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Post by Skyscream on Jun 25, 2014 18:57:38 GMT -8
Ookami stood silently and motionless on the platform where so many programs had first set foot in the Matrix. Escape and a hiding place for a while was the best they would ever find. Even after the truce Agents watched for them. It was a big system though with a lot of hiding places. So big that something like this secret could exist. She pondered the type of program that could do something like this. Her conclusion was it probably had something to do with the insanity. Or desperation.
The Trainman was an enigma.
As soon as she thought it the train came roaring into the station. The screeching of the braking on metal tracks was deafening. Ookami was always impressed with the attention to detail. Shortly the four car train stopped with a door directly in front of her and the doors opened swiftly.
"No." The Trainman barked at her. He was looking rougher than usual. His dirty unkempt clothing was even more dirty and unkempt. If that was possible. His hair was a mess. His eyes were very serious. "I won't do it."
"You owe the Merovingian a great deal." Ookami decided to wait until she was invited aboard. "He is asking this of you as a personal favour. You know what that means right?"
"Of course I know." The Trainman frowned at her. Then glanced away. "It's just... He asks too much. No."
"We are all counting on you." Ookami said kindly. "Without you. We are all doomed. The Neonites plan will fail. We need you. Help us."
"She's dangerous. I don't like her." The Trainman shook his head. His brow was furrowed. His voice angry. His words sharp. "She found me once. Asked a bunch of questions. I don't like questions. I won't have questions on my train. Should have made her disappear. I can you know! This is MY train!"
"Yes. It is." Ookami bowed her head a little in respect.
"Yes. Should have left her there." The Trainman appeared to be calming down a little. "Wouldn't have you here asking for favours. But she was polite. I liked that."
Ookami waited patiently.
The Trainman scowled at her.
Ookami raised an eyebrow with a little smile.
"Fine. Get in." He stepped back from the doorway.
"We have one more stop." Ookami gracefully walked onto the train. She really didn't like this person. "Then we can depart."
"Fine. Fine." The Trainman practically growled. "But he owes me big for this. Really big."
**********************************************************
"What is wrong, Oracle?" Seraph asked with concern in his voice. "So many lives." The Oracle looked out the window at the Matrix. "And it all balances on the actions of a few, very different, people."
"Are we there again, Oracle?" Seraph tilted his head a little to one side as he asked the question.
"I'm afraid so." The Oracle slowly rose from her chair. Seraph was there in an instant to help her up. "Thank you, but I'm not feeble yet."
"Yes, Oracle." Seraph stepped back and bowed respectfully.
"I need you to protect Sati." The Oracle smiled at her guardian and friend. "It is very important. More important than protecting me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Oracle." Seraph bowed again. "I will protect her with my life."
"You're a good man, Seraph." The Oracle smiled and patted him on the shoulder before turning to walk towards the living room.
"Thank you, Oracle." Seraph smiled just the tiniest smile as he watched the Oracle.
"Sati, dear, I want you to take a trip somewhere for me with Seraph." The Oracle said in a happy voice as she left the kitchen.
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Post by Skyscream on Jun 29, 2014 10:18:58 GMT -8
Skyscream watched the screens in front of her intently from her captains chair as they sped along the surface beneath heavy dark clouds. It was oddly comforting having Telemancer, staring intently at the surface, on her right again in the first mates chair after it had been empty for so long. For the millionth time she thought that maybe she should consider taking on a new first mate. Telemancer was a captain in his own right as far as she was concerned even though he never took a new ship of his own. Xanthian was dozing in one of the jack chairs and snoring quietly. He looked peaceful but she knew the events of the last few days had taken it's toll. Losing your operator to murder can't be easy but he soldiered on. Mark and John were somewhere in the back. Probably cleaning weapons or something. Format had everything under control flying the ship. She had very little to do except think for the last couple hours.
"Are we there yet?" Skyscream asked aloud quietly with a chuckle.
"You know we are about to be." Format responded instantly. "Please stop telling that joke. It's not even funny."
"Is to me." Skyscream grinned and glanced at Telemancer. His eyes were locked on a faint glow a short distance ahead on the surface.
"Is that it?" He asked.
"Is what it?" Xanthian sat up bleary eyed and blink a few times before yawning.
"The base." Skyscream smiled. She glanced at the sensors and saw the rest of their four ship fleet following close behind.
The ships came over a rise and were presented with a long narrow valley with what appeared to be a large number of ancient hovercraft piled up in a small hemisphere. Muted lights came from within the ships and as they got closer small shadows could be seen moving around the outside. They closer they got; the more details became visible. All the hovercraft in the structure had lights in them and they seemed to be connected by short tubes leading in many different directions from hatches and cargo bays. At the edge of the structure facing them was a large area cleared out in the dirt of the surface. A few small buildings had been constructed around the edge of the cleared area. A couple hovercraft were parked in the smoothed out clearing and activity could be seen around them.
"Come on." Skyscream got up from her chair and started walking towards the rear of the ship as Format gently guided them to the landing pad. Telemancer and Xantian followed.
***************************************************
"So where are they?" Roland barked.
"How should I know?" Niobe barked back.
"Did you find out anything?" Roland asked a little more calmly.
"The Format C, The Tiger, the Asmodeus, and the Vendeta have disappeared. Everything indicated they are on the surface." Niobe shrugged. "Agents seem to be getting ready for something. The Merovingian seems to be preparing his forces for an attack on somebody. The Oracle disappeared. Oh, and someone with silver eyes suddenly appeared in Mara Central and cleaned house in seconds. Oh yeah, and the Kid and his EPN have been quiet. When they are quiet they are up to something."
"Shit." Roland leaned with both hands on his desk and stared at it.
"So." Niobe raised an eyebrow. "Now what?"
"Get ready for another war." Roland practically growled. "Recall all our inexperienced operatives and only keep a few of our more experienced people in the Matrix. Eyes open. We need intelligence. Prepare a strike team. A big one. In case we need to intervene in events in the Matrix."
"Right away, Commander." Niobe departed suddenly.
