think." She grabbed the man's shirt with both hands and drew him close. "If I do much as suspect you said a damn thing to him, or anyone, we'll see how smug that smile of yours is with NO FUCKING TEETH!"

The man pushed away from her. "Damn it, back of! Whatever!" He walked down the hall, waving his hand back. "Don't want no one's sloppy seconds anyway."

Cayden continued to stand in the doorway, watching as both the man went and Korra stood there, instead looking the other way of the hall, wondering if he could get away unseen.

"Asshole!" Korra turned quickly, quicker then Cayden had expected, and she noticed him peaking out the doorway. She froze like a deer in headlights, swallowing hard before shaking her head and making her way over to him. "That... that wasn't what... I'm not... interested in that jerk."

"Why would I care?" Cayden responded as he stepped back into the room and made haste to reach his bedroom before Korra tried to go after him.

Anticipating as much, Korra rushed into the room. "Wait, Cayden. Please. We... We've barely said two words. Can we please talk?"

Cayden stopped and he turned around, letting out a disappointed sigh. "And what is there to talk about Korra?"

Korra's shoulders slumped. "Well, don't sound to excited." She rubbed her hands. "How... how are you and O'Brien doing?"

"About as well as me and you have, if not worse." Cayden simply stated, his own shoulders slumping. Truth was Cayden hated being away from Brigid, more so ever since he actually expressed his deep feelings for her but knew it just wouldn't be possible. "I see you are still feeling the effects of my dumbass mistake."

"Our... mistake..." Korra continued to rub her hands nervously. With a deep sigh, she sat on the couch at said, "Listen, Cayden. There... there's something the two of us need to get straight... something that I have to say out loud."

"What is it?" He asked, sitting on the opposite couch.

"It... it was a mistake, Cayden," Korra said, starting to mumble a bit. "And... and if I could take it back... make it so it never happened, I would. But... but it was a nice mistake. I can't pretend that I didn't enjoy myself... even if I feel guilty, knowing the truth."

"Korra... I just... can't sit here and pretend that this wasn't my mistake, and you are still experiencing the consequences, when I should be... why of all the women did it have to be you and Brigid..." Cayden rubbed his head.

"If it wasn't us, it would have just been someone other women you were close to. You have a bit of magnetism to you." Korra smiled, but it quickly faded. "You... you feel like you betrayed O'Brien... and used me. But it's wrong for you to take the burden all on your own. I... I used you too. Maybe more so then you. I wanted something... your offered it... and I didn't think of the consequences."

Cayden's eyes seemed to involuntarily tear up for a moment. "I would have preferred it to be another woman. I don't care who... I should have never fucked you!" He yelled, slamming his fist onto the table.

Korra took the outburst like a shot in the gut, not sure exactly what he meant by that, but what sure assumed didn't paint her in the best picture. "I... I get it... okay? I... I've done nothing to make myself the picture of abstinence around here. But... but just because I wanted it doesn't change the fact that I did do it to help you!" She looked away. "I... I guess if I was in your place... I'd take the greedy stranger that took advantage of me and I never had to see again... over the whore that cared about me but now I have to see her every day."

"You're not a whore, you idiot!" Cayden yelled at her. "I never thought you were, even before the fact, it is the fact I tried so hard not to take advantage of you like any other guy would, but I stooped down to their level like some fucking dog... I should have held you in some sort of higher esteem, even in my delusional state! There was nothing pure about what I did... and you should be chastising me instead of taking my side, I want you to hate me for even betraying our friendship, even if you did want it..."

Korra looked down to the floor, a few tears falling. "I... I want to... to be honest. Because... because now, I know there is someone I care about. That... that he views me like O'Brien viewed you before this whole mess. That he is the one I wanted to... but now, when I tell him, he'll probably never talk to me again." She slowly looked up at Cayden. "But I can't hate you. You... you're my friend, and I care about you. And I care about O'Brien. I... I want to help you two fix this... because I see now that everything I was told before was wrong. That... you two prove that people caring for each other goes beyond the bedroom."

"Korra... I want to make something clear... I don't love you. I never... actually loved you but you had my respect and admiration as a friend... you still do... and I don't know if it is mutual but I never coveted anything serious with you."

Korra smiled lightly. "It... it actually makes me feel better to hear you say that. Honestly, it was the same for me. I mean... I like you. But you're not the one for me."

"Well... that's comforting to hear..." Cayden leaned back on his couch, looking down at his hands. "Do you think Brigid actually still loves me... or was it just a heat of the moment thing?" He asked Korra as if she would have the answer.

"Was... was what a heat of the moment thing." Korra leaned forward a bit. "Did something happen?"

"It's nothing... I just have my doubts we will ever work now, even if she insists that it might." The image of Brigid exposing herself flashed in his mind briefly, unable to unsee what he did, even though the room having been dark, still remembering her body with perfect clarity. "Even if we ever do become something... it will probably just ruin our friendship... again."

Korra scooted forward a bit. "What... do you mean? Wouldn't your friendship... become better? Because you'll be... you know, like, together? She... she told me that she hadn't just come out and told you because she was afraid you'd reject her, and that's what would have ruined it. Can you not be a couple and friends?"

"It... it just wouldn't be the same. It's hard to explain just how it is... it just is." Cayden stood up finally and he turned around. "Besides... even if we made it work somehow... somehow just moved past it all I would never... be able to touch her the way I did you. It just... well... is something I would never be able to do." He told Korra truthfully.

Korra rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Well... I can't say I fully understand it, but is that such a bad thing? She and I are so different, and we deserve different approaches. I would think she'd need a completely different approach." She slowly shrugged. "But... maybe I don't know what I'm talking about."

"Sometimes I fully don't even know, but sometimes you two are so similar it actually is hard to tell." Cayden looked at the door to their room. "I should just end it with her... spare us both the pain."

Korra lowered her head again. "Maybe... maybe you should. Maybe... you should just try to preserve what you have, not try for something out of reach." She slowly shook her head. "I just hope that you make sure that's what she wants... and what you want. Seems the easy way out, to be honest. You might both be happy... or it could crush you. But maybe you're right; maybe it isn't worth the risks."

"I don't know... but... Korra?" Cayden turned and he had a genuine smile on his face. "That guy you were talking about... go... try to be with him. If he accepts you... he is all the more a keeper, better than I could be." Cayden quickly approached the door. "I-I... I should try and find Brigid... before I try and back out of ending this before we get hurt." With that, he left and shut the door.

Korra leaned back, starring up at the ceiling and worrying if her insistence on them talking had made things better... or worse.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Part Two

Main Gymnasium

"Come on," Brigid muttered, sweat pouring down her brow as she used the leg machine, pushing a weight with her legs that was probably too much for her, even with her mods, to use. "Eight more... s-seven m-more... s-six... s-s-six..." She let out a breath, the weight slamming down.

"So close." A voice said from behind Brigid.

"Yeah, right. I have a long way to..." She looked back, and nearly fell off the machine. "C-Cayden... h-hey."

"Hi, Brigid." He said, his friendly smile quickly vanishing. "Can we... go somewhere private..."

Brigid wiped the sweat from her head with a towel and nodded, trying to hide her worry about Cayden's serious face. "Yeah... sure. Lead the way."

Cayden led Brigid out of the gym and the two walked in silence for a good while, just walking until they seemed to be alone in the hallways. Cayden then stopped, and he turned around, "Brigid... look..." He looked around, the whole time trying to think of the right words but coming up short.

"What... what is it?" The short blond nervously rubbed her wrists. "I... I'm sorry I've been so distance... and I appreciate you giving me my space. But you can tell me anything."

"Listen... I've been giving it some thought and..." Cayden tried to finish, but for some reason or another he found it hard. "I think... Look, Brigid... I... don't think... that this... this would ever work..."

Brigid turned her back to him, and stood in silence for several moments. In a shaky voice, she said, "So... so you want to end it? You... you don't think we could... come back from this?"

"I just think... we need to just stay friends. I don't think a relationship... would do us any good..." Cayden looked down at the floor. "I think it would be better just to say... everything that happened after you found me and Korra... a heat of the moment thing... and anything after that... just the same."

