The pounding on the door did not mask the woman's voice. Her voice was raised in... excitement?... fear? No, the word is panic.
Not for the first time (or the thousandth) time, I wish I could understand the speech of the 'umans around us... this 'anglesh'. I suspect a perfect understanding would help very little in the woman's case.
Purvia (my mate) bounds out of bed to answer the woman's cries. Even with the life growing within her hampering her movement; she is still much more graceful than the 'umans, though I may be slightly biased in that opinion.
Her command of the 'uman tongue has been a great blessing to us through the years. I listen with little interest as she answers the door. What good would it do if I were interested now? I need Purvia to tell me the woman's trouble.
When it is time for me to be interested; I will be... deadly interested.
I hear Purvia and clumsier footfall in the hall. I arise to greet them. Purvia speaks in our tongue. I note she also seems in a bit of panic.
"PURVEK! Elizabeth has been taken from her bed! The bars have been cut from the window and the window opened.
ELIZABETH !?!
The tiny child is one of many I watch over in the care center during the day. The child lives three floors above us. She should have been safe WITHOUT the bars over her windows.
The deed rankles my fur.
I tear down the hall toward the stairs. I note fleetingly the mother's look of hope as I pass. I silently vow I shall fullfill that hope.
I take the stairs 8 or 10 steps per stride. I note in passing many frightened families watching me through open doors. They know I am no threat... to them; but a threat has entered our home.
A child has been stolen from her parents' love. I shall return that child.
That child's abductors shall learn 600 pounds of feline fury shall NOT be denied.
They shall not live long enough to benefit from the lesson.
I get to Elizabeth's apartment. The door is open. I see her worried father with one of the communications devices 'umans use held to his ear. He waves me in.
Her brothers greet me with wide and hopeful smiles. This spurs me more to find their younger sister. I hurry to the hall and stop.
I know not which room is hers. To enter another would invade the family. I feel a small hand grasp mine. Her oldest brother (not yet eleven years old) leads me to a room and points to the bed.
I rush in; hoping the scents aid me in my quest to find his sister.
I scent the girl-child. I smell a heavy fume... chloroform. Her short-lived panic leaves its own scent as does her loss of bodily control. The smell of her fluids fill my nostrils; but do not cover another scent.
I remember the scent from my time carrying the 'hero' banner. It is of a gang of 'powered' thugs who are named after the bones within their heads and who wear masks depicting the bones of their faces.
...SKULLS...
I go to the open window. It was not opened or broken. The glass had been removed. I investigate the stubs outside. The security bars were removed by that liquid which eats metal... acid.
I peer down. Neither glass nor metal had fallen the twenty floors to the street. The skulls had not wanted the sound to alert passersby or have an injuried party investigate (and possibly interrupt their operation).
For the skulls of my 'hero' days, this is interesting forethought. I peer upward. Only six floors. Odviously, the metal, glass, then child had been removed to the roof. I should be on the roof.
As I race to the stairs, I pass Purvia and the child's mother. I say one word in our tongue to explain my hurry.
"Skulls"
Purvia's eyes widen slightly; then she turns to hurry the mother into the apartment.
The door to the roof has two heavy metal bars and padlocks securing it. I leave the bars hanging from the hasps and the door splinters sprayed across the roof.
I search the roof cautiously. If the skulls had left sentries behind; my disagreement with the door would have alerted them. I hoped they did; but my hope was unfullfilled.
I approach the roofedge over the violated window. I see the window glass had been placed carefully on the roof. It was not broken or even cracked. The ineffective security grating had been placed over the glass.
Such care is quite unusual for the ilk such as the skulls I knew.
I then see something has been placed on the grating.
NO!!! no...
.
It was a doll. blue dress, red hair.
It was Elizabeth's prize possession. She left it with me each morning as she prepared to leave the care center and go to that special school... Kinder's Garden. It was part of a ritual the children had started before Elizabeth was born... leaving their favorite doll or toy with Purvek so it would be ready when the child returned at lunchtime.
The ritual had started simple enough. A little girl had known she was the most important thing in the world to her parents. Her parents left her with Purvek when they had to go 'ta wok'. Now that the little girl had to go 'ta skol'; she wanted to leave her bestest doll with Purvek 'so he would be happy, too.' The little girl was now a teenager; but she still came to the center after class... to visit her 'favorite kitty-cat in the world'.
Whomever had left the doll KNEW its importance. The skulls of my hero days did not act this way. I approach the doll and catch a scent which sends my world crashing. I thought SHE had died two years ago.
She had been buried with seven others in a mass grave. The grave had been separated from the main cemetary because no one wanted HER in the same burial grounds with their loved ones.
Twenty others had died in the fire with her. Five men and eight women had been identified. Eight bodies could not be identified. None mourned HER; but many mourned the seven who had to be buried with her.
Purvia comes through the door and onto the roof. She smiles at the door's remains before she sees the doll. As I fake scouring the roof for more clues; she approaches the doll.
I hear her gasp and watch as she falls to a knee. She staggers backward and turns to me. Her mind reeling from what her senses have told her. Desperately; her mind fastens on the one shred of logic that would say it was a lie. She pleads with me in our tongue.
"PLEASE TELL ME... tell me you planted that scent.... PLEASE!!!"
My silence confirms the truth. She closes her eyes and mouth. After some struggle, she gets a deep breath and her eyes **SNAP** open with determination.
"The others must know."
"No, my beloved. Not now. Call them, but don't tell them."
"But why? the threat..."
"Unia, Ailia, Thomas" Ske closes her eyes and nods.
"You have never failed us. I would be a fool to question your leadership, now."
"My beloved. Without YOUR questions; how am I to know when I have questioned myself enough? Give me a commo, call them; but tell them not of HER."
"Will you tell them?"
"When the time is right."
"And that will be...?"
"I hope it never is."
As she departs, I consider the three of us who were most effected by HER and the woman herself."
Unia was an alien female. Her craft had crashed near a hunting lodge when she was but an infant. The four bachelors owning the lodge took her in and did a mighty fine job of raising her.
The few times the media has seen Unia; they described her as: 'a golden-hued unicorn-girl, 8 foot tall and as delicate as blown glass'. I had seen that 'delicate' girl put a hoof two feet into a cave wall. It would have gone further, but a council soldier got in the way.
One of those bachelors was Ailia's and Thomas' father. Their mother had seduced... actually she had 'gotten his service'.
Their mother had been orphanned at four monthes old and had been raised by a mountain lion. She developed extreme psionics which were restricted only by the law of the wild. When her instincts demanded she mate; she found a young man training for a very difficult dogsled race. Her psionics and the law of the wild ensured the twins would result. She raised the twins within the law of the wild. They also developed the psionics with which she mastered her world.
At her mother's death in a trap designed to kill a bear, Ailia had waited near the body to be captured and was returned to her father (at the lodge) a year later.
Thomas had fled. He stayed free (and just a legend) until HE matured and his instincts demanded he mate. He had followed his mother's example; for though only the twins had survived, his mother had conceived and given birth several times.
Ailia and one of his erstwhile 'victums' (who turned out to actually love him) helped corner Thomas. capture him, and had eventually helped 'civilize' him. The three of them returned to the lodge where Thomas and Ailia finally became true citizens of society... more devoted to a decent society than many so-called 'protectors of decency'.
The woman derived her power NOT from magic or from some quirk in her genetics. She was not the result of some experiment that had gone awry... or worse, had not. She used no technology other than the swords she wielded. Though based on the style of some obscure oriental cult, the blades had been fashioned using modern technology; making them as sharp or sharper than a surgeon's scalpel.
The woman's power came from her skill with those blades, the force of her will,... and the darkness of her soul.
After Thomas, Ailia, and Unia left the hunting lodge to take up the 'hero' banner; SHE visitted the lodge.