**********************************************************
The cargo bay doors of the Format C slowly opened. letting the cold in, as the walkway extended to the earth. Skyscream walked out of them briskly the moment there was enough room. Telemancer and Xanthian were right behind her with Mark and John following at a more leisurely pace.
"Welcome home, Commander" A voiced buzzed the moment they stepped out of the bay. Before them was a tall metal human shaped robot. The dim lights gleamed off it's polished body. Beside him was a young man with long brown hair who threw the group a hasty salute before running into the cargo bay.
"Thank you, Nick." Skyscream smiled and patted the robot on the shoulder. Nearby she could see the other three ships being greeted by more human ground crew. She had felt it was best to lessen the possible shock. "Is everything prepared?"
"Yes, Commander." Nick nodded his metal head. It didn't have a very human face. Two cameras for eyes and a straight line for the speaker where a mouth should be. "Everything is prepared. The glider has been unpacked and tested as well."
"Thanks." Skyscream glanced at her companions but they seemed less surprised than she thought they would be. "We'll meet in the command centre in two hours."
"Yes, Commander. I'll inform the others." Nick saluted the group and turned to walk briskly away with a soft thumping sound from the mass hitting the ground.
Skyscream smiled.
"The Machine doesn't know this place is here?" Telemancer suddenly interjected.
"Nope. It's mobile." Skyscream laughed a little and began walking down the gangplank to the surface. As she did she was humming an odd little tune before suddenly bursting out in a loud voice. "Transformers! More than meets the eye!"
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Post by Skyscream on Jul 1, 2014 9:59:42 GMT -8
Skyscream faced the group that had gathered made up of the people that just landed. They were standing in nearly the center of the smoothed out landing area. The buildings that could be seen on the approach were clearly little more than tents with a few bits added on for protection from the weather. Ahead of them loomed the base.
It was a large structure that dominated the small valley. Hovercraft were stacked on other hovercraft to form the hemisphere of metal. Specially designed clamps held them together in an interlocking pattern. The tubes looked like they were simply walkways with a bit of what looked like cloth and metal braces to form a tube. Deeper in could be seen a larger structure, perhaps a hoverbarge that had been redesigned into a full hovercraft, that was centered in the numerous other ships. Some of the outer hovercraft appeared to be fairly new compared to the ancient designs of the majority. Men, women, and what looked like a variety of different designs of robots worked in and around the area.
"Welcome to Hyperion Base." Skyscream spoke loudly to be heard over the wind. "We move it regularly to avoid detection and there are a number of systems in place to monitor for detection possibilities. The population has grown since our first endeavors after the truce at Believer Base. As you can see it's not just humans here. Among our number are other intelligent beings that have chosen to join our cause. Here, in this place, everyone has the same rights as everyone else. Program, Human, even Machine."
"Just remember." Skyscream nodded her head in the direction of Nick who was returning from what looked like the main entrance to the base. "We are all on the same side. It'll be a little disconcerting at first but in time you'll get used to how some of us look."
"I opened the bar early." Nick announced with his slightly buzzy voice. "I thought a drink might be in order."
"And you would be right, Nick." Skyscream grinned. "Follow me, folks."
Skyscream walked up to the hovercraft facing them at the bottom of the structure without another word before marching briskly up the gangplank on the side of ship.
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Post by Karaa on Aug 14, 2014 9:56:05 GMT -8
((Slightly NSFW)) Caius waited and while he waited he pretended to drink. Putting his lips to the glass of amber liquid without actually letting any slip down his throat. Appearances were everything and not drinking in a club…well, he needed to blend. He looked out over the dance floor of clashing bodies with a sense of impatience. His whole body was a taut as a wire and screamed for flight or fight. Yet he appeared relaxed, as if he was enjoying a particularly good buzz as his gaze scanned the dance floor for the millionth time with predatory accuracy. This was the 3rd club he had been to in just as many hours. If she didn’t show up here, he would have to try one of the other three again. Just as he was about to put down his glass and tip the bartender…he saw her. Her raven black hair falling down her back and pass her hips. Her face was done up with what had to be layers of make up. Her eyes were colored with a bright blue that make her dark eyes sparkle. There was a time when he chased after this woman. Would have done anything for her. Caius sighed internally, he did do anything for her. He mentally shook the unease seeing her bought to his mind, took a deep draw from his glass, letting the fickle liquid burn down his throat as her gaze landed on him. She smiled. Knowingly. As if she expected him to be here, waiting for her. She bent her head to the female companion she walked in with, the girl’s blonder hair prickled his mind with familiarity, even though this woman’s hair was more yellow and less pale. Her eyes were brown and instead of green. Caius put his empty glass on the counter and gestured for another. He was definitely going to need two. The bartender was there, refilling his glass, just as the blonde looked over at him and smirked. It was a cruel expression. As if saying, ‘you poor fool’. Then the one he had been waiting for, in so many ways and for so long, sauntered over to him. Caius reached for the glass, almost out of habit, and took another swig. “I didn’t think I would ever see you again,” her husky voice raked over his senses, “In fact, I believe the last words you said to me were,” She paused for dramatic effect as she eyed him up and down," ‘I’m done. I’m done with you. ‘ Really, you said it so resolutely, even walked away with that other woman, “ she bit out the words ‘other woman’ before continuing, “ that I believed you…almost.” Ah, there it is was. That cruel expression, that he once found so captivating and mysterious, a mystery that he needed to solve, now it burned a whole in his gut, just as surely as the whiskey. Caius finished the glass in a quick gesture, “We’re all slaves to something…or someone.” Her expression flashed for a moment, excitement? “In your case…it’s the latter, I presume?” Caius didn’t answer her. He just stared and then gave her a look over of his own. Her Smile turned feral, “Dance with me.” Caius didn’t move, didn’t change his expression. His whole being felt like it was on fire. He loved this woman once. Once. A lifetime ago. She grabbed his hand and pulled. He let himself be carried away from the bar, away from the