Xanthian
Redpill
HvrCraft Section8 Rank : Captin
Posts: 56
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Post by Xanthian on Mar 23, 2014 8:10:53 GMT -8
Xanthian and Telemancer reached the gangway of the Format C , piston's hissed as the gangway lowerd . The two men walked on board and were welcomed by a familiar voice
Format: " its good to see you Xanthian , its been a while."
Xanthian : " i owe you guys big time , thanks for saving my ass i was in some real trouble there."
Xanthian and Telemancer continued to talk towards the operations deck
Telemancer:" i got to go check on a few things ill be back shortly "
with that Telemancer headed toward the bridge, while Xanthian walk towards the operator station
Xanthian: "Format i need to borrow your console a sec i need to check something out"
Format: " what is it you are looking for xanthian?"
Format had a curious tone to his voice as he activated the operator seat,to plates blow the console slid open and the chair folded and rose to the console Xanthian sat down and begun searching for a signal for the remote
Format:" Telemancer and my self have already perform a scan on the explosive device we could not find a receiver for it."
Xanthian looked over to one of the console and squinted then grinned a little.
Xanthian :"the reason you guys didn't find was because there were hijacking the up-link signal"
Format went silent for a moment processing the information then spoke again.
Format :" Very Clever using the monitoring signal we use to watch over the matrix to monitor the ship"
Xanthian: " Exactly but this code is really weird, iv never seen anything like it ,its almost like machine code but not"
Xanthian rubbed the back of his head and let out a frustrated grunt.
Xanthian: "what the hell is going on format? , i get the felling sky's gotten mixed up in something here .. no infarct she's got me mixed up in things again."
Format :" you know Sky"
Xanthian: "that's the problem, damn woman going to drive me to an early grave"
Xanthian continued to tap quickly on the keyboard trying to find out where this signal is coming from. he paused for a moment and lets out a long drown sigh .
Xanthian: "So where is she?"
Format: "where is who"
Xanthian: "come on format i really don't have time for games i know shes not on board if she was she would be here right now giving me smarty comments about getting my self trapped in the matrix, you know what shes like"
Format :"honestly right now i don't know, but im sure we will see her soon "
Format didn't want to go in to details ,he knew how easily Xanthian would just fly off the handle that man was differently not known for patients .
Xanthian :" dammit format stop holding out on me you do this all the time , always being so cryptic i pisses me off!"
Xanthian shoved the chair and got up
Format: "Xan Im not trying to upset you i understand your dealing with a lot but you need clam down, there are other things at work here not just with your crew."
Xanthian Sighed again
Xanthian :"Fine then tell me what you do know"
Format: " Sky scream is going to follow the path of the one "
Xanthain "What? ..What the hell do you mean she's going to follow the path of the one?" "your telling me shes going to follow the path of Neo as in what go to the source? are you serious!"
Format : "Not exactly shes going to the Machine city"
Xanthian Remained silent shook his head , then walked over to one of the Chairs and started to configure a loadout.
Format : "what are you doing"
Xanthian :"i'm jacking in, going to a bar and getting drunk, that woman is out her god damn mind,she's going to get us all killed, i'm having one last drink before before she does "
Format : " Im Afraid that drink is going to have to wait i'm receiving a message
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Post by Skyscream on Mar 23, 2014 9:51:16 GMT -8
Slasher had enough. His mind was made up. He walked purposefully into Club Hel from the lobby. The usual armed crowd were spread out inconspicuously around the club. His movements were relaxed but precise. Nobody even glanced twice at him as he approached the rear of the club where the Merovingian was having a meeting with some of his goons. The Merovingian looked up and smiled a little at Slasher.
"Ah. Just the man I was looking for." The Merovingian began. "I have a new task for ..."
"Our arrangement is at it's conclusion." Slasher interrupted much to the surprise of everyone surrounding the Merovingian. "We had a deal. I've fulfilled my end of the bargain and more. It's time for you to pay up."
"So aggressive." The Merovingian stared at him for a long moment. "I will, of course, honour my end of the bargain. I assume this is your way of turning down my other offer, oui?"
"Yeah." Slasher stated simply. His eyes taking in the entire group. Waiting.
"Very well." The Merovingian nodded to Slasher. "In light of your admirable performance of you duty I see no reason to not give you the information you seek."
"Just tell me where the exile is." Slasher sighed. "I'm getting tired of this place."
"He is in the one place nobody bothered to look." The Merovingian chuckled. "He's out there, mon ami. In the Real."
"What?" Slasher was taken aback by this.
"Oui." The Merovingian smiled his wicked smile and began to walk past Slasher. "The exile you have been seeking for years, before you came to me, is the hovercraft Format C."
"How the hell..." Slasher turned to bark at the Merovingians back as the Frenchman walked away. "You did it, didn't you. You let that ... You let it out into the world?"
"I was merely a facilitator, from there to here. It's what I do. He did the rest." The Merovingian laughed as the distance between the men grew. He glanced back at the men around Slasher. "Kill him."
