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Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:23:00 - [1] - Quote 1 The knife shook between pale fingers no longer strong enough to hold it, and dropped to the floor. The creature nodded drunkenly, her head wavering, balancing, then tipping forward, a student dozing off in class for the last time. After a few minutes, Reina leaned forward and lifted the long, curved knife from where it lay. She wiped runnels of crimson from the ancient iron with a cloth she then dropped on the floor beside the slumped body, and returned the knife to its sheath. This, she took with her. Sterilization could take care of the rest. By the time they reached the shelter of the doorway, the protective qualities of ReinaGÇÖs thermal gear had worn painfully thin. She fumbled the doorGÇÖs control mechanism with numbed fingers, pulled and twisted, then staggered gratefully into the marginally-warmer darkness beyond. The imp stumbled in behind her. GÇ£The impGÇ¥ was ReinaGÇÖs personal title for the small being presently disentangling herself from a maze of harsh-weather gear. Reina had referred to her variously over time as GÇ£the capsuleer,GÇ¥ GÇ£maGÇÖam,GÇ¥ GÇ£Ms./Miss/Mlle. Jenneth,GÇ¥ GÇ£the mistress,GÇ¥ and GÇ£my employer,GÇ¥ among other titles. The former immortalGÇÖs loss of godhood had done little to reduce the alien quality in her movements and expressionGÇöeyes that perceived without reacting, a face that typically displayed what its owner put there. Even now, stripped of the implants that had detached her from the human condition, it was easy to think of Aria Jenneth, with her too-young skin and her bones salvaged from the corpses of children, as something other than entirely humanGÇöa ghost, or an evil spirit. She certainly thought of herself that way. GÇ£The inner door is still warm.GÇ¥ That was Aria. The imp. The Achur demon. GÇ£They should only have been gone about eight hours,GÇ¥ Reina said. GÇ£The equipment should be all ready for us inside; weGÇÖll have twenty-six hours to complete the procedure. Plenty of time.GÇ¥ The creature nodded, her expression distant as she pulled off her gloves, then paused a moment longer to adjust the bandages on her forearms. Why do you do this to yourself? Reina had asked, before, while they waited for the medical staff to arrive. To remind myself that I still have a body, her employer had replied. To try and remember that the thing hurting, is me. GÇ£Give me just a momentGÇª.GÇ¥ Her own numb fingers poked at a holographic pad. GÇ£There; weGÇÖre in.GÇ¥ That was Reina, loyalty and preparedness in service to the mad and treacherous. Then what do you think you should do, hm? I should record and remember, and aid my employer as best I can, said Reina. The old professorGÇÖs eyebrows furrowed. It makes you an accomplice to a criminal enterprise. Extortion. Smuggling. Tariff evasion. DoesnGÇÖt that bother you? Yes, sir, said Reina. Then isnGÇÖt it your duty to report him to the corporation? It would be my duty as an accountant, or any lesser employee, sir, said Reina. And what is your duty? His voice pressed the GÇ£your.GÇ¥ Reina took a deep breath. It is the duty of a personal assistant to serve as an extension of the employerGÇöto provide abilities the employer does not possess, but which the employer can trust fully. It is a sacred bond, like that of a doctor, a lawyer, a temple priest, or a banker. Without that trust, our role is meaningless. The professorGÇÖs eyes searched hers. Is it ever acceptable to break that bond? Only if my family or myself is placed in danger by my employer, and I must ensure my employer is informed of the extent of those loyalties. So what can you do? I can prick my employerGÇÖs conscience, use my protected position to encourage right action. The professor leaned forward. And if your employer does not listen, you will do what? I will persist. Through bribery and corruption? We must persist. That is all that we can do so long as our families and persons are not threatened. Through fraud and sharp dealing? Robbery and extortion? If your employerGÇÖs corruption leaves orphans starving on the streets of New Caldari? We must persistGÇª. Murder? ReinaGÇÖs eyes drifted down to one of the impGÇÖs pale little hands as the two women moved down the corridor. So smallGÇöthe hands of a child (probably literally, on the skeletal level). Even murder? Blood, enough blood to drown all the monasteries on Achura. Yes, sir; even murder. She looked away. Absurd; the imp had killed her own grandfather with her ankles, not her hands.GÇª The rest, she had killed as a capsuleer, in the manner of capsuleers: with her mind. Those hands were mostly innocent. GÇ£Excuse me for a moment, Ms. Jenneth.GÇ¥ Reina took a sharp right turn.
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:23:00 - [2] - Quote The rush of escaping gasses diminishing away to silence, the digital gauge displaying external pressure descending towards zeroGÇª. As without, so within. Atmosphere purged. Venting of all compartments complete. Lifeforms still aboard: oneGÇöwell, two, counting myself. Are you alright, Ms. Davasi? Reina quintuple-checked the seals on her gauntlets. Despite a life of ships and stations, it had been the first time she had ever worn a spacesuit. IGÇÖm alright, Ms. Jenneth, she managed, fighting down panic. Good. Two thousand, one hundred thirty-eight potential spies down. One more step, and we should be properly rid of our Dark Angel problem. The Spartan compartment around Reina plunged into darkness. All unshielded electrical systems shut down. EMP activation in three, two GÇª of course, if youGÇÖre a Dark Angel, IGÇÖm really in trouble. Activation. The digital pressure reading winked off, along with the rest of the heads-up display. Reina burst through the door to the womenGÇÖs lavatory and hurled herself over to a stall, where she collapsed over a toilet, retching explosively. Dimly, she was aware of a shadow over her shoulder, hoveringGÇöconcerned? Remember, Reina Davasi, you are a bonded personal assistant. It is a position of sacred honor and sacred responsibility among the Deteis, and the Caldari. Her stomach revolted, and she bent over again. May you make your ancestors proud.