"You... you're right. Things sure were off then. And we said and did things in the heat of the moment that... seem silly now. It is better to look at this from a mature, sensible approach, and decide what to do from there. After all, if we're just friends, then all it was, with you and Korra and me, was an embarrassing moment." Brigid slowly turned back, her voice still shaky but a smile on her face. "So I've thought about it. And the answer is no."

"The answer to what?" He asked slowly.

"You. Me. Us, breaking up." Brigid shrugged. "The answer is no. I've thought about it from every angle, including yours. And this whole... avoid the relationship to preserve the friendship thing? It's what got us in this mess in the first place. So no. Give up if you want. I can't stop you. But I refuse."

Cayden was stunned for a while, his mouth hanging open a bit. "But Brigid..."

"This isn't all your fault!" Brigid snapped, obviously harsher then she had intended, as her tone quickly softened. "I was mad. I still am. But this time apart has given me time to think. If you poke a dog repeatedly with a stick, you share the blame when it snaps at you. You can test a child to not take a cookie before dinner... but actually offering it, leading them on, puts blame on you. Hell, even Earth legal systems have laws against entrapment. I pushed you away, Cayden. I alienated you by constantly comparing you to your father, and I childishly pushed you away, both straight to your face and through Korra. But you're taking all the blame. Yes, you might want to end this because you don't want to risk our friendship. But admit it. Plenty of that comes from you thinking you don't deserve me. You want me to be mad at you. Well... maybe it is time for you to be a little mad at me."

"You know what... I am mad at you..." Cayden finally said, "I'm mad you even made me fall in love with you... and mad that you keep... doing this..." He closed his eyes and made a fist. "You don't deserve me... you don't need me. Any guy could make you feel the same way, and probably wouldn't be as much of an oblivious ass as I am. Even he would be able..." Cayden trailed off, not finishing his thought out loud.

Brigid let out a sarcastic laugh. "You must be joking." The Irish woman slowly stepped towards Cayden, each step careful and methodical. "Do you know who you don't remind me of? Your father. Desmond is a great man. And I care about him. But he... does not have even half of your charm, your charisma, or your... je ne sais quoi. He's gotten better over time, but in his younger years, he had this... arrogance. One I could even recognize as a child. I have never... never... felt that from you, especially when it comes to me. Your mother can handle him... but I am not your mother. I fell in love with you because I saw something in you... something he was missing. It was like... you took everything good about him and made it better. You recognized the negative things, and cast them aside. Your father has plenty of things... things you share. Looks. Cunning. Intelligence. Will. But you have something he will never have." Having reached him, she stared into his eyes, with the look of someone towering over her opponent, despite being so much shorter then Cayden.

Even though he was stunned for a few moments, he quickly adjusted and any look of shock was replaced with a stubborn expression.

Brigid gave him a stubborn look in return. "You said you don't mind this little brat pushing your buttons. Well, I'm pushing them now." She childishly poked Cayden in the stomach. "Like I said; I love you, Cayden Walker. And I have a secret for you." She looked around to make sure no one is around, and wagged her finger, motioning for Cayden to bend closer. He rolled his eyes, bending down to get to her level. "I can be a real stubborn bitch when it comes to keeping my man!" She wrapped her around his head, planting her lips against his and refusing to let go.

Cayden was surprised, only for a brief second before he pushed back against her lips with his own, letting his hands rest on her hips. I-I can't do this... it just... it feels right... but just so wrong as well...

Brigid finally pulled away, gazing into his eyes for a few seconds. "Like I told Korra... we're just a bit broken. We can fix it. If... if you want to just be friends, then that's okay. But I'll always be looking for the chance to make us us. I'm tired of letting my fears control me. Just... please, if you want to go our separate ways, don't get mad at me for giving any girl you're with the stink eye. I can be the jealous type."

"B-Brigid... I... I don't want to... but I just... I don't know if I could... ever touch you... without feeling a little bit dirty... like I don't deserve it..." He shook his head. "I just... could never... feel like I deserve to be with you... especially after what you did... before you went to sleep..." He looked away.

Brigid's face reddened a bit, and she stepped away from him, huffing. "I... I was tired... and a little desperate. For both our sakes. I thought it was a good idea at the time. Guess I was wrong." She turned around, looking over her shoulder. "So... is that really it? After all I've said, after all I've insisted, you've made up your mind? I can't convince you that you deserve me just fine?"

"Brigid... close your eyes..." Cayden told her.

Brigid's breath shuttered, obviously having a hard time holding it together, but obliged, closing her eyes. After that, there was no sound, just Brigid with her eyes close and the hum of the ship. Brigid sighed. "Damn it, Cayden..." she muttered. Why does this have to be so hard... Disappointed, she opened her eyes.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Part Three

As soon as her eyes were opened though, Cayden was right in front of her, his lips already pressed against hers. You trained with my Dad... you know how silent he could be... He told her telepathically.

Brigid giggled, moaning softly. I could never get that down. You, on the other hand, are a master.

Train with him since you were five... you tend to get good. He seemed to push a bit more forcefully with the kiss, picking Brigid up.

Brigid freely let him, wrapping her arms and legs around him, Cayden easily able to hold her physique. Does this mean I got my answer?

He pressed her up against a wall. No, we are just sucking face because we need nutrition. He jested.

Brigid didn't stop kissing him, even as she telepathically said, This... is probably a bad place for this. Heard Mason is just as strict at this kinda thing.

I've heard... and last I knew... Korra is back at the room... Still, Cayden didn't seem to slow down.

Then screw it. I'll take the sanction. Not like we're having sex in the hallway. Brigid squirmed a bit at his touch. Of course... she could be gone.

Cayden eventually broke the kiss briefly, asking, "You wanna risk it?" Before going in for a risky move and planting a series of light kisses on her neck.

"I-I think... I've made it clear... I'm up for a few risks," Brigid answered.

Cayden looked at Brigid for a few moments as he pulled away from her neck, smiling at her contently. "Alright... but you gotta release me first..." He teased with a smile.

Hoping no one watched the security footage, Brigid let him go and rushed down the hall, assuming Cayden would follow at his own pace. When she reached her room, Korra stepped out, nearly walking into her.

"O'Brien! I... I was going to get something to eat. Did you... you look flushed. Are you okay?" Korra asked.

"Y-yeah. I mean no! I mean..." Brigid chuckled nervously, wiping a strand of hair out of her eyes. "I'm... feeling a bit... off. I'm gonna take a shower and get some rest."

Korra nodded. "Okay. I'll... give you time to yourself." She stepped to the side, and Brigid ducked in. Walking down the hall a bit, she nearly ran into Cayden turning a corner. "H-hey again. Um... I just saw O'Brien go in the room, but... she looked a bit off. Maybe you should wait until tomorrow to... have that talk."

"Y-Yeah... I thought so..." Cayden smiled, his mind and heart racing though he kept it under control, at least on the outside. "Anyways... uh... I wanted to say thanks... for before, but unfortunately..." He looked down the hall, "I gotta go, alright? Talk to you later?"

"Uh huh. No... problem." Korra smiled, and walked off towards the mess hall.

Cayden walked forward normally, very slow at first before he looked behind him, seeing Korra a fair ways away before he ran again, turning into the door, opening it quickly and shutting it, putting his head against the door and sighing. "That was close..."

"Then let's not spoil it," Brigid said from the doorway of the showers, already half undressed. "You coming?"

He turned around and Cayden's eyes immediately widened, standing there stunned for a few long moments before he nodded his head and slowly walked over to Brigid.

 

[MarineAvenger]

Old Faces (MarineAvenger and ZombieSplitter53)

March 21st, 2044
Hallway to Mess Hall
1454 Hours

Cayden walked down the hallway that led to cafeteria, his brother walking next to him. Leo was a little bit shorter than his older brother, but his physique was very similar to that of Cayden's. Even though the IT guy was not that much of a sports guy, he still had been putting time aside for the gym, and it seemed to have paid off.

Cayden was wearing just a black jacket over top a white t-shirt and a pair of black jeans, the man next to him wearing a white button up and regular denim. One of the most striking differences between the brothers was the fact Leo's hair was long and curly, having half of it dyed blonde to clash with his natural brown hair. Also unlike Cayden, Leo had brown eyes as opposed to his brothers red.

