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Post by julia on Mar 28, 2021 16:29:32 GMT -6
Naleena sat in the soft grass near Xanthe. What Tysis had done to Xanthe made Naleena's eyes well, but she fought it off. It would do Xanthe no good to see her like that. Xanthe needed steadiness.
"Your garden is beautiful. I like your choice of flowers. They remind me of those my mother used to plant in her garden. She lives in a monastery, too, although she's a matriarch now... like Maldaisi," Naleena said and then Xanthe began to look around for something. Naleena handed her the trowel. Xanthe took it. It was what she needed to continue working.
Naleena watched Xanthe work. Something still seemed to be bothering Xanthe.
"Xanthe... you don't have to be afraid anymore. Your tormentor cannot harm anyone again. They told you that, right?" Naleena asked. "Perhaps you're still uncertain? I can't say I blame you. Perhaps if we were to meld things would be clearer? Maybe you could have some peace? Or is it something else?"
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 28, 2021 16:40:09 GMT -6
Xanthe paused again. "I am not afraid anymore. I am happy here."
There was a sheepish smile, then Xanthe went back to work but as she did, she talked.
"So that is what is needed. Bonding and melding. But only the right kinds. Like the flowers, you can't just do anything you want. You have to be very careful, and very selective if you want the garden to survive. So you find the very best seeds if you can, and only from certain flowers, and only a very few are unique, so unique enough that they survive. That is what I had learned. You can't be selfish about it, some flowers were meant to go on, others not. You wouldn't want weeds in your garden because then the good ones might not make it. You have to be very selective. Control. That really is the thing when you are planting."
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Post by redbelle on Mar 28, 2021 17:07:52 GMT -6
Team ADallas had finally braced herself by spreading her knees against the side and the center console. She grit her teeth in what looked like satisfaction as she was finally able to draw her assault rifle, and found the switch to open the gun slit of the armored limousine's 'shotgun' seat, facing forward. "I would really like not to dwell in a hospital, driving through it, wrecking things forever. Can you please find us a way out, Boris?" There was a figure who stepped out of a room suddenly and Boris had to swerve to avoid the person, in their hospital gown, which sent the limo angling towards a glass partition. Totally unavoidable and the limo went smashing through into what was a sort of large waiting area with stackble tables and chairs. The far end of the waiting area was a hefty external wall, which forced Boris to have to power-slide the limo right, through the furniture to help bring himself to a stop. As the limo did, tables and chairs that got hit by the left side of the limo got bounced and became dangerous projectiles, flying through the air until they hit the far wall, where a surprised Blue Sun and an old woman in a sweater were standing in pure shock. The Blue Sun got decked by a chair in the head and went down instantly. The old woman was barely missed and lucky to end up not being hit by the limo, which came to a stop a foot from her, with Dallas staring out her side window and the old woman staring back. For precious seconds, the two just looked at each other. Then the old woman shouted, "You guys are assholes!" Dallas sighed as Boris drove forward again, trying to find a way out back through the way they came in "She's not wrong," Dallas said. Team C"Climbing u? I'll go and take a look around," Draco said, "Follow as best you can." There was a maintenance ladder against one of the shaft walls. Draco moved some fingers on his left hand, which activated something on his omni-tool. Then he jumped up to the wall. Magnetic locks on the gloves, elbows and knees of his unique armor complimented his own agility as he ascended the alloy elevator shaft wall, directly without using the ladder. As he went up, he made sure to go slightly above the floor they were heading to and looked back down. "This is our stop." Draco pulled his monofilament blade from its sheath and said to Ahnjan by com, "If you can't force the door because of your angle, I'll cut through it." Team A "Dah! We are asshole! But Asshole driving over tonne of armour! Best kind to be in Boris book!" He cheered as he flipped the wheel and spun the car around one last time as he lined up for the outer corner of the Hospital he'd been aiming for all along. "Now... Boris want to warn everyone... We probably fall a story down onto road outside and Boris not know if Wolverine is up for it. Boris hope so because radio tell Boris Blue Sun patrol aircraft is outside waiting!" Boris slid the limo to a stop and revved the engine. "What Boris is saying..." He reached for his seatbelt and brought it down and clipped it home before setting his hands on the wheel. "... Is ride about to get bumpy." He finished as he gunned the engine, holding the limo on it's handbrake for a moment before releasing it and everyone was thrown back in their seats as Boris launched the limo through and out the corner window of the Hospital. It's wheels spun and glass scattered as time slowed and everyone saw the outside road Boris intended to make his landing as the limo began tilting forward as it flew forward with abandon.