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:29:00 - [3] - Quote 2 The apparatus unfolded, a spider-god of surgery. GÇ£Hm,GÇ¥ said the imp. Then, GÇ£I donGÇÖt GÇª recognize some of these.GÇ¥ GÇ£The technologyGÇÖs new. A lot of it had higher security clearance than I could buy access to,GÇ¥ Reina explained. GÇ£GÇª At least if we wanted anything much left to bargain with. The systemGÇÖs mostly automatedGÇöhigh-end medical expert systems. Human interference increases the probability of error by two orders of magnitude, so even if we donGÇÖt know precisely what it is or how it works, it should do its work better than we could.GÇ¥ GÇ£Assuming nobodyGÇÖs tampered,GÇ¥ the imp replied, maintaining the same aloof, lightly uncaring tone she normally maintained when indirectly discussing her own deathGÇöwhich was often. GÇ£We still have resources enough for a retaliatory strike if thereGÇÖs treachery?GÇ¥ GÇ£If thereGÇÖs treachery, the promised payment goes instead to cover the cost of retaliation, maGÇÖam.GÇ¥ GÇ£Does it GÇªGÇ¥ the creature stepped up to one of the surgical arrayGÇÖs many arms, hematite-hued eyes examining a needle-like contraption of much the same color. Her head cocked to the right, then the left. GÇ£Will that be enough? Our associates in the Cartel are a little upset.GÇ¥ GÇ£WeGÇÖve been promised a temporary crippling of local operational capacity and likely exposure of several embarrassing secrets above and beyond what could result from publicizing our own datastores. The provisional plans look adequate. Of course, nothingGÇÖs certain.GÇ¥ GÇ£Nothing ever is. And you?GÇ¥ GÇ£MaGÇÖam?GÇ¥ GÇ£How are you, Ms. Davasi?GÇ¥ The imp had turned away from the medical equipment, and now trotted over to perch on the edge of the console where Reina was checking the arrayGÇÖs systems. GÇ£These have been difficult weeks. Are you going to be alright through this?GÇ¥ GÇ£ItGÇÖs nearly over, maGÇÖam,GÇ¥ Reina said. GÇ£Nearly, yes. YouGÇÖve GÇª never been this close to it, have you? YouGÇÖve vetted security teams and even arranged a little wetwork for me, but youGÇÖve never been this close. Have you?GÇ¥ GÇ£ItGÇÖs nearly over,GÇ¥ Reina repeated. GÇ£That will GÇª be enough for me, maGÇÖam.GÇ¥ GÇ£YesGÇöand youGÇÖll be out of my service, fabulously wealthy for a baseliner, and free to enjoy it all in peace so long as you do it quietly.GÇ¥ The imp nodded to herself as though sheGÇÖd just summed up the essential motivations and desires of all humanity, and walked around to the apparatus again. GÇ£And IGÇÖll GÇª be back in the military, I guess. Are there any strings attached to this identity?GÇ¥ GÇ£Only whatever happens here, in the next few hours,GÇ¥ Reina sighed. GÇ£ThatGÇÖs not a book anybodyGÇÖs likely to be able to read. When we finish here, the site will go into its cleaning phase and then mothball itself until the next bunch of subjects are brought in next month; there wonGÇÖt be any organic material left to speak of. There are a lot of identities getting edited, revised, or totally restarted in this thing; I doubt youGÇÖre the only one expending a few favors to get added in around the edges.GÇ¥ GÇ£Or a few hundred,GÇ¥ the other muttered. GÇ£Let me get this straightGÇöthis thing fully bisects your brain and adds this odd implant right in the middle?GÇ¥ GÇ£Um GÇª something like that, maGÇÖam. And, it bisects your brain, not mine. With respect, IGÇÖm not going near it.GÇ¥ GÇ£And after?GÇ¥ GÇ£WellGÇöthe biographical data you can customize to suit you on that terminal over there. So long as you donGÇÖt pretend to be from somebody elseGÇÖs hometown, it should work out well enough. ItGÇÖs probably not going to be an environment where many people are talking about their pasts.GÇ¥ The imp sucked at her lower lip. GÇ£This is not coming across as your usual thoroughness, Reina,GÇ¥ she said at length. GÇ£What IGÇÖm hearing is that IGÇÖm going to disappear, but we donGÇÖt know into exactly what context or for what reason. For all we know, this is an elaborate cerebral cortex harvesting scheme.GÇ¥ GÇ£Yes, maGÇÖam.GÇ¥ GÇ£Or a Nation front.GÇ¥ GÇ£GÇª Probably not that, maGÇÖam.GÇ¥ GÇ£Probably. Or an effort to create TCMC-controlled foot soldiers, which would be nearly as bad.GÇ¥ GÇ£Possibly, maGÇÖam. MaGÇÖam, what you needed was a way to disappear off the CartelGÇÖs scanners, and to do it permanently and irrevocably, without dying. This projectGÇÖs been drawing in a lot of resources from the State war effort, and theyGÇÖre not the sort of resources you throw away lightly. Yet they havenGÇÖt been picky about height, weight, physical conditionGÇª.GÇ¥ Reina shot a glance over her shoulder at her employer. For a capsuleer, Jenneth kept her teeny-tiny self in terrifying physical condition. The grandfather whose neck she had broken had not been some osteoporosis-stricken old man. For all that, the figure she cut was not at all imposing. GÇ£GÇª legal standing. The details are unclear, yes, but it looks like the most comprehensive opportunity to rewrite