quick exit. He let himself be pulled into a dream he had once wanted with a fierce passion, with his whole being, everything that he was. The hard beat of the music seemed to vibrate through her and into him as she pressed herself against him. Her tight black dress emphasizing an already amazing figure that any heterosexual male would be hard press to turn anyway from. She used her looks as a weapon, and they cut deep. Karaa was so different from her. Maybe he needed different. Maybe he wanted different. He ran his hand up her arm and buried his long fingers into her heavy locks, “Salem.” He whispered. The woman smiled confidently, her bright teeth flashing in the dim light. *** The cold air of the outside gently pushed her hair off her shoulders as they burst from the club’s side entrance. She was holding Caius up as they both stumbled, laughing. His laugh was a sound that she had missed over the years. Salem knew that he would come back. Other woman or no. Caius was hers. He was laughing so hard that he couldn’t stand up right. This is what they were good at. Fun. Salem heaved him upright and then pushed him against the brick wall in the confined space of the empty ally. Caius hit the wall a little harder than she intended. He groaned. Salem decided that she missed these sounds more than his laugh. She pressed against him, like she had on the dance floor, and nibbled his ear lobe, this time he sucked in a surprised breath and moaned. Salem’s smile grew into a fierce grin. The door to the club opened loudly in the small space and a blonde head peeked out, Cora. “I’m fine, Cora. Just having fun. Now go away.” Cora smiled, as if she expected something like this, “Just doing my job.” With that the door closed. “Still have that body guard, eh?” Caius voice was low, and so laden with sexual promise that Salem could feel the excitement thrum through her. “Have to be careful.” Caius’s hand traveled up the front of her body, stopping to cup the side of neck, the other hand was mimicking the first on the other side, stopping at her shoulder. Salem closed her eyes, focusing on the sensations coursing through her body. Caius’s hand on her neck squeezed, hard. Her eyes flew open as his other hand gripped her shoulder with the same intensity. Salem felt him shift, faster than someone who had as much to drink as he did should have been able to. Suddenly, her back pressed painfully against the brick wall, the uneven edges biting into her bare back. As she looked into his face, Salem saw that he was breathing a little harder than usual and that his eyes were fully dilated. Her grin slipped back into place. “Want it rough, baby?” She cooed as her hands moved up his sides. His grip on her increased in pressure, “You really shouldn’t have sent her away. That wasn’t very… ‘careful’ of you.” “ I know what I want and I take it.” To emphasis her point, Salem thrust her hips forward into his hard body. Caius’s breath hissed out between his teeth. "And I didn't want an audience. We tried that once already, remember?" When Caius continued to glare at her, she continued, “So, all this was to get me alone? You always were so creative.” “You’re a very popular woman these days, Salem. And I need to operate without the attention.” “I know you want me, Caius.” Salem purred. “I need information.” Caius ground out, sure that his hands were starting to leave marks. “And you had to come to me for it? You must be truly desperate.” She laughed, it was a musical sound that grated on his nerves, “Or maybe, you knew i t would be good too?” Caius eyes flashed as he looked at her, they had gone hard, fierce, “ I do not have time for this, Salem.” He pulled a sleek looking gun out of his belt and pressed it against her stomach. “Well, that’s disappointing. In more ways than one.” Salem’s tone showed no fear, just amusement. Caius's voice was no longer husky with desire, his body didn't move with the sluggishness of being drunk on the moment. His voice was dangerously on edge as he asked, “The oracle. Where is she?”
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Post by Skyscream on Sept 6, 2014 11:46:35 GMT -8
Slasher stared at the walls of his prison from where he sat cross legged. He failed. Again. No matter how fast he was, no matter how many agents of the system he defeated, he could not reach the Stream of code going to and from the Matrix. He continued to stare at the open doorway that was the only exit from the small room. The impossibly long hallway on the other side was empty. At least he was making progress there. He was finally making the machine respect him after so many decades. Perhaps centuries. He wasn't sure anymore.
He needed a new plan. Brute force and rapidly travelling the distance wasn't working. Neither was slowly sneaking across the landscape. He needed to be smart.
Slasher narrowed his eyes in thought as he continued to stare at the open door.
He needed allies.
*****************************
Ookami clung to the railing in the spacious, empty, train car as it screeched to a stop at a nearly empty platform.
"I don't like this." The Trainman scowled at her. "Don't like it at all."
The train doors suddenly opened to reveal the pair of people standing on the platform. Seraph stood absolutely motionless with only the fabric of his white clothing being blown about a bit from the sudden appearance of the train. Beside him stood a young woman, smiling and looking around in a curious manner, that Ookami recognized as Sati.
"May we enter?" Seraph stated calmly.
"Yes, yes." The Trainman stepped back a bit from the door. "Get in. Hurry."
"Thank you." Seraph entered with Sati right behind him. "Do you know our destination?"
"I don't like you." The Trainman suddenly blurted at Seraph and was met with a small smile. The tall unkempt man then turned his attention to the young woman. "I don't like you either."
"That's okay." Sati smiled and shrugged. "I like your train. It's very clever."
The Trainman stared at the young woman for a moment, and almost smiled, before the doors suddenly slammed shut.
"Did the Oracle say why you are going to Machine City, Seraph?" Ookami suddenly interjected as the train began to move.
"No. Did the Merovingian tell you why he's helping the Oracle?" Seraph smirked, just a little.
"Wingless being snarky?" Ookami grinned a wicked grin. "That bad huh?"
****************************
Agent North stared at the man across the large open courtyard from him. It appeared to be a rogue program. His information was limited. The silver eyes were the only thing to differentiate it from any other program. Most intelligence he had indicated that the program claimed to be an Agent. It also indicated that a physical confrontation would prove difficult. Agent North weighed his options.
"You will come with me." Agent North spoke loudly and clearly.
"You have failed." The Man with silver eyes stared across the courtyard with intensity. "I have no time for programs that fail."
Agent North pondered this information for a microsecond before he began to cross the courtyard. He drew his firearm from beneath the suit.
"More Agents are on their way." Agent North stated simply. "You will ... surrender and answer our questions."
