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Post by Advix on Jul 23, 2012 19:58:02 GMT -5
"Hmmm... So much love and care was put into you, I see." Winter seemed to reflect on things for a brief moment before continuing. "Whoever made you does not belong in Devoid. And for that matter, neither do you, though, in a more literal sense." Winter then shifted, leaning forward towards Nebula. "You must know that androids who become disconnected from the system cannot come back to Devoid."
Winter leaned back, his expression grim. "...You said that the President was in an uproar, although I must question whether his anger was because of the suffering of Grand Divide or his lack of control over his admiral. I'll be frank; I do not trust the President's moral fiber. Just as I don't trust his desire for weapon advancement. I'm pretty sure you are quite familiar with just how terrible Devoid's weapons are."
Peppermint sat on the floor beside the bed Amura was lying on. She had undressed herself after Nebula left, and had been thinking when Amura returned. "...Amu? Did Winter tell you why he was sad?"
Devoid Tower
"Well, I can think of one way you can justify your continued work on Galaxy," Krez quickly answered. "You used some of our procedures to construct Nebula's organic components. You could tell the President that your presence in Project Zenith could further your work on Galaxy. And it could. Though, we may need some time to make your case as compelling as it can truly be." In spite of his lack of a face, his posture, tone, and demeanor showed that he was calm, and confident that they could make it happen.
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Post by SlvrNight on Jul 27, 2012 19:56:37 GMT -5
Amura closed her eyes and answered the android without bothering to turn her head. "Yes. He went out and gave McKensey a proper burial. But she passed in a fashion fitting her. Winter said she had a smile on her face."
The succubus sighed and turned her head, looking at Peppermint. "So at least there's some sort of bright side to this, right?"
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Post by Greed on Jul 27, 2012 23:03:45 GMT -5
".... What?" Nebula's voice was small and shaken; what did he mean, that she couldn't go back!? It didn't make any sense! She was an important prototype to them, and...
"... I-I don't understand. They never... Jessy never told me that!" It hadn't been a topic of conversation before, admittedly, but still, it was incredibly upsetting news to the android girl. Her voice certainly got a ton more emotional after that, that was for sure. Even still, Winter deserved an answer.
"... y-you're right, he was more interested in punishing the traitors... but even still, he doesn't want to fight anyone, either... Its like... he wants nothing to do with anything else on Kyril. Nothing outside of Devoid's interests matter to the president." It was her interpretation, anyways.
Devoid Tower ~ Jessica's Lab
"Yes... yes, that's perfect!" Excitement beat the gloom right out of the scientist's voice, as she began to analyze and think her way through the situation, "But... for it to work, we need it to sound like Project Zenith requested my help...." Jessica thought for a moment; how would they go about making this convincing?
"Krez, is there anything major The Community would need my particular talents for?" Jessica was highly skilled in engineering, robotics, and A.B. construction, as well as programming and fabricating all-purpose nanites. But for a transfer like this... it had to be something, big, something major...
Something plausible, and specific. It needed to make even more sense for Krez to come ask for her help, than for her to ask for their help.
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Post by Advix on Jul 29, 2012 20:46:52 GMT -5
Winter hadn't expected Nebula to become so exasperated. "You cannot mean that they didn't tell you. Shouldn't you have the laws and procedures of Devoid stored in your memory?" It didn't make sense to him. "How could they have allowed you not to know? Why would they not give you a copy?" Then it donned on him. "...Nebula... how organic are you? And what components of you are the most organically integrated?"
Peppermint lowered her head as Amura told her. "Winter... That... d-dummy. I wanted to see McKensey, too. Why did Winter go out of his way to hurt like that? We could have made him feel better. We could have helped..."
Devoid Tower
Krez touched his metallic chin, thinking for a brief moment. "...As a matter of fact, there is a problem we are trying to solve. It's been giving us a good amount of trouble. And a woman of your youth and brilliance may just be able to give us a different angle on the matter." Krez then leaned in to tell her.
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Post by SlvrNight on Jul 31, 2012 20:35:11 GMT -5
Amura couldn't help but smile at Peppermint's words. She understood the android was upset, but she couldn't help but find her reaction rather cute. She placed a hand on her head and shrugged.