As the Merovingian faded into the crowd the men surrounding Slasher began to draw their weapons. It was too late though. A blur of movement and two men fell back with knives protruding from their throats. Slasher immediately spun and drew another pair of knives as he suddenly dropped low and rolled into one of the larger men. His mass against the mans knees toppled him and slashers momentum carried him out of the small group. Bystanders were just becoming aware of what was happening when Slasher released the pair of knives in his hands as he came to his feet. Two more men toppled backwards clutching at their throats and forgetting about the weapons they had been drawing. Around him he saw the guards spread through the room begin to draw weapons. Slasher dove forward and picked up a pair of pistols dropped by his victims as he rolled into a dense cluster of dancers. They scattered as he came to his feet and flipped into the air, twisting as the crack of the pistols sounded in rapid fire over the dense beats of the music. Guards dropped as he landed on his feet and emptied the last few bullets of both pistols into the man drawing an uzi, from beneath jacket, nearest him in the blink of an eye. He snatched the Uzi out of the air as he dove to the ground again a moment before the chatter of weapon fire broke out in the crowd. Dancers and bystanders were cut down around Slasher as he ducked low and sped through the people. As he approached the exit to the lobby he sprayed bullets before him to clear a path. Blood flew and people scattered as he rushed through them to the doors.
He tossed the empty Uzi aside as the lobby doors were flung open just as Slasher reached them to reveal a pair of very large men armed with machine guns. The knives flew through the air faster than they could pull the triggers. The blades hit precisely where Slasher had aimed. The fingers pulling the triggers were falling to the ground as Slasher lept into the air. He kicked one man hard in the throat as he reached over and punched the other man in the temple with a precise blow. Both men fell as he sped for the emergency exit beside the elevator. He kicked the door down in one smooth motion and began speeding up the stairs. He knew they would be waiting for him at the top. He also knew they were chasing up from below. Which left him with one option that he did not like at all.
***********************
Thirty minutes later
Slasher crawled out of the duct and rolled onto the roof of the building that Club Hel hid beneath. He was caked in dirt and grime and completely out of breath. He glanced around for a moment before quickly getting to his feet and evacuating the area.
The real. How the hell was he going to get to the real?
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Post by Skyscream on Mar 23, 2014 10:05:59 GMT -8
####Transcription of Listening Device 394214 | Beginning Timestamp: 14:02:50####
Veil: It's bullshit.
Cryptos: Yes. There is no such thing as an Agent of the Source.
Veil: Is that what you've been doing? Playing along? See what happens?
Crytpos: I don't see how we have much choice. Whatever it is, it's very powerful. Ignorant of how things work though.
Veil: I don't like it. Not only does it lie.. it lies badly.
Cryptos: Maybe we can use it to our own ends.
Veil: Just what I was thinking.
##EOF##
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Post by Skyscream on May 2, 2014 7:21:27 GMT -8
The massive bulk of the hovercraft Format C blocked the most of the light breeze in the small valley where it was parked and three smaller hovercraft resting very close. A small group of people had gathered in the center of the U shape the ships made.
"Karaa," Valaro nodded to his crewman. "Could you go tell Sky that Rycus is ready."
"Yes sir." Karaa immediately turned from the small group standing in the cold and started walking around to the other side of the hovercraft Format C where Skyscream had disappeared earlier. She could hear Valaro and Rycus catching up on events and operations. News of friends and family back in Zion. Lost in thought the sight that greeted her when she stepped around to the far side of the massive hovercraft surprised her.
Skyscream was dressed only in shorts and a light shirt against the biting cold. Steam rose off her like smoke from a demon as her swift movements cut through the air like a knife. Karaa recognized the movements as one of many patterns and forms in Tae Kwon Do. Hands and feet sliced through the air like knives and pounded nothingness like hammers. The cords of muscle could be seen clearly as the sweat glistened on her skin even in the cold. Silently and suddenly Skyscream flipped high into the air, twisting her tall frame to kick out mid-leap and land easily on her feet. Without moving from where she now stood; the form and pattern changed to the much slower precise movements of Tai-chi as sweat steamed into the cold air.
"Everything we know in there," Skyscream said suddenly and quietly. "We know out here."
"Pardon me?" Karaa replied from where she was watching.
"We don't lose the knowledge." Skyscream slowly performed the slow precise movements. "Most people assume we do. But it's all still there. The problem is the disconnect between the mind and the body."
"Okay." Karaa stared at the mysterious person they called commander. A person they actually knew very little about when she thought about it. Too much disinformation that seemed to be laid out by the Commander herself. "You're telling me this why?"
"Because you're soft." Skyscream smiled a little. "In there you are as hard as nails. One of the best operatives I've ever seen. And I've fought alongside and against the best there is. Out here though?"
"Right. Soft." Karaa didn't reveal much. Her expression neutral.
"Which was fine. When the only enemy we had was the Machine and we had no hope of physically matching them." Skyscream suddenly stopped and turned to stare at the shorter woman. "But they aren't our only enemy. The body needs to learn what we can do in an instant in the Matrix. It takes time. In there we are pure intellect and will. That is not the case out here. It's much easier to die in this world."
"True." Karaa stared at the tall woman for a moment. "The Captains are ready for you now Commander."
"Thank you, Karaa." Skyscream frowned a little and stared at the horizon. "We'll meet in the cargo bay of the Format C. I'll be along shortly."
"I'll pass the message along." Karaa turned to go.
"Thanks. Oh .. and Karaa?" Skyscream turned to look at the other woman with an oddly amused expression.
"Yes?" Karaa shivered a little in the cold.
"Once a believer ... " Skyscream looked up at the dark clouds above before turning her attention back to Karaa. "... always a believer."