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Post by julia on Mar 28, 2021 17:47:13 GMT -6
"Tell me, where did you learn all this... about growing gardens?" Naleena asked.
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 28, 2021 21:16:02 GMT -6
There was a conflict in Xanthe's eyes, and then a slight smile as if it were resolved. "It was taught to me by the one who perished to save us. It is all right, I learned that it would happen this way, that some might pass the winter to grow again in the spring. And all would take new form sometime as it were, anyway."
Xanthe glanced out across the flowers, pointing to a white one, and then a bright yellow. "See the one like a moon, and the one like a sun. There is a pollen that will spread. But there are others, hard to find, perhaps not a sun or a moon flower, but certain kinds of orchids, or tulips, or an iris, the kind that are black in color. But a person is not like a flower, and so it is harder. That is why bonding is good. The right kind of bonding."
Xanthe smiled more broadly and turned to look at Naleena. "Bonding is good. We are not sun and moon flowers, or orchids or tulips or iris. But bonding is good. I am happy for you."
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Post by julia on Mar 29, 2021 2:50:20 GMT -6
Xanthe focused on her plants and Naleena looked to Mira and mouthed. "Talk to her," and then she smiled and returned to Xanthe. "I'm not used to the heat here. I'm going to get us some water." And she left Xanthe with Mira for a few moments while she sought out Maldaisi again and removed her coat.
The Matriarch had not returned to meditation, but instead was reading. She heard Naleena approach and looked up. "You look troubled."
"Yes, exactly what kind of work have you done with her? She seems to think Tysis was the one who 'perished to save us.' One of the things Tysis as Iyana used to say was 'control is paramount,'" Naleena said and then she described how Xanthe described her garden, about how only certain seeds are meant to survive, some flowers meant to go on, and others not. This was the way Iyana thought of people. Being very selective. Control. "It is almost like Xanthe developed a bond with Iyana."
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 29, 2021 6:56:55 GMT -6
Matriarch Maldaisi looked disturbed. “What are you talking of? She hasn’t said anything like that before.”
Maldaisi glanced over at Xanthe. “You aren’t serious are you?” after she’d heard what Naleena repeated Xanthe said. “There’s nothing like that she’s ever said. You can even check the records of our sessions with her. They are extensive.”
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Post by julia on Mar 29, 2021 12:52:06 GMT -6
As Maldaisi spoke, Naleena raised one of her brows and then settled. "Why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, ask Mira. She is sitting right there. Mira doesn't lie.
"You know there is something called the Armali Effect. We've been civilized so long people have forgotten about it. 2800 years ago terrorists took hostages in a high rise in Armali threatening to kill them unless certain demands were met. The siege went on for several weeks. During that time the hostages developed positive feelings toward their captors. They refused to cooperate with authorities once the siege was broken. And they refused to perceive their captors as a threat despite having been threatened with death and beaten in the beginning stages of the siege. I found this fascinating. I think that's what we're dealing with except Xanthe endured far worse.
"She didn't tell you because you're not one of the authorities. I am. I hate to ask this, but I think I should meld with her. She might have overheard things that Iyana had planned in case she did perish. And Iyana's clone contacted me already. That is not why I'm here. I really wish this visit had not turned into this."
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 29, 2021 13:13:12 GMT -6
Matriarch Maldaisi seemed to contemplate for a long time, Naleena could see the conflict as she went through it.
"If you are doing the meld, then I agree. I will warn you that of all our methods at the monastery, we avoid melding unless it is a last resort, as you can imagine since we have many here whom melding with can be dangerous, if not fatal. Ardat Yakshi, for example. It is also not necessary for many, for their care. But in this case, if there has been something that has slipped our notice, then it may be necessary. I can assure you that I myself, as the most highly trained observer in this monastery, have cared for Xanthe directly, and I am worried of what you tell me with her response. I would be there to pull you out, if I can. I cannot promise you even if I do that it won't be without consequence. We don't know what is in store for you if you meld with Xanthe, considering her past with Tysis. Spectre T'Sarius, are you sure this is what you want to do."
