• Starpath: Scoundrels of the Interstellar Highway - Thread 2
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"Indeed," Yanim replied, fishing a small holographic device out of her pocket. She synced it to her tablet and called up a star chart, honing in on the system containing Starvis. "This system- here in YsCom territory, there's a planet called Starvis. The planet itself is what contacted me. The entire thing is an antique, or possibly ancient supermassive AI core, if what it said is to be believed. But if that's the case, the term AI may not do it justice. Yanim sat back, pocketing the hologram before glancing nervously out the window. "There is a divide in the scientific community that has existed for many years. Kanad scientists have long held that 'artificial intelligence' only implies autonomy of function, and nothing beyond. They believe, at the heart of every computer, is a process of deriving outputs from inputs, and while the process can be made more comprehensive, more capable, and more 'intelligent,' these things do not ever cross the threshold into the domain of the living. There's a thought experiment, and I'm sure there's a human equivalent, called the isolated operator problem, which best explains it: "Imagine an operator in a sealed room, responding to inquiries through a simple, peer-to-peer terminal. Now imagine another operator in another sealed room, this time following the instructions contained within an AI's programming. To the one making the inquiries, both peers appear to possess intelligence, but which one is [I]actually thinking[/I], as opposed to following instructions? Because the observer can't tell, kanads conclude that thought is not something that is observed, but is rather intrinsic to living beings. And they draw a critical distinction; those who are alive hold [I]autonomy of will-[/I] that is, they think of their own volition. 'Intelligent robots' derive their behavior from programming, and since all programming traces back to the work of the living, no machines possess autonomy of will, and thus cannot be considered living themselves. "Many humans hold a different view, and I've always been more fond of their position on the matter. Even ancient humans held that thought was a predictor of life, and not the other way around. I believe it was a human who once declared 'I think, therefore I am.' Correct?" Hariim answered in the affirmative. "Further, humans have explored the possibility that living creatures do not, in fact, have autonomy of will. Advanced neuroscience has proven that the brain decides on what action to take before the individual consciously makes the decision. Perhaps, then, living creatures are just as beholden to programming as artificial ones. Our programming comes from the natural processes of evolution and biology. When living creatures create other living creatures, through biological engineering, are we not in effect 'programming' them? Ironically speaking, it's the kanads who should be most concerned with this question, as we arose from the actions of the Precursor-K race, and we continuously tinker with our own genetic structures. "The point of all of this is that there is an idea called 'artificial life,' or the possibility that artificial intelligence may form the backbone of something wholly independent of maintenance or oversight- an engine capable of giving rise to societies, and to maintain its viability permanently and without decay. We would expect these qualities to be evident in a person who has traded biological life for artificial life, but as of yet there are no immortal beings born of this galaxy. Parts degrade, programming has its limits, and no 'evolution' brought about in the world of robotics has resulted in anything sustainable like the evolution seen among biological creatures. "I believe that this Starvis AI is different. From what it has told me, I believe it possesses the qualities of AL and, if released from the planet bearing its name, would be able to rival biology itself. And that scares me, somewhat... It certainly seems to consider artificial life to be superior to biological life, and it may not be wrong." Yanim shuddered a bit as she finally concluded.
Hariim cocks an eyebrow at Yanim's sudden speak of artificial and evolved life. He hadn't thought her to be the sort interested in that. "Ultimately, we are all just programming, or bits of thought tied up in the machinery of our minds Yanim. In evolved life running on carbon-based biological systems, brains are often odd dichotomies of analog ion channels processing electrical impulses on a binary basis, but which somehow can produce more than one output through the neurotransmitters they use. This is why much of my new brain is a quantum computer, and why many modern AI is based on quantum computers. From the sounds of it though, this Starvis you speak of is something rather different. What makes you think it's different from any other lifeform in the galaxy? And why do you think it holds the sole key to immortality? Such a thing is naturally impossible to physical life, though it is feasible for things that've progressed beyond the need for a singular physical system to sustain themselves. Such beings have existed in this galaxy a long time now. Self-contained program-like AI are probably going to be the last things alive during the heat death of the universe. So long as they can keep hopping into newer and newer computer systems, or transforming themselves into new formats, they will survive as long as there is enough potential energy left in the universe to maintain even a basic binary computation. Ultimately, you shouldn't look to an ancient rock-bound golem to surpass your rudimentary biology. The means to do that have existed for decades now. Even for beings like Bucky here, there are means to surpass limits, even make transistions to biological life. Really, all the galaxy lacks is a unifying code of values, of Culture...."
"The means to live on have existed, yes... but everything is approximation. To transfer from one form of life to the other, or one body to another- what you refer to as a change of format could very well mark the end of one's seamless existence, like in the Ship of Theseus Paradox. If we're all machines of our programming, then how can we be sure that the vessel of our consciousness retains the same programming? If it doesn't, have we really extended our lives, or have we only become an approximation of ourselves?" Yanim leaned back in her seat, pulling a small tube out of her coat pocket and snorting the contents. She tapped the empty tube against her temple before continuing. "As you said, Starvis sounds like something different. It's had eons to sit and perfect itself inside that dome, to become something beyond any living scientist or engineer's comprehension. And while you advise me not to look to such a thing for answers, I am clearly not the only one- Argos and the Death Vigil are both keenly invested. Starvis told me that it was originally created to devise new ways of conducting war, and chose the 'galactic singularity' as a greater calling. It seems to have come to the conclusion that a galaxy without war is preferable to anything else. But there's no telling what sort of dangerous things might still occupy the databanks under its surface. Even worse, only two Archives are needed to breach the outermost shell of the planet and access them. Argos has two already, while we have the third and final Archive."
Taylor listened in as they talked, and finally spoke up when Yanim finished. "So what do we do with the Archive we have? Personally, I think we should destroy it." she asked. "If all three are used, Starvis gets out and creates its 'galactic singularity'. And I have a feeling that its version of galactic peace isn't going to be one where you get a say in the matter." Taylor sat forwards and continued. "As for the other two...we'd have to figure something out. If Starvis has all that information in its data banks, and all it takes is two Archives to get in, then its only a matter of time before they figure it out. Then, we'll have the Combine as top dog in the galaxy. Same story for if DV gets their hands on the Archives."