"You have some balls, having hung up on Mom like that. Maybe you would have had a better heads up if you didn't freak out." Leo chided his brother.

"Yeah, but it's Mom, you know how she gets." Cayden told his brother.

"For being a hardcore soldier, you are such a wimp."

"What was that?" Cayden asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You a wimp, brudda." Leo mocked.

"Oh yeah?" Cayden reached over and put his brother in a headlock as the two entered the cafeteria, both the men laughing as they tried to overpower the other.

As the two rough housed, they crossed paths with a blond woman who, despite her unusual weight, was knocked on her bottom. By the time she had hit the floor, a very angry growl came from Cayden and Leo's feet, an incubator's hair standing on end.

"Whoa!" Both brothers exclaimed, looking down at the alien creature. "Good kitty..." Leo said smoothly, earning a slap on his arm from Cayden.

"S-stand down, Dinah!" Alice shouted, quickly climbing to her feet.

Big humans attacked mistress Alice! This One will protect mistress Alice!

"It was an accident, Dinah." Alice reached down and picked up Dinah, the alien cat relaxing at her touch. She smiled at Cayden. "Sorry about that. She's... protective."

"No, it's fine, sorry for knocking you down." Cayden said, Leo then apologizing in turn.

Alice looked between the two men, smiling. "You... you're Leo Walker, aren't you? Cayden's little brother? I didn't know you were joining the XSDF."

"Yeah, neither did block head himself." Leo stated, glancing over to the man on his left. "I work for the IT department now. The company back home was merging with a larger one and I didn't want to be stuck behind a cubicle, so when I found out the XSDF was hiring, I had to take it. They shipped me out with the supply run, so I got here fast."

Alice looked back into the cafeteria. "I, um... I'm grabbing a quick lunch with Dinah. Did you two... want to join us?"

The brothers looked between one another and Leo shrugged. "Sure, why not. It will be good to catch up a bit. Wonder what trouble you've gotten into?" He thought out loud with a big, toothy smile. "Lead the way."

The android did just that, weaving through the various soldiers and workers. She walked the pair over to the line, and pointed to a table a bit away. "Come over there when you get your food. I'll meet you there." She bowed her head, and walked off.

Leo let out a bored sigh in the line, looking around a but as a question popped into his mind and looked over at his brother. "You still close to O'Brien, bro? I heard she is on the ship as well, and causing quite a storm in the bar."

"Don't be an ass Leo." Cayden said sternly.

Leo snickered. "Got my answer then." The two grabbed their food when able, and the two proceeded to the table Alice had pointed out.

As they say down, Alice said, "Good to see you both in good health. It's been to long. What few times we met... I always remember you being the smart one, Leo."

Leo snickered and nudged his brother in the ribs with his elbow, earning a smack upside his head, the two brothers looking at each other as if they were going to go at it again.

Alice shook her head. "How have you been, Leo? It's been so long, and if you're anything like your brother, you and I have a lot of catching up to do? You... still seeing... what was her name?"

"Dori... and unfortunately, no. We ended the three year relationship after she wanted to continue schooling. I had my career and well... We ended on good terms. We are still close friends." Leo poked his fork into his food and put it in his mouth with a satisfied look.

"That's good," Alice said with a nod. "So why the Einherjar? I'm sure there were other ships closer to home. Did you go with this one to work along side your brother?"

"No, actually, it was a random assignment. Apparently, this ship was given mostly green IT guys who barely know what they are doing so I got sent here. Simple as that." Leo grinned and put an arm around his brother's neck. "Not to say I am not happy to be with my big bro."

"Get off me you curly haired..." Cayden quickly sprang up, causing Leo to fall out of his seat and Cayden slowly sat back down. "You may have bulked out, but you are still the little one." He stated to Leo.

Getting up, Leo rubbed his head and took his seat back. "One of these days..."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "Is this... normal?"

Human Leo wants to make human Cayden to feel embarrassed. Human Cayden is resentful, and feels human Leo will try to undermine him. Dinah calmly cleaned one of her paws from atop the table. Both ready to fight.

Both brothers nudged each other one last time before they smiled and both ate their food. "So... What else you want to know?" Leo asked the android.

"I, um... I know a little bit about computer's," Alice said, smiling at the irony. "What are your qualifications. I hope you're good, considering the aforementioned green IT guys."

"Well... I could do a multitude of tasks, run diagnostics and solve any bugs in almost any mainframe, can code a few programs to enhance security, I know how to both build and take apart computers and can hack any basic encryption, as well as make my own." Leo listed off casually, throwing a grape up in the air and catching it in his mouth. "Anyone can learn that with a couple of years in the right college courses and some offhand expirence, but luckily I had a good teacher."

Alice tilted her head slightly. "Oh? And where did you study?"

"Highschool courses, online courses after I got out of high school and was working on a coffee shop. Plus a family friend offered to teach me, so that was a big plus."

"Well, those of us connected to XCOM have plenty of family friends to help us out." Alice folded her hands. "Tell me, Leo... and this is something your brother knows about, and Brigid from what she told me... what did your parents say when you told them you were joining the XSDF?"

"Well... There were sad at first that their second son was leaving, Bethany took it especially hard when she first found out. Dad tried to stop me but of course... You know no one can say no to my Mom for long, especially him. Now I'm here for better or for worse now."

With a grin, Alice asked, "So how long until the third Walker child decides to join us? She's a fashionista, right? She can work on our uniforms."

"No!" Both brothers stated adamantly.

Alice nodded. "I doubt your parents would allow it anyway. You two should be enough Walker, though. Cayden has already proven himself quite the capable soldier though... you should be proud to look up to him." She smiled sadly. "I wish I had known you growing up as well as Brigid did. The both of you. I still remember the first time I met Cayden, shortly after he was born."

 

[MarineAvenger]

Part Two

Cayden smirked, a little embarrassed and he said, "I remember the stories Dad used to tell us about you and Sunny. I must say at first I didn't believe them but they sort of grew on me. Though personally my favorite was Mom's first meeting with Brigid."

"Really? Mine was the story of Dad's fight with Superbia." Leo stated.

"Yeah, that one was cool too, I guess." Cayden admitted. "What about you? You must have some fun ones, Alice."

Alice nodded. "Well, I still remember when Desmond would... practically baby Sunny. He proved, before you were born, what a good father he'd be." She leaned back. "You mentioned the first time Brigid met your mother. What... happened that made it an interesting story?"

"She kept commenting on my mother's shorter than usual height after she had to go to the infirmary. My mother likes to say kharma camearound and but her in the ass." Leo told Alice.

"Well, she was six at the time, and probably didn't know how much she was insulting her. But I'll be sure to tease her about it later."

Leo nodded and leaned back. "By the way. I was wondering if you guys knew anywhere I could stay? I haven't been assigned a room yet."

"Well... I do know of one vacancy," Alice said, looking at Cayden. "If you don't mind sharing a room with someone you know."

Cayden glanced at Leo and nodded his head. "We needed another guy, and I already lived with him for years, so it won't be much different."

"Sounds like fun then... I just hope Leo can handle the rather large group you got now. This would make it six correct, with you, Brigid, Korra, Sasha, Mikhail, and now Leo?" Alice asked.

Leo nearly choked on his food. "Mikhail and... S-Sasha are here!?"

Cayden rolled his eyes. "Don't get too excited, they are going through a rough patch right now... I will fill you in later."

Alice observed Leo with a rather curious look, "Is he usually like that when you mention those two?"

Cayden shrugged his shoulders. "Only when you mention Sasha around him." Leo tried to protest but Cayden cut him off. "Do you ever get that way Alice? Are you attracted to anyone or feel those feelings for another person, whether sexual or not?"

Alice's eyes widened a bit. "Um... well, at first, no. But over the last twenty-five years, I've had time to perfect that part of my A.I. So I guess the answer would be... y-yes."

"That's neat, Alice. Glad you get to expirence that part of life. So you have anyone that you are attracted to?"

"I-I don't know, Cayden." Alice her wrists uncomfortably. "With how busy I've been, I haven't had much time to think about it. And it is hard to get close to anyone considering... who I am. Why... w-why the sudden interest, Cayden?"

"I just want to see how well you are adjusting, especially all things considered." Cayden smiled warmly and sat back. "If you ever need advice, I might not be the best person to talk to buy I will help you if I can."