"Isn't there any other way to determine what is going on with Xanthe?" Mira asked, clearly worried.
Matriarch Maldaisi said, "I could say that Xanthe Remi would be cared for safely here, but with what Naleena is telling me, then no, there is something deeper that likely only a meld could uncover." She looked directly at Naleena with intent. "But Spectre, you have to consider your own well being. This is not without risk. Potentially great risk."
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 29, 2021 13:56:07 GMT -6
Team A
"Yeah, well...," was about all Dallas got to say before it became clear the limo was going for launch.
As Boris took the vehicle airborne, below, a bunch of Blue Suns who were creating a cordon to prevent people from getting out (and waiting for reinforcements), were so stunned to watch the limousine and broken glass flying over them, that they just stared up for the moment in shock. Boris did have road beneath and past them, and the trajectory of the car was only barely angled so he was going to make his landing. If the car could handle it.
Crunch!
The limousine's front right corner bend up slightly, as it contacted pavement first, and then everyone inside was bounced roughly as the car came down on all tires, screeching as it did. Boris fought for control, as the long vehicle twisted with the weight of the rear overtaking the front, but after a spin of the wheel, one way, and then the other, Boris was righting the car, which didn't even have so much as a tire blow for functionality. The contents of the wet bar, however, were now all over the back compartment. Champaign and flutes glasses everywhere.
"Yes!" Dallas cheered, but there was more trouble ahead, as the hospital gate was ahead of them. It was too late to stop now, they were going to crash it. A Blue Sun gate guard fired at the vehicle, his projectiles bouncing harmlessly off the hood and only gently scarring the windshield. Boris blew the gate and accelerated.
"Okay, we're clear," Dallas started, "I want to lose any eyes on us, but don't go too far, we need to be around for the others..."
"Warning, target lock attempt," The VI voice interrupted.
Some sort of heavy strafing erupted just to the limousine's right side, tearing up the small strip of grass by the side of the road. It didn't take anyone that much thinking to realize the gunship that had been outside the hospital was now on them.
"Evasive, Boris!" Dallas shouted. She then turned to the partition between the driver's section and the passenger compartment in the back. Ereba and Janase saw Dallas as she shouted back to them from the front, skipping the com. "You two, got any ideas? There's a roof gun port if you can use it. This vulture is going to have a field day if we can't return fire effectively!"
Ereba and Janase both knew the limousine did have a roof that partially opened, but that would leave them more vulnerable. They could risk it for a better field of fire if they wanted to use weapons or biotics. Or they could try the gun ports designed into the roof as well, just slits large enough to fire a weapon through. There were gun ports in the doors too, but that wasn't going to help as the gunship was above and behind them, chasing them like a hawk hunting a rabbit.
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Post by julia on Mar 29, 2021 14:35:43 GMT -6
Naleena put her fingers to her forehead and shook it then looked up at the Matriarch. "There are things you need to know. Iyana vaporized the ardat-yakshi who had assassinated Tysis. I melded with Xhuan Setura, her second after I defeated her in combat. It was then I learned how to defeat Iyana. This is Xanthe. Xanthe's mind was broken by Iyana. You have taught that broken mind how to cope within the surroundings of this monastery. Inside that broken mind there is still the Xanthe who visited me, who advocated for me before the Council while I was in the hospital. And the Xanthe who was betrayed by her own crew. That is the Xanthe I want to reach. This will not be an easy meld.
"Perhaps you should join us in this meld. You earned Xanthe's trust over these past years. Mira can monitor and break it if it needs to be broken. This may take more than one session. We should proceed with caution. I don't want to cause further damage."
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Post by julia on Mar 29, 2021 14:46:22 GMT -6
Team A
Ereba pulled her case out from under the seat. "Goddess! Can you keep it steady for a moment," and then to Janase. "Hold this."
She opened the case and took out her M-98. "Let's see how they dodge this," Ereba said and opened the small port on the roof that was just big enough for an assault rifle. That meant it was large enough for the barrel and scope. She slapped a tungsten block in rifle.