One 'uncle' never saw death arrive. Another died with his hand still extended in greeting. The last two fought. SHE played with them cutting and slicing until both were weak from loss of blood.
Then the twins' father turned on his friend, killed his friend, then killed himself. SHE got so angry, she killed the camera man she had brought to film her 'fun'.
Donning the commo which would contact my team, I started to truly figure the hints the woman may have left me. Then I stopped and remembered one fact... actually two... that may effect my future.
fact #1> THE woman had loved her husband, whose soul was as dark as her own. The two had celebrated their wedding by killing the preacher, his wife, and all four witnesses. They had left the camerawoman (who was seven monthes pregnant) pinned high on a wall, gutted and still alive.
fact #2> I killed her husband.
.
The scents were quite confused at first. Elizabeth's scent was very strong; but went in four different directions, each direction with a different skull. Then I remember the sheets had been taken off her bed. The inventive (or well-instructed) skulls had dragged her bedclothes (and maybe her night clothing) to confuse any canines the police may bring up to aid the search. Realizing SHE would not have left such decoying to her minions' judgement; I looked for a location where SHE could stand and see the entire roof, thus enabling her to direct the scent trails.
Approaching the high point of a ventelation shaft, I smell HER again... and Elizabeth. The woman had put the unconscious child down while directing the decoying. She KNEW an intelligent scent follower would find the scent... if he could smell that scent on top of a seven foot tall structure.
I notice a wooden board spanning the distance between the vent structure and the top of a burned out building, across an alley of about two and a half lengthes ('uman counting... twenty feet). I widen my search a little; looking for another way SHE could have gotten off the vent shaft.
Returning to the alley at a corner; I leap across. Approaching the board, I feel something sharp go between my toes. No injury except my pride, I investigate. Dozens of needle-sharp spikes were embedded in the top of the wall. If I had leaped across near the board, I would have landed on them.
I look into the building and see a network of thin wires. Landing on the spikes, I would have over-balanced from the sudden pain and gone through those wires. I had serious doubt any of the wires would have snapped.
SHE knew who would be following her. I pull the board into the building. The ONLY one who could have followed would have been my mate, Purvia. I wanted no chance she would have followed and made that leap.
I see something in the far corner of the shell. I round the husk and approach the item. It is a child's pajama top. Elizabeth's scent, the fume of the chloroform, and the faint scent of the child's short-lived panic fill my nostrils.
There is a note:
"--P--
If you are reading this, well done. Go to where we last met. On roof, the trail will continue.
--L--
BAD NEWS, PEOPLE.
This is Little Cuddles' BF using her forum name and password. She was hit by a hit-n-run driver while walking to her truck. She woke up about two hours ago.
She askes your indulgance about Purvek's story. Little Cuddles promises to continue the story on august 15th (at the latest).
Delivering on a serial adventure ought to be the last thing on her mind about now. As long as someone gets the skull dug out of his head eventually, we're good here.
Huh?
They're not?
But it's called...
'Cause the Skulls took...?
Oh!
Well, uh, Get Well Soon! We'll be here!
Thank you much, there.
The docs say I should continue my 'mental activities' asap. Who am I to argue with the experts (though I am about to put a certain laughing BF out of my misery).
Allow me some time to read the rough draft of Purvek's adventure against <<deleted>> and her skull minions; and I'll have him fighting.
What? I hadn't revealed the arch-villainess' name yet? I have to delete it.
Where we had last met.
Our teams had collided in combat at a medical clinic of some type on north avenue. I was seriously injuried when two stalkers named Ocelass and Oceladd had struck me out of hiding.
For some reason, Purvia had DEMANDED I not be cared for by the clinic, but had me transported to the Saint Augustine's Mercy hospital.
That's where I was when the evil one visitted me. Though she had backed away when my mate rose from her seat; she left a rose.
She had painted or dyed the rose black.
'Purvek. Following you. we two'
Ahhh. Bot Lass and Bot Ladd are around. Normally, I would hope I wouldn't need THEIR style of help (a pair of two and a half ton robots tends to mess up the landscape); but today I'm glad to 'hear' them. I wonder if the others will come.
'Ahhh, Purv. I should consider that an insult.'
'Ailia, I wouldn't insult you. I prefer my brain to be functioning.'
'Well... does that mean you might join us for ice cream, later?'
'Unia, you know I love ice cream. I just don't like to eat grass or leaves like certain little girls I know.'
'Purvek, Anita. Radd Ladd is at the crime center. We have reports of four abductions in the last hour. All clues point to Skulls... the major clues being notes left on the children's pillows... including the child Purvia called in. This is very serious. The on-site investigations of two abductions report the same placement of glass and bars as reported by Purvia. We have not gotten to the others, yet.'
I feel welcome pressure in the air and hear what sounds like a large fly. I feel a weight in my head. I smile and turn to great my friends.
'Ah, Purv. I wanted to surprise ya.'
'Unia, you know how sensitive he is to his surroundings. You aren't going to get to him.'
'Actually, Simon. I didn't know she was there. I was greating you, our psionic gremlins, and our metal monsters.'
'Understood. You detected the supposed heavy air of our contra-grav units, the sound of Simon's wings, and the psionic pressure of Ailia and Thomas' flight powers.'
'That is correct, Bot Lass... or was that Bot Ladd?'
'That was Bot Ladd. I have adjusted my communications a half-octive higher so that the team can differentiate our messages.'
'So I can hear, Bot Lass. That is appreciated. People, as you have heard from Shock Lass; we have appearently been brought into a very serious matter. There are four... possibly more... children depending on us to bring them home. The PPD will do their best; but I saw the preparation the skulls had at one site. The PPD will be spinning their wheels.'
'Purvek, Anita-ah, Shock Lass. Radd Ladd and I are still in the corps and this mystifies us. The skulls normally don't operate so well or so smoothly. In the last few monthes, they seem to have gotten a new leader. We can't even get a name.'
'This is Purvek. I have a name. I truly hope I'm wrong; but I doubt it.'
'Purvek, Unia. Well, don't keep us in suspense, little kitty. I need a name to sink my teeth into.'
'LUPIA.'
The silence of the airways was pulpable. I knew the memories of the evil behind that name were burning into my team's brains.
'Purv! THAT IS IMMPOSSIBLE! PLEASE, NO! SHE'S DEAD! I WATCHED THEM BURY HER WITH THOSE POOR SOULS!'
'I know, Ailia. I know.'
'Purvek, Simon. If this is true, it would explain Ledona's attitude last month when Lenola and I met her.'
'Anita here. You let her go adventuring in her condition? I thought you two were smarter than that.'
'No. Ledona visitted us. No fighting, no powers. She informed us she is also with child. She begged us NOT to answer the call when 'a certain gang of bone-heads' acted up. She wouldn't say more. She said to do so risked more than she was willing to.'
'Purvek here. That sounds like the skulls to me. People, we have a hospital to visit.'
Approaching the Saint Augustine's Mercy hospital, it is easy to see why it didn't have a helo pad on its roof. As a former church converted to a major hospital, S.A.M. had multiple steeples and flying buttreses which made mechanized flight around it hazardous.
'Purvek here. Bot Lass and Bot Ladd, Lupia said she'd leave a clue on the hospital's roof. See if you can detect it; but DON'T INVESTIGATE IT! It would be just like her to have explosive devices to implode the hospital if we approached her message.'
'We were about to investigate a heat source attatched to the highest steeple, Purvek. approximately 6 feet below the air traffic warning beacon.'
I peer upward at the indicated light. It looked in excess of 200 feet up.
'Purvek, here. Can you approach it?'
'Negative. Our contra-grav units have an inherent safety process that demands we avoid nearing such a structure to avoid dismantling it. We could over-ride the program...'