"Thank you," Alice said, trying to relax but obviously having a hard time at it. In a low voice, she added, "But it is hard to think of such things when my very existence is currently in danger simply from being what I am. It is hard to describe what it feels like to know that you could die at any point for simply being who you are." She stood up, scooping up her feline protector.

Cayden sighed and he looked up at Alice. "Take care, alright? Things will turn out for the better, I know it will." The soldier gave her a reassuring nod and pushed his finished tray away.

"I hope you're right, Cayden. I... I feel like a coward for not having stood up for Erza. But... he is fine now. The new Commander would never dare do anything drastic as long as he stays in line. Me? I'm just some rouge android with minimal connections. If I were to get found out by the wrong people... they might dismantle me... it would probably be years until Sunny even found out."

Cayden's face grew stern and he put a hand on his brother's back. "Go back to the room when you are done here, I think me and Alice need to talk alone." Quickly giving Leo the room number, Cayden stood up and looked directly at Alice. "Come on, we should take a walk."

Alice started to say something in protest, but simply followed Cayden out of the mess hall.

Cayden waited until they were a good way away from the mess hall, and any big crowds, until he finally spoke again in a low voice. "What do you mean rogue android? You ran away from Sunny?"

"It's not as simple as that," Alice explain. "After I left Sunny's side, I tried to make it on my own. I... I underestimated the resistance I would get. Sunny... Sunny has this picture of me in her head. A picture I didn't want to damage. So I... we haven't spoken in years... at least not in person... since I joined the XSDF."

"What sort of picture?" Cayden asked. "Did she not think you were ready yet?"

"You don't understand." Alice stopped walking, staring at the floor. "I... I've done things, Cayden. Things that... others could claim self defense on. But I can't. And if I was found, not only would I be in trouble... but Sunny could be liable for letting a dangerous weapon loose."

"Don't say that Alice." Cayden told her sternly as approached the android, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You are not a weapon, no more than you are a calculator or phone." Cayden put a finger on Alice's upper chest. "You have a heart." Next he put a finger on her forehead. "And you have a brain. Both of which make you more than what people make you out to be." He removed his finger and let his hands drop to his side. "Everyone makes mistakes Alice. It is why people live. If you did everything perfectly, and did no wrong, you wouldn't be able to say you are alive, even though we both know you very well you are. You have your own thoughts, and your own likes, and your own way. That is what makes you special Alice, not the way you were made. I don't want to hear you say otherwise."

Alice nodded, placing Dinah on the floor and wrapping her hands around Cayden. "Thank you. That... that means a lot to me. I just wish there were more guys out there like you."

"I-I'm... not that great, Alice... but there are, you just have to find them. There must be someone else you have met that cares for you as you are." He told the woman comfortingly.

Alice shook her head. "Maybe. But... for now, I'm happy to have friends like you." She reached down, picking up Dinah again. "Stay the way you are, Cayden... both you and Sasha deserve to be happy."

Cayden rubbed the back of his neck a little worriedly. "I'll try. Just try and stay positive, we won't abandon you Alice, you can count on that." He assured her."

Alice shook her head. "Don't worry about me... I will be fine. Besides, I have Dinah to protect me." She scratched behind Dinah's ear and smiled as Dinah purred lightly in her arms. "I'll talk to you later, Cayden." Alice walked past the soldier with her head held high, a small, content smile on her face as she left. "Thank you..." She whispered.

 

[Alzdude28]

A New Face
March 19th 2044
Einherjar, Engineering department
1315


Brienne yawned as she put her lab coat on the hook on the back of the door and headed to the break room. After another extended shift, she was exhausted. She quickly made a cup of strong tea and settled down in a chair, reaching for her book, before remembering that it was in her lab coat pocket. Sighing, she stood up again, and made her way back to the workshop.

“Well, that was an awfully short break,” a feminine voice deadpanned as Brienne re-entered the workshop, the owner of the voice quickly pausing from her work to take a deep chug from her mug of coffee. “That eager to get back to work?”

Brienne grinned sheepishly. “Fun as it is, I was actually looking for this.” She pulled out a paperback novel from the coat. “I could do with some time to unwind, I’ve been working since 0600.”

The woman chuckled heartily at that, lowering the panel on the SHIV she was working on and reinserting the screws. “Amen to that,” she replied, “though in my case I came here to unwind. Still have a small mountain of paperwork waiting for me back at the office.”

“Well, I’m certainly glad I managed to avoid a desk job. I never did like paperwork.”

“Eh, it’s a necessary evil. On the bright side, at least I get to choose my own work assignments.” Offering a thickly-gloved hand to Brienne, the engineer added, “Ayako Henderson. You?”

“Brienne Martinsson.” She said, returning the handshake. “I thought I knew pretty much everyone in the workshop, but you have proved me wrong.”

“Well, not exactly like I gave you a fair chance,” Ayako replied, leaning against the bench she was working at. “After all, I only showed up yesterday, and most of the time since then has been trying to get settled in. Being chief engineer isn’t a slow-paced job, as you can likely imagine.”

“So you’re the new Chief. I was wondering when I’d get to meet you.” Then after a moment's pause, Brienne continued. “So did you get to spend much time on Forseti? What’s it like?”

“Only had a chance to spend a few hours dirtside before getting sent up here, though it does certainly seem like a pleasant place,” Ayako replied. “Though I did happen to run across a nice shop that sells fresh coffee beans. Might have to head back down there again once my supplies start running low.”

“Never been much of a coffee fan myself, but each to their own.” Brienne said. “I can’t wait to get down there myself. It’s been far too long since I’ve had solid ground under my feet.”

“Hey, nothing more solid than carbon-fiber reinforced zero-alloy,” Ayako countered, tapping her boot on the floor appreciatively. “I mean, there’s a reason we need dedicated weaponry for piercing these kinds of things.”

“While that is a comfort, I still miss being on a planet. Don’t misunderstand me here, it’s great here, but there’s just… you know, something, that doesn’t feel quite right.”

“Perhaps the knowledge that the void outside these walls is trying its best every moment to claim us as its own, and only through our ingenuity are we able to resist that siren song?” the Afro-Asian asked, arching an eyebrow inquisitively.

Brienne shuddered slightly. “It sounds a lot worse when you put it like that… but yes.”

“Eh, just try not to let it get to you,” Ayako said with a light chuckle. “After all, unless you’re on ground zero or all the elerium cores detonate at once, you’ll most likely be able to make it to an escape pod before, well, you know. We built these ships for safety first, after all.”

“Moving swiftly on…. do you mind if I ask what you were working on with that SHIV? I’m assuming there was more to it than just general repairs.”

“Apparently a handful of the operators were goofing off and using the Alloy SHIVs for jousting,” Ayako explained, quickly taking a sip from her mug. “They blew a few servos on this one when it predictably went wrong, figured I’d take care of it myself.”

“Yeah I saw the end of that match, it was hilari- erm… a completely disgraceful misuse of XSDF property…”

“It certainly is,” Ayako said, ignoring Brienne’s slip of the tongue. “I mean, they could have scheduled some holo-room time if they wanted to do that kind of thing. After all, these things aren’t shopping carts, they’re several hundred thousand euro war machines. You have to give them a sort of respect.”

“Oh absolutely. Those things save lives.” Still… she found herself thinking. Robot wars...

“But on the bright side, at least the damage is all fixed now, plus it gave a decent distraction from cross-examining peer evaluations and supervisor reports,” Ayako added with a slight shrug, pulling off her gloves. “Certainly gives a good insight on to who has it out for somebody and who got slipped a favor for a good report, though.”

Brienne chuckled slightly. “I hope my report isn’t too bad.”

“Nah, if I had a reason to suspect poor performance on your part, we’d be having this conversation in my office rather than here,” the chief engineer answered with a dismissive wave of the hand. “Unless, of course, you’ve been consistent in compensating your co-workers.”

“Well, that would be telling.” She replied with a grin, then her expression suddenly became worried. “I haven’t, just to be clear.”

“Yeah, you seem the competent type, I trust you,” Ayako said reassuringly. “After all, a poor worker wouldn’t have been here since 0600, correct?”