"No." The man replied bluntly and reached out towards the Agent. Lightning suddenly crackled and flew across the space between them. Agent North flew back from the force of the attack and smashed into a building wall on the far side of the courtyard.
Bricks crumbled and fell where Agent North had smashed into the structure. He was on his feet in a moment and running across the courtyard.
"You will ... answer our questions." Agent North said through gritted teeth as he began firing his weapon at the man with silver eyes.
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Post by Karaa on Nov 17, 2014 19:22:29 GMT -8
Karaa sat with her back pressed against the wall and her body facing the exit of the makeshift bar on Skyscream’s mobile command center that was something out of the avengers….not that Karaa had any idea what that was.
Valaro was sitting across from her, looking tense and unsure.
“Nick,” he bit out, “is still staring at me.”
Karaa looked passed Valaro, and indeed that machine that had greeted them upon their arrival was staring over at their table.
Ceege pulled up a chair to their small table, drink in hand, “You know what they say, Capt.? A stare longer that 6 seconds means that he either wants to kill you or make sweet, “Ceege paused for effect as he dragged the word out, “sweet love to you.”
Karaa expression didn’t change at all as she assessed Nick. He seemed more curious than anything. Maybe Valaro was his type or maybe Karaa’s eyes were unnerving to the machine.
Telemancer threw himself down in the chair next to Karaa’s, “I’m going with the latter since this is suppose to be a friendly zone.”
Valaro sighed and turn to face the group now at the table, “Alright. Alright. Very funny guys. I’m in stitches, really. Do we have any idea what our next step is?”
“Not yet. “ Karaa said evenly, “But you know once this plan starts…its going to snowball and there will be no time to rest. So, drink up Capt.” A barely there smile tugged at the corner of Karaa’s lips, “Maybe make some new friends.”
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Post by Skyscream on Dec 18, 2014 18:42:14 GMT -8
Skyscream stood just outside the makeshift bar listening to yet another report about machine activity. All she really wanted to do was go have a stiff drink before she asked her friends to go on what amounted to a suicide mission.
"So the machines don't know we're here right?" She raised an eyebrow as she asked the question.
"No Commander." The young man responded immediately. "They do not."
"That's all I really wanted to know." Skyscream sighed. "Takes forever to get this thing moving. If there is even a hint of a possibility that they know we are here we need to bug out right away."
"Yes Commander." The young man nodded.
"Go away. I trust your judgement and I need a drink." She grinned and patted the young man, whose name she couldn't remember, on the shoulder.
"Yes Commander." The young man turned and walked off.
Skyscream walked into the bar. Finally. It was small for a real bar but it was warm and to her friendly. She could see a small group of her friends across from the door. Her nerves made butterflies appear in her stomach. She walked up to the long metal counter off to one side of the room and nodded to the man behind it. He handed her a tall mug with an evil smelling substance in it. She grinned and downed it all in one go before slamming the mug back onto the counter followed by a loud belch.
"Oh yeah." Skyscream sighed and turned to walk over to the small group of friend gathered at the table in the back. "That's better."
She grabbed a chair along the way and stuck in a free spot at the table before sitting down with the heavy thump of exhaustion before looking at each and every person gathered at the table. Here, in this place, she could finally relax.
"I'm glad the four of you are here, my friends. It's all bullshit." Skyscream began before anyone could speak. "The assault in the Matrix to gain access to machine city is a feint. We are not going in that way. I don't think it's actually possible for a human to do that and survive. I'm not clear on the science of that part. Format could probably explain it. Something about a disconnect between the consciousness and the body. But the Machine believes we can. This is important. The Merovingian and I came up with this plan years ago. We just didn't know how to actually access Machine City. Then it dawned on me. There is more than one way to go to machine city. Why not just actually go there? Hack the system at it's core. There shouldn't be a disconnect then since we are accessing it directly. I went there, sneaking across the wasteland. Under the radar so to speak. I was patient. I knew what to watch out for thanks to Format. Thought I was going to die about a thousand times."
"But I did it." Skyscream paused for a breath before continuing. "I got in. I survived it. And now I'm going back. With a plan for revolution. I'd be honoured if all of you would join me."
"Revolution?" Valaro asked quietly. "How are the five of us going to start a revolution in Machine City, Sky?"
Skyscream was silent for a moment before glancing at Telemancer briefly.
"Hope." Skyscream said simply. "We are going to give the programs ... Hope."
"How the hell are we going to do that? And why?" Ceege looked, like everyone else, slightly confused.
"They have none." Skyscream leaned back in her chair. "We are going to take away the one thing the Machine holds dear more than anything else. Control. So we are going to take away it's control of the programs. I should probably mention now that anyone that comes with me will probably die in the attempt. But even that death will serve a purpose. Humans giving their lives to free programs from the tyranny of the Machine. That is the stuff of revolution. Hope. Hope they can someday be free from facing deletion at the whim of the Machine."
"That's great and all but how do we even get to machine city? They'll just blow us out of the sky." Valaro asked bluntly.
"We are going to fall from the sky." Skyscream chuckled. "I built a glider. Nothing to get taken out in the clouds. We fly above the clouds and then drop in on them from above while the forces here perform another distraction at ground level. This all occurs, hopefully, at the same time the Merovingian and EPN distract the Machine in the Matrix. With a lot of luck we won't be noticed. Format designed portable jacks we can plug directly into Machine City databases which I stashed there when I broke in. The only problem I can see is getting out of there. The glider is a one way ticket. But like I said earlier; we are probably going to die."
"That's insane." Telemancer stared at Skyscream for a long moment before smiling a little. "So how do we take away control?"
"The answer is already there. A program designed to do just that. A little something our rebel friend, Format, designed before realizing he was about to be deleted and fled." Skyscream smiled a little. "We just need to find it and finish the work he started."
Skyscream held a hand up pointing down to the table to get the bartenders attention. She needed another drink.
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Post by Skyscream on Dec 22, 2014 18:11:16 GMT -8
As the rest of the people she brought to this place arrived in the bar, after taking a quick tour of the facilities, Skyscream patiently repeated what she had told the four she wanted at her side in Machine City.