"Boris, I need you to keep the car straight," she said and shoved the barrel through the port. She braced herself and tried to take aim at the gunship. She fired. Everyone in the car went temporarily deaf. The large, heavy block shaving struck the gunship. Ereba ejected the thermal clip and racked a new one.
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Post by redbelle on Mar 29, 2021 15:00:27 GMT -6
Boris cantered the wheel causing the car to steady as he put more power into acceleration. "Bah! Wolverine only fault... Not big enough or ride more stable! Like what she is though and..." He began until he looked in the rear view mirror and saw the M-98.
"Haha! Yes! Now Wolverine have turret! Boris has tank! Look Dallas! Boris got tank after all!!!" Boris exclaimed full of glee. "Shoot Ereba! Shoot more! Then after we turn around and charge Hospital dah? Let enemy tremble at sound of tyre and roar of gun! This is way Russian man fight!" Boris's helmet must have been as loud as the interior of the limo's cabin as he reached a hand for his Gatling slid his window down. "In fact... Dallasman... Take wheel! Boris want to get in on action too!" He cried out as he popped his belt, reached up to grab the roof of the limo and hauled himself out onto the door edge as he hauled his Gatling after him and with a degree of flexibility few would believe he possessed, dangled it on the strap away from the car as he hooked his legs, then with one arm aimed and fired at the gunship!
"Hahahahahahhaahhahahahah!!! Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaaaaahaaaaaaa! This is best day evaaaaaaah!!!"
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 29, 2021 15:36:40 GMT -6
Matriarch Maldaisi
Maldaisi looked towards Mira and then Naleena. "I believe if more than one of us melds with Xanthe, it might frighten her. She has not melded since her recovery, likely some time before that. Again, we don't really know what happened to her during her captivity, still. When she came here, she was unable to perform most essential daily activities, let alone speak. I trust you, Naleena, although if you wish, I will meld and you could pull me if anything is of a concern. If you decide to meld, and I have to pull you, It will help me if Mira can be on hand if things go badly for both of us. Although that is quite unthinkable.
"Perhaps it is an overabundance of caution. Whichever of us goes in, it may be that we can recover Xanthe as you say. I am saddened, for until now, I thought her own mind was recovering without the assistance of a meld, but at this point it is clear that will not happen. And, as you say, it may take more than one session. Still, would you prefer that I meld with Xanthe instead?"
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 29, 2021 15:46:47 GMT -6
Team A
"Wait, you were supposed to drive, I was supposed to...WOA!" Dallas dropped her rifle and seized the wheel as Boris let go. She was reaching over at an angle, and the limo lurched before Dallas kept it straight.
Dallas could see the holo readout, although since she wasn't in the driver's seat, it was difficult to get al the display to show up for her. She unlocked her seat belt, and started clambering over the middle, to get into a better position. "Just a sec..."
"Warning, target lock attempt."
"Unholy Christ!"
Above, Ereba saw her shots rip into some of the armor plating the gunship had, but some rounds tore through and there was a thin plume of smoke that erupted. The gunship jolted, momentarily lost ground, but the whine of its eezo engine increased as it wasn't down yet, and it cut loose again with its autocannons.
Dallas yanked the steering wheel down, and the limo skidded left, causing Boris to have to do his best to hang on from flying out. Pavement just yards away blew up as the gunship's burst blew open the road. The limo just missed it, and slowed, before Dallas turned the wheel back and slammed her foot down on the gas. There was more tire screeching and more jostling, not to mention a near miss with a utility pole. The limo was half on, half off the sidewalk.
"This is okay," Dallas asked as she tried desperately to maintain control. "Sidewalks are a sort of guideline, right?"
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Post by redbelle on Mar 29, 2021 17:09:14 GMT -6
"... Ahhhhhhhaaaaa!!! Haaaaaaarghhhh!!! Whaaaaa???" Boris said as Dallas drove them onto the sidewalk. "What did Bossman say?" Boris waited, but then turned his attention back to the gunship whose bottom section had been hit repeatedly, denting and buckling and chewing the armoured undersection that Erebas round had gone right through. Still the onslaught of gunfire had apparently spooked the gunship to the point that it was trying to evade the hail of gunfire as well as Ereba's big gun that Boris was eyeing with some envy if truth be told...