Brienne laughed again. “True, but a sane worker wouldn’t do that either.”

“Huh, then in that case I probably lost my sanity just before uni,” Ayako replied, adjusting her mug slightly to display the phrase ‘Sleep is for the Weak’ written on the side of the cup. “Been putting in eighty-six hour work weeks for so long I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a normal sleep schedule.”

“I’m inclined to agree with you there. A good engineer’s work is never done… which is one thing I both love and hate about this job.”

“Eh, I find the pace refreshing especially, at least when I can get myself up to my elbows in machine guts.” Ayako shrugged, finishing off her mug of coffee in one long gulp. “After all, the more you work, the better you get, which in turn enables you to do more work. You’ll never find a place more meritocratic than a manufactorum floor.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Said Brienne, looking around for her cup of tea, before realising it was still in the other room. “Oh crap…”

“Forgot something else?” Ayako asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

“Tea… It’ll be cold by now…”

“Then in that I case I best let you go; kept you from your break long enough, anywho,” the Afro-Asian said, pushing off of the workbench. “Need to get back to my proper work, as well.”

“Good luck with all that paperwork.” Brienne tucked the book under her arm and headed back.

“Yeah, it’ll certainly be needed,” Ayako muttered, grabbing her mug and making her way back to her office, ducking around the work of the other staff members.

 

[BMPixy]

“The Threat of Silence”
In Orbit of Forseti, Aboard the Einherjar
1621 Hours Local; March 19, 2044 / 64.3136
Hangar D; Sifari Malasa Meeting Room

“So why didn’t you tell us that you arrived?” Osahar asked, tilting her head at the scientist lying across the table from her.

“Wasn’t immediately important,” Nitetis replied, flicking his whiskers absent-mindedly. “Needed to obtain permissions to operate within local laboratories, make introductions, begin labor, such things as that.”

“I am not so certain, I think telling your valued co-workers as to your location would be fairly important,” Osahar said, closing her eyes and shaking her head slightly. At that moment, the door to the communications room slid open, revealing Tak-sharu - evidently angry and bitter based upon his posture and expression.

“Thrice-cursed pacifistic high commanders…” the diplomat spat, laying down at the head of the table.

“I assume that your communique with our wonderful leaders did not follow the route you were expecting it to?” Nitetis asked.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Tak-sharu replied, “No, it did not. High Command is not going to support the XSDF in this war, whether through soldiers, supplies, or technology. The official stance of the members selected for this session is ‘we shall not intervene, and if Forseti falls we shall negotiate a Elerium sale contract with the new owners’. May those incompetent fools get bent upon the spear of responsibility…”

“So, essentially, the only Seikronyr in a position to take part in this war are the ones aboard this ship and on Forseti?” Osahar asked.

“Are you suggesting what I am believe you are, Osahar-ba?” Nitetis asked curiously.

“I am no Hibaya, but I imagine that if we assist the humans in this war, any punishment from our government will be harshly mitigated by the sheer gratitude from the XSDF,” the soldier explained.

“And I could use that gratitude to propel my career even further… Osahar-ba, I take back what I said about your forebrain!” Tak-sharu exclaimed.

“He insulted your forebrain?” Nitetis whispered to Osahar, who pointedly ignored the scientist.

“Do not think I am merely doing this for you, Tak-sharu-hiba,” Osahar said, her expression hardening. “This war is also my chance to claim the glory that was stolen from me during the Nak Ardoonka incident. That is the only reason I pitched this idea.”

“Nitetis-dhul, are you amenable to following this plan?” Tak-sharu asked, glancing over at the Seikron in question.

“War against superior foes has always brought on the best in technological advancement, especially in regards to the humans,” Nitetis replied. “You can count on my assistance in the laboratory.”

“Wonderful, wonderful,” the diplomat said, the corners of his mouth twitching upward happily. “Now, that brings us to the next matter: that mysterious Seikron that appeared in the broadcast. Either of you notice anything about them?”

“They certainly seemed arrogant,” Osahar contributed unhelpfully.

“Based upon their size,” Nitetis said, “They are likely either a large Qooda or Aliilaye. Their posture suggests the latter, though as we know from our dear comrade Osahar-ba, that is not a sure-fire indicator of sex.”

“I resent the implications of your words, Nitetis-dhul,” Osahar replied, shooting a hostile glare at the scientist.

“Regardless, High Command came to similar conclusions, so a general order has been given to all Hibaya outside of our territory to perform a check on any tabanje in their regions, to determine if they have any involvement with this new faction,” Tak-sharu explained. “I was hoping to avoid this, but this will mean I shall have to speak with the one currently involved in the XSDF aerial corps.”

“To think that one of our kind associates with a group willing to work with pirates,” Osahar said, a sour look on her face. “I assumed that with the punishment we have in place for such activities would be enough to discourage that among the tabanje, but apparently it is not enough for some fools. I feel pity for that person’s siblings, should their identity be discovered.”

“Regardless, that is all I had to discuss with you two,” Tak-sharu said, standing from the table. “Though if I am correct, Osahar-ba did require your assistance with her cybersuit, Nitetis-dhul.”

“Indeed,” Osahar confirmed. “Apparently there is an interface issue with the human technology that prevents the flash shield from activating properly. Caused quite a bit of damage when I discovered that.”

“Very well. I shall gather my tools, and meet you in the Sifari Malasa’s cargo hold soon enough,” Nitetis replied.

“Also, I shall be speaking with the new Commander about our offer of assistance soon enough, so if either of you decide to leave the sea, let me know as soon as possible,” Tak-sharu added. “With that, you are both dismissed. May the sonada see you healthy and fit.”

“And the same to you,” the other two Seikronyr replied, standing and making their way out of the small meeting room, leaving Tak-sharu alone. This is either one of my best ideas, the diplomat thought, a small laugh escaping his lips, or one of Osahar-ba’s worst.

 

[Frostlich1228]

Frostlich1228 & MarineAvenger
"Hello, My Old Friend"

March 22nd, 2044
Office of Camelia Cross
0900 Hours

Leo sat with an expressive smile on his face, looking up at the clock as he was exactly on time, something Leo always was able to accomplish, upon hearing another old friend was on the ship, he simply had to see her. Growing up, Leo was a lot more into tech and staying indoors rather than his brother, who was more outgoing, but this allowed him to stay closer to family friends than he as well. One of them was Camelia, one of his more closer friends when he grew up, though like Sasha and Mikhail, when high school started, contact dropped. Now, he was here to say hello for the first time in a while.

A voice sounded over the intercom, just as welcoming, but with a hint of something else Leo couldn't quite place, "It's open, please welcome yourself inside!"

Leo stood up and proceeded to walk towards the office, opening up the door and closing it behind him, Leo holding his hands out to the sides. "Hey, Cross... been a while."

The room was very cozy, but something caught Leo's eye. The trashcan next to Winter's desk was filled with a number of balled up napkins, however they sat below many plastic cups and other ordinary trash, indicating it's been at least a decent amount of time since using them.

Camellia smiled widely, instantly recognizing her friend, "Leo?! I didn't know you were here!"

"Yeah... seem to be getting that a lot." He put his hands in his jean pockets glancing at the trash. "You sick or something?"

"Oh..." She looked away from a second, "The last mission... didn't go well... I'm not sure if you heard..."

"I've heard some second hand accounts but that is it. Only been here for less than a week after all." Leo walked over and sat on the couch, crossing a leg over his other. "Nice set up you got here. You know when you told me all those years ago you were going to do something like this I must say I almost didn't believe you."

"I wanted to become a soldier, but my mom opened my eyes, I don't need to kill people to protect them..." She stood up, "Even if you win the battle, you still need a friend to help you work through your emotions. War doesn't just hurt your body... It hurts your heart and your soul... That's why Psychiatrists are needed."

Leo merely laughed, shaking his head. "Damn Cross... you have changed. If I didn't know any better, you almost sounded like a real shrink then."

Camellia rolled her eyes, chuckling, "And I see you haven't."

"Hey, you know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it or even re-imagine it's greatness in any ways." Leo shrugged his shoulders. "I am just one of a kind like that."

"So, take it you're a soldier then?" Cammy asked, sitting next to him.

"Nah, you see me going out there being all tough? I prefer the safety of computers mind you, I work IT." He raised an eyebrow at the fact she was so close.

