"Several, actually." Vern answered Cobalt's very first question, "but thereneeds to e a little more organization here first. SENECA?"
"Huh?" the pseakers piped up, "What?"
Vern simply cleared his throat in response.
"I wasn't doing anything!"
"Uh-huh, sure. Like you weren't just eavesdropping with subharmonics?"
"I most certainly was not."
"Yes you were. I can hear that crud, and you know it. We've got a job to do, so focus."
"Alright, alright. What do ya need me to do?"
"First I'd like you to take Cobalt down to a junction. If she allegedly doesn't exist yet, we'll just see about changing that. If that doesn't work I can always build a Mecha-Cobalt or something. That sound acceptable?"
The last part of the idea was directed, of course, at Cobalt. Now Vern turned to Essex and Midas again.
"I do apologize, she gets nosey at times." he said to them, "And...yeah, nevermind. I didn't hear anything either if you don't want me to, if you catch my drift."
With that, he hopped onto the chart table again to at last be at eye level with everyone, "Alright people, this isn't going to be easy. We've all got different opinions on how things should be, but I think we can all agree that it's not like they are now. So let's get started. First we'll meet up with the existing resistance. From all I've gathered, one of their bases just got rooted out, and as I know a certain friend of mine, he's already on the way to them as well. Moonscribe here has a set of coordinates we can use to teleport to them, so that's just what we're going to do. Let's go."
Following this, he headed off to the teleport bay. The airship had no fiktive transmitter, and though powerful, its telepads could only operate back and forth, not everywhere in between...
--------------------
Behind the real Cobalt, an assault bot entered the room, waiting for her to make her choice. It would take her to the junction if it was to be...
--------------------
"Ah, perfect." Acid grinned savagely as he spotted what he wanted on the highway - a very unassuming-looking semi complete with trailer and ID patches on its license plates for fast travel through the city gates, which obviously had to be less stringent than the ones at the palace for economic reasons.
"Just what we need." he nodded to Kefetasura, keying in a sequence on the center console. The steering wheel shrank together and away as a machanical voice gently announced, "Auto drive."
"Now all we need is the location of our contacts, and..." Acid wanted to urge on Kefetasura, but SENECA interrupted spontanouly, quickly relaying what had heppened on board the airship and the situation with Rosie.
Smirking, Acid unholstered a pistol. The paralyzer did just what its name implied - it was a nonlethal weapon that went straight for the motor sytem of its target, effecively cutting off the body from all signals of the will for a span of time. With humans, these were motivation muscles and brain, respectively. Smooth and cardiac types were unaffected, since they weren't part of the human body's movement system.
"Nevermind then." Acid decided, grabbing the demon's hand, "Let's go."
With that, they vanished from the car and reappeared out of teleport in the cabin of the semi.
"Sacre bleu!" yelled the driver in shock, as his last moments of control of his truck passed. Acid's paralyzer hissed viciously, and the man instantly slumped over as the reptilian took the wheel from him.
"Merci." Acid smiled deviously, looking at his own car driving away through the tinted windows of the semi. Even with the orange halogen lamps of the highway, any observeing pursuers would likely have great trouble looking into the darkened cabin of the truck - in the night, tinted windows acted almost as perfect mirrors so long as there was something dark behind them. Acid's teleportation had carried no flash, and the paralyzer operated almost invisibly in the EM band, much like a disintegrator...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
"That was thirteen kinds of fun right there," Kefetassura giggled like a madman at Acid's little stunt. "Unfortunately my plan A seems to be... well, of no real importance, you could say. On to plan B... the heavy-handed and obvious way."
Kefetasura seemed a little upset. Despite his flamboyant exterior he was really more comfortable operating with surgical precision and calculated, some might say ruthless, efficiency. What he would have to do now, basically "pinging" the psychic plane, was just about the fastest and best way to get yourself noticed by every single entity on that plane. It was clumsy, and terribly indiscriminate. Worst of all, it made him look like an amateur.
"I don't suppose that computer of yours made notice of any particular communication codes or cyphers that your resistance types use?" the demon wondered out loud as he pushed the driver's limp body into the tiny berth at the back of the cab. With a wave of his hand Kefetasura soothed the man into a dreamless sleep. Altering his memory of the incident was reflexive for the demon, as it had been his trade for millenia, "Just something that'll keep snooping minds out and maybe give me an ounze of credibility when I contact these people. Resistance types are notoriously suspicious of outsiders. At least, they should be . . . ."
Essex blinked, her eyes wide at Vern's words.