a life that thereGÇÖs been in a long time.GÇ¥ GÇ£Even mine.GÇ¥ The impGÇÖs voice had slipped into an eerie singsong. GÇ£Even yours, maGÇÖam,GÇ¥ Reina verified. She looked up from the screen, across the surgical theater, trying not to focus on anything in particular. Her stomach had just given another sour twist. How long had it been since she had betrayed everything she had been, all she had aspired to, for the last ten years? Two hours? Three? How fast could local transportation move on this snowball? Would there even be a response? A vain thoughtGÇöof course there would. GÇ£We should probably move to the control room,GÇ¥ she said. GÇ£The surgery will need to disinfect.GÇ¥ Aria nodded. Reina set the pre-op sterilization sequence, then followed her out the door. The imp had stopped in the hall, frowning. GÇ£Do you feel a draft?GÇ¥ she said. Reina swallowed. GÇ£You know, maGÇÖam,GÇ¥ she said, her throat tightening, GÇ£I think I do.GÇ¥
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:33:00 - [4] - Quote 3 GÇ£Only one?GÇ¥ The imp squinted at the security image, a still of a ginger-haired pixie. GÇ£Only one,GÇ¥ Reina verified. The security biometrics put the intruder at one point four-seven meters and forty kilograms even. MakerGÇÖs mercyGÇª. GÇ£Dark Angel, you think?GÇ¥ GÇ£Um, Archangel, actually,GÇ¥ said Reina. GÇ£Tarsia dalVallen, callsign GÇÿWisp.GÇÖ SheGÇÖs a Heaven-born Sebiestor, a professional deep space hijacker. SheGÇÖs been staying at a safehouse here while recovering from a shot she took in the leg, um, ten months ago.GÇ¥ Aria was staring at her. GÇ£Uh, pretty much spotless record for someone with so many remarks about her pugnacious attitude; favored tactics include gas grenades, sabotage GÇª subversion of ship systems?GÇ¥ GÇ£Now that is more the level of work I expect of you, Ms. Davasi,GÇ¥ said Aria. Her sidearm was in her hand. Reina wondered why she hadnGÇÖt yet received its muzzle in her ear. GÇ£GÇª when you have been doing preliminary research on a potential employee. SheGÇÖs here to kill me, I take it.GÇ¥ GÇ£More likely to kill us both, maGÇÖam,GÇ¥ said Reina truthfully. GÇ£I didnGÇÖt really do any negotiating when I sent the file.GÇ¥ The imp scowled at the screen, biting her lip. The little matte-black scrambler remained at the small demonGÇÖs side and kept not, as Reina constantly expected, coming up and frying ReinaGÇÖs brain. GÇ£I really pushed too hard, didnGÇÖt I,GÇ¥ said Aria at length. GÇ£Yes, maGÇÖam,GÇ¥ Reina choked. GÇ£In which case,GÇ¥ the Achur went on, seemingly to herself, GÇ£I canGÇÖt depend on much help from you. But youGÇÖve had your bit of rebellion, and now youGÇÖre spent and waiting to die. Penance for your transgression. What did you send?GÇ¥ GÇ£Just a burst GÇª a message. Who we were, where we were going to be and when, doing what, under what conditions.GÇ¥ GÇ£Enough to get her here.GÇ¥ GÇ£You donGÇÖt deserve to live,GÇ¥ Reina managed, her eyes blurring with tears. GÇ£And neither do you.GÇ¥ The voice was flat, matter-of-fact. GÇ£Is that it?GÇ¥ Reina could hardly see the console anymore. GÇ£Yes, maGÇÖam.GÇ¥ GÇ£Justice.GÇ¥ GÇ£Yes, maGÇÖam.GÇ¥ A short pause. GÇ£I donGÇÖt believe in justice,GÇ¥ said Aria, and she left. Reina just let herself go, and, for a while, pretty much dissolved into tears. It didnGÇÖt come as any enormous surprise when it was the sensation of cold metal against the side of her head that brought her back to something like solidity. GÇ£Hey, sweetie,GÇ¥ said the pixie holding the second gun in an hour to have surprised Reina by not killing her. The pixie pulled back a couple feet from Reina while still carefully keeping the gun on her, and idly glanced over her shoulder into the hall before closing the control room door behind her. GÇ£YouGÇÖd be our interstellar correspondent on the scene, then?GÇ¥ GÇ£Something like that,GÇ¥ said Reina, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. GÇ£IGÇÖm the one who contacted you, if thatGÇÖs what you mean.GÇ¥ GÇ£ThatGÇÖs the gib, yeah. Good; means you can keep breathinGÇÖ, GÇÿleast for this tick.GÇ¥ Chestnut-colored eyes examined her. GÇ£Oh, go get a tissue, sweetie; IGÇÖm not all so quick on the jump as to cut you out for that.GÇ¥ She glanced around at the monitors while Reina moved over and fished out a fistful of tissue paper, the gunGÇörather larger than AriaGÇÖs, a submachine gun?GÇöneatly tracking ReinaGÇÖs every move. GÇ£DonGÇÖt suppose you can set me on the *****?GÇ¥ GÇ£No.GÇ¥ Reina blew her nose. GÇ£I havenGÇÖt really been keeping track of myGÇöof Aria. So youGÇÖre Wisp, then?GÇ¥ GÇ£Here GÇÿn there, now GÇÿn then. YouGÇÖd be one of those Caldari, whatsit, personal servants? Sworn loyalty and that?GÇ¥ GÇ£Assistants. Amarr get servants.GÇ¥ GÇ£Poor thing. CanGÇÖt have had a good go of it, contactinGÇÖ me, then. WonGÇÖt go havinGÇÖ second thoughts on me, eh?GÇ¥ Though Reina gave an emphatic shake of her head, the Archangel raised a copper eyebrow. GÇ£Yeah, uh, sorry Miss Assistant, but I need to tie you up, now. Hands