But no, they had to lose the gunship and while Boris hadn't done significant damage, a few rounds had made it through some of the lesser armoured sections that had caused smoke to begin pouring out of the gunship's side. It still seemed capable of keeping pace with them but the VI's radio intercept system was painting the picture in the gunship's cockpit.
"Aaah Nestegg, Nestegg this is Firebird. Target is returning fire with prejudice. Would have been nice if you'd mentioned the heavy weapons... Over."
"Firebird this is Nestegg! Is the target destroyed?"
"Aaaah negative Nestegg. We're getting chewed up and spit out here. There's a madlad behind the wheel of a limousine with a targeting counter measure suite. We're having trouble with a lock. Request permission to withdraw."
"Negative Firebird! Manually target! Use your dumbfire system."
"Aaaaah... Nestegg... That's a rapid fire missile system... We're in a built up area."
"Firebird! Either you destroy that vehicle or when you land I'll personally come and destroy you! They were snooping undercover! They may know things! If they get away who the hell knows what it'll bring down on us! A bonus if you destroy it!"
"Aaaaaah... Credits not the issue, it more that alarms are going off and we're losing pressure on the..."
"Boring conversation!" Boris interjected. "Ereba! Kill gunship with mighty canon! Boris has softened the skin! Now spear with mighty slug! This is way of hunter! Got them right where want them dah?"
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Post by julia on Mar 29, 2021 17:51:40 GMT -6
Nevos - Monastery - Naleena
"No, I know Tysis. I know what she did to Xanthe. I fought Tysis in my own mind. I may not know Xanthe's mind, but I know what does not belong there. I'll do this alone," Naleena said and just then the bell rang summoning everyone to the noonday meal.
Xanthe followed the others on her daily routine as if nothing had happened. Maldaisi rose to go in and lead the noonday prayer. Naleena and Mira followed her. After the prayer they stood in line for seafood soup and a roll. It was hardly enough for what Naleena was about to attempt. Fortunately she'd brought energy bars with her and she handed one to Mira just in case, and she leaned over and whispered.
"I think the matriarch is being a little overcautious, but just in case something goes wrong, meld with me and pull me out," Naleena said.
After lunch, everyone returned to their daily routine. Xanthe began to return to her garden, but the matriarch instructed her to follow her to her to the meditation room. Naleena and Mira were waiting, already meditating. Naleena was dressed in a gray robe and seated lotus style with her palms up in front of her body and she had created a glowing ball of dark energy that hovered above them. She stopped and smiled when they entered.
"Xanthe, it is good of you to come. Please, sit with me," Naleena motioned and patted the floor in front of her.
Xanthe looked over at Maldaisi who nodded. Xanthe did as instructed and took a seat mirroring Naleena.
"I spoke with the the matriarch and we decided that you and should meld. This will be gentle.... a way for us to communicate more directly... a way for me to experience you and for you to experience and better remember me," Naleena said. "The matriarch will be here the entire time to make sure you're safe." Naleena looked up at Maldaisi who nodded, and she extended her hands. "Put your hands in mine and we shall begin."
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Post by julia on Mar 29, 2021 17:59:11 GMT -6
TEAM A
Ereba braced the Widow in the notch in her cybernetic shoulder. She held the rifle steady looking through the scope waiting for the gunship to make the move toward the center of the crosshairs. Finally it did. She squeezed the trigger. CRACK! The block shaving flew out the end of the barrel followed by a billow of burnt cleaning fluid. The block shaving impacted the gunship again.
Janase winced when she saw Ereba's shoulder absorb the recoil from the rifle.
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 29, 2021 18:30:51 GMT -6
The Monastary at Nevos - Meld
Xanthe looked down at Naleena's hands and briefly, she shook. It was a surprising reaction, and Naleena saw a glare in Xanthe's eyes before she calmed and said, "Melding is good." Xanthe then put her hands into Naleena's and said, "All is one."
Naleena and Xanthe melded, and there was the immediate exchange of certain thoughts and memories. Naleena saw Xanthe as she was made Justicar, her parents proud of her. There was a battle, it must have been before Xanthe met Naleena, where Xanthe was gravely wounded, and yet managed to put down the last of a 30 member pirate crew. There was the scene of a breakup, between Xanthe and an unknown turian who had moved to the Republics because Xanthe was about to become a Justicar; it wasn't in sequence, they were memories.