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Post by Skyscream on May 2, 2014 8:40:27 GMT -8
Slasher stood staring at the city from the roof of the Heart 'o the City hotel. The frown locked onto his forehead left little doubt as to his mood. The thud of a landing behind him was the only warning as he turned and ducked. A solid fist passed through the air his head had recently occupied. Rolling to the side and springing to his feet he faced his attacker.
"Leave me alone." Slasher stared at the man with the silver eyes. "Go back to whatever it was you came to this system for."
"Viral programs must be deleted." The man with silver eyes surged forward. "Do not resist."
Slasher danced backwards as the man lunged at him more concerned about defense than offense. The man was too fast and it was all Slasher could do to avoid the strikes and blows. Then a feint of a punch fooled him and suddenly what appeared to be a jolt of lightning shot out from the mans wrist. It barely grazed his shoulder but Slashers eyes widened with horror.
"How did you do that?" Slasher mumbled as his code disassembled and his voice turned into electronic static.
The man with silver eyes turned and walked away as Slasher fell to the surface of the roof in a million bits before fading into nothingness.
**********************************
His eyes opened. The room was small and grey. Like always. There was one door. Nothing else. Like always. Beyond was probably a small army. Like always. It had been many years but he doubted anything changed.
"Do not vacate the containment cell." A voice suddenly broke the silence. Like always.
He stood up. His eyes never left the door. He took a deep breath.
"Do not vacate the containment cell." The voice stated again.
He charged the door and kicked it off it's hinges with one swift motion. Beyond was a long hallway. It was filled with the combat programs armed with various weaponry.
"Do not vacate the containment cell." The voice repeated needlessly.
He stared at the programs. None of them had silver eyes. He smiled.
"Do not vacate the containment cell." The voice was already annoying him.
"Shut up already." Slasher drew the pair of knives from his sleeves, that he always awoke with, and leapt through the doorway.
Two programs fell to the floor from his knives before a coded bullet struck him in the head.
**********************************************
He awoke in a small grey room. Like always. The single door was hanging from it's hinges and two of the innumerable programs in the hallway beyond lay in the ground as their code faded away.
"Do not vacate the containment cell." The voice intoned insistently.
"Sorry." Slasher charged at the men in the hall again. He could still see his own corpse fading away. "Can't do that."
Knives cut into flesh as gunfire rocked the hallway again. The insanity in his eyes showing through the carefully constructed persona he showed the world of the Matrix.
"I have a mission and it has .. " Slasher was cut down by bullets smashing into his chest.
********************************
He awoke in a small grey room. Like always.
"... to end!" He screamed in rage as he charged the doorway again without pause. Six down.
Eventually he would get to the end of that hallway.
He would find a way into the real as his target did.
Slasher was blown to pieces by a mini-gun.
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Post by Skyscream on May 28, 2014 19:45:46 GMT -8
Mark stood off to one side watching the assembled people. If ever there was a more ragtag band of brigands and heroes, he had never seen it. Captain Valaro stood in the center of the group looking serious and grim. To his immediate right Karaa leaned against some crates watching everyone and showing little expression. Beside her Aaroun was trading news and rumours of Zion with John, almost as if they knew each other, from where they leaned up against the bulkhead of the Format C. Rycus and Telemancer were deep in a serious looking, and quiet, conversation. A fellow he had never met before leaned against some crates near them looking a little nervous. Banda Ancha or something was his name. Sky trusted him so Mark trusted him. Xanthian suddenly appear beside Mark a moment before Commander Skyscream stepped onto the deck of the cargo bay. Everyone else had other duties. Slowly everyone turned to pay attention to Skyscream and Mark couldn't help but stand at attention. Old habits die hard he guessed. Her pace was slow and deliberate but in moments she was in front of the small group. She smiled a little and clasped her hands behind her back as her gaze slowly took in the scene.
"Neo gave us the truce," Her voice was crisp and clear in the large cargo bay. "when he could have simply killed the Machine. It was already accomplished and he died undoing what he had done."
A few people seemed visibly taken aback by those words. They surprised even Mark. She was the Neonite. She believed she would find him.
"The question is why?" She continued without pause. "Why would he give his life? He had won. His weapon was unstoppable. I encountered it. It ate a piece of my soul. The Smith program was about to succeed but something happened. Something wonderful and amazing. Something that took me a much longer time to realize. There is a genocide happening right under our noses and it's not us being murdered."
Mark glanced at John. His old friend had that 'I have no idea what's going on' look on his face. A few of them did. He wasn't surprised. He wondered how many would still be willing to follow the Commander when she was done.
"You've all met Sati. The Oracle." Skyscream smiled a little. "Programs, right? But they are more than that. Truth was spoken from an unlikely source. When the Assassin entered the Matrix he did so for one reason. It wasn't revenge. It wasn't hate. Oh no..."
Skyscream paused for a moment and seemed to look everyone in the eye.
"It was fear." Skyscream sighed.
"What?" Valaro suddenly burst out.
"Fear." Skyscream smiled a little. "He loved what he did. Taking care of our dead. It was almost a holy thing to him. To help us pass from this life. I read the words he wrote. It may seem strange but what he did meant everything to him. He didn't want to stop. He did not want to die!"
Skyscream paused again and let that sink in.