'Negative. There is no need. Each member of our team has a means to fly. If one member can't approach something inflight; another is likely to be able to. Well, normally. I seem to have left my flight boots with Purvia.'
'Purvek, Simon. I have found the heat source and I am searching it with my binocs. It appears humanoid; but my senses as a healer register no life signs. No, I said that wrong. I read no signs of organics or animation.'
'Purvek here. In other words; something up there LOOKS 'uman, but it was never alive and it's not robotic. Basically, we're talking about a large doll... a manakin.'
'Simon here. That is my reading.'
'Thomas here. Can Ailia and I take a look?'
I consider it briefly. The twins I had affectionately called our 'psionic gremlins' had grown up in the wild terittories of northwestern US and Canada. They had learned from their mother to detect and avoid a large variety of high-tech devices and sensors. It is ironic their mother was electricuted by a device set up to kill a rogue bear. The device had been painted yellow and black to warn all 'umans to avoid it; but the twins' mother had not known the color scheme was a warning.
'Purvek here. Go to it, twins. Please be careful.'
'Ailia here. No need to warn us. I thought I missed my chance to avenge my dad and his friends. I have another chance and I'm not about to foul it up by falling for that clumsy trap up there.'
'Unia here. What do you mean, my little squishy with the big brain?'
'Thomas here. That 'large doll' has some powerful ultrasonics around it. Ailia and I can see the dust motes dancing and glowing even through our binocs.'
'Purvek here. So, in your opinion, we have some ultrasonic detectors installed in a fake 'umanoid figure attatched to a steeple that a 'uman would have no business climbing?'
'That is a valid accessment.'
'Bot Lass, Bot Ladd. Do I remember correctly that you are equipped with explosive detectors?'
'We are indeed. But some explosives require very close proximity if the device is well insulated.'
'Please investigate at maximum caution.'
'yes, sir.'
They rest of us settled to the ground. We prepared for the possibility of our robots activating explosives on the steeple. We feared they would just activate a signal that would detonate explosives elsewhere... at least, I did. I have no idea what the others were thinking.
After thirty minutes, the bots had our answer. They came to the team carrying the manakin.
'Bot Lass here. Humanoid replication detatched itself when we were detected. It sent a 4.2 second encrypted radio message broadband. It had no other function.'
'Ailia here. I hate to tell you bots you're wrong; but you are.'
'Oh, what do you have, Ailia?'
'Look on its chest.'
I looked closely at the man-sized doll's chest. The vaguely-'uman chest had an address written on it in some broad, black ink:
105 North Avenue
'Purvek here. That address sounds VERY familair.'
'Ailia here. Isn't that the address where Lupia was supposed to have died in that fire with twenty innocent people?'
'Bot Ladd here. Affirmative, Ailia. It is also where we last fought Lupia and her team...'
'Go ahead, say it, Bot Ladd. We fought them and got beaten severely because one of us disobeyed Purvek and charged Lupia unsupported. My action unbalanced our complete team and almost got Purvek killed. I am glad you people STILL tolerate my presence.' Unia's shame was pulpable.
'Unia, none of us blame you for your action. We all heard Lupia's taunts. Those taunts were aimed at you and the twins through your love for Henry and the others she killed at the lodge. I doubt anyone could have stood those taunts any longer than you did. Before you continue blaming yourself; think about Purvia. She saw the entire action. She FOUGHT beside you and Purvek. If you truly were to blame for Purvek's condition; what would Purvia have done?'
Simon's words hit home with Unia. 'She... she... my god, she would have torn me to peices. Instead, she consolled ME even as Purvek was being transported to S.A.M.'
Simon continued. 'How often is she wrong... or so forgiving?'
The airways were mercifully silent. The team stood and watched as the 8-foot tall golden-hued unicorn girl crumpled to her knees and wept in relief.
I sent a private message to Simon. 'Thank you. Well done.'
I sent to the team. 'Let's get to that address. It was some sort of medical facility before Lupia staged her death-scene...'
Shock Lass sent 'It was a planned parenthood clinic. Where patients could supposably get help becoming parents or...'
Simon finished for her '... or kill their unborn children.'
I was mystified. 'I think I heard you wrong, Simon. Did you say 'umans kill their unborn children?'
'Yes, I did. Please don't ask me why they would do such a thing. I have lived among humans more than a century and this is one of the worst examples of mankind's insanity to me. You would not believe who decides whether the child dies... the child's mother.'
'THE MOTHER? What does the father have to say about it?'
'He gets no input.'
'Was this why Purvia was so insistant I be transported to S.A.M.?'
A short pause of no one answering, then Ailia. 'No, Purvek. The clinic also ensured its patients could NOT become parents.'
I felt a cold chill. 'This is LEGAL?'
Thomas replied. 'Yes. In fact, the FEDERAL GOVERMENT has removed all obstructions to such action. Even the child's GRANDPARENTS can not stop the process. One of the advantages you had from not learning any human langauge is the avoidance of learning such things.'
I shuddered at 'umankind's stupidity as I ordered the team to 105 North Avenue.
edit= coloration of messages
The team got to the address long before I did because I was on foot. Unia had offered to carry me; but my foolish pride wouldn't allow that.
As I was nearing the address; Ailia reported the situation, almost in a panic.
'I sense two people on the third floor. They are terrified, almost hysterical.'
'Bot Lass here. I detect two heat sources almost at the correct altitude for the third floor. The image is correct for two humans sitting in seats and facing one another about 20 feet apart. I detect no active electronics in their near proximity; but there appears to be inactive electronics midway between the seated humans and attatched to them.'
'Ailia, Thomas. See if you can contact the humans and calm them. perhaps find out their situation.'
Thomas replied after seconds which seemed to stretch as hours. 'They are strapped into their seats. If they are removed from their seats; explosives will implode the building. They are presently holding a trigger suspended between them with their mouthes. If they lower the item, raise it, or move it to a side; it will trigger the explosives.'
'That is typical Lupia. Bot Lass, Ailia. Pair up and try to get to the victums from the east. Bot ladd and Thomas, from the west. Maximum scans for traps. Remember who we're against. TOP PRIORITY IS THE VICTUMS. If one of you is injuried; use your own judgement.'
'Simon, Unia. You are our rescue. If a team member is injuried; you are to help them.'
'Purvek, Anita... I mean, Shock Lass. I am almost there. I picked up your flight boots from Purvia. She topped them off for you.'
'Thank you very much, Shock Lass. I'll thank my mate in my own special way, later.'
'Oh? and how would that be?'
'Shock Lass! There are little ones on the team, right now. It would be contributing to their deliguency.'
My attempt at levity had its desired effect. I heard a slight chuckle and thought I heard a "Harumph". I smiled. THIS team was full of members whose deliguency was beyond salvagable.
Unia and T'Pom were the youngest in years; but tests have proven T'Pom's assertion that their race matured very early compared to 'umans. Neither of them were ten years old; but they were BOTH fully matured adults.
The two robots were controled by 'personality modules' whose construction and programming were now complete mysteries due to their creator's death.
Ailia and Thomas were 'umans; but they had grown to near-puberty with a mother who had no concept of 'uman morals or society. She had been orphaned at four monthes old and somehow a mountain lion had been convinced to raise her as her own cub. She learned to live with the law of the wild. She never learned there were some things a 'uman couldn't do; so she developed powerful psionic powers and extremly good senses.
When she reached puberty; she followed the law of the wild and used her psionics to find a 'uman to 'satisfy' her instincts. Ailia and Thomas were the result.
The twins grew to embrace their mother's life; also acquiring psionics and extreme senses. They observed their mother following her instincts several more times and watched several siblings' birthes and deathes.
When their mother died of a simple device NO 'uman should have touched; the twins had to choose their own pathes.