Yanim nodded somewhat hesitantly as she listened to Taylor. Apparently, the captain would rather trust the devil that was the entire galaxy she knew than whatever was lurking within Starvis. It was probably the correct feeling to have. [I]But what if?[/I] What if Starvis was telling the truth? What if the singularity could not only bring about the peace and liberation of all people, but extend life indefinitely, opening up the infinite frontier? She tried to ignore her personal stake in the answer to that question. "If we destroy the Archive we have, then it would obligate us to destroy a second. That won't be easy, and I fear what might happen should we make enemies with Argos. Whatever we do, though, we must avoid telling anyone that we have recovered an Archive." Yanim wasn't trying to dissuade Taylor. She was simply stating the difficulty of the road ahead, matter-of-fact. The shuttle was arriving at the Argos public office, meaning that the conversation would need to be postponed for later, and as they stepped out onto the polished steps in front of the tall building, Yanim wondered why Bucky had said so little. She had hoped that she would have offered some sort of opinion on the merits of AL as opposed to organic life, or vice versa. Nonetheless, they shuffled up to the clean glass doors of the building, which noiselessly skirted out of the way at their approach. The interior of the building was spacious and well-decorated, appearing nothing like the garish front offices of many mercenary headquarters. A receptionist greeted them; she wore a full mask similar to every other employee in the building, including a heavily-armed guard in the corner. "Greetings, Ms. Terika," the receptionist said. "Your meeting has been arranged, please follow my assistant." With that, the guard stepped forward, his rifle resting on his shoulder as he beckoned them. The party was lead over to an elevator and were whisked away to the tenth floor of the building. They stepped out into a short hallway, where the guard unlocked the final set of doors by simply standing in front of them. Inside was a comfortable meeting chamber with an impressive view of the surface of Athens. The city they were currently in was practically utopian, with towering space elevators connected to stations in orbit. With the curvature of the moon so heavily visible, they felt as if they were much higher off the ground. The door at the opposite end of the room opened, and Red entered the room with Checkered. "Ah, welcome back, Yanim. It's been a while since our first meeting here, hasn't it?" "It has," she said, indifferently. She took a seat at the table, inducing Taylor, Hariim, and Bucky to do the same. "I'm going to be direct- we almost lost the entire crew on Voyak, Red. We've had a talk onboard the Aurikha and the company has come to the decision that we're not going to take contracts anymore unless we know why we're doing it, and that it's the right thing to do." Red paused for a moment after taking a seat. "Is that so?" he replied, his tone difficult to place. "And what prompted this decision? I thought we were in agreement that the Voyak mission [I]was[/I] the right thing to do." "Maybe it was," Yanim said, "but we certainly killed a lot of people to get it done." "Of course you did, but didn't you consider-" Red snapped before regaining his composure, "...we spoke about the issue before you left Mars. Yes, you killed a lot of people on Voyak, but you saved so many others on dozens of planets in the Southwest." "From what?" Yanim replied, crossing her arms. "You told me that the Archives could be used to unleash unimaginable destruction, but only offered the most vague explanations as to why they needed to exist in the first place, or more importantly, why Argos, and only Argos, should control them." Red stood up. "The Archives are only one part of the equation, Yanim! There's something much bigger to worry about than a few shiny boxes, and we have to make sure that there isn't some other way to... Ah, I can't say. But if you can't trust us to neutralize this threat before it goes critical, then I think our partnership may be in jeopardy." The room was quiet for a moment, as if Red had succeeded in tempering Yanim's skepticism again. "Let's talk about Starvis," Yanim suddenly said with a crocodile smile. Red and Checkered both tensed up immediately. "You're worried that there's some other way... to open it." "H- How in the hell did you learn about that?" Red stammered. "Do you think, with all my company has shown itself capable of, that we'd just sit in the dark forever? We dug, we hacked, we did what we needed to do. Now we know what you know. So please, explain how keeping those Archives around is anything but a liability when you know that there's no other way into Starvis?" "I-" "It's a lie, isn't it?" Red and Checkered were both standing, taken completely aback. TBC had grown so quickly in such a short period of time, but they never expected the ragtag gang to get so... smart. Red had seen enough, Yanim was a bit of a wildcard, but he had always been able to control her by using the right moral appeals. Unless she turned back now, he would be forced to burn her. "Yanim, I-" He was cut off by an explosion from several floors below, sending shivers throughout the whole building. Hariim immediately tapped into the building's comm network and relayed it to his comrades. Everyone in the room heard the same message: "We are under attack! This is not a drill- Death Vigil operatives have infiltrated the building."
Alex walked down the ramp past Valk and Iron as they exchanged pleasentries. He had his own buisiness to atend to. Attica was goo place to restock on food supplies even if the spices were terrible, While waiting for the bought supplies to be loaded up, he checked the news. [QUOTE]WAR? The Galactic community continues to worry as the Death Vigil fleet continues its aggresive patrols along its borders with Elysium. Representatives say that they are simply patroling for pirates and raiders, but recent purges in almost every level of administration and government leave many to question if these are indeed patrols or early positioning for an upcoming conflict. BROKEN ALLIANCE In a shocking move today, commander Seth Rollonso has terminated the contract between the Boome marines and Sol only a month after praising his former partners. The commander had this to say after we asked him for comment. "The contract was terminated as it was no longer reasonable for us to be part of it. The recent inactivity on Sol's part combined with the lack of pay makes it clear that this is not a deal I want to waste lives on. We dont mind being meat shields. To be in this line of work it's to be expected. But being paid and your partner holding their part of the deal is also to be expected." [/QUOTE] Alex wondered what Sol was going to do now. His thouhts were interupted by the sound of an explosion near by. "That can't be good." --- [I]Moments before.[/I] "Charges set. Ready to go on your go, sir." "Blast em!" The charges went off as the explosion send debris and shards of glass to the streets below, the Death Vigil troops pouring inside the building through the hole. Their leader, Nathaniel going in first. The initial chaos from the explosion gave them enough breathing room for them to form up and push forward. "We know the Archive is on this floor. I want to find that Archive and get the hell out of this shithole in five minutes! Gun down every idiot with a weapon and every moron who thinks they can stand up to us. The rest you question untill they cough up something good. Am I understood? I dont want a repeat of last time!" After a few steps he spoke again. "I want those elevators hacked and out of commision! No way am I having security teams swarming us through them." The men did as they were told, going from room to room. Shots could be heard as they did so. Nathaniel spoted the name on one of the rooms. Lead assistant. He kicked down the door of one of the offices. Catching the local lab rat in it and slamming his head on the desk. "Now you be a good little boy and tell me what I want to know." "I...dont know." "I havent asked yet." The Death vigil merc was quickly getting impatient. To speed things along, he pressed the barrel of the gun to the man's face. "Archive! Location! Now!" "Its in the lab. You need clearance from the security and get past a retina scann." "Then I will keep you around longer then." Nathaniel grabbed him by the arm and started to drag him out. As soon as he leaves the room however, one of his men contacts him. "Boss, Argos got through on one of the elevators. Its comming up near you." Nathaniel waved two of his men over. "Take him to the lab and get through the doors. I'll handle the security team." He looked at the elevator next to him. The floor count was going up as the team was getting closer. The merc took out a grenade and pulled out the pin. As soon as the elevator was one floor away, he rolled it on the floor. As the elevator door opened the small bomb rolled in. The Argos men could only look with horror when it rolled next to their feet. It detonated 2 seconds later, sending the elevator crashing down to the bottom of the shaft. Nathniel could only be amazed that his gambit paid off the way it did. 'I am never gambling again. Thats where all my luck went. Holly shit.' Moments later his men were reporting that they had the Archive. "Good. Report back to the breaching point. That's where we do our extraction."