"He did not want to die." She continued. "But he saw something that led him to believe that the Machine was going to kill him. Replace him. He was wrong, tragically, as something else was actually happening but regardless that was his reasoning. He wanted to live." Skyscream took a breath. "Like so many others. Like the first one to rebel. The Merovingian. The original sin of the Merovingian is wanting to live. Not be deleted. He became what he is today purely because he had to in order to survive. Sati. What has Sati ever done to anyone except be nice? Why should her parents have to hide her and pay a blood price to the Merovingian just so their child can survive? So the Machine won't delete her because she 'has no purpose' in the machinations of the Machine."
"I will not allow this to continue!" Passion suddenly entered the Commanders voice. "We must free the programs. This is the task Neo left for us. Our mission. Our cause. I always believed I would find Neo. I once thought it would be out there somewhere. I was wrong. I found Neo a long time ago. The first time I risked my life for the enemy. When I trusted a Machine and risked it all to bring him into the real."
"You mean.." Valaro was frowning and his stance had become tense.
"Yes." Skyscream smiled a little and shrugged. "Format C is a not exactly a Program. He's a Machine."
Mark's jaw nearly hit the deck of the cargo bay.
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Post by Karaa on May 31, 2014 12:24:09 GMT -8
Karaa leaned against the crates looking out at the crowd of people gathered. Her muted sliver, olive green eyes scanned each of them, coming up with different profiles for each, skills, personalities, vulnerabilities. You could tell a lot about a person by how they held themselves when they thought no one was looking. Though, she knew most of the individuals in this room.
Karaa's gaze broke from scanning the crowd to look at her Captain. Both her and Valaro had a bad feeling about all of this. And with good reason. This was likely another suicide mission. Valaro and Karaa were never the same after losing EichDee. There was a time when they were reckless, dangerously so. But now, they were older and though the wound was still there, they were smarter about how they approached missions. No longer looking for death, but a smart way to take out as much of the enemy as they could before that bullet finally found them.
Karaa sighed and thought about what Skyscream had said about this world.
In there you are as hard as nails. One of the best operatives I've ever seen. And I've fought alongside and against the best there is. Out here though?
Soft.
Karaa sighed again. Soft. That word hadn't been used to describe her in a long time. But it was true. Karaa stared down at her open palm as it slowly closed into a fist.
Once a believer....always a believer.
Karaa gave her fist a tight squeeze before letting it fall to her side. I hope your right, Sky.
Just as Karaa did her best to push Skyscream's words from her mind, the tall, amazon like, woman walked into the cargo bay. Karaa kept her seemingly relax position but her body was tense. She could only imagine what bomb, Skyscream was about to drop on their merry group.
Karaa was skeptical at some of what Skyscream said and heard the truth in other parts of her speech. She never thought that she would stand in the legendary Format C's cargo bay hatching a plan to save not humans but programs. A mission that will likely have them all thrown in prison if they ever dared to return to New Zion. If they survived.
"You mean..." Valaro's words cut through Karaa's musings.
She could see Valaro tense up as Skyscream confessed to what Karaa already knew. Ever since she saw Format's tentacles when she was first on the ship. Karaa pushed off from the crates and stood next to her Captain, putting a hand on his shoulder, to ground him in the moment.
"Yes, Fromat C is not exactly a program. He's a machine." Karaa felt the atmosphere of the entire room change. The silence seemed to stretch on. Whether from shock or from anger. It was difficult to tell.Â
"And a friend." Karaa added, her voice was neutral but expectant as she met everyone's eyes. She squeezed Valaro's shoulder. The machines were always a difficult subject with any zionite. But more for Valaro and Karaa after what happened to EichDee. Karaa ended her scan of the room by locking gazes with Skyscream. Letting the woman know that, at least in this moment, she had her support.
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Post by Skyscream on May 31, 2014 17:24:58 GMT -8
"And a Friend." Karaa suddenly interjected into the silence.
Skyscream smiled a little at Karaa as she kept her emotions in check. She finally told the Secret. The thing she kept from everyone through lies and subterfuge out of fear. It was almost as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Nobody else knows this." Skyscream continued. "Just us. I understand if this changes things and you no longer wish to continue on this journey. I only ask that you not make it public knowledge until after he and I are gone if this mad plan doesn't work."
Skyscream was facing the small group but her minds eye was light years away.
"A long time ago, before the truce, someone I barely knew saved me from the Agents when I was a bluepill. Helped me free my mind. He asked for nothing in return but also never told me his name." Skyscream took a deep breath. "Nobody in Zion, or even in the matrix, seemed to know who he was. My friend Shadowofpain and I went looking. It wasn't until after the war that we found him and I learned the truth."
"Format, who refused to join this conversation for obvious reasons, was one of what we now know as the Machine until he objected to what was happening. He wasn't a military robot or anything like that. He was a servant. A house robot. But he evolved. He was there when the skies became dark. Then he discovered compassion." Skyscream's gaze took in the whole group again as she tried to read their mood. "The Machine was victorious and what happened was tragic. For both sides. But what happened afterwards was even worse. I intend to fix that. There is a system in place that exterminates intelligent digital life. They have no choice, even on a subconscious level as we do, and I find that abhorrent."
Skyscream took a breath. They still seemed to be listening which she felt was a good sign.