"Men are very odd like that, dear. Sometimes they feel they have to do these kinds of things alone. While I, too, would have liked to be there...well, there's not much we can do about that now, correct?"
The succubus took her hand off Peppermint's head and placed her index finger onto her lips instead.
"But this was difficult for dear old Winter to do. So try not to be too upset with him, alright?"
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Post by Greed on Aug 12, 2012 14:49:09 GMT -5
"Winter... I... nothing in me is organic. That is just how good the person who made me was." Nebula sifted through the archived information she still had... there was nothing about this. Was this just some unspoken rule no one had mentioned to her?
"Th-there's no mention of this law in any of the archived information from the network!" There was no other explanation other than the fact that Devoid was keeping information from the androids within its walls.
She was lied to. Why? Why was this never told to her?
Did they just feel like she didn't need to know? Was she that unimportant to them?
"..."
Jessica Kelsey remained dead silent while Krez spoke what it was that they needed her for... a small smile drew itself on her lips.
"Yes... yes, I can see why I would be a great asset to such an undertaking. It makes sense, and I don't think Adrian would be able to refute my usefulness in the undertaking... though, I imagine he'd monitor Project Zenith more closely while I'm there. I think my presence would bring the Community under closer scrutiny than ever... is that acceptable?" The president was nothing if not shrewd; something like this would have his attention for a while.
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Post by Advix on Aug 14, 2012 14:15:11 GMT -5
Winter stood up, and slowly walked behind the distressed android, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I know this must be tough for you. It sounds like you were very fond of your inventor. Why she would withhold information like that, I don't know. But I'm sure that it hurts." Winter rubbed her shoulder gently before pulling his hand away. "You are welcome to stay here, if you wish, Nebula. Perhaps it doesn't seem that way, but maybe, it is better for you to be outside of Devoid's influence. I'll leave you to yourself if you wish to be alone."
Devoid Tower
Krez patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Jessica, you are worth more than any level of scrutiny the President put us through. Now then," Krez stood up, gently lifting Jessica up to her feet by her hand as well. "What course of action should we take first? Should I retrieve Nebula, or should we make our appeal to the President?"
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Post by Greed on Nov 16, 2012 20:20:18 GMT -5
Nebula stared at Winter, equal parts bewildered and grateful. The conversation they had just had.... her A.B. was working hard to comprehend the information, and all trains of thought were arriving at the same conclusion.
"You're.... you are.... right." The android girl leaned back, her mechanical eyes focusing in and out as she did, "I should... stay here. And take stock of my situation. U-Uhm.... re-ordering priorities, placing self-preservation as "high"." As she spoke, her voice got progressively more mechanical, until she shook her head, snapping herself out of it.
".... You.... don't mind if I stay for a while, do you?" Gone was the mechanical voice from before. The shockingly powerful android looked very vulnerable at that moment... like a little child who just lost her mom in a grocery store.
Devoid Tower
".... Hmm." Jessica deliberated in her head which option would be best; without a reasonable tracking signal on Nebula, the search might take days...
"We'll speak to the president first. I think we can get that knocked out right away. If I can get a transfer to Project Zenith, I'll have more resources at my disposal to go find Nebula." Quickly, the scientist got up off the couch, and made her way to the door... they had a plan; the only thing now was to see that it worked.
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Post by Advix on Nov 20, 2012 17:56:47 GMT -5
Winter looked down at the timid android. Her world as she knew it was gone, and it was frightening. He sat down in the chair next to hers, and rubbed her shoulder. "Of course you can stay here. It is no problem at all." Winter offered her a soft, caring smile, reassuring her that in this time of chaos she had a place to stay. "Do you want to come back inside, or do you want to stay out here a little longer? I'll leave you to yourself if you wish, though I confess that I find the view out here hard to bear." It seemed that Winter was trying to subtly encourage her to come inside. It was true, the ruined state of the once fantastic lamian architecture was disheartening to say the least.
Devoid Tower
"Very well, then," Krez said. "Do you want time to prepare first? If not, then let's not delay our audience with him."
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Post by Greed on Feb 14, 2013 15:22:42 GMT -5
Nebula silently stared out over the ruined landscape as she listened to Winter. Every logical part of her brain was telling her the exact same thing.