to the back, right like that. GÇª Now, hereGÇÖs how itGÇÖs going to be: you donGÇÖt have to help me against her; I get if youGÇÖve got duties there, even if youGÇÖre feeling like death GÇÿcause youGÇÖve crossed GÇÿem once. But after,GÇ¥ and here WispGÇÖs brown eyes glittered with all the perverse fever AriaGÇÖs black ones ever did, GÇ£After, youGÇÖre going to show me how to work the machine. Could work out real well for you. GÇÿKay?GÇ¥ Reina twisted to face Wisp, though she could only get partway around with her ankles shackled to the base. GÇ£The machine? You mean the surgery?GÇ¥ GÇ£Eh? What do you think it is, then?GÇ¥ Wisp cocked her head to the side, a gesture that looked so much for all the worlds like Aria that Reina suffered a momentGÇÖs vertigo. Maker, but the fates had a weird sense of symmetry. GÇ£ItGÇÖs some kind of a secret military program,GÇ¥ Reina said. GÇ£Some sort of State-sponsored soldier program, not selective about recruiting, like maybe the Valklear, or.GÇªGÇ¥ GÇ£Oh, you poor, confused thing.GÇ¥ Wisp plunked down on the desk beside her, submachine gun slung comfortably under one arm. GÇ£For starts, take it from me, the Valklear are way-serious selective about recruiting. For finishers, though, Miss Assistant, you donGÇÖt have near the half of itGÇöand thatGÇÖs great, by the way, you bringing that flip-flag destroyer here when you didnGÇÖ know where GÇÿhereGÇÖ was.GÇ¥ The Archangel bent forward, lips parting in a Cheshire grin. GÇ£That, in there, is a machine for making gods. GÇ£As your smart little head can probGÇÖly work out, we want in. OhGÇöand about all that GÇÿoathGÇÖ stuff? DonGÇÖ worry too much about it. People like the Empires, see, they like to fill your head with nonsense. Lets GÇÿem control you easy-like.GÇ¥ She ruffled ReinaGÇÖs head, leaving her hair fluffed down over her eyes. GÇ£PerfectionGÇÖs not all itGÇÖs cracked up to be. The organizationGÇÖs always got a spot for talent, if yer still kickinGÇÖ at the end.GÇ¥ GÇ£But,GÇ¥ said Reina, GÇ£if, if it was that important, why are you the onlyGÇª?GÇ¥ The pixie shrugged. GÇ£IGÇÖm the only one who was close,GÇ¥ she said. GÇ£Close and trusted, GÇÿleast.GÇ¥ The control room door hissed, and Reina was alone.
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:35:00 - [5] - Quote 4 ItGÇÖs over at last, thought Reina when the door hissed. She opened her eyes, and her first glance at Wisp said that it wasnGÇÖt. GÇ£What happened?GÇ¥ GÇ£Turret.GÇ¥ The pixie grimaced, spinning her back to the wall inside the door, gun at the ready, left shoulder leaking crimson. GÇ£Clipped me goodGÇöbounced shrapnel off the wall.GÇ¥ Indirect fire. Reina frowned. GÇ£Manual targeting?GÇ¥ GÇ£ProbGÇÖly.GÇ¥ GÇ£Her tool kit is State milspec, bastardized with some tricks she stole from your people. It goes through Caldari systems pretty fast.GÇ¥ GÇ£She got gip? UhGÇötalent?GÇ¥ GÇ£Kind of a lot. She didnGÇÖt code the tools, but she did commission them for personal use. She preferred GÇÿexplorationGÇÖ to mission work; thereGÇÖs a lot of hacking involved. ThereGÇÖs a medical kit over there,GÇ¥ Reina gestured with her chin. GÇ£The good news is, with the facility in limited access mode, she canGÇÖt make deep changes without our status flipping to GÇÿactive.GÇÖGÇ¥ GÇ£PuttinGÇÖ us to our asses in marines.GÇ¥ GÇ£Yeah. So sheGÇÖll be confined to subsystems only.GÇ¥ Wisp grimaced as she shook coagulant over her torn shoulder. GÇ£So I just need tGÇÖ work where sheGÇÖs going, first, from here,GÇ¥ she said, pulling up an interface board, with, Reina presumed, its own set of cracking tools with her free hand. GÇ£I love command cores. WaitGÇª. GÇÿEreGÇÖs a local process up. GÇÿInfiltration protocol?GÇÖGÇ¥ ReinaGÇÖs eye leapt to the turret bay in the hallway immediately outside the control room window. The doors hung open. GÇ£ItGÇÖs CalNav defense protocol where thereGÇÖs an infiltrated control center,GÇ¥ she said quietly, GÇ£an inward-facing attack. The first stage is isolation; the turrets burn anyone who tries to walk away from the center. Unless we send the interrupt, theyGÇÖll, um, neutralize us. You didnGÇÖt know that? I thought you specialized in hijackings.GÇ¥ GÇ£Cargo! Not military, and not Caldari!GÇ¥ Pause. GÇ£Why not Caldari?GÇ¥ GÇ£Because you vils are ***** cracked! SystGÇÖs pre-set to take out your command? Tell me how I stop it!GÇ¥ GÇ£Let me up. IGÇÖll do it.GÇ¥ GÇ£TickGÇÖs running. Tell!GÇ¥ Reina swallowed hard, struggling to think. GÇ£IGÇÖve got the same tools in my rig she has. Get me a linking cable.GÇ¥ GÇ£EhGÇöcheck me if IGÇÖm reading wrong, Miss Assistant, but werenGÇÖt you kinda wishing to get dead?GÇ¥ GÇ£Not if she lives.GÇ¥ Reina paused, frowning at the venom in her own voice. With the line connected, data played through ReinaGÇÖs system in a torrent. All of it was meaningful, if the reader had that kind of eye for detailGÇöand an eidetic memory. Mostly, Reina let the tools and expert systems do their own work. GÇ£In general, CalNav assumes that if an enemy force