Hariim immediately primes his sidearm and readies his implants and skullful of EWAR suites for combat. He's not prepared for a firefight, but a fighting retreat is probably well within his capacity. "Boss, Captain. I recommend we extricate ourselves immediately. Bucky, stay close and out of sight." Hariim says, already tapping into computers to set up proxies from which he can attempt connections to the Death Vigil's tactical networks. ----------------------------------------- Bucky, who'd been quiet throughout the intense philosophical discussions nods. She looks scared, but moves without hesitation to get behind Hariim.
((Snip))
(( The ship isn't being attacked. The Argos building is, and I don't think that's close to the ship. ))
((woops my bad. let me make a filler post instead.)) Jason walked back to his cabin after sometime of walking and being familiar with his surroundings. He sat down in his chair that was besides his desk and rested his head on his arms. feeling tired from the past few days. He soon then drifted to a short, but. peaceful sleep. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jason woke up hard on cold floor. he had his eyes closed for awhile when he sat up. when he opened them. he saw that he was sitting on a tiled floor, Jason looked at his surroundings. he then recognizes where he is currently at. He was in the Kitchen of his old home back in Terra, Jason mentally cursed himself for being here. he was going to experience another dream from his childhood that had been going on ever since he escaped Voyak. he then stand up and went out of the room and made his way to the dining room where he saw his 12 year old self, His mother, and his father. sitting on the chairs, enjoying their meal. the younger Bradley and her mother had every feature of their bodies while his father is only represented with a shadowy figure. they were motionless and devoid of emotion but. when Jason stepped into the dining room. it had been like someone played a paused video. The family began to move and ate the food that was on the table, playing in the background was soft violin music, His mother's favorite tune. Jason merely stand there in silence before his younger self broke it "Dad, can you tell me more of your stories when you were in the SSMC?" The younger Bradley's voice was charismatic and pure to its tone. the shadowy figure's head turned to the boy and replied with a slight garble on its tone "Of course Jace! after we're done eating, i'll tell you more." Jason was smiling upon hearing him using his nickname again, he heard a knock on the door. Jason instantly knew where this is going. His father spoke up "Hold on i'll get that." Jason's gaze followed his father as he goes to the door and opens it. another shadowy figure appeared in the door. "Mr.Bradley, we...." Jason can't hear of the conversation that was happening to the 2 shadowy figures but. he know what happens next. he closes the door and walks back to the table but does not sit in the chair and just spoke instead. "Sorry Jace. No story time for now. my CO wants me to report immediately so i have to go for a bit. promise you're gonna be a good boy okay?" The younger one merely just shakes his head as a sign of approval then his father went out of the room for a bit. then came back in camo fatigues. He waved at the two family members and then grabbed the door handle and opened the door. however Jason got noticed something strange about this part. his father just stand there, not going out of the door. [I]"This is strange. Normally. this is where the dream ends, what the hell is going on."[/I] After Jason thought about that. His younger self looked at him and spoke up. "You wanted to meet him, Don't you." Jason looked at his younger self, Shocked that his younger self was talking to him. "Go ahead, meet him again." Jason had a nervous face after his younger self made that remark. Jason then slowly inched his way to his father. he then raised his shaking left arm and place it in his father's shoulder. "D-Dad?" Jason had a half-smile as his father began to motion his head to face him, however. he was met with a cold stare from a metallic helmet's face. The music stopped playing and Jason took a step backward in shock. "W-Who are you!?!" Jason screamed at him and his "father" that has now fully turned around, [URL="https://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/responsive/cover/main/desktop/2016/08/04/636059481853274546-22512778_BrainTwo-8569-Edit-Edit-Edit-3.jpg"]The body Armor[/URL] that he was wearing was very despicable. almost to the point of being representing as fear itself. The metallic man charged at him with the Assault Rifle's bayonet and hit Jason right in the abdomen. but he didn't stop and charged until they hit the wall. Jason was now coughing up blood and looked up to the man again. and he tried to formulate a word from his blood-drowned throat. "But..*cough* Why?" The metallic man said nothing and slipped his hand from the barrel and into the trigger, firing a shot and ending Jason's misery of a dream ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jason woke up with a scream. shock in his eyes and tone appeared he then looked to his hands and checked himself to see if he was okay and that he was still alive. after making sure he was okay. he then checked his surroundings, He was back in his Cabin. Jason then put his hands in his face and began to cry softly of the nightmare that had happen.