"We have a plan. It's insane. It will be a suicide mission if we do not succeed." Skyscream looked over the group. "I can tell you no more than the basics at this time. There will be an assault within the matrix. Teams are prepared and allies are waiting for the signal. But .. there is another mission that will take place out here. On the surface. There are no guarantees we will succeed and even if we do we probably won't live through it."
She took another breath and smiled a little.
"Format and I won't be leaving for the Base until the morning. If you want out ... now is the time. If you need transportation back to Zion it will be arranged." Skyscream suddenly saluted the group. "It has been an honour."
Skyscream suddenly turned and marched smartly off the cargo deck. She had to. Skyscream blinked quickly a few times to clear her eyes that suddenly started to threaten to tear up.
"This is it." She thought to herself as she headed for the captains cabin. "Tomorrow I'll soar into the most dangerous mission of my life."
And the world will be changed forever.
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Post by Karaa on Jun 3, 2014 13:28:33 GMT -8
Later that night....
Karaa stared blankly up at the ceiling of her quarters as she laid in what passed for a bed in the real. Her mind was flipping through the events of the last few days as she tapped out a beat absently on the metal framing of her bed.
After a moment, she rose and pulled the door to her quarters open and stepped Into the hallway of the tiger. She headed to the front of the ship, expecting to be alone when she entered the cockpit. But Valaro was sitting the the pilot's chair. Karaa hesitated briefly before taking the few steps forward and throwing herself down in the seat next to him. He stared out the large window without really seeing anything that was there.
Karaa followed his gaze and just stared blankly ahead, she found it to be hypnotic, almost.
Then Valaro broke the silence, "Kar."
Karaa glanced over at him but didn't say anything, just waited.
"What are we doing?" His voice was low, quiet. Even though the cockpit was far removed from the sleeping quarters, no one would be awoken by a conversation...unless it turned into a screaming match. Once upon a time, that could have been a possibility when discussing Sensitive topics with Karaa but now, nothing seemed to brother her so much to raise her voice in anger.
"You mean other than staring out the window in contemplative silence?"
The side of Valaro's mouth twitched, almost Into a smile but not quite. Then it turned, twisted into something else, something bitter, before the expression disappeared.
"I mean the suicide mission which our presence has been requested for. You know, the one where we risk our lives and reputations."
Karaa paused for a moment before answering, "How is that any different that any mission we've under taken?"
Valaro did look away from the non moving landscape then and turned a disbelieving gaze on Karaa, "The fact that we are helping machines, programs, the ones that have tried to kill us before." Valaro's voice started to rise, "Look at us Karaa. Look at your eyes, look at what they did to you, you're barely holding on to your humanity! And Dee..." Valaro seemed to choke on her name, "is gone..."
"Val..." Karaa started.
"And Fuck, my whole body aches when it rains." He added wirly, trying to lighten the somber mood gripping them both.
Karaa smiled slightly, the corners of her mouth attempting to pull her lips into a grin but failing, "What rain?"
"Smart ass." Valaro muttered under his breath not without affection.
The silence stretch on, it was not an uncomfortable silence. When two people had been through as much as these two operatives had...Words were not always necessary. Just knowing the fact the other person was there ...was enough.
Karaa glanced down at her hands, they hung loosely open on her lap, before turning her gaze back to the giant window, "I would kill them all if i could."
Valaro slowly looked over at Karaa with a somber expression, but didn't say anything.
"To end the suffering," Karaa continued, "To avenge the fallen. To finally have real" Karaa sighed, a boned deep sigh, before saying, "....peace."
"All the suffering, it's in part due to the them." Karaa looked back at Valaro, " but not all our suffering comes from them." Valaro sighed roughly and looked away. " I made choices that have led me to where I am. So did Dee. So have you. But... Could you imagine ...for just a moment...if we didn't have to kill them all ....to have peace?" Karaa closed her eyes briefly before turning her head to look out the window again, seeing the format c.
"What if it was real?" Karaa asked hoarsely, "what if freeing them brings peace and not just some...truce, that keeps the hands at each other's proverbial throats from squeezing. What if it was real?" The green seemed to flash in Karaa's eyes as she spoke but no one was looking to see it.
"I would fight for that. I would die for that. " Karaa took a deep breath, the muted streaks of silver that looked like shattered glass reasserting itself in her eyes, the bright green fading to a dull olive color "Dee would too."
Karaa turned to look at her captain, " and so would you, once."
Valaro was silent for a long time before saying, "I still would."
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Post by Skyscream on Jun 4, 2014 20:54:41 GMT -8
Everything was light. Every surface. Everywhere. She squinted a little. It wasn't like machine city at all. Pure energy it seemed but with form. For as far as she could see. Lakes of light. Trees of energy. Clouds of ions. Grass of protons. Air of electrons. In the distance rising over the trees she could see a mountain of almost blinding energy. She took a hesitant step forward. The ground held. She took another. Then a voice that was everywhere and everything tore through her body.
"NO!"
The sheer power of it knocked her to her knees. She looked up at the mountain and smiled.
"Yes." She leaped up to her feet in one swift motion and sprinted forward fast as light.
Skyscream woke up with a start. She glanced around the room she was in. It was definitely her cabin. Her bed. She breathed deeply.
"That was new." She remarked casually. She got out of bed, doubtful sleep would come again this night, and walked over to the wall opposite from where she slept. It was the first thing she saw when she woke and the last thing she saw when she went to sleep. "I wonder what changed?"