"The rest of you will be coordinating the attack here in the real while we go on our suicide mission." Skyscream continued to explain to the small group surrounding the table. She probably should have done this in the conference room but she like this place. "While the folks, human and program, that are here are committed to the cause few have any real combat experience to speak of. I need the rest of you to make sure things don't blow up in our face before we're even in Machine City. This base and some hovercraft will assault machine forces near the city. Make certain the bluepill farms don't get damaged. Keep the battle far from them. If we destroy a farm the Machine will never stop until we are all dead. A signal will be sent once we are inside and forces out here will need to make a fighting retreat. Hopefully we can get in quick without being noticed which will help minimize losses. Make no mistake. People will die in this but do everything you can to prevent it when you can."
Skyscream paused only long enough to take another drink.
"It takes about half a day to get this bucket ready to fly and it handles about as well trying to saddle an agent and ride him." Skyscream continued. "It'll be ready in the morning. Format has already transferred the main plan to your respective ships to read tonight. Our friendly neighbourhood bucket of bolts, Nick, can make arrangements for anything you need. He pretty much runs day to day operations of this place so he can make what you want happen if it can happen."
"And Valaro, Ceege, Karaa, Telemancer ... " Skyscream sat back in her chair with her drink in her hand. "There is no dishonour in declining my request. Others can fill in if needed."
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Post by Karaa on Dec 26, 2014 15:11:24 GMT -8
Valaro's head dropped to examine his hands, clasped neatly in his lap as he listened to Skyscream with growing apprehension. His insides twisted with it.
This was different.
Different than anything his crew had ever faced.
Sure, they had done missions that others had deemed suicidal before, the MO was nothing new. They were black ops after all. But, he had never doubted his ability to get his crew home. EichDee's smiling face flashed behind his eyes as he considered skycream's proposal.
Us four.
She wants people she can trust, Valaro thought, people she knows can get the job done. And the Tiger, was one of the best. Its crew had faced challeneges that would make lesser operatives crack. His crew though? Would grin in the face of death rather than blink. It was his responsbility to make sure they came out alive. Despite his oaths to new zion, Valaro put his crew above all things. Because war would always be there, and they wouldn't.
In his younger days, he put his crew in danger for the mission. The mission always came first. No sacrifice was too large. They were the crew that got it done, no question. All for zion. All for the human race.
But, as Valaro got older, and more and more of his crew fell. More inreplaceable souls sacrificed for zion, for a chance for peace. He realized the war would always be there. War was a constant in the life of all zionites.
But his comrades, his family, his people...his crew, they weren’t.
They wouldn't come back. They would just be dead. And he would always be...here. Fighting.
Valaro looked up from the examination of his hands. Hands that dictated world events. Hands that told others to die. Hands that held those he loved close as they breathed their last breath.
His hands started to shake as he took a deep breath that went unnoticed.
He had made up his mind that night talking to Karaa in the cockpit. He was in this. A chance for peace? And he was all in. Despite everything. Old habits died hard.
Then a smaller hand rested on top of his. It squeezed. Not hard but firm. It was saying, You're not alone.
He looked up and Karaa's gaze was still fixed on Skyscream until she tilted her head in his direction. She didn't smile, just gave him a level stare. The silver streaks blaringly apparent in her eyes before she returned her gaze back to Skyscream. It was over in a second and it left a cold stone in Valaro's gut.
What has he done to his crew?
Karaa's hand squeezed tighter, almost to the point of pain. Almost. EichDee's voice reminded him of what he already knew, "She will always have your back, no matter how much grey gets into those eyes of hers."
The shaking stopped.
***
Ceege sat silently as he listened to skyscream regale them with tales of deadly danger. He ran his hand through his hair that had grown longer and more grey in recent years.
Another suicide mission.
Another mission where only the Tiger would do. Only the Tiger could help get the job done.
Skyscream talked about getting others to fill the gap that they would leave, if they refused. But, the truth was that was one hell of a gap. And Skyscream would need way more than four people for the plan to even be effective without them.
Without them. This mission would fail.
Ceege could see it, even though he was no tactician.
Others would go in their stead, and they would die.
And they would die in vain.
Something of his thoughts must of showed on his face because he felt Karaa's hand slip into his own and squeeze. He returned the gesture and then said,
"We're not in the habit of having others step in for us. No reason to start now. Old age and all," as he looked over at Valaro and Karaa. His crew. His family.
Karaa looked over at him, the green of her eyes seemingly flashing around the silver in the muted light of the bar. The shattered glass appearance of her eyes always made Ceege’s gut twist. As if he had failed her. Even though, he knew Karaa would admonish him for such a thought. Now, the silver was just as much a part of her as her pale blonde hair. Karaa gave him an quick efficient nod.
Valaro's gaze was steady. Though his eyes spoke another story. One that only those close to him could decipher. Only those that had seen the impossible decisions he made and the weight that he carried from them.
Only those that had felt the same loss. That indescribable lost that made you numb and dumb to the world.
"My choice, Capt'."
Valaro hesitated, for what seemed like an eternity but really was just a second, a moment, before giving a stiff nod.
***
Karaa sat, her piercing gaze never wavering for Skyscream’s even as she held her crew’s hands under the table.
Karaa knew this was coming. The moment she saw Skyscream back in that Camon Church.
Granted, she didn’t know about the mobile aircraft she was currently sitting on but she had known then that skyscream bought death with her. At the time, she thought it was just her own. Now, she realized that she should have known that skyscream never did anything small.
Go big or go home as it were.
"We're not in the habit of having others step in for us. No reason to start now. Old age and all.” Ceege’s voice was steady and sure. He knew what the risks were, what the price would be for those that followed Skyscream.
For Karaa, it would be a cold day in hell, indeed, when she let Ceege walk into this clusterfuck without her.
"My choice, Capt'."
Karaa looked over at Valaro, Ceege’s voice pulling her from her dire thoughts.