Ailia stayed by her mother's corpse and greeted the 'umans who came to check on the trap (which had been designed to electricute a rogue bear). Within a year, Ailia had learned read, write, and understand three 'uman languages.
Thomas fled into the familair wild after his mother's death. Soon he reached puberty. Following his mother's example, he pursued his instincts and used his psionics to fullfill them.
After two years; authorities came to Ailia seeking help to capture Thomas. With the help of a girl who truly loved him; Thomas was captured. Soon Thomas and Ailia (both willingly wearing psi-shields) were back at the hunting lodge with their father AND the still immature Unia. The girl who helped capture Thomas joined them (nursing one child and carrying a second).
Simon and Lenola were by far the oldest in years. BOTH had contracted a malady known as Minosis from wounded soldiers during world war one.
Simon and his brother, Anthony had been brought back to the US as infants no longer than a joint of a 'uman thumb. They grew up knowing nothing of their birthplace or birth-family.
Lenola was not so lucky. She and her twin sister grew up in their birth home. Due to their 'gigantic' size (they were 15 inches tall), they were exiled to seek out the soldier or his descendents when they reached puberty. They were exiled into world war two.
Indeed, contributing to the delinguency of THIS team was a silly falacy.
Five minutes later, BOTH insertion teams were standing over the victums.
The situation was dire, indeed.
edit= message coloration
The trigger the victums were holding appeared to be a metal ball. Surrounding the ball was a frame of contacts. If the ball touched the frame, a radio signal went out and the explosives detonated.
'Bot Lass, Bot Ladd. Can you stabilize that trigger so the 'umans can relax?'
'We were considering that. The floor near the device is burnt and appears quite weak. Our weight would defeat the floor's structure.'
'I need options, people.'
'Unia, here. Can the robots approach the victums? Perhaps they can take the strain of the device's weight from the victums.'
'That makes sense... too much sense. Ailia, Thomas, Simon. You are our lightest members. Approach the victums carefully in hover mode. Try to figure what Lupia has done to keep such a simple solution from succeeding.'
The examination was quick.
'Purvek, the devices attatched to the victums have ultrasonic motion-detectors.'
'Ok. We can't approach them slowly enough to help. Time for the 'reckless drunk' approach.'
'Bot Lass and Bot Ladd. I have already checked the south wall for explosives... none on this floor. Set up to fly thru this area, secure the victums, and fly thru this wall.'
'Unia. You and I are gonna OPEN this wall for the bots and the victums. The rest of you search this building and the surrounding parking lots. Thankfully; no other buildings stand close to the clinic, but there may be some 'omeless 'umans close enough to be 'armed.'
As Unia and I carefully knocked out the south wall on the third floor; the robots parked themselves to fly speedily and snatch the victums to safety. The rest of the team confirmed the building was deserted.
'Shock Lass here. What about explosives or some other trap on the victums?'
'Thomas here. Ailia and I tried to find anything that could be such and couldn't find anything besides the motion detectors. I don't like this plan, Purvek. We're going to purposely detonate the explosives?'
'Think of Lupia. She'll expect us to attempt to disarm the devices. I expect some nasty surprises await us if we did. This building has been on the condemmed list since Lupia staged her fake death. It should have been demolished, already. We let Lupia serve as the wreaking crew.'
'Simon, here. I examined several of the explosives while searching the building. They were very small and appeared to have no boody-traps.'
'We would probably get careless disarming untrapped explosives and detonate the entire set when we came to one with a concealed trap.'
'Purvek, we are in position.'
'Ok, Bat Ladd. Ailia? Thomas?'
'Victums have been informed of our plan. They urge us to hurry. The team now at far edge of parking lot, awaiting you.'
'On my way. Robots, I am out of building. co-ordinate with each other and begin your flight.'
I watch the building as I back toward the team. I hear a small, stuttering roar as several dozen (?) explosives go of. I see two dark forms exit the large hole Unia and I made. The robots were setting down their burdens when I walked up to the team.
I notice both victums are female and the cable they held the device with now ended less than a 'uman foot from their mouthes.
After she was released, the darker skinned 'uman took the cable end out of her mouth and said something. The other 'uman made sounds of agreement.
'Ailia here. Sheila and Melissa are very grateful for the rescue. They are going to to keep the mouthpieces as a reminder of their 'adventure'.
I shook my head. 'You 'umans are a confusing species, sometimes. They were on the edge of insanity with terror and NOW they consider this AN ADVENTURE?'
Simon chuckled. 'Purvek, you don't know a tenth of the craziness humans are capable of. Sometimes I envy the isolation your lack of language gives you. I have seen a lot of things in my century with humans and I am STILL surprised on occasion. Poor Lenola has her home town of fairies to compare them to and the comparision really hits her hard, sometimes.'
'Bot Lass here. When we removed the humans from their seats; the devices each sent a .24 second broadbeam encrypted message out. No other action occured.'
'Unia here. The victums have something stuck to their backs.'
I look at the 'umans. Envelopes were adherred to their clothing between their shoulder blades.
Ignoring the startled looks of the victums, I remove both envelopes and hand them to Shock Lass. As our only available representative of local law enforcement; I figured she should get this evidence.
She looked at me, then the envelopes and shrugged. She tore open the ends to both envelopes.
Shock Lass pulled a single slip of paper from each envelope. She looked at the notes and handed them to Simon. Unia looked at them over Simon's shoulder. The others waited.
I fumed. Once again, my lack of the 'uman language, this anglesh, hampers me.
'Purvek here. What is on the papers?
'Simon here. both papers have the word 'Boomtown' across the top. One page has a math problem... algebra... on it. The other a strange direction.'
'Basically, the algebra question asked what number is the same in decimal form, fractional form, and percentage form. like: when .XX = 1/XX = XX%, what is XX? '
'The other page says: "Where east meets west". '
'Bot Lass here. the mathmatic question is simple. "XX" would be "ten"...example given: 10% = .10 = 1/10.'
'Purvek here. Before the big explosion in Boomtown, wasn't the area divided into townships? Could the east streets of one township meet the west streets of another?'
'Bot Ladd here. Accessing online archives of Paragon City. There are three township borders which match those criteria.'
'Simon here. Any where East 'A' street meets West 'E' street? The note has a period or decimal after the 'e' in east and the 'w' in west.'
'One location. Interesting, this location is in what is now considered 'the fuse'.'
'Is there a #10 East 'A' Street or #10 West 'E' Street?'
'yes, #10 East 'A' Street was on the corner of both streets. it was a residential building of considerable size. Records show it was 45 floors tall.'
'Ailia here. Purvek, That was too easy for Lupia to devise. She knows we have Bot Lass and Bot Ladd and the archives would provide the answers. It's almost as if she WANTS us to follow.'
'T'Pom here. I'm at the crime center with Radd Ladd and Lenola. I agree with Ailia.'
'If this IS Lupia's doing (which I am inclined to believe); then she DOES want you to follow. Purvek, watch your step. That is one nasty lady, she has a bone to pick with you, and she'd prefer that bone to be one of yours. She'd wear your skull for a helmet.'
'The PPD has already recognized the futility of following the trail with dogs. They stand ready to back your team up.'
'Purvek here. I am well aware of the lady's history. I also know it's definately her. She has either lost much of her cleverness since we last met; or she does want us... and ONLY us... to follow.
'Radd Ladd, T'Pom. I begin to fear for my mate. Lupia could decoy us all over the city and strike at me through Purvia.'
'Got cha. On our way!'
'As for the rest of us, we have a building to check out.'
As we headed toward the Boomtown entrance, Radd Ladd came on the air.
'Purvek, I hope you're up to receive some hero worship... the whole team, in fact. Joseph Stankirk is at the Boomtown checkpoint.'
Noting Shock Lass' muffled giggle; I ask: 'What do you mean?'