"I can't exactly see you as an IT guy, what made you choose that job?" She asked.

"I'm just inherently good with tech like that... though you are probably asking since I don't look like that scrawny twig you knew me as all those years ago. Let's just say I got off my lazy bum a couple of years back and started to work out a bit. The results were... well, they were satisfactory." He stated, smiling down at himself.

"So, who've you run into so far? Definitely your brother... Have you ran into Brgid?"

"Nah... unfortunately. However Cayden seems to be hiding something, I know it. Those two have always been an odd pair." Leo also scratched his chin. "Still have yet to see Mikhail and Sasha... though I plan to very soon considering we are going to be roommates. I did meet Alice again, which was a fun time... you know, when not being threatened by her cat."

"I'm scared for Sasha... She's not doing good after that mission, but she won't come see me... I could force her, but if I did I feel like she wouldn't really listen..." Cammy sighed, "If you do see her, be careful with what you say, alright?"

"Come on, you know I have a way with words. You probably know best from all the late night computer calls we had when we younger."

Winter pushed him lightly, "Shut up... I'm serious, be careful, it's been really hard for her after that mission."

Leo chuckled but nodded his head. "I will be careful, I promise, alright?"

"Thanks." Cammy smiled, "I know sometimes I like taking risks but not with people's lives... Better safe than sorry."

"Yeah, I wouldn't ever push someone like that... so, tell me how you've been doing the past few years."

"After I got out of college I was working as a psychiatrist's assistant in New York, a few blocks away from my mom." Camellia took a second to reflect, "He was really nice to me, a very kind man who gave me quite a few tips on how to work with people that you wouldn't be able to get out of a textbook."

Leo's smile seemed to grow. "Oh? Seems you really liked that guy. Was he... more than a teacher?" He nudged Camelia with his elbow.

"He was fifty-six Leo... I'm not into men that old..." She smirked.

"Oh please, age wouldn't matter to you if the person had a big heart and a big something else." His smile seemed more mischievous rather than playful.

"You've got a point... So long as I get to be the one on top though..." She replied back, trying to match him.

"Hm... wouldn't have taken you for the dominant one." Leo stated honestly, putting his hands behind his head.

"Really? Why?" She asked, tilting her head.

"You don't seem a domineering girl. Your too cutesy, but I guess those are usually the ones with the weirdest kinks."

"I'd just prefer to be in control, nothing wrong with that... I am the heir to a family that makes a business out of shaping nations, I figure that's where I got it." Winter looked at him, "I don't even want to know what kind of stuff you're into."

"What is that supposed to mean?" He asked, mocking offense.

"'Good with computers' huh?"

"Yeah, get to your point, Cross." He told her, crossing his arms.

"You probably have some sort of weird harem filled with holographic women somewhere..." She grinned, "And I know how much you like to spend time with a certain family friend..."

"Sorry, not that desperate. Besides... I'm not attracted to Alice, she isn't my type." He said, waving a hand as if it accentuated his point.

"Why not? She's really pretty, even I think so."

Leo chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah, she's definitely a catch but not really my personal cup of tea. I have a specific type of girl I like."

"Mind telling me?" Camellia asked, "If you want to that is."

"Not like I have anything to be embarrassed about... I like cheerful and energetic girls, along with short haired ones and ones with big chests." Leo shrugged his shoulders. "I don't care who say what, I like 'em big... not the girls, the breasts, I like somewhat thin girls though I guess it doesn't matter that much."

Camellia looked down at herself for a second, going through a mental checklist before she finally asked, "Really? Because that almost sounds like me..."

Leo chuckled and stood up, wiping his shirt down. "I think you give yourself a bit too much credit. If you aren't careful, I might get the wrong impression."

"I'm just stating facts." She shrugged, standing up as well, "Well, It was great talking to you again, guess I'll see you another time Leo."

"Yeah, definitely Cross. Who knows, maybe I will call you late at night just to annoy you." He jested, opening the door.

"I wouldn't be opposed, unless you don't like being on the phone for four straight hours, you know how women are." She answered sarcastically.

"You would be surprised how long I could talk." He stepped out and waved a head. "See ya."

"Keep safe!"

"Yeah, yeah... you don't need to worry about me." Like that, Leo made for the exit of the office, not looking back at Camelia.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Concern
???
4:21 AM, March 20th


Worry. A few footfalls on metal. Usual calm, collected movement gone, replaced by erratic head-turns at the slightest sound.

They knew.

Only one thing that could be done in a situation like this. Hide. Hope they weren’t smart enough to find –

Creak. Head shooting up like a Meerkat sentry. Silence. Stillness. More silence. Nothing. A frown. Becoming paranoid.

Shaken? Yes. Very. Unacceptable. Letting emotions get the better. Have to remain calm. Return to work. Preparations. Need to hide.

Who does she think she is? Who indeed. Only details – a name, resemblance to humanity, specifically a female, ostentatious clothing reminiscent of an old noblewoman, with some elements that seemed more at home in works of fiction. Heart shaped kneecaps? Who does she think she is?

Better question. Never mind who she thinks she is – who is she, really? Human? Possible. Profile fits. Some aspects out of wack – eyes, for example. Not normal. Not from experience, anyway. Reflection present, though with setup and lighting entirely possible it wasn’t even hers, but one of the others nearby.

Reflection. An idea, seized upon. That may help. Of the psionic population of the galaxy, only a few known Reflection users. Several already accounted for. A frown. Although question as to how well the pirate conglomeration knows that section of the galaxy. If well, implies she would not be on the list, since she would had to have been out there before census. Question then as to how she got out there, especially if she was indeed human. Knowledge of Ethereal Subjugation War. Worse. Knowledge of time before Ethereal Subjugation War. Before the two species met, even?

A shake of the head. No. Impossible. Wouldn’t make sense if she was human. If she was human. Same caveat each time. If, if, if. No certainty. All doubt.

Worry. Turn, catch elongated shadow out of the corner of eyes. Follow movement, see own shadow. A grim smile, whispering. “Getting that nervous, are we?” Shadow does not respond. Unsure why expected anything different. Never has before, after all.

Sigh, moving elsewhere. Need to finish preparations. Move agents. Ensure their safety. Begin espionage interdiction. Find out data. Clues. Anything.

Whoever she thought she was, she was an enemy. That much was certain. Regardless of her warning, there was only one way to respond to an enemy.

War.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Adrammalech and DarkGemini2401: “Reversed Introduction, Part 1”

Surface of Forseti (March 18th, 2044)
Ailey (12:30 P.M., A.S.T.)
Main Street

*Several days ago, and the day prior to the XSDF’s first contact with Trismegistus.

Frederick walked along the sidewalk of the capital of Forseti. It was refreshing to be on a planet with breathable atmosphere, yet lacking the crime or mugginess of Progressus. The temperature was actually slightly chilly, attesting to it being mid-winter, though the continent Ailey was centered on wasn’t known for its temperature extremes. Glancing up at the mountain range that the city was built into the side of, however, he knew much colder temperatures were only a climb away. Looking back down, he admired the city itself.

With a population of about 175,000 (close to a fifth of the planet’s total population), it was impressively sized, but still managed to be a walled city thanks to its back being guarded by the mountains. It felt rather quaint, with the occasional fountain, and well-paved streets that seemed to - almost - lack litter. Frederick leaned down, picking up an empty water bottle and sighing. Well, it can’t be perfect… but this certainly is the tip of the spear for humanity.

Towards the mountain was a large complex just behind the capitol building, the latter a mixture of Roman, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese architecture, indicating three of the primary investing factions in the NAU, Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and Japan. The latter two had one side, while the former two had another to keep the overall design from being an intercontinental mess.

Behind it, however, was a softly glowing gargantuan structure, the Ailey Elerium Retrieval and Manufacturing plant, or AERM. Within the top section, climbing up like a hexagonal pyramid with only half visible, was where Elerium was processed. Below were carefully dug out tunnels to the elerium, highly safe and either automated or controlled from above. The human factor was no longer deep within the mines, but rather manipulating mechanical processes and workers from the ground floor.

“And someone else wants all this… for what purpose, though?” Frederick asked no one in particular, before reaching the cafe where he had chosen to meet with his Central Officer at a table outside, rather than within.