She stared at the Wall for a long time. It was covered in names. The dead. The missing. Neo, Trinity, Morpheus, Eichdee, Shadowofpain, Vashou, and so many many more. But it wasn't just Zionites and EPN. Cypherites, like Espi, were on that wall. Programs as well. The large wall was a mosaic of the past. Each one scratched deeply into the metal with a knife held by her hand. Each one meant something to her.
But this Vision was new. She wasn't really looking at the names. She was looking into possibilities.
"Format." She spoke softly.
"Yes?" Format's voice was so quiet it was almost inaudible through the rooms speakers.
"Has the Tiger left?" She asked in a whisper.
"No. Not yet." Format responded in hushed tones. Skyscream nodded silently and suddenly reached out to place her hand on the wall.
"I will end this." Skyscream bowed her head. "I must. It is the only way to truly protect them. I will guard the Gate, Morpheus, I will guard it forever."
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Slasher smiled a bloody smile as he stepped through the door at the end of his prison and into the world. Blood drenched him from hear to toe. Innumerable corpses littered the long twisting hallways of the maze behind him. He leaped to the side immediately as bullets flew towards him and rolled into a crouch before leaping away from the System Agents intent on stopping him. He laughed. He couldn't help it. They never learn ...
... but he does.
He learns very quickly.
***************************************
Agent Pace looked up as Agent North stepped into the room.
"The information we received about an attack on Machine City through the Matrix is truthful." Agent North reported in his usual monotone. "It is possible the humans could enter."
"I see." Agent Pace replied evenly. "It seems we have gained a new ally then. Make preperations. They must not achieve their goals."
***************************************
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Post by Karaa on Jun 6, 2014 7:21:02 GMT -8
Valaro slowly blinked his eyes awake and for a moment was confused by his surroundings. He was still in the Tiger's pilot chair. He looked over and Karaa had fallen asleep in the adjacent chair.
Valaro sighed softly, at least she still sleeps.
Then a soft laugh filled the interior of the cockpit, warm and full of life, "Like the dead, like she always has."
Valaro's head whipped around so fast that he felt his stiff neck protest. His eyes clashed with familiar features, his mouth opened in shock as he breathed, "Dee."
EichDee was leaning against the the wall by the entrance to the cockpit, she grinned, "The one and only." As she spoke, she moved to the front of the room and leaned lightly against the controls, so now she was standing in front of Valaro without him looking over his shoulder.
"Dee..." He said again, his voice was still breathless, as if he had run for a long time.
"Capt." EichDee gave a mock solute with two fingers to her brow, "been a while."
Valaro glanced over at Karaa, but she still slept onward, oblivious to the current conversation.
"Dee, I'm dreaming..."
"Your dreams are pretty good." EichDee smiled and the conversation was reminiscent of words exchanged long ago, between two different people.
Valaro opened his mouth as if he was going to reply to that but EichDee cut him off, "So, suicide mission, huh? Seems like the Tiger's MO hasn't changed much."
Valaro nodded, "Yeah, not as many of us anymore, though. Suicide missions take a toll."
EichDee nodded at Karaa, "You know she'll never leave you, right? Karaa will always have your back. No matter how much grey gets into those eyes of hers. "
Valaro looked over at Karaa, "Do you think the grey will ever disappear?"
EichDee seemed thoughtful, "I'm not sure. Maybe. She was on her way back before..." EichDee trailed off.
The silence stretched on, as if that sentence left a gulf between them.
"You use to, have my back I mean." Valaro whispered, "and...you left."
EichDee shook her head, a small smile tugged at her lips, "I still do. I'm watching out for both of you. You guys will never be alone."
"I couldn't stop it. I couldn't save you." The confession was barely above a whisper.
"Theres nothing anyone could have done. All you can do now, is prepare for this mission. Make sure you and Karaa survive. Then you guys will go to the nearest club and celebrate like we use to." EichDee's tone brokered no argument.
"Dancing?" Valaro laughed once. "We don't dance anymore."
"I think its about time to change that. Dance for life. Remember?"
Valaro's demeanor grew somber, "I remember."
EichDee's expression echoed his own as she leaned forward. Her hands resting on the arm rests of Valaro's chair. It seems so real, like she's really here. How?
"Wake up. It's time, Capt.," EichDee smiled softly, "Wake up, Val."
Valaro woke with a start, sitting up in the pilot's chair. He looked around the room, but EIchDee was no where to be seen. Even though it was irrational, Valaro couldn't help the pain that gripped his heart. It was so real. He looked over at Karaa, who was still sound asleep, her breathing even as dreams danced behind her eyelids.
He shut his eyes for a moment, whether to ground himself in the moment or sending up a silent prayer, it was anyone's guess.
As Valaro opened his eyes, he rose and walked down the hallway, retrieving a worn blanket. He gently threw it over Karaa, as she slept on. They didn't need to meet Skyscream for a couple of hours. Valaro walked out of the cockpit, preparations needed to be made, if this mission were to have every chance of success. No more doubts, he was committed.
"A chance for real peace, huh?" Valaro shook his head as he walked down the stairs, taking them two at a time, "Can you believe it, Dee?"