penetrates this deep, the facility is lost anyway, so the command center isnGÇÖt fortified. The real expected issue,GÇ¥ Reina explained quietly as data danced before her, GÇ£is traitors or spies, who could get here without running a gauntlet of hardened defenses. The idea of the infiltration protocol is to give the command crew a limited time to retake control, otherwise the area becomes a no-manGÇÖs land. Staff can freely approach during isolation, but no one can leave. ThereGÇÖs a five-minute intervalGÇöcould you step into that bio-scanner behind me? Thank youGÇöfor whoever is in charge to get here. The interrupt is a comprehensive scan of the facility commanderGÇÖs biometrics. The protocol fortifies against intrusion once active, but personnel files donGÇÖt. Congratulations on your promotion.GÇ¥ GÇ£Now thatGÇÖs a hole and a half,GÇ¥ said Wisp. GÇ£Commanders commissioned the protocol. The staff officers who designed it probably didnGÇÖt want to die messily just because an enemy briefly took control and the commander got shot. Please hold still. And, we should be clear.GÇ¥ Outside the window, the turret bay doors swung closed. An explosive GÇ£PAKK!GÇ¥ and a short cry of pain followed. Reina found herself staring through a small, round hole in the window. Another PAKK, and another; Reina had a short vision of Aria advancing down the hall, firing rapidly, thin bolts of electromagnetically-sheathed plasma punching hole after hole, high and to the right, high and to the left, high center tending left, low center right-- ReinaGÇÖs right earlobe went agonizingly numb. Then the vision was tipping back and away, the ceiling dropping into view, and the floor plate whacking her unkindly on the back of the head. The bolt fire had stopped. Wisp lay motionless on the floor above ReinaGÇÖs head, the bio-scanner where she had stood pocked with plasma burns. The imp entered scrambler-first. The little gun tracked first over to Wisp, then to Reina. Black eyes flicked over the plastic restraints still binding Reina hand and foot into the chair, stuck like a turtle on its back. The gun swung back over to Wisp, who jerked, twisted like an adder, and spun hard, lashing out with a leg. The impGÇÖs expression barely registered surprise as her support went out from under her, and the Archangel was up and on her. They fought silently, at least for a moment. One, two, and the scrambler skittered off across the floor. Three, four, and AriaGÇÖs right arm was pinned. Five, and Wisp was straining to hold a curved Achur dagger two centimeters off from her ribs. GÇ£No odds, ***,GÇ¥ she snarled, twisting the knife out of AriaGÇÖs hand, then twisting the arm, locking the joint, forcing the little Achur face-down on the deck plating. GÇ£YouGÇÖre a bad shot. First was on, but your scatterGÇÖs horrid bad. ThatGÇÖs okayGÇöyouGÇÖd rather play with knives anyway, huh, egger?GÇ¥ she panted. GÇ£Here, IGÇÖll give you a pic how itGÇÖs done.GÇ¥ The first noise out of AriaGÇÖs throat was a startled scream as Wisp unstrung her elbow with a combat knife.
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:40:00 - [6] - Quote 5 GÇ£GÇÖSready, right? Get it started.GÇ¥ The surgical array, sleeping spider-god, appeared unchanged, whatever arcane procedures it had been executing. The console waited, shining. Reina stumbled towards the console feeling like someone had surgically implanted a granite slab in her stomach. Wisp dumped the rag doll she had made of ReinaGÇÖs employer next to the door, then bent down to prop her up. GÇ£Um GÇª the surgical area needs to stay sterile?GÇ¥ said Reina. GÇ£DonGÇÖt give. First stage after the implant is cut yourself out, anyway. Hey. Hey! You still with us, eggy? DonGÇÖt go crashing out on us, now. This, here, is stuff you oughtGÇÖa see.GÇ¥ AriaGÇÖs clothes were a sodden mass of blood and black cloth, dusted with powdered coagulant. Wisp had made an example of her, of sortsGÇöan example called, GÇ£how human limbs are joined together,GÇ¥ or not, as the case might come to be with a sufficient application of sharpened steel. The lesson had been too much for even AriaGÇÖs stoicism habit, and her efforts not to give Wisp the satisfaction of hearing her pain, if thatGÇÖs what they were, had not been wholly successful. She slumped against the wall like an abandoned puppet, staring glazedly into the middle distance. But why give it up, maGÇÖam? It seems like an awfully large sacrifice. Have they even really threatened your life? Not directly, no. The Cartel isnGÇÖt above direct threats, but theyGÇÖve handled me more GÇª kindly than that, so far. But, itGÇÖs something I think I have to do, Reina. I cannot allow myself to be ruled by these people any more. Allying myself with them in the first place was a mistake, even with treachery in mindGÇöespecially with treachery in mind. ItGÇÖs not something they can forgive. GÇ£Hey!GÇ¥ Wisp presented Aria with the back of her hand. The little AchurGÇÖs eyes widened incrementally, then narrowed, focusing on the