He heard me, he knows everything and I'm so dead.
Nevertheless, he seemed not to mind keeping it a secret, so she just regarded him warily.
She was actively stifling the voice inside her that told her to trust him now; Essex didn't trust the being any farther than she could have thrown him - and it was questionable if she was able to even lift the being.
As they headed towards the teleporters, Essex paused, taking the small hologram generator back into her hands.
"Circuit overload..." she murmured to herself, walking back to the projection of Cobalt. Disassembling the back end, she painstakingly and haltingly began to repair it, continually glancing at the main communication module for reference.
"...Um...Here..." she said, as the hologram flickered to life once more. It was greyscale, but seemed stable -...mostly.
"...Now you can at least come with us in spirit." she said, looking up at the girl and apologetic that she couldn't do more. "Um...Unless this explodes."
She unconsciously inched away from Experiment as she said that, and the next moment trotted off towards the teleporters, hand clasped in Midas'.
-----------------------------------------------
Rosalind raised her head, sniffing the air.
"...Maybe not an ambush." she grunted, her eyes still narrowed. "...But something's coming."
Turning towards Richter, Cortianna, and Bear, she frowned, her gaze tactical. "And we have to be ready for it. Corti, I want psychic cordons up for a 10 yard radial sphere around us. Bear, if you've got any stickies in that pack, get 'em ready. Rick, I need you to get ready to stretch your legs a bit if you know what I mean."
She swore as she rubbed the arrow scar in her chest ruefully.
Rosalind would not be caught by surprise again.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
Midas eyed Essex, confused for a moment. She was remembering her old life, but could she revert back? This whole situation was illogical, how could a robot become a person in an alternate reality? It made no sense! But, she was somewhat a construct, apparently, or at least an experiment here. But she was alive and sentient in this world, if there was really a correct world
why would she be a nonliving thing?
He glanced suspiciously at the little girl and decided hed have a talk with the Stone and Cyba, who were following behind him and having a hushed conversation.
Thats simply astonishing, Selene. The scientist muttered to the little girl. Ive never heard of a child so young creating something so advanced. With the correct tutors and power of will, you could become one of the most brilliant people on the planet, I have to doubts. Perhaps if we ever have the time you can show me the extent of what you know thus far.
He smiled down at the little girl. I could even teach you something
hah. He finished weakly.
"Hah is right." a hoarse voice came from... Well, guess whose direction. A slight cough, and Experiment stepped behind the others. "Well, who said THAT? That could have been rather insulting, super secretive person that I don't know! Watch your mouth next time!"
Essex bowed her head to Midas, her cheeks flushed.
"I would be happy to learn from you, sir." she said, shyly but rather earnestly. "I hope I don't let you down."
When Experiment cut in, she looked rather injured, and regarded him with a pleading, frightened look.
"Please, sir!" she cried. "Can't we just get along for once? Everyone can go back to killing each other when the world is fixed..."
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
Experiment grumbled, and turned away, but then decided to stay pretty quiet. Even if he didn't like this Midas guy... Hell, it was still Essex talking.
"Fine. But if he insults me again, and he happens to turn on us, I call first stabby." he muttered, almost smiling at the prospect...
Happy thoughts... Happy thoughts...
Okay, lets try non-violent happy thoughts...
"Won't do any good." Acid dissuaded Kefetasura's notions, "Moon's our only link right now, and I guess he shut up. All SENECA can pull is from Arcie's systems, and I know for a fact Rosie's too smart to be using captured codes any longer."
He smirked as he saw his car exit the freeway, the pursuers hopefully following it without question. Once it couldn't go anywhere anymore, SENECA would become it and give them a little show.
The truck, however, headed on its old route. Acid was quite intent on not making it appear suspicious right now, at least not until he'd found the transponder.
Oh what luck, there it was!
"Too easy." he grinned toothily, opening the housing for a moment and tossing in a data stick. The rest would take care of itself.
Once well out of sight of the attention-diverting car, he exited the freeway and headed for the coordinates. The transponder would still show the old course without fail, the programming of its hub adjusted ever so slightly - and as it spread, SENECA pulled back her feelers, no longer needed.
It had begun...
--------------------
((Hey Ess, could I have a quick description of Rosie's location? I completely lost track of the group, and have no idea if they're in a street still or inside somewhere, or what kid of district. 
))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Midas smiled at Essexs response. He was growing attached to the little girl, whatever she was. A metahuman had never seemed so
human
to him. He opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by Experiment.