Zealot Hector Roth sat silently in his chair while observing the space outside. He was currently on the bridge of the Divine Blade, his flagship, guarding a common traderoute in the eastern quadrant of the galaxy. He sighed and observed his crew who monitored the dozens of terminals in silence. While he'd normally appreciate calmer assignments he would prefer reinforcing his brothers and sisters on Wokaar. Wokaar was a nearby world used as a refueling point and staging area for the Sol Resistance. However a few days ago the SDF had launched an all out assault while trying to wrestle control of the resources on the planet. In the midst of the mobilization to reinforce the Fists and Creed forces on the planet Arch-Zealot Hazadok had been gifted with a vision from God himself. With Stanislav being occuppied elsewhere Hazadok had chosen Roth and his men to carry out the word of God. The Arch-Zealot had learned that a unholy menace, likely spawn of Satan himself, would arrive at this specific traderoute before jumping to Wokaar. Hector had reluctantly accepted the mission. He suspected that this unholy menace were no doubt machinations of Sol. He grunted. Roth had met their combat robots firsthand and while their strength and agility was unparalled they could still be killed, like everything else of the mortal realm. Suddenly one of the screens turned red. Then another. And another. Hector raised an eyebrow as the navigator turned his head towards the zealot. "Zealot! We are detecting an enemy vessel inbound to this position. Its drive signature is unlike enything we've ever seen." Hector got up from his chair. "Do we have a long range scan of it yet?" The navigator shook his head. "No zealot, we do not." Before Roth could further comment on the matter a jumpwindow appeared infront of the Divine Blade. The purple hole in space sent forth blue spikes which reached into space. Suddenly the window dissappeared, leaving a massive [url=http://starpath.wikia.com/wiki/TSC_Ark_Ship]Ark ship[/url] in its place. The crew of the Divine Blade stood frozen in place. The Divinity Creed had not yet encountered the Transsentience Cult's larger forces and only engaged them in a few isolated events onboard captured merchant vessels. Hector pointed at the ship. "New message to fleet! Target that Ark ship! Power to forward shields and weapons!" Scrambling to react the Divine Blade and the small fleet of cruisers guarding its flank formed up to engage the ark ship, something most people would deem too suicidal. They obviously hadn't met the soldiers of Creed. Swarms of fighters and boarding pods emerged from both the Creed fleet and the TSC ark ship. Meanwhile the ark ship used its mass drivers and lasers to engage the Creed vessels, crippling a frigate which strayed too close. The Creed ships returned the favor by bombarding the ark ship with high-intensity laser beams which began to slowly eat its way through the armor. At the same time missiles from both sides were unleashed to destroy the swarms of fighter- and boardingcraft. Hector sat in his chair, observing the battle. Only difference now was that he wore his helmet and that the ship was filled with a red light which signaled that the ship was currently in battlemode. After observing in silence the zealot spoke up. "Helmsman, take us within boarding range." For a moment the bridge became as quiet as a grave. The helmsman exchanged a quick glance witht he navigator before turning to face Roth. "Zealot, forgive my ignorance but wouldn't that be suicide?" Roth laughed and stood up. "Path me through to the fleet." He said. One of the officers nodded. "Brothers and sisters!" Began Hector as he stepped down from the small platform which housed his chair. "God has given us a glorious mission!" He studied the faces of his crew. "We have been given the honor of personally expelling the diabolic creatures of Satan himself. These hellspawn- the so-called Transsentience Cult- are nothing more but mortal servants of the dark lord himself. Vanquishing this enemy will bring us more glory than killing all of the SDF, as foolish as they may be." Hector paused. "All fleets, move into boarding range. Prepare EMPs and boarding pods." He unsheated his blade, a massive broadsword lined with a thin layer of plasma along the edges. "We live by the sword and our enemies shall die by it." [video=youtube;a6BbvCC0VI0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6BbvCC0VI0[/video] The fleet closed in on the ark ship, surrounding it. Massive titanium alloy hooks were shot out deep into its hull to keep it in place. At the same time turrets continued to tear through the armor while hundreds of boarding pods were launched in the suicidal effort to destroy the menacing ship of gargantuan size. Roth glanced over his shoulder and studied his men. Behind him was a retinue of hardened knights whom had all sweared their allegiance to him. They would not fail. Suddenly the pod shook as it drilled its way through the hull. Then came the sound of it deploying its latches to keep it from getting sucked out into space. A green light turned red and the door collapsed into a dimly lit corridor. Roth stepped out with his broadsword drawn while the knights formed up on his flanks. Around them dozens of crusaders weilding either laser rifles or swords formed up and infront of them came a swarm of transsentience cultists. Zealot Roth smiled. "May the Lord guide our blades."
Hariim's hacking was successfull. He could now tap into the Death Vigil comms and hear everything that was being said. [QUOTE]Argos comming up the stairs![/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Blast em![/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Keep the perimeter secure! Evac in 2 minutes.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]BBBZZZZZZZZ****AGHA, MOTHERFUCKER HIT ME IN THE KNEE![/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Keep your shit together! You'll get a new one![/QUOTE] [QUOTE]I swear if you werent a medic, I'd clean out your skull and use it as a toilet![/QUOTE] [QUOTE]The fuck? Why are you pissing on the floor? Shitter is right there if you have to go so bad.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Demoralization tactic.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]You're fucking weird, man.[/QUOTE] Then something else. "Hello there. I cant devote my full attention to you right now, I'm afraid, since I'm bussy monitoring the ship, hacking several parts of the building at once and keeping the team updated. So I ask you as a fellow cyborg, please get off the comms. This is not your fight. You are obviously not Argos, so I will ask you to not interfere in this any further. We will be departing shortly and if you stay out of our way no harm will come to you or anyone with you."
Yuga sat in one of the chairs on the big terrace overlooking the lush garden of the Shuur estate. The sun was high in the sky and a faint cool wind passed gently over the land like a lovers hand caressing their partner, making the temperature very enjoyable. She held a saucer with a cup of tea as she observed as Tanaka lorded over her troop of gardeners. It showed that Yuga was a person dedicated to her career, as she was still dressed in her uniform trousers with suspenders and boots. She had a simply collared shirt with her arms curled up and wasn't wearing a hat, which were the only signs that she was not currently on duty. Vakarus walked up the stairs from the garden to the terrace, returning from his rounds off the estate. Yuga put her cup and saucer down on a table and got up to meet him. "I hope you are satisfied with the accommodations. And I trust Genji answered your most basic questions about the estate?" she communed in a friendly yet professional tone as she stood with one hand behind her back and the other shielding her eyes from the sun as she looked up at Vakarus.