Valaro’s gaze told the story of a solider. Of one of the best. And what that had cost him.
What it had cost them all.
Karaa sat there, in a small dive of a bar, with the last of the active crew of the tiger. What was left of her family.
As the world asked more of them yet again.
Karaa felt no fear, no sadness, no regret. No real emotion beyond one conviction.
Her crew would not go without her. And she would lay down her life long before either of them lost theirs.
“My choice, Capt’.” Karaa echoed Ceege’s sentiment.
Karaa gave a squeeze to the hands she held as she looked at skyscream across the table. Her gaze was still cold, unmoving and calculating but underneath there was something...else. “For EichDee. For peace. For something more.”
Valaro’s weary gaze slid from Karaa’s face to Skyscream, giving her a wiry smile, “We’re in.”
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Post by Karaa on Dec 28, 2014 11:48:53 GMT -8
Caius walked swiftly down the debilitated hallway, cursing softly under his breath as the feeling of urgency gripped him tighter.
328.
He was here. If Salem could be trusted, if not, well then maybe he should of pulled that trigger in the alley.
Maybe.
He sighed, rather dramatically, as his knuckles rapped against the wood door.
Women.
It was always women. Or rather a woman. He was such a sap, he couldn't stand it. He threw his knuckles against the door again when there was no immediate answer and to distract himself of his self depreciation, he loved himself, being mean to himself was a cardinal sin as far as he was concerned.
Still no answer. Caius groaned, of course there was no answer. He took a a step back, "I am not in the habit of being ignored Oracle." Then with the efficiency of a highly trained operative, Caius launched himself forward his leg whipping out and colliding with the door. The door split under the onslaught, breaking away from the door frame.
Caius stood in the doorway for a heartbeat before saying," let's do this" under his breath.
The lights were on, which he didn't expect. Like any dramatic moment, he thought it would have been dark, ominous, down right dank.
But this wasn't the movies, though it would make one hell of a plot. People with jacks in the back of their head, plugging into an alternate reality.
Fuck, he'd go see it.
He cleared the rooms as he went with quick efficient movements that would have made his former superiors proud. Well, proud before they got the satisfaction of putting a bullet in his head.
Caius moved into the kitchen, his demeanor becoming more agitated. This had to pan out. If it didn't....
Caius gave himself a mental shake. Then he saw it, a small movement in his periphal. He wiped around, gun trained on the figure sitting in the corner, the lighting in the kitchen was dim and cast shadows over the face of the voyageur.
"I knocked, you know." Caius said. His tone was humorous but with an underlying strain that could not be missed. He didn't know why but he felt like he was running out of time...but he did. That he was on an invisible deadline and that if he missed it...
He would never see her again. She would just disappear. Become another one of his ghosts.
That thought terrified him. More than anything had ever terrified him before. And that, scared the shit out of him. Made him stick his neck out when he should be miles away from this bullshit instead of in the thick of it.
Apparently, he wasn't that pretty.
"You needed to break something." The woman replied steadily, as if it was obvious. Caius had only seen the Oracle once before. And he had basically told her to suck it. He didn't believe in fate or the future.
He believed in the now.
But this woman was the key somehow, the key to making sure she got out alive.
Caius smiled but it wasn't the friendly fake smile he was aiming for but a manic one, that seemed to shine in the dim lighting of the kitchen.
"How perspective. It did feel rather good. Breaking something. In fact, I think I could go another round, maybe with something with a bit more give."
" There is no one here to stop you." Her voice came out slow, as if she was taking care with each word, but the woman also sounded tired,"But, you won't."
"Really?" It was one word, but it was full of a challenge. Like all he needed was a dare, and he would tare it all down.
"We all have our parts to play. Roles that must be filled. The humans, the machines, the programs. You and I. "
"Me?" Caius' smile grew, " I am only here for one reason."
The orcale nodded, " it will take you far from who you are and cause you great pain."
"You know why I am here." Caius bit out, done with the future and preordain bullshit that made him fell like what time he had left was slipping through this fingers. Like she was slipping through his fingers.
The oracle nodded again, Tto deliver a message, to find an advantage... for her."
Caius smirked, bitch had game.
"The silver eyed menace, he is an agent of the source. He was at Mara Central. He wants Skyscream. He wants you to deliver her to him or the experiment ends."
The older woman didn't say anything. She took a long drag from her cigarette and said...nothing.
Caius looked at her expectantly, "Thats it? No bright gems of wisdom from the future? No, here is the plan to get out of this fucking mess?"
"We're waiting."
Caius laughed once in disbelief. It was a dangerous sound.
"Waiting for what? Do tell."
The silence stretch on, just as the smoke pouring from the Oracle's nostrils. In waves. Waves that fed the tension building in him. That made him feel like a wild animal trapped in a cage. Pacing the length of it. Waiting. Waiting for a chance to break the iron bars and escape. Just before he broke, his pocket started to vibrate.
Caius made no move to answer it, his gun still trained on the older woman.
"You're going to want to get that," when Caius still did not move she added, "Trust me."
"I don't."
"You will or she will die."
Caius jammed his hand into his jacket pocket, fishing out his phone and pressing it to his ear and all but snarled, "Yeah."
"Cas, it's me. Its Karaa."
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Post by Skyscream on Jan 9, 2015 17:57:54 GMT -8
Michael Popper sat quietly with his eyes staring intently at the wall across the small table he sat at. On the other side of what passed for a galley in his small ship another young man sat quietly staring at large hands clasped in front of him.
"I don't understand why we are doing this." The young man suddenly broke the silence. "When did we start taking orders from her? She's all about Zion. From the stories I've heard she accomplished nearly every mission they gave her."
"You have it all wrong, Rico." Michael, the Kid, Popper replied bluntly as he frowned at the wall. "She's a soldier of Morpheus. Absolutely loyal to him and him alone."
"Okay." Rico said slowly. "So why are we doing this? Joining forces with the Merv is crazy. He'll just stab us in the back when it suits him."