All of those quickly snapped away by some common memories of Duellos, Naleena able to understand the difficulties Xanthe faced, the concerns from her point of view, as the Silaris armor base was evacuated, the difficulties in dealing with Foteni at the time who had little patience for the military, the reliance on the younger team of Mira, Jenus, Tallis and Iole in responding to the threat.
There was a darkness, a black, cold darkness and the split second of something that was too much for Xanthe to want to remember. But it was gone instantly.
And all of that vanished too as in their minds together, in a space that was dark and warm, as if lit by a sole light from above, Naleena saw Xanthe's form, a representation of her in the present. She was kneeling, working like she was in the flower bed, but she was upon a cold, blue-gray floor. Instead of flowers, there were bouquets to her front and left, golden flowers, white flowers and just one bouquet of black petal flowers. In front of and to the right of Xanthe was some sort of puzzle, all the same, hard to determine, lower spectrum color, maybe violet? There were some larger groups of pieces already assembled, some smaller ones, and a pile of loose pieces. Xanthe seemed to not be able to decide whether to focus on the bouquets or the puzzle.
"Oh, you are here," Xanthe's voices spoke to Naleena, even though her form still stared between the flowers and the puzzle. "I haven't had a visitor in a very long time."
Naleena felt the voice was somehow simple in its feelings and tone, not at all like the sort of complex, controlled fanfare that Naleena would have expected from an asari who was a Justicar. She could wonder if this was really Xanthe's former mind, and if there had been something done to her so severe as to inhibit her mind.
"I think I have met you before, haven't I?"
Naleena had a strong, compelling feeling that something in Xanthe wanted her to stay and delve deeper into their conversation.
Outside the meld, Mira could see both Naleena's and Xanthe's brows both become lightly dewed in persperation.
"I am just a maiden," Mira said, "But I have never seen such an effort in a meld."
Matriarch Maldaisi replied, "Most seldom observe melding as third parties. I think you are learning what it can be like when you are involved in a meld yourself. And every participant is different in their reaction as you know. I believe that this could be also because Xanthe has not melded for a long time and, yes, I do think there is more work going on that we can possibly be aware of outside of it.
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Post by Cknarf on Mar 30, 2021 0:46:11 GMT -6
Voice communication transcript, CDR Z. Daramus, Spectre D. Gavian, Approximately three weeks agoDax, are you free?
I mean... I can be.
There's a heavy freighter docked in bay C-36. There's someone aboard that I think you should speak to before it departs.
[audible sigh]
Dax?
Still here, Zin. Who am I lookin' for?
Captain Hondo of the uh... Prairie Oyster.
The what?
Prairie Oyster.
What in the fuck is a Prairie Oyster?
I haven't the slightest clue, nor do I care to find out.
You're right. Sounds kinda... filthy.
ANYWAYS. He's been hassling us on and off for the past week or so, demanding to speak with T'sarius-- as if it were that easy.
T'sarius? What for?
I don't know.
Do you know anything, Zin?
I know he's been a real pain in our ass, and that you have history with T'sarius.
Have you considered uh... arresting him?
It's not illegal to be annoying, Dax. Besides, we finally got him to piss off. The Prairie Oyster is set to dust off in approximately one hour.
So what's the problem?
I think he might actually have something important to say. Problem is, he has a history of... non-compliance. He will not, under any circumstances, speak to C-SEC.
You want me to make that bastard squeal, huh?
No, I don't, actually. If anything, I'd be happy if I never had to hear from him again.
...Take him out, then?
Spirits, No!
I'm getting mixed messages here, Zin.
Just... get down to C-36, and talk to the guy on the off-chance that it's something important, alright? Or don't, I don't care-- This isn't a C-SEC matter, just a friendly tip, is all.
Maybe open with that next time?
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Post by julia on Mar 30, 2021 4:06:26 GMT -6
Inside the Meld
Naleena breathed deep and calmed herself. She felt Mira’s anxiety and shook her head no. Xanthe was lost within her own mind. She wanted to try something.
In the space lit by the sole light from above, Xanthe seemed to vacillate between the bouquets and the puzzle.