pixie. Wisp beamed. GÇ£Hi. Welcome back.GÇ¥ ItGÇÖs nothing so simple and stupid as GÇ£evil.GÇ¥ But they are GÇª tribal, and not in the Minmatar way. TheyGÇÖre tribal in a primal way. GÇ£Us versus the universe.GÇ¥ TheyGÇÖre GÇª human, in the animal sense of the word. Small circles of intense loyalty, no veneer of rights or enduring tradition or deeper philosophy, a society that gets to be as large as it is exclusively because the strong force the weak to heel. GÇ£So, IGÇÖve got this quiz. Did you know any better than your bit, there, what this place was about? Did you know where you were coming, GÇÿgod of destructionGÇÖ? TryinGÇÖ to turn in immortality Mk. I for the new model? Or did the all-knowing go out the hatch with the all-powerful?GÇ¥ I was wrong about them, Ms. Davasi: theyGÇÖre not the shadow of the empires. Each empire contains its own shadow. The Angels are drawn to the poorly-socialized, the dispossessed, because they have something in common: theyGÇÖve seen the illusion of civil society for what it is GÇª GÇ£See, hereGÇÖs how itGÇÖs going to be. Your friendGÇÖs gonna get me set up in here, and IGÇÖll catch power you canGÇÖt stretch your egger head around, itGÇÖs so different from yours.GÇ¥ GÇª and theyGÇÖve rejected it. GÇ£Sure, IGÇÖll hang around the camp and play sweetness for a whileGÇöa few months, a few years, wonGÇÖt really matter. Just another recruit, another call sign with a fogged up past. Another face. But when I get the chance? ItGÇÖs right off back home. Maybe it wonGÇÖt be me that brings it; maybe itGÇÖll be one of ours in the Republic, or the Federation. TheyGÇÖve got stuff like this, too, did you know? But we werenGÇÖt having much grip getting in here. GÇ£And I hope itGÇÖs me that gets back first. Oh, oh, oh I hope itGÇÖs me! See, we reverse-ran the Machariel. You think thereGÇÖs a chance, even a prayer, we wonGÇÖt reverse-run this? AnGÇÖ this time, thereGÇÖs no fulleride eggshell ta build, no Jovian rigGÇöjust one little implant, and a lot of biomass. We can do biomass.GÇ¥ TheyGÇÖre not the shadow of great powers, itself a great power by implicationGÇöat least, not in this century. That could change, maybe, but right now, in this century, they represent and exemplify corruption: the decision not to be ruled by the important illusion that is civilization, and the community of civilizations. Wisp had lifted AriaGÇÖs slack forearms, and now began clapping AriaGÇÖs hands in time to her own words, jerking the unstrung limbs about with the careless abandon of a child with a marionette. GÇ£When we come, thereGÇÖll be no place for you to hide. WeGÇÖll die a hundred thousand deaths and be right back at your throats. WeGÇÖll come for you planetside, weGÇÖll come for you on the stations, weGÇÖll come for you on your own ***** ships. WeGÇÖll kill your clones, kill your crews, kill your families, kill your pets! WeGÇÖll get the agents who commissioned you, weGÇÖll get their families, weGÇÖll get their friends. WeGÇÖll burn your ***** cities right down tGÇÖ slag. GÇ£WeGÇÖll get retribution for every Angel youGÇÖve killed. WeGÇÖll get vengeance. AnGÇÖ the best of it? With luck, youGÇÖre the one giving it to usGÇöour own skeeving, spying capsuleer traitor!GÇ¥ With this, the Archangel bore down, pressing AriaGÇÖs arms back against the wounds where Wisp had severed the tendons in her shoulders. GÇ£WeGÇÖll get justice! At last! Because of you!GÇ¥ In this century, theyGÇÖre the barbarians at the gates.
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:42:00 - [7] - Quote Then arenGÇÖt you just the same? Reina thought. A baseliner can move more easily, more quietly than we capsuleers can, with fewer restrictions. If IGÇÖm going to be free of them, IGÇÖll need to let go of the pod, maybe for good. Of course, there are some loose ends weGÇÖll have to tie off first. GÇ£See, Miss Assistant and me, we understand each other. How many oGÇÖ her friends have you killed, huh? How oGÇÖ mine? Ah!GÇ¥ she yelled in frustration, pulling herself to her feet. GÇ£ThereGÇÖs nothing we can do to you! ThereGÇÖs nothing thatGÇÖll equal what youGÇÖve done!GÇ¥ She turned back to Aria, brown eyes aglint with malice. GÇ£GÇª But we cGÇÖn make a start.GÇ¥ A boot rose, then fell, hard. As her employerGÇÖs grunts rose towards screams, ReinaGÇÖs own pained grimace widened. SheGÇÖs not evil, she thoughtGÇöit was almost a plea. GÇ£Say what?GÇ¥ said Wisp, pausing in mid-stomp, and Reina realized sheGÇÖd spoken aloud. GÇ£Of course sheGÇÖs evil,GÇ¥ said the pixie. GÇ£Definite evil. Real evil! DonGÇÖt you know what she does? What they do? GÇ£Fleets destroyed!GÇ¥ Stomp. GÇ£Facilities!GÇ¥ Stomp. GÇ£Habitats! Homes! Families!GÇ¥ Stomp, stomp, stomp. WispGÇÖs cheeks were streaked with tears. GÇ£I meant you.GÇ¥ Reina confirmed the edit on the personnel file. GÇ£Huh?GÇ¥ GÇ£IGÇÖm sorry.GÇ¥ Reina tapped the theaterGÇÖs holo console. The Archangel whirled, gun rising, toward the mechanical rustle behind her. The surgical arrayGÇÖs defense protocol came online.