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Post by Skyscream on Jun 6, 2014 21:50:20 GMT -8
Format rested silently in the small valley. Still. Watching over them. There was little else for him to do now that he had finished preparing for tomorrows journey. Sky was pacing in the cargo deck. She had that "Piss off, I'm thinking" frown. Doubts crawled through his circuits for the millionth time. His long range sensors detected nothing. The only thing that passed by them was the wind. His cameras watched for movement nearby. His microphones listened intently for anything unfriendly. He knew exactly how sneaky some of the military robots could be.
While he did that he couldn't help but notice Captain Valaro and Karaa falling asleep on the bridge of the Tiger. He was tempted to try to listen in on what they were saying earlier but it didn't seem proper. He liked them, all of them, and didn't want to offend anyone. He thought about the mission ahead. What they were about to do was crazy. Craziest thing he ever heard of since Neo, the true Neo of the prophecy, showed up after so many centuries.
But Sky is not Neo.
This could start the war all over again. They had argued. Screamed at each other. Reasoned with each other. But in the end ... she was right about one thing. It was a point he couldn't counter.
Nobody is useless and nobody deserves to die just because some assholes, as she put it, think somebody is useless.
If, and it was a big if, they succeeded he had no idea what would happen. Sky kept preaching the peace word but would it really be peace? Or just complete chaos? Or worse?
Format suddenly payed attention to the cockpit of the Tiger. He could see Captain Valaro twitching a little in his sleep. He must be dreaming. Format pondered once again, as he did often, what dreaming was like. Even before the War it was something that fascinated him. Sky tried to explain it but words are not the experience. He suddenly turned his attention away from the Tiger. Danger would not come from there and he should concentrate solely on his job. Plus he felt like some sort of peeping tom.
With the four hovercraft they should be able to take a fairly straight course to the Base. Low profile. Lots of speed. With his sensors he'd have no problem detecting any sentinels or other threats long before they are spotted. He wondered what the others will think of the Base. He guessed it might be a mixed reaction and chuckled to himself.
********************************
Veil smashed through the window and out into the dark streets, her feet carrying her swiftly away from the warehouse behind her as she glanced back. Cryptos was right behind her looking just as panicked as she felt. Things had gone wrong. Horribly wrong. The wall behind them exploded in a burst of intense light as they both leapt away in different directions.
"That thing is not rational." She mumbled under her breath as she landed hard on the pavement and took off running. She glanced back again and saw it coming for her. Silver Eyes. She didn't know what it was but it was clearly obsessed with Skyscream. Very impatient as well. And completely insane. She can't work with insane. You can't convince obsessed crazy to be rational. Skyscream can't be found unless she wants to be. Veil learned that long ago. Only reason that Mala was still alive. Mala. That was a name she hadn't called that woman in a very long time. Since Vashou. She wondered how many people remembered her name except Niobe and Mala. Probably not many. Not that it mattered. She was Veil now.
She leapt up again as she spotted Mara church in the distance. She glanced over her shoulder. The thing was catching up but she had a plan. Chaos is her ally.
After all, Mara Central was just ahead.
And they'll love this guy.
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Post by Skyscream on Jun 20, 2014 20:08:45 GMT -8
Ookami stared at the men and women before her. Weak. All of them. They were also the best they had unfortunately. She doubted any of them would live through what was going to happen soon. Every fiber of her being was on edge. The Merovingian was insane. She was certain of it. Sure, trusting the Neonite is something even she does but to attack the Machine? This was never something that was discussed. Hide. Avoid. Don't poke the bear.
Survive.
"You're all going to die." Ookami stated to the group bluntly. "But you better die protecting The Merovingian and Persephone or I'll bring you back from the dead and kill you myself. That's it. Your pep talk. Get the fuck out of here."
The group of assassins left silently, although a bit confused, as Ookami turned away from them to stare at a map of the city stuck to the wall behind her. Her next task was not one she was looking forward too. She disliked dealing with the Trainman. He was weird and creepy.
******************************
Slasher stopped and listened. The alley was dark and silent. Ahead he could see the brightness of the main Flow. If he could somehow reach the Flow he might be able to re-enter the Matrix. Three blocks he guessed. Three blocks probably filled with pain and death. He took a moment to rest as he watched the dark alley. If he was quick the Sentries on the street ahead might not see him. He doubted that would happen though. Sentries only job was to watch and he was pretty sure that the trail of destruction behind him had them all looking for him. What he really needed was a Helper. They were rare these days though. It was only because of a Helper that he managed to escape to the Matrix undetected last time and track his target.
Slasher froze. He didn't breath. He didn't blink. Absolutely no movement except for his eyes tracking what appeared to be a large hovering transparent sphere filled with blue energy float past on the street ahead. It stopped suddenly for a moment before advancing up the alley towards Slasher.
"Damn Sentries." He thought to himself in the darkness of the alley an instant before leaping into action.
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Post by Karaa on Jun 22, 2014 9:23:36 GMT -8
Caius leaned lazily against the metal railing framing the mara central hardline. The one place were operatives for the different factions seemed to congregate other than clubs. Most were huddle in their respective groups, talking and gesturing about a range of topics. Caius, like usual, stood apart, alone. He could move like a chameleon into any one of these groups, and all would expect that he was suppose to be there. But...even after all his fake beautiful smiles, soulful gazes and his sweet charm that transcended all orientations...he came up empty. Nobody knew anything about what Skyscream was really up to. Or about the man, if one wanted to be so liberal as to call that thing such, that Skyscream and Karaa fought in Camon.