He was about to respond with something rude and rash and more than likely dangerous to shout to a bloodthirsty psychopath, which he was almost sure Experiment was, but Essexs plea forced his mouth shut. She was correct, there was no need to go after that man yet. With any luck, that fool would die fighting zombies or some such troops during their glorious campaign. The scientist scratched his chin. Yes, he could plan it.
Until then, hed suffer his company.
Essex is right. Its funny that a child has more sense than some of us. Midas said aloud. Her wisdom and intelligence surpasses her age by decades. He added as he put a hand on the girls shoulder reassuringly.
The little girl gave Experiment a truly thankful look and a warm smile. "I really appreciate it sir." she said, bowing her head. "I know it's difficult to get along, but...A little while of this is better than life under the Overmagus, isn't it?"
At Dr. Phillis' words, her eyes widened. "...Er." Essex reddened, shrinking slightly under Midas' hand. "N-no need for all that..." she murmured, more than a little embarassed. Her gaze darted around, until it rested on something hanging limply on a worktable outside the teleport bay.
It wasn't really a tablecloth per se, but it would suffice.
She carefully pulled it off and hid beneath it to cover her burning cheeks. "L-let's get going."
----------------------------------------------
((And Ace, Rosie, Richter, Bear, and Corti are in a rural area in France. Their base was located in some of the underground catacombs - you know, the ones with like, tunnel walls made out of skulls and bones. <_< <3 Yay for the tactics of the French Resistance!))
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
OOC: >_> Rosie's group is locked down until I can finally get Commie to post. >_>
STORY LINE IS FOR STORY.
Statesman said let there be heroes, and there were heroes.
Lord Recluse said let there be villains, and there were villains.
NCsoft said let there be nothing, and there was nothing.
A low humming made it obvious that Midas' comment had annoyed him. This guy really did like trying to piss him off, even if it was rather subtle.
However, he stayed quiet, smiling as Essex pulled the 'tablecloth' over her. He definately remembered THAT.
"You know, one of these days, somebody is going to think you're a ghost in that thing, Ess." he chuckled, keeping his focus on everyone but Midas.
[ QUOTE ]
"Won't do any good." Acid dissuaded Kefetasura's notions, "Moon's our only link right now, and I guess he shut up. . ."
[/ QUOTE ]
"You noticed that too, eh?" the demon sighed, doing his best to look mildly downtrodden as he leaned his elbow on the windowframe.
[ QUOTE ]
". . . All SENECA can pull is from Arcie's systems, and I know for a fact Rosie's too smart to be using captured codes any longer."
[/ QUOTE ]
"Rosie? As in Rosalind? Oh. . . Well, this will just be a joyous exercise," his tone clearly indicated he felt quite the opposite, "I'm not entirely certain if I've met her or not yet, nor in which version of reality it might have been. But I have a feeling it wasn't very pleasant. Probably involved the self-righteous soul-police telling me what I can and can't do. . . ."
Kefetasura continued grumbling for a while, mostly to himself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Rosalinds eyes, everything seemed to stand still. The whole world faded away until nothing was left but a comfortable void. A wide open grassy field.
Something colorful moved in the distance.
It headed towards her at an ambling, unthreatening pace. The were-human was given plenty of time to identify and ponder the arrival.
Kefetasura sat cross-legged in the air before her.
"I come with a request," he said. The lack of conversational context and the strangely fuzzy environment made the whole thing eerily surreal, "Acid Zero wants to rendevouz with your group, needs a place to get out of the spotlight of a certain diva."
A casual glimpse around Rosie on the psychic plane and Kefetasura easily noticed a very familiar presence.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Cortianna?" the demon moaned in the seat next to Acid. "Now I know where I know her from! That blasted TV show alternate reality. . . !"
He glanced over at Acid, quite certain his last comment had somehow made up the other's mind that his fragile hold on sanity was lost for good.
"I'm not crazy," he grumbled as he slumped down into his seat.
Midas looked at Essex curiously. "Are you cold?" he asked her. "You don't need to drape it over your head, your shoulders will suffice."
I suppose she's more gifted in some areas than others. the scientist thought to himself with a grin as he tugged on the cloth. It was his first sincere smile that he could remember.
"Aaaaah...." Essex gave a little cry as Midas pulled the tablecloth off her. "T_T Give it baaaaack...I'm embarassed."
Flailing weakly for it, she finally settled into a slight pout, her cheeks still red from the compliments.
Japancakes.
Art - Theme 005 - Seeking Solace
"You are such a strange girl." Cobalt commented while watching Essex throw a clothe over herself. Finally she went to the assault bot and began to climb up onto its back. "Ok, take me wherever to!"