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:49:00 - [8] - Quote 6 Stupid machine. GÇ£What was it that changed your mind, Ms. Davasi?GÇ¥ Reina was silent for a long moment. Then she said, GÇ£I decided that we have enough human gods already.GÇ¥ Aria Jenneth cocked her head, black eyes bird-bright. GÇ£I am human,GÇ¥ she said. GÇ£We all are. We always were.GÇ¥ GÇ£Yes, maGÇÖam. But maybe a little bit differently.GÇ¥ The surgical arrayGÇÖs expert systems had performed the delicate neurosurgical procedure to perfection, measuring and adjusting for its subjectGÇÖs small stature and body weight, as well as detecting and correcting for such anomalies as severe blood loss in the subject and minor denting on the apparatusGÇÖs carefully-calibrated chassis. Stupid machine. With trembling fingers, Reina set a small, matte-black sidearm next to the knife. It lay between them on the deck plate where they both kneeled. Aria examined the scrambler pistol. GÇ£What is this for?GÇ¥ Reina bowed her head, low. GÇ£I GÇª failed you, maGÇÖam. No, I betrayed you. It is your right.GÇ¥ The array had also repaired hacked and torn cartilaginous tissue in the joints, set and fused bone, mended severed tendons, cleared dirt and clotted blood, knitted veins and arteries, connective tissue, and skin. GÇ£That would be a bitter joke, under the circumstances. Please put it away.GÇ¥ It had also avoided any complications from foreign organic matter, of which there had been a lot. Despite extensive contamination of the surgical theater, there was not a trace of infection. It had restored all the hair it shaved off her head, to the last follicle. The subject had, all in all, returned to perfect health through the miracle of very expensive techno-medical wizardry, and now had to die for the implant to take effect. Stupid machine. GÇ£You know,GÇ¥ the Achur said, looking down at the knife, GÇ£I used to say that if I were human, I ought to slit my own throat.GÇ¥ GÇ£There is tea, if you would prefer it. We also have guns, swords, sleeping medication, a fast-acting poison, and GÇªGÇ¥ GÇ£That wonGÇÖt be necessary.GÇ¥ Pause. GÇ£And what?GÇ¥ GÇ£And some kind of hydraulic device. I couldnGÇÖt figure out how it worked.GÇ¥ GÇ£That really wonGÇÖt be necessary.GÇ¥ GÇ£Yes, maGÇÖam.GÇ¥ AriaGÇÖs eyes turned downwards, again, towards the knife. She had dressed in white, for once. GÇ£I have never gotten used to this,GÇ¥ she said. GÇ£No matter how many times it happens, I always think, GÇÿWell, this is the end of me.GÇÖ And GÇª IGÇÖm always afraid. Of course, IGÇÖve never seen it from this angle before.GÇ¥ She and drew out the first four inches of curved blade, then set blade and sheath down again. GÇ£Gray iron. It must be centuries old. ItGÇÖs beautiful,GÇ¥ she said. GÇ£ItGÇÖs much older than mine.GÇ¥ GÇ£Should I go get yours, maGÇÖam?GÇ¥ GÇ£NoGÇöitGÇÖs a privilege to use this. They must keep it here specifically for us. For Achura.GÇ¥ GÇ£I GÇª think the ancestors will understand if youGÇÖd prefer to use your own, Ms. Jenneth.GÇ¥ GÇ£This will do fine.GÇ¥ They both stared at the blade. GÇ£What do you suppose it will be like,GÇ¥ Reina said, GÇ£after?GÇ¥ GÇ£I have no idea. We donGÇÖt even know whether the implant will work.GÇ¥ GÇ£The indicators were all green, maGÇÖam. ThereGÇÖs no reason to think it shouldnGÇÖt.GÇ¥ They sat, and looked at the knife. GÇ£Well,GÇ¥ said Aria. Sterilization could take care of the rest. Outside, the snow continued to whirl down. Of Aria JennethGÇÖs and Reina DavasiGÇÖs approach, or of Tarsia GÇ£WispGÇ¥ dalVallenGÇÖs, no track or trace remained. Reina turned her face up to the falling flakes, feeling them brush against her cheeks. Oh weep not for the dying Of that which never was. Our shining towers are mortared in gore And teardrops ink our laws. Our streets are paved in misery Our manors walled with spite The brightest of our summer days Is fixed in endless night. The sky was empty. She looked, again, at the knife. It left its sheath easily, softly, like a sigh, gray and clouded as the night around her. The blade was weightless in her hand, a wand, a feather. She turned it inward, letting it rest along the sleeve of her coat. Ware those bright-eyed and eloquent, Who claim to guide and warn, For blind are they who lead the blind And Justice lies stillborn. Retribution bright heralds A bitter aftermath; The robes of Righteous Judgment Are poisoned wings of wrath. With a smile on her lips, she returned it to its sheath, and, with a light step, began the long trek back to the shuttle. The Truth it hides behind the world, Illusion at its side; The guiding beacon Insight Is mired in bitter Pride.
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 102	Posted - 2013.07.18 17:51:00 - [9] - Quote GÇ£Well, your groupingGÇÖs getting better,GÇ¥ said an instructor a few weeks later, GÇ£So thatGÇÖs something. Soldier, I have to askGÇöhow in the name of the Winds did someone like you make it into this program? Were you a spook or something?GÇ¥ GÇ£UhGÇöactually, yes, sir. Six years in deep cover. You wouldnGÇÖt believe how deep.GÇ¥ GÇ£HowGÇÖs that, exactly?GÇ¥ GÇ£Um GÇª well, sir, I could tell you, but IGÇÖd have to try and humiliatingly fail to kill you.GÇ¥ He laughed. GÇ£Fair enough. Carry on.GÇ¥ The clone soldier shot off a few more clips before returning the rifle to storage. Her scores werenGÇÖt all badGÇöher hacking and electronic warfare rated GÇ£exceptional,GÇ¥ and she was proving an able hand with explosives. Guns, however, were pretty basic to the job. A burst of running footsteps interrupted her gloomy musingsGÇömedics, sweeping along with a stretcher carrying a gagged, but still screaming, soldier. One of the men following paused in the doorway to toss a bundle on the table. The operative cocked her head. These incidents were becoming more and more common. The bundle drew her eye. Unwrapped, it contained a pair of jagged daggers, each about as long as her forearm. She reversed them easily, then flicked one back upright and thumbed the mechanism on the hilt. The cutting surfaces of the blade flickered, then buzzed, electrical arcs coiling, the central plasma channel radiating a wash of heat the operative could feel even through her suit. GÇ£Hm,GÇ¥ she said. Come dance with me out through the void With hooded lanterns lit And if the Dark should laugh at me IGÇÖll throw off this mask of misery And laugh along with it.