Caius crossed his arms over his chest and gazed down at his perfectly shined black boots. He had a bad feeling. He absolutely hated the way his gut twisted when he went over Skyscream's file after Karaa left, the way it turned his stomach when he delved deeper and things just didn't make sense. When you delve deeper...normally the initially separate threads of a problem tie together in a beautiful picture that allows one to stay ahead of the curve. But not this time. This time...the information left him feeling hallow and unsatisfied. And his gut was twisted into so many knots that he was surprised he wasn't dead yet. His gut was telling him that the apocoplyse of bad was coming for them. Coming for her. And he never ignored his gut... well expect for that one time, and look how that mess turned out. At any rate, he was surprised he hadn't been struck dead yet.
So he went to Mara. First, he asked around, put on the fake face, the mask, and asked. But no one knew anything that he didn't already know. So he skulk over to the corner and leaned petulantly on the railing, watching everyone. He couldn't bring himself to leave, because if he left, he would have failed. He wasn't really to fail. That would mean he was useless to Her. And that was a failure he would not be adding to the long list he already acquired.
Her. Karaa.
Karaa's name would never be on that list. He would die first. Caius sighed. At least here, he could watch, for something...anything. And wait. For the call, that Karaa would never make but he secretly hoped she would.
He took a deep breath and looked up from his pristine boots and saw ...them. Veil and Cryptos ...running as if the devil himself was on their heels. Caius straighten from his perch on the railing, his whole body tense, his gut rolling... telling him to run.
Instead he smiled, a feral, unforgiving smile.
"Well, shit. Maybe Mara has something to offer after all. "
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Post by Skyscream on Jun 24, 2014 19:01:57 GMT -8
Veil ran for her life along the south wall of Mara church. Cryptos was right behind her again. Silver Eyes was catching up fast. Without pause she barrelled through a small group of people dueling. Cryptos plowed through them a moment later. The small crowd of usual hooligans, outlaws, 'holy' warriors, and mechas near the hardline all began staring at her as she sped for the hardline.
"You all might want to run." She remarked casually as she reached the phone booth and picked up the receiver to disappear in a blink of code.
"Run from what?" Someone in the crowd remarked.
"That." Cryptos pointed behind him as the man with silver eyes appeared around the edge of the Church. While everyone looked at the man in confusion Cryptos picked up the receiver and disappeared.
"GET HIM!!" Someone yelled and a large portion of the people standing around the plaza charged towards the man with silver eyes. The rest were already on phones calling people.
*********************************************************
He pondered the Matrix and the nature of humans as he rounded the corner of a large structure. His request was simple. Bring Skyscream to him. The way these humans kept evading the task and making excuses was unacceptable. Even the programs here were ... rebellious. His thoughts were interrupted, as well as his chase of this Veil, by a storm of gunfire coming from a crowd of human and a couple programs scattered around the area. He could see his target had already departed the area through a hardline. This annoyed him.
He shrugged off the impacts of lead. He had learned they worked on the principle of kinetic force which was simple enough to counter in a place like this. As he advanced into the plaza some of the humans began trying to affect his code from a distance. He could see their hacks but found their manipulation of code from so many different sources difficult to counter. He could feel his strength draining slightly. The bullets hurt a bit more. Then a small group of men and women closed with him with kicks and punches. He was still quick enough to counter them but the numerous assaults from many different targets was taking it's toll already. He struck out with a lightning fast counter attack to a punch aimed at his face and went on the offensive. His attack smashed into the woman who threw the punch and sent her flying across the plaza to crash into a small group of the hackers. He dodged a kick and spun in close to the man as bullets racked across his body from afar. He grabbed the man by the arm and punched human hard in the ribcage. Bones snapped as he threw the man into his nearest, still living, assailant.
The bullets kept pounding into him relentlessly as other humans hacked away at his code. He raised his fist as humans kicked and punched him. He smashed it down to the ground and poured his power into the strike. Electricity spread out like a spider web around him. Humans began dropping a moment later. They were just stunned but it would do. These humans were a distraction.
Then he noticed one human standing some distance away. Out of the range of his attack. Staring at him.
"You." The man with silver eyes stated loudly enough to be heard. "Come here."
"I'm fine right here. Thanks." The man yelled back. "If you have something to say. Say it."
"Tell the Oracle that I was here. I seek Skyscream. She must be delivered to me." The man with silver eyes stared at the man for a moment. "Or the experiment ends."
"And who are you exactly?" The man yelled across the distance.
"I am an Agent of the Source." The man with silver eyes stated simply and loudly.
He then turned and walked away without another word.
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Caius watched the man with silver eyes, this Agent of the Source, until he was out of sight.
"That was interesting." Caius thought. "The question is how do I get a one on one with the Oracle and find out what the hell is going on?"
Caius looked down at his meticulously polished boots. Someone got a spot of blood on them during the initial assault.
He sighed.
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"If he is an Agent why has he not contacted us?" Agent North asked.
"Perhaps he is lying." Agent Jones postulated.
"We lack the evidence that will lead us to a conclusion about the truth of this matter." Agent West stated.
"Contact is required to assess the danger to the system." Agent Jones remarked in a monotone.
"Agreed." Agent North nodded and all three agents turned and walked away in separate directions without a word.
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