Abigail walked over with her hands in her pockets, wearing civilian-looking clothes with the exception of various bulges underneath her jacket and a pair of loud-thunking combat boots. As she reached Frederick, she scanned around in an exaggerated fashion. She began to speak with her native Scottish accent, albeit a little dampened.

“No serious look in a big dim-lit room?” Abby remarked, sitting down and putting her hands on the table. “These meetins’ should be scarier, Mason, least in my experience since Earth.”

“Trust me, I’ve had enough of those with Carter already.” Frederick rubbed the back of his neck, taking a seat as well. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

“Thought I’d meet the new boss, if I’m ta be number two and all,” Abigail shrugged. “More directly, I’m hopin’ to get a better idea of how things are runnin’. Astasha just mostly had me lookin’ out for people actin’ like bampots.”

Frederick clasped his hands together. “Well, actually, you’ll be my second officer… strange to think that was my position two weeks ago. I have a Lt. Commander Sousa that will be coming in to fill the slot Aya and then myself have left vacant.”

Resting his hands at his side, he continued, “As for how I run things, I’m not as… particular about my subordinates as Streczyk was. What I mean to say is I have no intention of discriminating amongst my staff on anything other than ability.” He sighed. “I’m not going to allow sexual misconduct, but if two people are in a relationship that’s not my business. This is a military outfit, though, and the basic rule stands, if not taken to as much of an extreme.”

“Doesn’t affect me, but glad I won’t have to roust anyone aboard over it,” Abigail sighed, stretching back in her seat for a moment and then looking back towards him. “What about the bastards that jumped my squad? Anything new about that I should know?”

Frederick shook his head. “As much as I wish there were, we still know next to nothing about this ‘Trickster’ and his associates. I have my suspicions about their relation to whoever has been laying claim to Forseti over the past two months, but it’s nothing I can prove right now. And from what intelligence has told me, neither can the Overseer.”

“I need to check up on the ones that survived...I’ve seen some sick shite breaking up criminal operations on Earth,” Abigail looked away again, staring into the cafe. “But the kids, not every day they’re seein’ limbs getting blown off and shite. I was imaginin’ slappin’ the Commander over the head for not knowin’ about them, just like when I was a private, but I guess it’s bygones now.”

Frederick chuckled. “I’d say that was fine, but we need to set an example, after all.” His expression quickly grew serious though. “They’d probably appreciate you looking after them, and I’m glad you intend to. Therapists help, but having someone who went through the same thing you did is a needed relief as well.”

The Commander gave a nod of thanks as a waitress delivered drinks. “I’m just afraid of facing similar enemies again… we can take steps to ensure we won’t be hit that hard again… but the rest is up to Dr. Hu and her team. We barely recovered any weapon fragments from that fight, though, and I fear that even her talent isn’t going to be enough.” I wonder if we should start using heart monitors for our weapons, considering that our enemies, both new and old, seem to make a habit of it, he noted somewhat bitterly. “Not that you could have done any better, given the circumstances.”

“I’m glad you know that. If anything, we got lucky, what with the psionic display from Dragomirov while we were running. And Flores, I still can’t believe she got out, though it’s hard to characterize that kind of trauma as ‘lucky.’”

Frederick nodded grimly. “I feel like the 19th is going to change everything, whether we find a connection or not. Either we’re defending Forseti, or ourselves… they’re after one or the other… maybe both. For what reason… so help me, I have no idea. If they have fusion and particle weaponry, personal shielding… what could they want with us or Forseti? We’re both beneath that level of technology and resources required for it.”

 

[Adrammalech]

Adrammalech and DarkGemini2401: “Reversed Introduction” Part Two

“I’m more curious about how a bunch of humans got that kind of gear,” Abby replied, “either there’s a corp or a bunch of aliens that are hiding something from us. I’m sure grabbin’ one would be useless with their organization, but I wouldn’t mind watching one die slowly anyway.”

Frederick shook his head. “I have no intention of becoming like them. The level of cruelty their leader displayed… avoiding that has nothing to do with proving ourselves better… it’s just something we have to do, lest we lose sight of our morals.”

“Yeah, I know, torture’s bad and all,” Abigail wrinkled her nose. “Still, the guy stylized himself like a villain. I’m not Batman, I’m not going to say it’d bother me watching him bleed out.”

“That’s not what I was-” Frederick rubbed his forehead. “Of course we’re going to fight them, to the death if we have to. I’m not going to ask my men to go out of their way to avoid killing him. But at the same time, we’re peacekeepers, not judicators. If we start dishing out whatever justice we feel is best, how long before we think we’re walking along our own “Path”? We can’t lead ourselves to the same disaster that was the Ethereal Empire.”

“At the same time, we’ve resisted corruption much better than a lot of law enforcement and military that have trod our path,” Abigail retorted, leaning forwards. “I’m not saying we should overstep our bounds, but we shouldn’t doubt ourselves. It can be deadly down on Earth.”

“I’m not doubting anything,” Frederick replied. “But if you’re going to be advising our troops on the ground, I need to be sure you’re not going to tell them to do anything that we’re going to regret later. Don’t think that because I don’t go too far like Astasha I’m not going to expect my orders to be followed. I’ve already been forced to make some concessions I’d rather not have just to ensure certain members of our staff don’t go AWOL.”

Abby stared for a moment, and then leaned back again. “Of course. I know who the authority is, so long as I have trust to operate how I do.”

“Trust is something that is earned in that regard,” Frederick responded. “I expect you to have some degree of trust in me, but that is because you need to for your commanding officer, just as those under your command in battle trusted you.” The Englishman shook his head. “But while I don’t hold that mission against you, I haven’t seen enough of ‘how you operate’ to know if it’s effective or not. So I reserve my judgement and my confidence. I consider those who serve under me to be family, but that doesn’t mean we’re equals. I’m not the one that needs to prove myself here.”

“I’m not a rookie, Commander,” Abigail scowled a bit, the title seeming markedly pointed. “If you need trust or proving, you can look at my record, or my results. I’m not saying we’re equals, but I haven’t seen you in battle either, and I trust you based on the rank you’re given - I just want the same respect for mine, which involves fifteen years of earning trust.”

Frederick sighed, running his hands through his hair in momentary frustration. “I understand that. I know that you have plenty of experience, Abigail. But I need a better idea of what your methods are, either firsthand or explained to me, before I can delegate more authority to you. And even then, I’m not going to sit on my hands when a mission is taking place. If I need to give an order a team on the ground, I will.”

Abigail leaned back, resuming a smile. “I’m fine with all that, just as long as we’re clear on what I’ve already done. You probably understand, what with the bosses I’ve had…”

The Commander nodded. “I feel the same way. I… mostly relied on Aya for so long, and then she had to leave so abruptly. And not long after I was thrust into this position. I know… Brea was likely preparing me for something like this, but I have to wonder if I’m really ready to lead the XSDF… especially in the event that we get into a larger conflict than simple pirate raids and responses.”

“Well, you’ll have to be,” Abby replied. “I doubt you would get the opportunity if someone didn’t think you could. And we have smart people aboard, smart soldiers. They put their trust in you, so you can do the same. Teamwork and all that.”

“Hopefully that will be enough, combined with our science and engineering departments at their best,” Frederick responded. “We’re going to need everything we have if we’re going to fight another enemy technologically and possibly numerically superior to us.”

“Well, you can worry about how to break them apart, and I’ll worry about how to swat them when they pop up. Good deal?”

“Seems fair enough. And the Lieutenant Commander will be the bridge between your world of tactics and mine of strategy,” Frederick offered in addition to Abigail’s words of wisdom.

“Sounds like a powerful triangle. Pirates aren’t going to get the best of us.” Abby stared away for a few moments, tapping the table with her fingertip. “Besides, I’m looking forward to a rematch.”

Frederick rubbed the back of his neck. “If we run into the Trickster again I can have Sousa take your place if you want a piece of the action… just don’t do anything drastic. Take him down, plain and simple. We can avenge those that he killed, but let’s make sure it’s in a way that wouldn’t bloody their memory.”