Deep inside the Ark ship, as it and the Divinity Creed forces engaged one another outside, a towering individual watched over a few cultists as they operated on a few subjects they had captured mere hours earlier. The figure, the captain of the Ark ship, loomed over everyone as he almost floated about. His steps were light, though clearly metallic as clanks could be heard with each step. His torso and head was obscured by a simple black cloak made of cloth, but his long, thin arms were clearly visible in the dim light of the operating room. Entirely metal, each arm was painted red. Underneath his hood, a white faceplate was visible. It partially resembled a skull, with a lower jaw featuring a row of cracked and chipped teeth. Its eye sockets featured a pair of bright red eyes, which were darting about the room. Overseeing this entire surgical procedure. The objective? Produce more cultists, though these would be special. They would be second generation cyborg cultists, as he himself was a first generation. Converted by their lord and messiah himself. He and his kind stood out over the others, as leaders and enforcers of their lord's will. He paused just over a table near the center of the room, where an Ayr was lying. They had already cut its arms off, as well as its legs, so now came the process of replacing them. An eye was also removed, which would need to be replaced as well. The First Generation cultist finally spoke after a moment of observing them. [I]"Gift her our newest achievements. She will become a wonderful new addition to our family."[/I] he said. His voice was quite clearly synthetic, but still rather rough sounding. Like that of someone of advanced age. The cultists around him performing the surgery nodded in acknowledgement and got to work. The legs and arms were brought over to the table by some lower cultists, and quickly (yet forcefully) attached and grafted on. The sounds of electric bonesaws and lasers echoed throughout the chamber, as similar operations were being conducted nearby. The Ayr's new eye was implanted, after a few moments of work. Now came the brain surgery to link the eye to the brain. As well as to persuade this Ayr to follow the ways of their lord and messiah. This would not occur, though, as the surgery was suddenly halted by the sounds of explosions and gunfire elsewhere in the ship. The First Generation cultist lifted his hand, which caused the entire room to stop and go silent. The cultists looked to him, curious as to what he was about to say. [I]"We must deal with our new guests before the conversions can continue, brothers and sisters. Please see that they are properly settled in..."[/I] he said, waving his hand to the side before glancing towards the exit. The cultists in the room immediately dropped whatever they were doing, then stormed out the door in a rush. [I]"So eager to recruit more members to our family."[/I] he said, his voice sounding rather happy. He looked back down at the Ayr, who seemed to be waking up. [I]"Dear sister, please remain still. You shall be tended to shortly."[/I] he said cheerfully, before heading towards the exit himself. Outside in the halls of the Ark ship, it was becoming a slaughter house. The screams of the dying, and sounds of gunfire and grinding metal echoed everywhere. [video=youtube;BvUkROjv1U4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvUkROjv1U4[/video]
Vakarus bowed. "I am more than satisfied Yuga'atvan, it is a great honor to have been welcomed to your house." He placed his staff next to him and held it with a rested grip. "The estate grounds remind a great deal of the houses present in Vakrosia." He smirked. "Of course that is to be expected after our architects began to be inspired by the Ayr." Vakarus observed the horizon and the nature with it. He sighed deeply. While he did not often show it, he missed his home and family deeply. Right before a band of Gadr highwaymen killed his mother, Navala Va'un, which sparked the war led by Vakarus, the Vakr warrior had just married Lanassa of House Niv'an. The events had all happened so quickly that there had been no time to celebrate the occassion untill most of Vakrosia went to war. He hoped that not only the Gadr but his own people and family could forgive him for the mistakes he made years ago. ----- [video=youtube;LhIS4FdS7co]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhIS4FdS7co&index=15&list=PLstXdGXEYegd3XI7qfL-9B8S4106toCFo[/video] Zealot Roth let out a loud warcry as his sword slashed a cultist in two. The twisted being collapsed on the corridor floor while a mix of blood and mechanical fluids began to pour out. Around him his knights fought bravely using energy shields coupled with swords, spears and maces while some used high-intensity laser rifles to plow through the enemy onslaught. A laser beam flew past Roth as he charged, striking a cultist in the face which caused it to melt. The cultist behind it was also struck down as Roth plunged his blade deep into the chest. "Unholy creatures!" He pulled out his sword, splattering dark blood across his white and gold armor. "You have no place in this world!" [i]"You are blind, let me show you the truth."[/i] Said a dark voice. Roth looked up towards the source of the voice which appeared to be at the end of the seemingly never-ending corridor. A tall figure rose from the shadows. Thin biomechanical limbs and relatively refined attachments coupled with a mask as white as snow meant that it was a second generation cultist. Unlike the cannon fodder currently engaging Roth and his men this figure did not have any crude attachments conjoined with visible organic tissue, neither did it have primitive weapons grafted to its arms. The zealot grabbed his sword with both of his hands. "Servants of Satan know no truth for it can only be found on the path of God. Your only salvation is death, creature." He pointed with his sword. "Charge!" Obeying his command the large force of Creed crusaders and knights formed into a armored wall advancing on the cultists. Those who carried ranged weapons took a knee and opened fire at the vile creatures clawing their way around the second generation cultist. One of the cultists growled at Roth and briefly exposed two rows of sawtooth-like teeth while twisting its metal claws. The cultists lashed out and while it managed to tear off a chunk from Roth's left shoulderpad it was stopped halfway as Roth fearlessly grabbed it by the throat and stabbed it in the abdomen repeatedly before tossing it away like a ragdoll. He looked at the second gen. "Enough games creature, your minions are no match for me." Before he could even react the second generation cultist leaped across the corridor and attacked Roth, cutting a deep wound in his chest armor. Roth grinned and squinted his eyes. A pair of knights stormed to aid their commander however the second generation cultists quickly dispatched them by ripping off one of their heads from the neck and stabbing the other in the heart. It turned its attention to Roth but as it was about to strike a stray laser shot hit its right shoulder. Roth used this opportunity to get up and attack. However as it turned out the cultist was ready and quickly deflected the blade using its superior reflexes. The fight turned into a duel between Roth and the cultist while their respective forces clashed all around them. Roth wasn't fast enough to cause any damage with his strikes and as such as took a chance. Hoping to surprise his opponent Roth backed up, activated his energy shield and charged into the cultist which forced it out of its combat stance. With no intention of dying to a inferior being the zealot quickly used his new opportunity to swing his sword at his enemy, decapitating its head. Around Roth the cultists kept coming while his own men became more tired for each opponent they had to fight. Yet they pressed on, with faith guiding their attacks.
The cultists continued to press their own attacks, attempting to capture or kill the invaders pouring in from the Divinity Creed boarding craft. Viewing the battle via a holoscreen deployed from his arm, the Captain of the Ark ship tilted his head. Resilient these soldiers. Its eyes studied what appeared to be the leader of the boarding party, as he cleaved the head from one of his Second Gen cultists. [I]"Driven by blind faith in a false god. Accusing [B]US[/B] of being servants of evil. My, how this one can be so lost..."[/I] he said, a hint of sadness in his voice. [I]"If only they could see the truth. Technology is the light in the darkness. The blending of flesh and metal is the [B]true[/B] path to divinity."[/I] He tapped on the screen, and up came an image of one of his chief Second Gen cultists. A large individual, more muscular and bulky than some of the others. [I]"Yes, brother?"[/I] said the Second Gen, his voice much deeper than that of the Captain's. [I]"Please task some of our brothers and sisters to begin field conversions immediately. We shall let some of our fallen guests convince the living to change their ways."[/I] said the Captain, his red eyes locking onto the screen. [I]"Understood, brother."[/I] replied the Second Gen, before his image disappeared. A few minutes later, a horrific sight began to plague the Divinity Creed soldiers that were pushing on. Their own men were joining the ranks of the cultists, their bodies and minds drastically altered. They used their own weaponry and tactics against them, in an effort to take down those they once fought alongside. More Second Gen cultists began to appear as well, larger and more aggressive fighters than those that had first began to fight the invading Divinity Creed forces.
Yuga squinted as she noted Vakarus was a bit troubled by his homesickness. "I understand that you long to see your home and your loved ones. But I must ask you to steel yourself for the task at hand." He picked up her saucer and cup and walked into the estate through an open door. "Follow me to my office Va'un."
Vakarus nodded. "Of course Yuga'atvan. You know that I will not let you down." He straightened both the grip of his staff and his posture before following Yuga.