Galm Fae Guardian Solutions DARKSTAR ARMY 43	Posted - 2013.08.11 07:47:00 - [10] - Quote Wow. I am not sure if I should empathize with your character or be terrified of her. Maybe a mix of both. I love your writing style too, it is very unique from any prime fiction I have read.

Mamertine Son R.E.B.E.L.S 64	Posted - 2013.08.11 16:33:00 - [11] - Quote Yeah pretty amazed but the ending kind of threw me. My brain is telling me something awesome happened but its failing me on the details, anyone care to explain?
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 192	Posted - 2013.08.11 16:59:00 - [12] - Quote Mamertine Son wrote: Yeah pretty amazed but the ending kind of threw me. My brain is telling me something awesome happened but its failing me on the details, anyone care to explain? Uh-oh. Where'd I lose you?
Mamertine Son R.E.B.E.L.S 66	Posted - 2013.08.11 17:26:00 - [13] - Quote Yun Hee Ryeon wrote: Outside, the snow continued to whirl down. Of Aria JennethGÇÖs and Reina DavasiGÇÖs approach, or of Tarsia GÇ£WispGÇ¥ dalVallenGÇÖs, no track or trace remained. Reina turned her face up to the falling flakes, feeling them brush against her cheeks. Don't mean to alarm you because I'm probably the only idiot that didn't catch the subtlety but I got lost at the transition between this ^^^ and Reina at what sounds like a training ground for cloned mercs. Anyway, after another read through this was what I got, tell me if I'm correct. - The pair actually tricked "Wisp" to unwittingly hop onto a machine that 'kills' her in order to replace the archangel's body with reina's - Aria still commits suicide either out of guilt, self disgust, or both... Either way, pretty freakin awesome, please make more.
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 192	Posted - 2013.08.11 18:09:00 - [14] - Quote Mamertine Son wrote: Yun Hee Ryeon wrote: Outside, the snow continued to whirl down. Of Aria JennethGÇÖs and Reina DavasiGÇÖs approach, or of Tarsia GÇ£WispGÇ¥ dalVallenGÇÖs, no track or trace remained. Reina turned her face up to the falling flakes, feeling them brush against her cheeks. Don't mean to alarm you because I'm probably the only idiot that didn't catch the subtlety but I got lost at the transition between this ^^^ and Reina at what sounds like a training ground for cloned mercs. Anyway, after another read through this was what I got, tell me if I'm correct. - The pair actually tricked "Wisp" to unwittingly hop onto a machine that 'kills' her in order to replace the archangel's body with reina's - Aria still commits suicide either out of guilt, self disgust, or both... Either way, pretty freakin awesome, please make more. Ah ... hm. Here's the thing: a DUST implant doesn't go active until the body it is implanted in dies the first time. That is, in order to become active as a clone soldier, the original has to die. That's what's up with the wee bit o' ritual suicide. Here's another example. There's no trickery to speak of in Reina's dealings with Wisp. Reina's feelings are genuine-- she genuinely wants Aria dead, but also genuinely changes her mind (Wisp was correct in her initial assessment that Reina's decision might not be as firm as Reina thought; she would have been better off either leaving Reina tied up or finishing off Aria without feeling the need to make any points, first). The surgical array just happens to be the only weapon Reina can access that can match Wisp's SMG (it's a 'Syndicate,' BTW). Like the other piece of Caldari paranoia that cropped up earlier on, the surgical "spider god" is rigged to deal ruthlessly with armed intruders (hence the need for the personnel file edit-- the array's not likely to lash out at the "base commander," no matter how inappropriately armed for a surgical theater that commander might be).
Yun Hee Ryeon Dead Six Initiative Lokun Listamenn 192	Posted - 2013.08.12 05:39:00 - [15] - Quote Galm Fae wrote: Wow. I am not sure if I should empathize with your character or be terrified of her. Maybe a mix of both. I love your writing style too, it is very unique from any prime fiction I have read. Thank you. Seeing this, earlier, kind of made my morning. As for whether to empathize or fear ... well, really, they're not mutually exclusive.
Galm Fae Guardian Solutions DARKSTAR ARMY 54	Posted - 2013.08.12 06:01:00 - [16] - Quote Too true! By the way, I particularly enjoyed your use of voice! All too often people forget to build on an character's speech, but you hit it on the head. I figure the fact that I could just barely understand what Whisp was saying at times made me love it even more.
Mamertine Son Kinsho Swords Caldari State 259	Posted - 2013.09.25 19:25:00 - [17] - Quote I hope you don't mind if I bump this.
Gods Architect SVER True Blood Public Disorder. 532	Posted - 2013.09.25 19:35:00 - [18] - Quote I'm impressed and I don't say this often. You perhaps write better than me, welcome to the Brotherhood. I hope to see more. Good job.
Tyrionn Callazar 843 Boot Camp 8	Posted - 2013.09.25 22:28:00 - [19] - Quote Good read. =) well done.


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