'Shock Lass here. Early in our 'hero careers', we rescued Joey's mom from a cave of trolls. She was gushing all about us when she was reunited with her family. It was one of the main factors to convince Joey to go into Law enforcement. He's a good kid fresh out of the academy. Rave reveiws from every instructor at the academy. I'm told he's on the fast track if he keeps his nose clean. I have no doubts he can do it.'
'I, Radd Ladd, and the robots have had to suffer through his intense hero worship, though. He knows each member of the team... all 12 of us... by call sign and description. I'm told he has a scrapbook of our exploits. I have no doubts he will recognize all of us.'
'Radd Ladd here. Anita, cap wants you to give Purvek an unassigned card to test Joey with.'
'WHAT? That's a nasty trick. Joey's not likely to check any of our cards, Purvek's least of all. This would be considered allowing an unauthorized entry and could severely effect his future.'
'I know. I don't like it either; but orders are orders.'
'Purvek here. Do it. If this Joey can be decoyed by simple hero worship from doing his job properly, he needs a lesson.'
My order caused silence on the airway. As we approached the checkpoint; but still out of line of sight, Anita handed me a unregistered card from her pouch.
I sent a private message to Ailia. Don't try to warn him... not even with touch-psi. If he fails this test, he doesn't deserve to be 'fast-tracked', yet.'
'And if he passes?'
'In my opinion, he earned the fast-track. I will definately report it either way.'
As we rounded the corner; I observed the two guards on duty. I saw one watch us with renewed interest; but seemed to be watching the other guard more. I realized the PPD captain had alerted the more experianced guard on a private channel and probably wanted a record of "Joey's" conduct. The guard's helmet camera was probably recording already. I suddenly came to the same conclusion as Anita. The captain pulled a nasty trick. If 'Joey' didn't fail; the recording would probably be buried. I decide such would not happen and send a message to Bot Lass and Bot ladd.
I want you two recording these proceedings. No matter what the outcome; the PPD internal affairs is to get the entire uneditted recordings... understand?'
'Yes, sir.'
I note the 'younger' guard was standing RIGIDLY erect and alert. I smile because I could almost feel the excitement radiating from the lad.
I watch in amazement as Shock Lass waved jauntingly at the guards and tried to walk past. The 'younger' guard was immediately in her way, his voice speaking VERY authoritively. I am very impressed by his swift reaction, which also happened to be the exactly correct reaction.
I saw the 'older' guard back away and lift his visor. He was grinning widely. Appearently, he also agreed with the younger man's reaction and was hoping the lad passed the complete test. He looked directly at me and his grin tightened. We exchanged nods and he settled back to watch.
I watched closely as each team mamber's card was scanned. When Ailia and Thomas presented their cards; the young guard took special care NOT to touch their skin with his own. Yes, he definately knew us and knew our abilities.
When I finally stepped forward, I noted the guard seemed to GROW as I approached. I was his favorite? This made the trick even worse. My heart sank as I handed him the blank card.
The lad took the card without looking at it and ran it through his scanner. He was starlted by the screech the scanner emitted. Looking down at it, he more carefully ran the card though... getting another screech.
He took a look at the card in disbelief, then dropped it. His weapon was suddenly levelled at my chest as he rattled off words I couldn't understand. I feel the air behind me get heavier. I realize the police drones had been put on alert with me as their target. The kid rattled off another command. Everyone... including the other guard... was stunned.
'Can someone please tell this idiot I can't understand him?'
'He knows "Purvek Feline" can't understand english; but he thinks you are an imposter.'
I hear Anita and the guard exchange some words. The guard touches his helmet without losing the slightest control of his weapon.
'Can you hear me, Mister Feline?'
'Yes, I can. Just put down the weapon.'
'Sir, I don't know how you fooled the various powers of Mr. Feline's team; and I don't care. You either present a valid Identification or you move out of the checkpoint zone.'
I slowly reach into my pouch and pull out my real security card. The guard carefully took it from me and run it through the scanner without taking his eyes off me. When the scanner gave the satified 'beep'; he seemed startled and looked down at the scanner. I noted he also stepped back and lifted the muzzle of his weapon to straight up. He was very well trained.
'Sir, I don't understand. Why did you present that first card? I know enough about you to know that was no accident.'
'Indeed it wasn't. I regret to say it was a test of your adherence to regulations. I must say you passed with flying colors. I will be making a report of this encounter. I hope you don't embarrass easily.'
I smile and proceed to the passageway. Once through, I get the messgae from the robots they both had sent their recordings to the PPD internal affairs. I swore they sounded pleased. I sure was.
I received a private message from Anita. ' Well, what do you think?'
'I don't think he should be on a fast-track.'
'Ahh, Purv. You can't be serious. He was excellent... outstanding.'
'I agree. He shouldn't be on a 'fast-track'. Does 'light-speed' mean anything to you?'
We fly quickly to the location of Lupia's clue. We settle on a nearby roof and peer at the skull's setup.
We had children to retreive and for the first time of the night...
I wasn't sure we could do it.
'Bot Ladd here. The site is registered by the PPD as "BTS4". That is "BoomTown Skull #4".'
'Purvek here. This is a KNOWN skull hideout... in Boomtown?'
'Affirmative. Though not a hideout. The skulls have been quite open about their presense at this location. They also have been quite careful to draw no reason for the PPD or any hero team in investigate the location. Higher-ups reason this is the Headquarters where the commands go out and the reports come in... nothing more.'
'Shock Lass here. What Bot Ladd isn't saying is the place is a fortress. The lower five floors have been COMPLETELY bricked over. No windows or doors to enter through. Ultrasonic, infrared, and electromagnetic sensors have been noted along the entire height of the building, which is now only about twenty-two floors. The ONLY entrance is on the roof. You get there by using the fire escape up the east side, in the alley.'
'The roof is heavily covered with sensors. PPD suspects a lot of those sensors activate IEDs of military-grade.'
'Ailia here. THAT last sounds like Lupia's base from when we routed her team. We never really got in that base. Their team used the base teleporters and left the base on self-destruct.'
'Thomas here. Those guards look fresh. They look ready to take on the statesman.'
'Purvek here. FOUR guards outside? massive sensor array with possible traps? Someone doesn't want uninvited guests.'
'Unia here. I don't want to say this; but I think you could walk right in. Lupia wants you, Purvek.'
'Anita-uh, Shock Lass here. ARE YOU NUTS? Purvek would be committing suicide. Yes, those guards would Probably let him walk right in. Lupia would want to kill him personally.'
As I considered that possibility; Anita continued. 'I think we can all get in with a small distraction.'
I notice the Unia, Thomas, Ailia, and Simon smiling and paying an unusual amount of attention to the guards below.
'Purvek here. What sort of distraction are you talking about?'
'Well, those guards may be 'powered' and they may be well-trained; but they are still human males. I think I can provide the distraction.'
I remember Anita had been trying to get started in modelling so she could retire from 'the hero scene'. Most of the agencies were anxious to hire her after seeing her portfolio, especially upon learning the photos weren't retouched. They refused to hire after meeting her, though.
They all state she could enter... and likely win... many beauty contests except for one not-so-small problem. She was 6' 8" tall and weighed 220 lbs.
Personally, I saw no problem with it. I and my mate were BOTH 8 foot tall and weighed 600 lbs (Purvia weighing quite a bit more right now).
I turned to speak with Anita. I had expected to see her in her full-length purple tights with gold lightning flashes and the full cape. She was wearing considerably less.
I was stunned she even considered wearing such in public.
Anita was just putting down a lab coat when I saw what she was wearing underneath it. Not the purple tights I expected.
She wore an open pink and white vest, a pink bikini botom, pink wristbands and pink slippers... nothing more.
'Anita! I've seen Ailia wear more to the beach, and SHE grew up wearing nothing. You are a BIG girl, you should have more coverage.'