Abigail tried on a diplomatic smile. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Black0ut & ZombieSplitter53
Sagely Advice

XSDF Battleship Einherjar
Barracks
1538 hours
March 21st, 2044

Wolfe leaned over a table with various components from his T1 arm on it. Wolfe glared at the arm, his anger and frustration showing. With a defeated sigh, Wolfe sat down in a chair, his attempts to fix and improve his T1 arm having failed. Why..? Why does this arm always break off duty? This is so frustrating! I should be able to fix it...I mean, I built the damn thing for a reason! So why can't I

A light knock came on from the door, the familiar voice of a teammate calling out, "Hello? You here, Mr. Wolfy?"

Wolfe let out a mental sigh. "I'm here, Korra." The big man replied glumly. And it's Wolfe, not Wolfy. Thomas thought.

Korra slowly opened the door. Looking between him and the open panel on his arm, she asked, "Am I interrupting anything?"

"Nothing important," the one-armed medic responded, "but what brings you here, Korra?"

"Well... I know we have only talked a few times, but... but you seem like someone I can... confide in." Korra slowly sat in a chair and sighed. "I'd like a man's view, and honestly... you're one of the few men I haven't soiled my reputation with."

"Sure. What's the problem?" Thomas asked. It's probably not a very serious problem. The medic thought.

"What do you do when you've... betrayed someone you care about... and he doesn't know yet?" Korra slowly lowered her head as she spoke.

I stand corrected... Thomas thought. "I...hmm... I would suppose it would depend on how you betrayed "him". What did you do that makes you think you betrayed this person?" Thomas asked.

Korra's eyes darted between him and the floor. "Do you... promise not to tell anyone. Because I'm not the only one who could get in trouble."

Wolfe looked at the Tamearin with a frown. "The secret you entrusted me is still a secret. I thought that proved that I'm trustworthy." Thomas said. The big man stood up and crossed his left arm. "I'll still promise you, that I won't tell a soul. Medic-patient confidentiality."

Korra smiled. "Okay. I... he and I are... getting closer. But... but I slept with another man. I wasn't thinking of him when it happened... but I don't know if that makes it better... or worse."

Thomas was silent for a couple of moments, then he sighed. "It's on the worse side of things. However, you still have to tell him about the incident. If you try and hide it, he'll most likely be more upset that you didn't say anything." Thomas said sagely.

"I was afraid you'd say that. O'Brien said that... but I figured she was just mad..." Korra pulled her legs close, wrapping her arms around them. "But I don't know how. I've never been in a situation like this."

"Well, break the news gently to your boyfriend. If you blatantly say 'I accidentally cheated on you', he'll probably become very pissed off." Wolfe said. I'm not the one she should be asking advice on this particular matter, although I understand why she did ask me. Wolfe thought.

"Gently... right..." Korra avoided eye contact. "There... there's something more. The man I slept with, he... he looks up to him. How do I walk up to him and tell him I slept with the son of his idol? He'll never speak with me again! Should... should I tell him who it was? Maybe he won't ask..."

This situation seems to be rapidly devolving into being Snafu'd. Thomas thought grimly. "No secrets. The moment you start keeping secrets," Thomas said, "is the moment when a relationship starts to falter." The big man walked over and put his hand on Korra's shoulder. "Stop panicking and think logically. If you start panicking you'll almost always mess up." Wolfe advised.

Korra slowly nodded, but still looked worried. "I'm sorry. I've just... this isn't going to sound good, but... I've never cared before. I've never met someone worth caring about. And now that I have, I've messed thing up, and..." She rubbed her forehead. "And I... can't help but feel panicky. I guess I'm... not making sense, am I?"

Wolfe's eyes softened. "I know what you're trying to say. But if you freak out now, you'll put yourself in a worse situation. Just... try and calm down alright?" The big man said softly.

"Right... okay..." Brigid took several deep breaths. She looked up at Wolfe, asking, "Have you ever been in a situation like this?" She shook her head. "No. You're probably the faithful type, huh?"

"That would be true, I am the faithful type and as such haven't been in this kind of situation. Although, the woman I was with... is long gone, I still remain faithful to her. Unless I found someone who was like her, I will remain alone. Let's get back on track here. How can I help you with this?" Wolfe asked.

"Just... just tell me... if you were him... what could I possibly say to you to... to not make this worse then it already is." Korra shrugged. "I'm... not good at talking to people, as I'm sure you've noticed."

Wolfe looked up towards the ceiling for a moment, lost in thought. He looked back down and said "If I was this guy, I'd like an apology, first and foremost. Next, I'd like you to work to regain my trust and, finally, I'd want you to swear to never betray my again. That's everything I can think of... Even though I'm bad at relationships."

"In... what way?" Korra asked. "I guess I haven't seen you talking to many women outside the Squad. I... haven't seen you talking to anyone, really."

Wolfe lowered his head, breaking eye contact. Wolfe sat down, still avoiding eye contact. For a few moments the room was silent. Then, looking back at Korra, he said, "Because I haven't lost the mentality I had for about 20 some odd years. People die more often than anyone cares to think. But when those people used to be your friends or loved ones, you either break or you shut yourself off. And when you shut down you have to turn off everything. Your feelings, your personality, everything that makes you, well, you. That was what happened to me. I... still think that way. I'm cold to everyone, so I don't have to feel anything when they're killed. The only reason why I'm here, why I'm with the XSDF, is because of a friend of mine." The big man said through gritted teeth, " His name was Alfred. And he is no longer alive. He died months before the Einherjar even left Earth." Wolfe stood up, walked over to the closest wall and leaned against it.

Korra slowly stood up, walking behind Wolfe and placing a hand on his back. "But... doesn't shutting everyone out get lonely? Do... do you regret knowing Alfred, because if you didn't there'd be no pain?"

Wolfe's expression darkened. "Korra, I used to be enrolled with a military school. Those people were part of my squad. Out of the 10 of us there were only 6 people I consider my friends. I got to watch 3 of them die. And one of them... was my best friend. He was the dreamer. He was the only one in our squad who hoped that peace would ensue after all the wars on our planet ended. He was the very first person to die. And to answer your question, partially. I partially regret knowing him, even though he was the only person I trusted years after watching my friends get killed." Wolfe said moodily, " But for the most part, I don't regret knowing him. He was someone I could look up to."

"We... we have a saying where I come. Even the Tamearins, for all their emotional control, must cope with loss. We say... 'Time moves forward, and so must you. To help do so, the joy you shared must outweigh the pain of loss.' If you get to know someone, and spend enough time with them, you build up so many good memories. But if you ignore them to focus on your grief... you'll never move on, and it will never stop hurting."

Wolfe closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall. "I'll try. I'll try because you asked me to. But," Wolfe said opening his eyes, "you have to tell me who Mr. Boyfriend is." The corner of Wolfe's mouth slightly curling upwards.

Korra stepped back, looking away again. "Well, he... he isn't exactly... but... I'd like for him... if we can... K... Kallpa Vizcarra..."

Wolfe nodded his head. "I'll speak to Mr. Kallpa later... for security reasons." Thomas said with a wolfish grin.

Korra quickly spun around, holding up her hands. "Th-that's okay, Mr. Wolfy. I... I'll handle it, I promise."

Wolfe chuckled. After a moment or two, his humor faded and he became serious again. "I'm going to give you a gift. Something that gives me courage whenever I look at it. Hopefully it does the same for you." Wolfe said, walking over to a corner of the room and producing a sheathed sword. Moving quickly, Wolfe held the bladed weapon out, waiting for Korra to accept it.

Korra's eyes widened as she took the blade. "You... you wanna give me your sword? Th... thank you, but I don't think I can accept this. It's too much."

"Please. This is something that I wish to give you for your kindness towards me." Wolfe said

"Well... thanks." Korra placed it to the side, and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you, Mr. Wolfy. For everything."

Wolfe was surprised by the sudden outburst, but after a moment, he hugged Korra back with his good arm. "No, I should be thanking you for the kindness you've shown me. So, thank you for helping me become more than just an empty, old man." Thomas said, a grin spread across his face.

"Heh... no problem." Korra stepped back and grabbed the sword. "I'm gonna go stash this in my room before someone tries to take it from me. I'll talk to you soon, friend."

"See you, Korra. Take care." Thomas said, turning back to deal with the remains of his T1 arm.