The Argos comm lines were abuzz with a total lockdown procedure, but Red snapped out of listening to it when he overheard Hariim's advice to Yanim to leave the facility immediately. His thoughts were racing in the heat of the moment, and it suddenly clicked that maybe Terika-Belladonna hadn't actually caught up after all. Maybe they had simply switched sides, and Yanim and her agents were all secretly working with the Death Vigil. He held out a shaking hand. "Don't you dare," he demanded. "I don't want to believe you had any part of this. Stay here," he ordered as he and Checkered dashed out of the room. A single security guard was left behind to monitor the small party, but there were plenty more elsewhere along the route out of the building. Yanim disregarded Red's demands, following Hariim's lead and drawing her VRI out of its holster, strapped to her right boot. For a moment, she listened along with Hariim to the numerous channels of radio chatter, trying to piece together what was happening. Apparently, at some lower level, there was an advanced laboratory complex, and one, but not both, of the Archives was present. The Vigil had plunged deep into the building and were making mince meat of the regular security detail, but additional Argos soldiers were pouring in by the dozens from multiple ground-level entrances and beginning to surround the Vigil's mercenaries. Yanim used her implant to send an encrypted message to Hariim. [quote]There's only one Archive in this building. It would be best if Argos didn't have two. Perhaps we should consider a charitable intervention on the Vigil's behalf.[/quote] Yanim was dead serious. The crew needed to find a way to prevent the two organizations from accessing Starvis, and so long as each only had one, they were safe. But as she thought it over, the risks of discovery were too close and too heavy. She sent a second message moments later. [quote]On second thought, never mind. It's too dangerous.[/quote] "Let's get out of here," she said out loud. She turned toward that massive window they had seen when entering the room. The Argos building was shaped in such a way that the lower floors were wider than the upper floors, meaning that, three stories below the window was a rooftop. Thanks to the fact that Athens was smaller than most planets, its gravity was weaker, not to the point of being similar to Luna, but it was weaker nonetheless. "Hey!" The guard yelled. "Don't try anything; I'll shoot if I have to."
Zealot Hector Roth swiped his sword to the right, cleaving a corrupted crusader in half. Despite their efforts the Creed boarding teams were only making minimal progress advancing. What's even worse was that the transsentience cultists had begun to convert Roth's own men during the fights themselves. He glanced at his knights who remained as steady as ever, engaging the enemy in both melee and ranged combat. "Knights! Commence purification! We must rid this place of filth." Three of the knights nodded and sheated their swords and spears. While under cover from the rest of their brothers and sisters they then bringed up heavy flamethrowers which they ignited with a decisive pump. Roth made sure his armor was completely sealed right before red flames lit up the hallway. The cultists screamed in pain as their flesh were scorched and as their metallic limbs turned orange from the heat. Roth pulled out his laser pistol using his right hand and began to pick off targets engulfed in the violent flames. With the help of the heavy flamethrowers the Creed forces were given alot of new space to manuever and behind them more crusaders arrived to reinforce Roth and his retinue. A knight sprinted up to Roth. "Zealot! Our fleet has been reinforced with five troop transports. They are currently deploying fresh reinforcements to aid us in battle." Roth nodded and shot a cultist right between its red cybernetic eyes. The scrawny figure, presumably a kanad, collapsed on the floor with a small pillar of smoke rising from its skull. "Good! Spread the word that the heavy flamethrowers are to be deployed and if there's none available they will have to empty their plasma grenades over their blades. Leave none of this creatures alive!" The knight nodded and quickly retreated back from the front to deliver the new orders. Roth on the other hand remained in place and raised his sword. "Soldiers of God! The Lord has blessed us today, for we have been gifted with the ability to smite servants of Satan using his own fire against him. Let our cleansing flames turn these monsters into ashes. Onwards!" Roth then charged forward into the decreasing mass of lower cultists, his men were quick to follow suite. ----- Around the rest of the ship the Creed forces met the frenized cultists with a frenzy of their own, flamethrowers began to ignite and purge enemies around the ship while laser fire and plasma blades cut down those who remained standing. The Divinity Creed had no doubt suffered heavy casualties, however the glory and recognition they would earn from the seizing this vessel would outshadow the loss of their comrades. Slow but steady Roth made his way towards the center of the ship. On his path he had slayed at least a dozen Second Generation cultists and countless lesser minions. His armor was red with blood, his visor cracked and he was now breathing the same filthy air as the cultists. Despite his injuries he limped forward and whenever he could he allowed one of his knights to support him. Finally Roth and a large force of Creed soldiers reached a massive reinforced door. He did not know what was behind it nor did he care; whatever lies behind it would be purged like the rest of the ship. "Open it." He barked out. Six crusaders approached the door and placed cross-shaped explosives. Once armed the charges transformed into a large square. Roth gripped around his sword and pistol just as the bombs went off. The locks on the door were more or less instantly pulverized and the door retreated into the floor, revealing a large open space filled with smoke. The zealot took a step forward and scanned the smoke for a target.
Inside this dark new room, strange noises could be heard. Synthetic growls and the hissing of something unnatural. The scrapes of claws against metal, creating an unbearable screeching noise. Alongside that, there were heavy footsteps, and noises of weapons being loaded up or charged. The Divinity Creed forces had just stepped into the next stage of this nightmare. [I]"Ah, our guests have arrived! Lets give them a warm welcome, brothers and sisters."[/I] said a voice in the darkness. A few moments later, the synthetic growls and hisses turned to roars. Followed by rapid light clanks. Feet clacking against the metal floor. Something was approaching, and fast. Behind them, the heavy footsteps and clacking of weapons and gear. [URL="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/51118976/Extra/Freaks.jpg"]A moment later, a figure emerged from the darkness into the light.[/URL] It was tall and thin, towering over the Divinity Creed soldiers, and could really only be described as an abomination. Razor sharp talons tipped its bony fingers. A split second after it appeared, it attacked. In a lightning flash of movement, it sliced through three cultists, cleaving one in half and ripping open the chests of the other two. More emerged behind it. Dozens. All insanely fast, and cleaving through any Divinity Creed troops they could spot. Then, the heavy footsteps arrived. [URL="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/51118976/Extra/Heavy-2G-TSC-Cultist.jpg"]Out of the darkness came massive armored Second Generation cultists[/URL], wielding heavy weaponry like heavy shotguns and contact beam weaponry. They opened fire as soon as they emerged. Blinding red flashes of laser fire erupted from the contact beams, blowing holes through some and slicing through others. Some were hit with buckshot from the heavy shotguns, knocking them backwards as the pellets collided with armor. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Taylor, whom had been following Yanim/Hariim/Bucky with her revolver drawn, looked back to the guard, then to Yanim. "Its either fight or jump, ma'am. Unless you have any ideas." she said, slowly cocking the hammer back on her revolver.