'Ah, Purv. It's a perfectly good outfit. I'm wearing even less. I'm just wearing the vest she is wearing.'
'Unia. You can do it because only your chest region is 'uman-looking. Anita is a normal 'uman female in everything except maybe size.'
'Ailia here. Purv, don't you get all huffy on us. Since when have YOU worn anything?'
'I can't wear clothing because I'm not perceived as even vaguely 'uman. If I wore clothing, it would be considered amusing.'
'Simon here. Purvek, give it up. If I have learned one thing while living amoung humans more than a century, it's you never win arguments with a woman. You're against three. Besides, I'm interested to see those skulls reaction when they realize Anita's true size.
Thomas sent a private message. 'Purv, let her do it. She needs this victory very badly. She has been frustrated in her most treasured passion. She needs to prove herself to herself and -she thinks- to Radd Ladd. She doesn't realize he's been waiting for her to accept herself.'
'Are you sure of this?'
'Purv, human males have no problem with great size. Human females suffer a great deal from it. She needs a victory where her size does not matter or could be an asset.'
'Ouch! My comment about her being a big girl...'
'It hurt. Simon's musing about her size didn't help.'
'Are you sure of this?'
'I have lots of evidence. You wanna see it? It's not pretty.'
I consider Thomas' words. If any male understood the female mind; it would be him. During his more than two years of unfettered instinct; he had 'danced' in the minds 27 girls and women. Nancy was one of those; but she had become his 'life-companion' and has given him three children. She doesn't even allow him to wear the psi-shield in her home. She has even learned to return his psionic 'passions'.
I turn to Anita. 'Anita, I care for you a great deal. That makes me have misgivings about this; but you have proven yourself time after time. You are odviously ready for this task. I would be a fool to hold you back. Will you need backup?
I maintain a calm demeinor as Anita looked startled at me. I ignored the gaping mouthes as she looked again at the distant guards.
'There are only four of them; but I could be surprised. I would be a fool to turn down backup.'
'Good. You are team leader. This is YOUR operation. WE are YOUR backup.'
She takes the task to heart. Immediately, she asked the team for advice. I stay silent as I realize I had made her quite happy. I am somewhat astonished to note she was copying my method of leadership.
'Nice work, Purv. I have to admit, I like it. Each time I think I understand leading; you reveal more to me. I have to ask; if she had refused the backup, what would you have done?
'Unia, I return that question to you. What would YOU have done?
Hey, Cuddles - Is there a "who's who" or a "the story so far" or something? I'm getting a little confused about just what's going on and who all of these people are. The story seems to take it for granted that the reader is already familiar with all of them. Is this a continuation of characters from a previously published story? I'm feeling sort of like I picked up the second volume of a trilogy, without realizing that it's really part two of a bigger story.
Also, I'm not entirely sure just what the red text is supposed to signify. Maybe that red is "group telepathy" (or radio or whatever it is that they're using to communicate; it's not really clear) and yellow is "private speak"? It's a bit of a problem if you're using the villains forum skin, as it comes out red on red, instead of red on blue. It's not horrible, but it is a bit hard on the eyes, given the lack of contrast.
[ QUOTE ]
Hey, Cuddles - Is there a "who's who" or a "the story so far" or something? I'm getting a little confused about just what's going on and who all of these people are. The story seems to take it for granted that the reader is already familiar with all of them. Is this a continuation of characters from a previously published story? I'm feeling sort of like I picked up the second volume of a trilogy, without realizing that it's really part two of a bigger story.
Also, I'm not entirely sure just what the red text is supposed to signify. Maybe that red is "group telepathy" (or radio or whatever it is that they're using to communicate; it's not really clear) and yellow is "private speak"? It's a bit of a problem if you're using the villains forum skin, as it comes out red on red, instead of red on blue. It's not horrible, but it is a bit hard on the eyes, given the lack of contrast.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah, drat! I thought my first post explained it well enough. First, these are the toons from my account and my BF's account on the liberty server. I wasn't aware this forum could be veiwed with a red background. drat. I'm gonna change the color of the 'commo'. I'm leaving 'white' for verbal communications. I leave you with a small hint... Purvek will be conversing in 'white' before he returns to Purvia.
The story STARTS after most of the toons have been retired from being heros or villains for a while. Communications is normally through the devices heros use to talk to one another when teamed. ALL the toons mentioned are presently in the game and are in the 20s level-wise. I and my BF started the game last memorial day. Yes, They all have bios. They each started the tutorials with bios.
Purvek-Purvia: Ritki-made Human/feline hybrids. Purvia is pregnant and is very good at learning languages. Purvek is not good with languages. This story is told from Purvek's veiwpoint.
Bot Lass-Bot Ladd, Tech Lass-Tech Ladd: robots with a mysterious type of control module. The modules' creator had been killed by Crey Industry assassins while they 'acquired' the modules. 10 modules had been originally made and Crey Industries had been contracted to make bodies for them. 4 modules had been destroyed in the fight with the CI thugs (they were in household bodies, but managed to destroy the construction equipment and delete the programming system for the modules). 2 modules were destroyed by CI scientists who were trying to discover the modules' secrets. Finally, CI built two massive bodies for security purposes and two tiny command bodies. The robots rebelled and left the CI labs in ruins. The large robots became the tankers Bot Lass and Bot Ladd. The tiny bodies (which commanded multiple combat untis) became the Masterminds Tech Lass and Tech Ladd.
Unia-T'Pom: Two aliens whose species which looks much like unicorns would if they walked upright. The species had been destroyed fleeing the ritki. Unia had been placed in an escape pod as an infant and knows nothing of their species except what she has learned from T'Pom. T'Pom was pre-pubescent (not quite a teenager- akin to 10-12 years old) when he escaped the ritki in another escape pod. The pod's stasis field kept him suspended until it encountered Unia. They are both scrappers. Their bone and muscle density is much higher than human. They fight using martial arts (and their hooves).
Ailia-Thomas: Controllers. Their mother had been orphaned at four monthes old. She somehow 'convinced' a mountain lion to raise her. She developed extreme senses and powerful psionics. When her instincts demanded it, she 'got service' from a Ididorod champion and the twins resulted. After the twins' birth, their mother stayed close to the lodge their father operated with three friends. The twins also acquired the extreme senses and psionics of their mother. Just as the twins were nearing adolescence, the mother was killed by a trap designed to electricute a rogue bear. Ailia stayed by the corpse and was easily captured. Ailia learned to speak, read, and write english, french and spanish in less than a year. Thomas fled the scene of his mother's death. When Thomas reached adolescence, he followed his mother's example to satisfy his instincts. Ailia helped capture him. Thomas has a devoted 'life-companion' (they are actually married) named Nancy. Ailia is not yet 'spoken for'; but she is looking. One young man already encountered in this tale has caught her eye.
Special note: Ailia's and Thomas' mother was heiress to a financial empire, though she knew it not. Her only surviving relative (an uncle) was convicted of planting the bombs which killed her family. He died in a prison riot. Ailia now heads that empire and she takes the role VERY seriously.
Lenola-Simon: They were born in fairy towns. During WW1, they were touched by human blood and contracted the malady their race knew as 'minosis'. Lenola and her twin (Ledona) were recovered by their townspeople, but had to be exiled when they got too large to be safe for the town (they were 15 inches tall at the time). They spent the years since with the human family of the soldier whose blood had cursed them. When they finally acquired their magic, Ledona went on a killing spree trying to kill the entire human family she had forced to serve. Lenola stopped her. Simon and another male named Anthony had NOT been recovered by their townsfolk. They grew up happily in a west Texas town until their 'mom' saw a newscast of Lenola's and Ledona's battle. Ledona and Anthony are now married and are corrupters. Lenola and Simon are also married and are defenders. Both Lenola and Ledona are now pregnant.