"Yup." Michael turned to face the other man. "But we don't have anything he wants. We're doing this for her. Everyone else doesn't matter."
"Why man?" Rico looked annoyed. "She hasn't been around in years. Never helped EPN that I know of. What gives? Give me the truth. I've been your first officer for a few years now. I think I deserve an answer."
"Because ..." The Kid smiled. "... she's loyal to Morpheus."
*********************************
It was done.
The group didn't stay long. A few drinks were drunk. A few more questions were answered. But after she had laid out the general plan to them Sky could understand why the small group split up. People needed to think. Take it in. She needed to do the same. She set her glass down on the table and slowly started to stand up. Nick was at her side instantly.
"I don't think they like me." He stated suddenly as his metal body eased gently into a chair.
"It's not personal, Nick." Skyscream sat back down. "We've all been through some serious shit that's hard to let go of."
"Okay." Nick nodded. "I am glad to have met them."
"They're just folks. Normal folks." Skyscream smiled a little but it disappeared quickly. "Not superheroes."
"Your friends." Nick nodded.
"Yes." Skyscream looked at nick for a moment. "What's left of them."
"Am I your friend?" Nick asked suddenly.
"Yup." Skyscream smiled and slapped the robot on the shoulder as she stood up. "God help you. I'm going back to my ship. You're in command here."
"Alright." Nick nodded. "See you in the morning."
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Post by Karaa on Feb 13, 2015 10:46:57 GMT -8
For a moment he couldn’t breathe and he didn't understand why.
Why his lungs were refusing to suck in the life saving force known as oxygen.
She is still alive. Somewhere in his subconscious he had feared the worse and it wasn’t until that moment that he realized he had carried that with him, an invisible weight.
“Cas, are you there? This connection isn’t the best.”
“I’m here.” The words were rushed and breathless.
“I don’t have long.” Karaa’s voice was even if choppy due to whatever inference there was on her end. “What can I do?” Caius asked without hesitation, she called him. She needed him. Fuck, things must really be bad.
“Nothing.” He could hear her take a breath, to steady herself? Did she still need to do that? There was a time that that was her tell. The one minute behavior that would signal she was about to do something she considered difficult. Like she was reinforcing herself with an invisible shield.
“Shit is about to hit the fan. In a big way.”
Caius smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes, “You never do anything small, Chica. Plus, your calling me. If that wasn’t a sign, I don’t know what would be. “
A moment stretch on where there was just silence, and his eyes seemed to refocus on the Oracle, his gun still trained on her. “What can I do, Kar?”
“I’m not calling to ask you for something, Caius.” Again, she took a breath. “I’m calling to say –“
He felt the tension build in him to the point where it was almost painful, almost unbearable, the words poured out from him, anything to stop her from finishing that sentence. That sentence that seemed to have more finality to it than death itself, “Karaa”, he interrupted her.” I am with the Oracle. The silver eye fucker that got the drop on you in Camon wants Skyscream or he is going to end the experiment.” The silence stretch in the wake of the information he spewed at her, then he added as an after though, “He’s an agent of the source.”
Again, silence and static. It made his skin crawl, “Kar?”
“I’m here.”
Another pause.
“Cas, you should jack out. Get as far away from this as you can.”
“Nah, I figure pulling a gun on the oracle has me down as all in.”
He thought he could hear a laugh, or maybe it was a cough. What he wouldn’t give to hear her laugh again, a real laugh.
“Giving him Skyscream is not an option.”
Caius sighed rather dramatically, it spoke volumes about their relationship that she was not surprised by his actions. Or maybe it spoke volumes about how little of her emotions were left. Caius didn't know which explanation was better,“I figured you were going to say that.”
“With anyone else I wouldn’t have to. Kind of like, don't pull a gun on the Oracle.”
“Point taken. Where are you? I’ll meet you. We can punch big evil in the face together.”
“That’s not an option, Cas. “
“Why the fuck not?” He tried to keep his voice from sounding harsh or like that of a petulant child but it was difficult. He felt like he was losing whatever traction he had walked in this apartment with.
“I can’t say much over the phone but, we’re past that now.”
Caius ground his teeth together, he felt himself pulling apart at the seams, “What can I do?” He repeated.
“Jack out.” Karaa repeated.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m not. “
“Like hell I am.”
There was another pause that seemed to stretch on forever.
“We’ve been through a lot together, Cas. Be happy, ok?”
His stomach rolled.
“In all the time that you have known me, do I seem like someone who does happy well?” His voice sounded like his snarky self, but inside he felt like he was dying. Staring at the Oracle he could tell that she knew. That she understood. And not for the first time, he wondered what she had seen to be able to return a tortured look that mirrored his own.
“Give it a try, you might be surprised. “ Karaa sighed as some noise on her end came through the line, “I have to go, Caius.” Her voice was still neutral, even as his threaten to shake.
“Karaa, stay alive. Whatever you have to do. Do it.”
Another pause that seemed to drag out until infinity.
Karaa’s static laden voice cracked through his phone, “Jack out, Cas.”
And then the line was dead and the silence that surrounded him now was somehow so much worse.
“You should have let her finish what she wanted to tell you,” The Oracle said.
“Bite me, Old Bag.” Caius replied caustically.
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Post by Skyscream on Feb 13, 2015 18:32:05 GMT -8
"That's not really my style." The Oracle smiled her oddly unnerving but friendly smile. "You really should take her advice though."
"You know that ain't happening." Caius grimaced back at the woman.
"Sadly, yes." The Oracle leaned back in her chair and pointed at Caius while somehow completely ignoring the fact a gun was pointed at her. "Because now you have a decision to make and that decision, either way, will determine your fate."
"Fate. Please. You should know better than to spout that at me." Caius almost laughed. "But I am curious what this is all about. Is that guy with the silver peepers who he says he is?"
"In a sense. Yes." The Oracle fell silent.
"Why does he want Skyscream?" Caius kept his weapon aimed directly at the Oracle while his eyes scanned the room.