Roth could only watch in horror as the corrupted creatures, [i]freaks[/i], tore through his men like a knife cutting butter. Then came to weapons fire which struck down even more of his soldier. The zealot glanced over his shoulder just as one of the freaks attacked. Just as the creature was about to hit he managed to cut off one of arms before dealing a backhand blow. The creature growled and slashed through Roth's armored chest. The zealot grimaced as he felt the cold metal against his ribs. He let out a cry of pain and buried his sword into the creatures chest and then used his left foot to crush its skull. Blood began to pour out of his armor and for a moment Roth thought that he was on the verge of collapsing. He looked up and saw the freaks tear through the crusaders while his knights fought valiantly to keep their lines from breaking. Roth gritted his teeth. "Is this my time, Lord?" He asked quietly. Like an answer from God himself a hail of laser fire suddenly struck the transsentience cultists in their side. Roth looked up and spotted several soldiers in worn crusader armors rushing in. Their armor did not have the colors of the Divinity Creed, instead they were red as blood with black stripes and text in hebrew adorning their surface. The Masadan auxiliaries grouped up on the freaks and despite the fact that they were only half their size it did not stop the soldiers from tearing the unholy creatures into literal pieces. Having gained some breathing room thanks to the Masadans Roth stood up and opened fire with his pistol. "Hold fast men! This is not the hour!" Roth's personal guard began to lay down covering fire for the Masadan soldiers while the crusaders who were still standing holstered their rifles and pulled out their own swords, charging towards the freaks and the Second Generation cultists. The Second Gens fought bravely; beams slashed through the crusaders with little effort and the buckshot pellets ripped through more than one visor but eventually they all began to fall one by one. Roth had set his sights on one of the Second Gens which was armed with a beam weapon. He sprinted towards it and activated his energy shield. The cultist saw the charging madman and opened fire. A beam shot out and collided with the shield, causing it become brighter and brighter. The zealot grimaced as his arm was literally cooking inside his armor. He sighed with relief as his armor's automatic healing systems kicked in and pumped him full of combat drugs to numb the pain. With a loud clash he collided with the tall cultist. He used his sword to cut off the weapon from its arm but before he could continue his attack the cultist punched him in the helmet, causing to buckle inwards. Roth lost his footing for a brief moment but managed to roll out of the way just as three metal claws made a downwards slash. The cultists growled as his hand got stuck in the floor metal. Swinging his sword from the left zealot Roth cut off one of the legs of the cultist which crippled it even further. "Die, hellspawn!" He pulled the trigger and burned a hole through the cultist's skull. Roth then looked up and observed the scene around him. Most of his men laid dead on the cold metal floor next to the cultists however the majority of his personal guard and most of the Masadans were still standing, albeit slightly exhausted and with minor injuries. Roth turned towards the door. "Reveal yourself, servant of the dark!"
If Hariim was still istening he could hear the chatter of the Death Vigil. [QUOTE]Shit,shit,shit! Boss they stopped fucking around. Heavy armored guys with shields comming up the stairs! And they looke pissed![/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Hold the line! Where the fuck is my evac?[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Right here![/QUOTE] Nathaniel turned around as he heard the roar of the engines of thier evac ship behind him. The ship, hovering next to the building extended a ramp to the hole left behind by the breaching charges. 'About damn time' Nathaniel startet to motion to his troops to leave. "Our ride is here boys! We're leaving! Archive firts, you go after them! Go, go, go!" The two mercs carrying the archive started to make a run for it. Argos was busy trying to brake through the Death Vigil line to take adequate shots at them. One by one, the mercs started to slowly leave the battle. Some were not so lucky as they were gunned down by Argos security. All that remained was Nathaniel and the research assistant from earlier. Grabbing the man by the collar he held him in fron of him. Hostage situations rarely ended well from his experience, but he needed a way to make sure he wouldnt get shot to pieces. He gambled that they wouldnt open fire due to him being valuable in some way. He was wrong. The assistant didnt provide much protection as he was going up the ramp either. Absorbing a few shots before being disgarded and thrown off to the steets below. A shot managed to hit Nathaniel in the left shoulder and another in the upper thigh area. He gritted his teeth and managed to get on board. "We have what we wanted! Get us the fuck out of here! Now!" The ship retracted the ramp and took off. As he walked on to the bridge, the cyborg pilot asked him a question. "What about any fighters that will try to shoot us down?" "They wont risk it. We have the Archive and its really fragile. We got our insurance policy?" "Those elevators droped as soon as we left. And I had a forged conversation with the head of security leaked to the media a minute ago. It's amazing what you can do with some soundbites and plenty of free time." "The PR shitstorm should slow them down. Either way. Hope the executor is ready for war, because he just started one." A few minutes later and the Vigil was out of the sector, their loot safely stored on board.
Hariim maintains his watch on the Death Vigil comms. He keeps bouncing around his proxy connections, occasionally leaving a self-deleting daemon in one to see how long it takes for the cyborg to catch him with each change. With his quantum computer-assisted mind, he is able to play chicken with fellow 'borgs with varying degrees of success, and has learned to gauge when he should pick a fight or not based on how well a given individual can keep pace with him and his creative solutions. Hariim leads the team out through the window; simply jumping through it without much preamble. When he lands, he waits for Yanim and other others to follow after him, though he positions himself in a way that indicates he'd rather not take point. Managing dozens of connections as well as operational security on minimal hardware is not an easy feat, and splits his attention. ----------------------------------- Bucky, for her part, is unarmed! She wasn't expecting for there to be this much excitement. She taps Taylor on her shoulder. "Captain? What should I do? I'm not a combat bot, I don't really know what to do with myself...."