Anita/Shock Lass- Radd Ladd They grew up as neighbors. Though their parents blamed an atomic reactor for their 'differences'; the cause of their mutations was actually a cave the parents had frequented as children. Shock Lass and Radd ladd are STILL in the hero corps. Both are very large. Anita is 6' 8" and weighes about 220 lbs. Radd ladd is 7' 4" and weighes about 330 lbs. They are blasters. Anita's brother and Radd ladd's sister have not yet been mentioned; but they are of simular size and are dominators... Energy Hog and Grav Lass are already married.
Lupia-Link: Human brutes. They were very young when their landlord decided he needed to remove the building. Since there were still families in the bulding; he hired 'professionals'. Weeks later, the building was overun by hordes of sewer rats. 56 people died and were consumed by the rats. Link survived by hiding in a large tool chest and coming out only to raid the fridge. Lupia survived by staying in a large bread box. She had no food other the occasional stray rat. Both were deeply effected by the experiance. Lupia tends to skin the people she kills and uses their remains as clothing. They acquired their swords by raiding the home of a sword maker/collector. Link 'liked' the collector's daughter and they 'kept' her two years until she got pregnant. The girl delivered a son and daughter. Trying to find the children; Lupia and Link re-captured the girl and tortured her for information. Working off that information, Link encountered Purvek defending the day care center Purvek worked in. Link died.
Ocelass-Oceladd: Stalkers. Like Purvia and Purvek, they are ritki-made human/feline hybrids. They are of Ocelott stock (a small and powerful south american jungle cat) in stead of lion stock.
The "Uncles" The four bachelors ran a hunting lodge. They found Unia's pod in the remains of their boat dock and raised her as a human girl. One was Ailia's and Thomas' father. After Ailia, Thomas, Unia, and T'Pom had left to become 'heros' (and stopped one of Lupia's schemes); Lupia paid a visit to the lodge, killing all four bachelors.
Necro Princess- Necro Prince: Masterminds not yet mentioned in the story. Their parents had BOTH been self-made multi-millionairs BEFORE they met and fell in love. 'Prince' was the youngest of four sons and 'Princess' the only daughter (also the youngest child). 'Princess' ended up quite spoiled. The family's two oldest sons joined the military to fight 'the good fight'. One died in Afganistan. The other was a major in the US army. 'Princess' secretly joined the Circle of Thorns at ten years old as a rebellion against her parents. While she was fourteen, the hellions paid her family a 'anti-social' visit (seems the parents would not surcome to the hellions' desire for money). The parents and second youngest brother were tortured to death. 'Prince' returned home from a sporting event during the incident and was captured. When the hellions turned their attention to 'Princess'; her magic exploded uncontrolled, killing the hellions and severely injuring both teens. An 'unholy one' was attracted to the site by the magic. It changed both teens to their present form and made the dead hellions the teens' slaves.
does this help?
Also, does anyone have any comment on the address of the planned parenthood clinic? Does anyone remember where I may have gotten that address?
Yes, it does.
Thanks!
'Shock Lass here. Bot lass, Bot ladd. Are we likely to face your counter-parts when we face Lupia?'
'Bot Ladd here. Unlikely. We place a 22% chance Tech Lass and Tech Ladd would still be operating with her after our last encounter.'
'22%? I'd prefer that a tad lower.'
'Simon here. We all would hate to be surrounded by malevolent robots again.'
'Bot Lass here. Lupia may have gotten replacements for Tech Lass and Tech Ladd. There is a probable pair of necromancers she may have recruited.'
'Purvek here. Like Valsilok?'
'Negative. These necromancers appear to be magic-based, not science. I am accessing a report of the hellions visitting an estate and killing three members of the family (the parents and a son). The two youngest children (ages 16 and 14 at the time) survived the incident seriously deformed and appearently commanding the dead hellions from the encounter. These two have been spotted operating with skulls lately and seem to be in charge most of the time.'
'Ailia here. Do these two have a family surname?'
'Yes. Whitley.'
'Ailia here. Thomas and I went to that family's funerals. The parents were highly-principled people. I doubt they EVER were involved in 'shady' deals... something quite unusual in these times. The oldest surviving brother has returned from overseas to take over the family business. I just can't see Susan and Hank as criminals; especially necromancers.'
'Purvek here. Be that as it may, it appears we WILL be facing necromancers when we catch up to Lupia. Everyone keep that in mind. Necromancers are NOT 'push-overs'.
'Shock Lass here. Those are words to live by. Ok, team. We all have our places. Let's get into that base.
I watch Ailia pair up with Bot Lass and Thomas pair with with Bot Ladd... both pairs flying high. Simon follows Shock Lass to climb the fire escape. Unia and I hover close-by as their backup.
I consider the idea quite inventive. Since it would appear to be improbable to approach the distant guards unnoticed, don't try. Instead, Shock Lass and Simon were to 'beard the lion in his den'. They were to clear the way for the rest of us.
The only one to disagree with the arrangement was Unia. I wasn't privy to the private discussion she and Shock Lass had; but the intense attention Unia was now paying to me and my placement as a backup told me what the team was worried about. I am somewhat flattered by the care; but my pride is suffering from the thought, as well.
I watch as Anita and Simon climb onto the rooftop and face the alert guards.
'Purvek, this is Radd Ladd.'
'Yes?'
'We are taking Purvia to the lodge. Ailia and Thomas have improved the security there since Lupia's visit and we can expect a great deal of reinforcements from some people Purvia has contacted.'
'Oh, who would that be?'
'You don't know them and Purvia wants to keep their actual identities safe for now. I can definately tell you she is VERY safe and I pity anyone one who tries to get to her. She's worried about you more.'
'I can understand that. Seems she not the only one. The team's treating me like I can't handle a fight with a 2 week old kitten. It's getting rather frustrating. I'm glad to hear she's safe. Thank you.'
I watch as Shock Lass and Simon approach the skulls' guards. I am somewhat amazed the guards hadn't opened fire, yet.
I see what I was watching for (it was difficult to overlook). Shock Lass' arms spread wide. The entire roof top is flooded with electrical energy. I see a couple dozen flare-ups as electronic devices are overwhelmed and explosions as the electricity detonated the traps. The guards are also caught in the electrical barrage. They were all quivering in the static discharge.
Bot Lass and Bot Ladd plummet out of the sky. Each bot weighed two and a half tons. They came from almost a half mile up and were helped by their contra-grav drives. The roof didn't stand a chance of stopping them.
Ailia and Thomas are close behind the bots. They enter through the bots' entry holes and the door is soon blasted off its hinges by their combined power.
Unia and I land on the roof and rush to take down the guards. Two are already down and the others don't look like they were ready to fight. Unia flies past me, hooves leading. I cring as the guard she hits seems to fold around her lower legs. I simply bash my target against the wall's remains and watch him collapse.
As we enter the base, I note Unia is leaving bloody hoofprints and I'm pretty sure it isn't her blood. She has gotten quite violent in the weeks since I last talked with her.
Inside the base, I note the bots were taking down skulls who were actively fighting. The majority of the skulls seemed to be asleep on their feet... a result of having two psionic controllers among your foes.
Ailia and Thomas had their bows out, supporting the bots with the various trick arrows they were so good with.
Shock Lass was blasting the skulls the bots were fighting and Simon was watching everyone, ready to heal even the slightest scratch.
Unia flew past the bots, kicking sleeping skulls violently and even ramming her horns into them. I stand stunned. Unia's blood-thirsty nature was never in doubt, but I had never seen it actually in full cry.
Soon, 45+ skulls are lying still on the ground. Quite a few are bleeding badly... or had stopped bleeding.