“I think I have met you before, haven’t I?” Xanthe asked.
“Yes, earlier today we talked. You were explaining to me about seeds. About how there was one like a moon and another like a sun. But that like flowers you can’t just do anything you want. That you have to be careful and very selective if you want the garden to survive. You have to find only the best seeds if you can, and only from certain flowers, and only a very few are unique, so unique that they survive. That some were meant to go on and others not. Control. That is the thing when you are planting. That’s what you told me,” Naleena said. “So you see, we have met before. And now I think it is time for us to know each other better.
“You said melding is good. We should meld to get to know each other. It is the way of old. Come, sit in front of me and take my hands and we shall join minds,” Naleena held her hands outstretched, palms up like she had in the room. She was quite aware she was in a meld, but was Xanthe aware? This was like peeling an onion. There were layers. Peeling one back one at a time would take a while. It would take patience. And mostly patiience from those watching.
“Our minds have places, voids, places of darkness where we hide things we don’t want to look, or that were too much for our minds to handle that we locked them away. But they are not real now. I have you by your hand, your arms, and I won’t let you fall. You were always the strong one Xanthe. You became a Justicar. Do you remember how hard that was? But now, it is my turn to be the strong one… the protector. And you have to trust me.”
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 30, 2021 17:47:57 GMT -6
"She said that too," Xanthe said, as Naleena took Xanthe's hands both outside and inside the meld. Inside the meld, Xanthe kept looking over her shoulder, between the flowers, and the puzzle. "Trust. Control...is paramount."
Xanthe then looked at Naleena with a curious glance. "I know you not from today, but from longer ago."
Something was stirring at the edge of Naleena's vision in the flowers and the puzzle. Xanthe seemed to know it though she was no longer looking at them.
"You know the flowers too. They were the ones who's seeds need to be planted. You are not among them, as I am not. But you know them. Some are broken away from each other now, like the puzzle pieces. They must come together."
There was a darkness creeping somewhere within, a shadowy place, on the fringes of their linked minds. Naleena felt as if it was a thing, searching, but it had not found them yet. Naleena felt like they were hidden from the stalking void. There was a concerned look in Xanthe, and she squeezed Naleena's hands tighter. Naleena felt compelled to delve deeper.
"Trust you," Xanthe said.
From the puzzle, it seemed that something appeared in the image of the pieces. A shadowy movement, and then the flickering of something white.
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Post by julia on Mar 30, 2021 20:38:27 GMT -6
Naleena looked at the flowers on the floor. A flicker of white passed over them. The darkness searched. She felt Xanthe's mind had been shattered, broken into pieces many times, and was now like a puzzle needing to be reassembled. But there would be pain that went along with the process. It was unavoidable. Still Naleena had seen it when Tysis tried to shatter her mind and take over her body. There was only one way to go... onward.
"Yes, you know me. Not from today, but from years ago. You were strong. I was the student then. Now it is my turn to help you. We will find the flowers and put them together in the correct order. This will take time, my friend. And I know there are flowers that are hidden and do not want to be found. But let's start with the ones that want to be found first. Look over at the flowers. They appear to fit together in a pattern. Some are still hidden. Some are visible and want to be found. We should start with those that are not trying to hide. I would like you to think about the days when you were a maiden living at home with your family and let's see which flowers glow for us," Naleena said and Xanthe couldn't help herself. Childhood memories came forward. The flower puzzle was indeed symbolic.
Naleena reached out to move one of them, but Xanthe shook her head and moved her aside.
"That piece goes here," Xanthe said and then moved three others around it. There were gaps, but Naleena saw flowers that matched the shapes and pointed them out for Xanthe. Naleena had to reach into Xanthe's mind a little for each piece. Some of the memories were private and Naleena did not intrude on them. But the process was long and exhausting. They had gone through fifty years of Xanthe's life.
"I remember things now from very long ago," Xanthe said.
Naleena squeezed her hands. "I am glad, but I can do no more today. I must rest. You will dream of your childhood tonight. You have that foundation now. Those pieces are in place."
Naleena exited the meld. She looked at Xanthe and smiled. "How do you feel?"