"...Hmph..." Experiment grunted, and he began tapping his 'watch.' It brightened for a moment before what seemed to be a small hankerchief emitted from his shirt. He pulled on it, and it seemed to grow into a pink blanket. He smiled as he pulled, but then began frowning. It wasn't stopping.
He pulled more and more, and he grew more confused by the second. It seemed never ending!...
...Until he realized it was tied in a circle, and it had continued to flow back in and out. His face was slightly indecipherable, but if anyone knew the look, they would know he was smacking himself in the head in his mind.
He untied the knot, and it released into an Ess-sized blanket.
"Do not ask why I carry things like this around. I say it is because I know you are going to lose your tablecloth at some point. This is used about as much as my silly string function..." he muttered, throwing the blanket. If Essex didn't move, it would probably cover her.
Although, inside his mind, the post-Archie John had his eyebrow raised so far up, it was hidden by his hair.
"...You carry around a pink blanket? Freeeeak..."
Tam chuckled softly at Essex. Her laugh a deep rumble in her throat.
----
Cortianna nodded to the Commander's instruction and closed her eyes. To those unaware of the psychic plane, nothing happened, on the plane, however, was another story.
A sphere of mental fire, orange with purple flecked tips, pulsed from her position, settling at a fifty yard radius. The manifastation faded slightly, but she had lit a beacon toward their area for anyone with the sight to see.
And see someone did. The light probe didn't impinge before pulling back. Just long enough for both minds to identify the other.
Kefetasura
Opening her eyes, Cort looked at her companions. "It's done. I'll know if anything that thinks in higher terms then an insect comes within fifty yards. However, a strong psionic also found me. He didn't stay long or do anything... I don't believe he's allied to the Overmagus... but he's," Her, the teen hesitated. "Not familiar." A partial lie. She knew she had never felt that mind before, but the color of familiarity in their link was undenyable.
But from where?
Pinnacle
Heroes
When in danger, or in doubt; Run in circles, scream and shout.
Thuel's radio cracked with a new message from command in New Mu, "Kommandant Thuel, you are to report back to New Mu immedatly. End transmission."
Thuel looked at Nikolai and his posse, "looks like we better get going. Follow me," Thuel turned back around out of the tunnel to see a small group of Rebel ambushers sitting down at a broken table coverd with a map, a few guns, a baseball bat, and a few rifles. "Nikleboy, show me what ya men can do." Thuel spoke quietly before sinking back into the passageway.
On instinct Nikolai and his posse move into potsition. Yoseph and Vanya crouched down lower to the ground, cocked their AKs, took aim at the group. While Tupikov readied his demolition charges for colaspeing the tunnel behind them after they were done. Yoseph and Vanya opend fire on the Rebels seated at the table, with a loud boom Tupikov threw a concusion grenade at the table before pressing a small flashing button that triggerd a series of small explosions that emploded the makeshift tunnel behind them.
The Rebels seated at the table rocked back and forth, and finaly fell aginst the table when the modified AK bullets hit them. Tearing flesh appart, finaly they collasped. "Good? Or not so good, Rommie?" Nikolai asked Thuel who stood watching as Yoseph and Vanya burtaly fired upon the men sitting at the now blood coverd table.
"Very good. Bit to loud for my tastes." Thuel replyed while walked out of the school with Nikolai and his posse at his side. "Ready to come to New Mu?" Thuel asked as they aproached the 'chopper back to New Mu.
((So...is Comme's post forthcoming sometime? If not...bah, I guess I can say it, yalls'd figure it out anyway - I'd like to start our rebellion off by hijacking a plane. Yeah, you know the one I mean. 
))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
((Hmm, no replies in 2 weeks. 
Damn, I really don't want to see this die too. It's a great idea. Well, maybe I can talk with yalls in-game tomorrow.))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
((Just about everything has died since you left. What do you have to say for yourself?))
((What a silly question. 
To the escape pod!))
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
lol
"Aww..you're sweet." Cobalt said to Essex as she reached out to pat her on the head and witnessed her hand go through it in a ghostly fashion. "Whoops."
"I'm fine down here, got shelter and food and water. I'm just bored out of my gourd because it's so quiet. I used to pick up all sorts of comms traffic in the air and interesting stuff from the 'Net but this world is too damn silent." Cobalt's expression became forlorn as her monologue went on. "But get me some kinda remote interface so I can at least do something out there and it'll be more bearable."
"And keep this channel open so I can see and hear what's goin' on, it's damn lonely down here."