I was not the only one stunned by Unia's rampage. Only the bots did not appear to be watching her. She stood with blood dripping down her face from her horns and her hands were held wide as if bearing claws. Her teeth were beared in a feirce grimace and her eyes were completely opened. she reminded me of a wild water buffalo fighting for her young.
I call the ONLY person I could think of who would know why she was like this.
'T'Pom, Purvek. We have a situation with Unia.'
'Oh? What is the matter?'
'She has gotten completely violent. She is no longer subduing our opponents. She is tearing them apart. She's even using her horns and revelling in the blood.'
He seemed quite enthused by the report. 'Oh, that's excellent! Don't worry about her bloodthirstiness. She will still follow your lead. She will defend anyone she cares for very violently; but will still be a cuddly bear to those people. Pity the ones she hates, though.'
'On our ship, I had seen Atstar women in her state take on ritki warriors barehanded and win.'
'Atstar?'
'Oh, that's our species name. Rather useless knowledge when there's only two and one can't remember any others.'
'Ok. What is the matter with Unia?' Can it be fixxed?'
'With time, it will fix itself. I just said there are only two of our species? Well, her change of manner tells me there is about to be more. Don't tell her that, though.'
I am stunned by T'Pom's information as much as Unia's activity. T'Pom signed off happily as I turned to the team.
'Seems we are stuck with a more efficient fighter for a while. She will follow our lead as she always has, but she will be MUCH more brutal.'
The rest of the team nod in understanding, but Unia looked confused. 'Uh? Who? I don't understand.'
'Not to worry, Unia. Right now we have some 'uman children to rescue. I suspect we must 'urry.
She brightened. 'Ok.'
I was not the only one to note the change from her normally tenacious personality. I quietly contact each team member to give them T'Pom's analysis and recommendation. Each one understood it was a boon for our present operations.
'Shock Lass, Purvek. This is STILL your team. Lead on.'
'YES, SIR!'
Our progress through the base would have been tedious if not for the violence.
Lupia had set up the skulls very well for combatting us. The skulls knew we were present and they seemed to know where we were. Many times we had to hole up in a small room to allow some members to rest. Even Simon was bloodied several fights.
Only Unia's seemingly endless ferocity seemed to scare the skulls. We had to call her back several times when the skulls ran in panic. Amazingly, she'd return immediately. She seemed to enjoy the combat. Her horns (which no one had ever taught her to use) were turning out to be her most effective weapons. Thanks to her judicious use of them, she was completely covered in dried blood.
'T'Pom, Purvek.'
'Yes! How's our little mother-to-be doing?'
'Dammit, T'Pom. She's frightening! Why didn't you tell us she could go into this mode?'
'Simply because I didn't know WHEN she would. You see, the females of our species STORE and NOURISH their mates' genetic contribution until they are ready to use it. I didn't know when she would conceive. By the way, she is completely unaware of her change of manner. She thinks she is STILL the soft and lovable Unia she has always been.'
'As to her presently violent nature; consider she is a herbivore. There is a reason humans fight bulls, but not cows. The female herbivore is ALWAYS super-violent (even on earth) when her offspring are concerned. Unia just doesn't know about it yet.'
'By the way, when I get close to her, I will also be unaware of my own change. Her phermones will make me super-protective of her. You and the team will see the difference; but you will not be able to convince me or Unia of it... it is THAT all-encompressing.'
'That instinctive over-reaction (by both genders) was one of the ritki's best weapons to disrupt our forces on our home planet. That fact had been drilled into the ship's children relentlessly during our flight for survival.'
After T'Pom signed off; I considered his words.
'Purvek, Shock Lass. I need some advice.'
'Well, you are doing quite well. I don't think I could do any better against what we have been facing.'
'Coming from you, that's praise indeed. I'm begining to worry we haven't faced any of Lupia's team, yet. Is she hoping the skulls could wear us down or even stop us?'
"I've been wondering that myself. We've worked our way down almost to street level. I think the children we seek are at street level... if they're still alive.'
'NO! She wouldn't!'
'Think about who we're discussing. We need to start considering how to LOSE whatever method the skulls are using to track us and get to the children before that option is excercised.'
'understood.'
We fight our way down two more floors discusing how the skulls were tracking us. Long-term exhaustion was starting to become a worry.
Finally, Ailia and Thomas decide they could discover the skulls' secret by trying something they had heard about... a gestalt. getting isolated in a small room, they removed their psi-shields and commos, grasped hands, and sat down to meditate. The team closed the door and guarded it.
30 seconds later, Ailia and Thomas came out staggering from exhaustion and supporting each other. Thomas spoke verbally and the team removed their commos... smashing them? Realizing the skulls must have been tracking our communications, I also smash my commo.
Ailia staggers to me. I pick her up as she collaspes into my arms. She graspes one of my fingers for some touch-psi.
We are still three floors from street level. Fourteen children are being held in a basement. Thomas and I found a stairway leading to their level. She fell asleep.
I glance up. I see Thomas had stayed awake long enough to also hold hands with Shock Lass; but he was now sleeping calmly. Unia picked him up gently.
Shock Lass at me questioningly. Without the commo, I was completely out of communications. I could not speak to the team and none of them (except maybe the now sleeping 'psionics') could communicate with me. I wave dismissively to her; hoping it was understood... the team was now hers. She nods and seems to swallow. She barks a command verbally.
I feel a presense beside me. Unia hands me Thomas. I understand. We have lost our controllers to exhaustion and my effectiveness had been reduced. We could not afford to lose our only remaining scrapper's effectiveness should we have to fight.
We fought a patrol on our way to the stairs. The stairs seemed to me to go far too deep to be just a basement level.
Arriving at the level Thomas had given Shock Lass, we walked out onto a catwalk. Below us was a cobbled-together command station. I saw the monitor operator and most of the bosses were wearing psi-shields. One boss had put his to a side, though. I reason it was through THAT boss Ailia and Thomas had discovered the skulls' secret. I look around. I don't see Lupia or her team.
I DO SEE the children. They are chained to the far wall, their hands suspended above their heads. I see they are all looking at the team exitting the stairway. I recognize at least five from my day care center.
I put down the twins and make hand motions to the children. I put my hands over my eyes and then over my ears. When I look at them, again, the children are turning to face the wall. I see Elizabeth. Tears (of joy? of relief?) are streaming down her face.
The team falls (literally) upon the command center. The skulls didn't stand a chance. Releasing the chains from the children proves no trouble as we found the key on a 'boss' skull.
We wait for Ailia and Thomas to revive. While we waited, two groups of skulls attack ineffectively from another stairway. Seems the stairway we had used was unknown to the skulls (another sign of good work by our 'psi's).
Finally, Ailia and Thomas are awake. Thomas touches an unconsicous 'boss' skull and waves to the group to follow. With Unia and the bots in the lead and I playing rear guard (carrying Elizabeth), the team exits the base into another building. the skulls had left a guard there, But I just saw their unconsicous forms.
The return to the city was uneventful; the standard boomtown 'residents' seemed to realize to stop our progress was suicidal.
Joey lost no time announcing our presense at the gate and arranging transport for the children.
At the police station, I was satisfied to see parents and children being reunited. Elizabeth's mother gave me a thankful look that shook my soul to its core.
Then the station vanished. I felt myself teleported not once, but several times against my will. Correction, it had happened so quickly I had no chance to resist. At the end of the fifth or sixth time, something heavy smashed my jaw. Darkness consumes my awareness and I collapse.
I awake laying on the floor of a dark room. I look up to see... Lupia.
Before I begin; this is a simple story I wanted to write featuring the toons from my and my BF's accounts. Both the heroes and the villains come from those accounts (24 toons total, though some will only be refered to). The timing is AFTER most of the toons had retired from their heroic or villainous careers.
LOL.
As if such retirement is possible without taking 'the long sleep'.
I'll be making DAILY posts to continue the story and I definately welcome comments.