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crouza
Junior Member
Posts: 82
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Post by crouza on Mar 31, 2021 2:06:29 GMT -6
Team C"Climbing u? I'll go and take a look around," Draco said, "Follow as best you can." There was a maintenance ladder against one of the shaft walls. Draco moved some fingers on his left hand, which activated something on his omni-tool. Then he jumped up to the wall. Magnetic locks on the gloves, elbows and knees of his unique armor complimented his own agility as he ascended the alloy elevator shaft wall, directly without using the ladder. As he went up, he made sure to go slightly above the floor they were heading to and looked back down. "This is our stop." Draco pulled his monofilament blade from its sheath and said to Ahnjan by com, "If you can't force the door because of your angle, I'll cut through it." Team C Ahnjan had surprisingly little trouble getting up to the proper floor. The krogan moved with a slightly slower pace then the others, but made it up. However, he nodded to Draco as he spoke, "Please do. I'm afraid my flexibility has its limits..." The krogan said as he held out his omnitool in front of him. Without seeming to need to activate his comms, he spoke. "We've reached the floor. Now its your turn to meet us here as well. We may need some help depending on what we find in there." The krogan informed the B Team as draco would get to work cutting through the doors. Once they had been sliced through, they would open to find a hospital floor with a much different layout. More open spaces and windows that were blocked by a complex series of screens, projectors designed to make this floor appear identical to all the others. Wires would be strewn from one room to the next, crisscrossing on the floor and giving off soft light in the near pitch black floor of the Hospital, a faint blue light illuminating as it seemed the main lights were currently off. The air however was not stale, and carried the same sickly scent of disinfectant that permeated the hospital.
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Post by KelRiever on Mar 31, 2021 12:53:38 GMT -6
Team A
The Gunship lurched from the impact. It wasn't just the force of the Widow's impact, but it was Ereba's aim. A flying target was hard to hit, and then maybe if the shot had gone through a wing, or some non-critical part things would have been different. But Ereba had managed to put her shot directly on the hull beneath the cockpit, and while there was plenty of armor for most small arms fire there, the Widow was nothing short of a light, anti-tank rifle and the direct hit went right through. While not seen by Ereba, the shot passed up through the pilot's chair of the two crew gunship, and there was a blossom of blood inside as the batarian was turned inside out from the velocity of the shaving, which went right out the top. The gunner immediately took the stick, trying to maintain control as the gunship wobbled and fell back.
But then Boris baptized the gunship with his fire. The repeated impact of his weapons, combined with the instability of the craft and the gunner's panicked attempts sent the gunship veering into one of city buildings. Fortunately it was an abandoned building. Unfortunately, for the gunship, the whole craft exploded on impact.
"Nice," Dallas complimented as she finally got herself completely in the driver's seat, which meant Boris wasn't getting back in without difficulty, but she was now fully in control. The limo itself was suffering somewhat, but Dallas got her heavy armored foot down on the accelerator. There was both a whine of eezo engine output and a roar as the drive went into work. The limo lurched forward with speed.
There was suddenly another explosion, off from the left of the vehicle (opposite from Boris). Some heavy projectile had gone off, just missing the limo. Ereba and Janase saw a fissure in the window in the back, but it held intact.
Dallas began maneuvering, slipping the car back and forth through the street. There was another shot, this one not as close, but the front of a building wall ripped open from the second missed shot.
"Security tower is firing," Dallas said, swerving the car down a new street. Boris had to use one hand to hold on tight and he saw an oncoming grav bus pass him maybe a foot away from his face, while the bus driver slammed on his horn. "If the city is on us, this won't go well. We need to shake this."
Ahead there was a parking deck, but the chain gate was down. Dallas was heading for it and looking like she was trying how to make it through while Boris was riding with most of his body outside the limo.
Team C
Draco kept his sword out and advanced ahead to cover the others as they came up, but paused until everyone from his team was ready. Team B could hear him as well as C by com as he spoke. "This is it. I don't think that scent is just because the hospital. It's either hiding something here or coming from something here as well. I would doubt if this place was entirely unguarded. And, I will warn you, I've kept up on Spectre T'Sarius' files. Be prepared for anything. There may be things here less than human. Rather monstrous, in fact."
Ideally, Draco wanted to wait for Team B, but if they were taking too long, he would move ahead with his team, as surely time was pressing.
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