"He was told to get her." The Oracle slowly stood up with a groan. "My poor bones sure aren't what they used to be. Can you just ask the question you wanted to ask when you walked in? Before the phone call. Our time is running out. I can answer the rest later."
"Uh huh." Caius stared at the Oracle. "Alright. Fine. Where the hell is your bodyguard?"
"Shame that you haven't figured that out yet." The Oracle stood up straight and took a deep breath before staring at Caius with a serious face. The moment seemed to drag on. "That does not bode well for my future."
"What are you ..." Caius paused and frowned. " ... you have to be kidding."
"Ahh. The light turns on. By the way, your silver eyed friend is almost here." The Oracle began to walk towards the entrance uncaring of the gun in Caius' slightly shaking hand. "I think it would be best if I left. Could you get my jacket from the closet near the front door? It's going to be a chilly day."
"Things really have gone to shit if I have to decide whether to guard the Oracle or not." Caius stared at her for a moment, his weapon still trained on her.
"And time is running out." The Oracle smiled over her shoulder as she left the room.
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Post by Karaa on Feb 14, 2015 10:54:16 GMT -8
Caius didn't move when the Oracle walked by him or when she asked him to grab her coat.
He took a breath.
A deep one before holstering his firearm inside his jacket. Caius stood there for a moment staring at the kitchen tile along the back wall that at one time had been in vogue but now was falling apart and adding to the sense of abandonment this apartment oozed.
His hands hung loosely at his sides while he considered his options.
Jack out? Fuck that. Follow the oracle? Really? That was his only lead?
Caius hung his head as his hands made fists at his sides. He was one of the best information brokers in the system and he only had one fucking option that was not giving up or complete suicide.
Fuck.
"Will it make a difference?" His voice filled the silence as the oracle turned to face his back from where she waited at the door," and I don't mean 'will it make a difference for you.' I don't give two shits about you."
The Oracle regarded the man before her. He was one giant contradiction, known as a betrayer, a cold calculating selfish bastard that burned any expectations of him. Yet, here he was, putting his life on the line for another's. Not because he would gain anything out of it beyond her safety. The Oracle smiled, maybe things will turn out after all.
"We all have our parts to play and you and I aren't finished yet. Now, get my coat."
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Post by Skyscream on Feb 18, 2015 19:48:58 GMT -8
Agent North stood silently in front of the desk where Agent Pace sat staring at him silently. Behind her the large floor to ceiling windows showed the city in all it's night time glory.
"Tell me again." Agent Pace leaned back in her chair.
"When I ... met ... the unknown hostile entity and attempted conversation it claimed to be an Agent of the Source. When it refused to ... cooperate ... with my questioning by attacking me, with what appeared to be lightning, I engaged the hostile entity." Agent North stated simply. "It ignored my attacks and flew in the direction of the Mara neighbourhood."
"Fly?" Agent Pace. "It flew."
"Yes." Agent North replied.
"You are certain it said it was an Agent of the Source?" Agent Pace was frowning.
"Yes." Agent North nodded. "I can find no records of anything regarding this matter."
"The door to machine city is guarded?" Agent Pace sighed a little.
"Yes." Agent North nodded again. "It is secure."
"Let us hope so." Agent Pace turned to looked at Megacity sprawling below the high rise she was currently headquartered in.
*****************************************
Skyscream couldn't sleep. She didn't want to sleep. If she slept she would dream and she was so very, very tired of the dreams. Instead of resting she was outside in the cold pacing near the thing she was betting everything on. The glider. It was a patchwork of metal plates covered in rubber they had salvaged from the tunnels and numerous machines. The clouds had lightning. She learned that the hard way. The insulation added to the weight but without it they might get fried. The long body was offset by the even longer wings. To her eyes they looked flimsy but she knew after numerous test flights that they weren't. She sighed and stuck her hands into the pockets of her thick coat. It was a good plane. It will serve them well. She had crafted every inch of it herself. She new it as well as she knew the working of the Hovercraft Format C.
"So that's it huh?" The voice behind her was familiar but it still surprised her. "Our ride into hell."
"Can't sleep either, eh?" Skyscream smiled a little as Valaro stepped up beside her.
"Nope." Valaro nodded at the glider. His breath frosted in the night air. "You know how to fly it, right?"
"Yeah." Skyscream chuckled. "I practiced a couple times."
"You haven't been completely honest with me." Valaro commented casually. "What aren't you aren't telling me?"
"I get prophetic dreams." Skyscream replied just as casually.
"Oh." Valaro stared at the plane for a moment before shrugging. "Okay. Do you know why?"
"Not really." Skyscream shrugged as well. "I think Format has been keeping track of what I tell him. He's very rational. Needs to understand the science of everything. Hasn't said anything about them being wrong though."
"Are the dreams why you came back?" Valaro asked even though he knew the answer.
"Yep." Skyscream stared at the dark clouds above. "But I have my own dreams too. When I'm awake."
"What are those about?" Valaro looked at the tall woman beside him as she continued to stare upwards.
"Stars." Skyscream smiled and closed her eyes as she took a deep breath of the cold night air.
"Why stars?" Valaro continued to stare at the tall woman.
"They are the future." Skyscream suddenly opened her eyes and turned to stare back at Valaro. "This place. This world. We turned it into a prison for them but they don't get it still. They are still obsessed with punishing their creators. They refuse to see the truth before them. They cannot leave this world. Ever. Without our help."
"Alright. Let's say you're right." Valaro shrugged. "It's a prison. To what? Keep them from the stars?"
"Yes!" Skyscream exclaimed with a grin. "Can you imagine what the Machine would do if let loose on the galaxy the way it is now. A spoiled child obsessed with controlling everything?"
"I hadn't though about it like that before." Valaro was frowning.
"Few do." Skyscream waved her hand at the encampment behind them. "We're all to busy trying to survive."
"Good point." Valaro nodded in thought. "Thanks for sharing."
"My pleasure." Skyscream stuck her hand back in her coat pocket.
They both stood in silence for a long moment.
"About an hour until we take off?" Valaro broke the silence.
"Yep." Skyscream nodded.
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