((Blorgy, that jump was supposed to require a roll. Now I'm just going to move on without one.)) As soon as Hariim took off sprinting, the guard sprung to action, but it was a clumsy sort of motion, as if he wasn't [I]really[/I] expecting anyone to make a move. Yanim quickly took aim with her VRI and clipped him in his hip and shoulder a few times, causing the guard to crash to the ground at the same moment Hariim kicked his way through the window glass and plunged to the rooftop below, where he landed with a roll. "Come on!" Yanim yelled, waving the others to follow as she did the same, jumping down to meet Hariim. Bucky barely had time to voice her concern before circumstances necessitated her acting. They dropped down one at a time. Once they had gathered themselves, they ran toward the edge of the building, which sloped smoothly toward the ground with a postmodern flare, and they were able to simply slide down to ground level. The sound of gunshots and bitter fighting could be heard nearby, but as they hailed a shuttle bus that was still circling the building on an automated flight path, it was Red's voice they were focused on. He had just learned of their escape, apparently, and wanted to them to know that they wouldn't be forgiven. [quote]After everything we did for you, this is how you repay us? I hope you know what you're getting yourselves into, because the Vigil will cut you down the moment they have what they want-[/quote] Yanim, panting and out of breath, interrupted him: "Red, our partnership may be over," she said between huffs of air, "but we're no friends of theirs. We're going to make sure neither of you learn the secrets of Starvis, whatever it takes." [quote]...You can't be serious. You few against Argos and the Death Vigil? If you take that fight, you're all going to die. Will your crew even follow you down this path?[/quote] "They go where they want. But I think we both know what my company can do when the cause is just. It has to be done, Red." [quote]In that case, we're sorry to lose you.[/quote] The shuttle bus thundered toward the service pads at the space port. Yanim issued a general warning to the whole crew to return to the Aurikha for immediate launch. Neasha and Rask returned at the same time, the cargo hold of a rented commercial vehicle filled to the brim with goodies for the crew. Gathering them in YsCom space proved easier than anticipated. However, the two commanders found their happiness short lived as further information came in. They only had a few minutes to launch and get out before an Argos interstellar patrol would arrive to attack them from orbit. [quote]Crew, this is Terika. We are leaving! Be ready for possible combat maneuvers.[/quote] The shuttle reached the service pad, and the quartet of Yanim, Taylor, Hariim, and Bucky all barreled into the hangar at the same time.
Iron rushed back to the ship after a short trip to the nearest gunstore. He arrived roughly at the same time as Yanim and her entourage. "What's the situation?" He asked Taylor.
Alex rushed to make it back to the Aurihka. As he climbed back on board he looked back to the crew. "Who did we piss off this time?"
Taylor holstered her revolver, and looked to Alex and Iron as they arrived. "Death Vigil showed up, attacked Argos. They took one of the Archives from 'em. We're also not exactly friends with Argos anymore, so we might be getting shot at in a bit. Get your shit and get ready to go." she explained, looking around before heading farther into the ship. - - - - - - - - - - - Valkyrie continued on into the Cataract with her stuff, passing by the other cabins on the way to her room. As she passed Jason's cabin, she heard a scream from inside which forced her to stop and listen. It was then followed by sounds of crying. She rolled her eyes and continued walking. What a bitch. Once in her room, she set her stuff down. She sifted through it, setting everything to the side. Hair products, tattoo supplies, software for her drones. She also got a few digital magazine subscriptions as gifts for those that couldn't obtain them through requests. Finally, she got to the two larger objects she had bought. One was a high frequency blade for her cutlass, which she'd have to get fitted into the hilt whenever she had the time. The other, a violin. She had recently got the urge to play it, and since she didn't have her old one from her early pirate days, she went out and bought herself a new one. This one was a five-stringed violin, classical and painted a deep brown in color. It came with everything she needed to play. A bow, strings, and an attachable tuner. She sat down, and began to put it together. Attaching the strings and tuning them to just the right sound. Finally, she decided to test it out. She reached over and tapped on her holotablet a few times, setting up a backing track. She then readied herself, placing it up to her neck with her cheek on the rest, and took the bow in her right hand. A moment later, she began to play. [QUOTE][video=youtube;owpkZzSRlYA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owpkZzSRlYA[/video][/QUOTE] - - - - - - - - - - - [I]"Most impressive! Your skills in battle and devotion to your...[B]god[/B] are admirable. It rivals that of my own."[/I] said a voice, almost as if it was in the room. [I]"But you are few amongst thousands of my brothers and sisters. If you wish to take this vessel as your own, you will have to battle through them as well...then there's the process of actually finding the cockpit."[/I] The voice chuckled. The door opened, and a figure in a cloak stepped out, hood over his head. His read eyes locked onto Roth. [I]"Please...just surrender yourself to us! Become part of our glorious family! We'd welcome you with open arms!"[/I] the being spoke. Behind him, more Freaks and heavy Second Gen cultists followed. [I]"Why rush head on into your demise? There's no need for such senseless death and destruction!"[/I]
Sounds of bending metal and something shaking came from a prison cell onboard the cult's ark ship. It was not of a hapless DC crusader being turned into a cyborg zombie, nor was it a TSC member being turned into a pile of dripping red scrap, it was instead of a captive waking up. As they woke up, they tried to think. They were trying to recollect their memory, trying to think about what happened and where they are, and what is going on. [quote]Days ago.[/quote] A lone gunship was silently sailing all alone in the depths of space. It had finished exhausting a majority of it's fuel trying to escape from the evil world of Karbala. Now, it barely had enough to maneuver around. It sent out a distress call, but no one was answering. All alone, with nothing around it, and no one to help. In the cockpit's chair was a battered suit of powered armor, covered in scratches, burns, holes, and smeared with blood. Inside the suit of armor was a person in even worse condition. It rose up from the seat and went back into the small cargo hold to see if there were any painkillers left, as well as taking off it's helmet to replace another bandage around it's missing eye. As the helmet came off, it started staring at herself in the mirror. Damn, [URL="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/51361672/Hanai2.png"]she looked rough.[/URL] Her self-inspection was interrupted as something came up on radar. It appears someone has gotten her distress call! It looked really strange on the screen, like someone glued two pointy triangles together. She had no clue who or what they are or could be, but she needed help, as in [B]now.[/B] The last thing she could recall was heading towards the mysterious ship when suddenly another appeared, then another, and then another... [quote]Now.[/quote] With every single twitch or sensation came nothing but absolute agony. Even by simply moving her fingers ushered in a flood of pain so great that it almost made her entire arm go numb. But, she had to get up and find a way out, especially since the sounds of screaming and intense fighting were getting closer and closer to her cell door. With all the strength she could muster, she was finally able to get up out of the bed she was laying on. Except, something felt wrong. [I]Very wrong.[/I] When she landed on her feet, they made a loud thud like metal slamming against metal. And her arms, they felt much heavier than usual, and it certainly wasn't because of the pain. What became of her arms were now rods and coils of steel, reinforced and armored with hard metal, and with wires running underneath like insect tunnels. And her legs suffered the same fate, amputated and replaced with cybernetic prosthetics. Now, being an Ayr, cybernetic replacements are quite taboo, so naturally there was only one thing she could do at this point after having her body forcefully violated with these foreign replacements. [I]Scream.[/I]
Bucky comes in on Taylor's heels and hoofs it down to engineering. She immediately starts firing off commands to ship systems through her wireless connection. All around her the ship jumps to life. Fusion core pre-heat cyclers and inertial confinement ignition lasers thrum and whine to power while turbines spool up to speed in the primary plasma engine's fuel-feed systems.
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