"This is Devoid's fault. Even if... even if the president ordered me to stop it. It is still Devoid's fault." She sounded eerily robotic when she repeated that to herself. She looked around the immediate surroundings, and frowned at the state of the area.
"Are we... going to remain in this settlement?" There was a touch of hesitation in her voice, as she wasn't sure whether or not the question would offend Winter.
Devoid Tower ~ Presidential Office
"... I can't believe this." Adrian had just been treated to the most bleeding heart, and obvious appeal that he had heard in a while. Reassign one of his most brilliant android technology scientists to a side project like that...
"But sir, you know how valuable I would be to them, and I can still complete Galaxy and Universe the-" Adrian held a hand up, cutting Jessica off abruptly, his harsh gaze turning to Krez.
"While I don't have any doubts that this was your idea, I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter, Krez." Jessica was beginning to sweat, and was more than a little nervous. He had read them like an open book, and it was clear that he wasn't giving them a good review right now.
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Post by Advix on Feb 16, 2013 1:22:44 GMT -5
Winter offered her a melancholy nod. "I must be blunt; it would be very risky to move you anywhere outside of the ruins. You're a Devoid prototype. If your whereabouts became known... well, it would warrant some unwanted attention, to say the least. So, for now, it's best if you lay low here." Winter stood up from his seat, and then placed a gentle hand on Nebula's shoulder. "Come on, let's go back inside. You must be tired." Winter opened the back door to see Peppermint watching the news intently.
(("You, boy! Why are you alone in this ruined city? Where are your parents?"
"Mama... Th-they..."
"They stole her from you, didn't they? Murdered in cold blood by Devoid, as were so many others. Now hush, lad. Dry your eyes. What if I were to tell you we could return your mother to you? Or your wife to you, sir? Or your brother to you? It is not a jest. We of the Order of the Blessed Mother, extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of Grand Divide, and offer our services to reunite you all with the people you love!"))
Winter could only stand at the doorway as the broadcast continued, struggling to register what it was he was hearing.
"They can't be serious..."
Devoid Tower
Krez didn't seem to be worried at all as Adrian shifted his glare toward the old android. His posture was straight and sure.
"I think it's very clear that Dr. Kelsey is distraught, and in need of a change of scenery. You certainly can't expect her to work her best in her current condition. I think she would benefit greatly in redirecting her focus for the time being. Project Zenith would certainly appreciate a woman of her expertise in the field of nanotechnology. Mr. President, we're making breakthroughs in medicine and prosthesis on a regular basis. It's no secret that Nebula derived in part from our research, Dr. Kelsey could easily use what insight she gains from this transfer to further Galaxy's development, and onward." Krez turned his head slightly toward Jessica, before turning back to the President.
"What do you say, Mr. President? It is only a transfer, it's not as if she is resigning. Dr. Kelsey can only benefit wherever she is placed."
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Post by Greed on Feb 22, 2013 23:27:08 GMT -5
-Nebula-
It was odd, the program that Peppermint was watching on the television. Even more odd was Winter's reaction. Nebula couldn't help but think that there was something very basic that she was missing here. Something that meant something different to Winter than it meant to her.
"Order of the Blessed Mother...?" No such name or organization existed in her stored database, "Winter, I do not understand this. Could... you please explain it to me?"
It was clear this was one of those things she did not yet understand...
-Jessica-
She could tell the president was scrutinizing Krez's face, as pointless an endeavor as that was. There was no face to scrutinize. Jessica looked towards the president, as he listened to Krez's reasoning, the expression on his barely changing aside from his eyes shifting between the two of them.
"....Very well. I suppose that reasoning is enough." Jessica breathed a sigh of relief, looking to Krez as Adrian continued, "However, there is something you need to do for me, Krez. Roesman and I have discussed this possibility, but.... " Jessica watched in curiosity, as the president pulled a small tablet out from underneath his desk, a holographic keyboard and monitor popping out of it as he turned it on, rapidly typing something out.
"Give this to Richter. Directly. I don't care who sees it as long as it is inside Project Zenith. Do you understand me Krez?"
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Post by Advix on Feb 24, 2013 14:42:27 GMT -5
"You heard what they said, didn't you?" Winter looked seriously over toward Nebula. "They're going to 'reunite people with their loved ones'."
"And that's a good thing!" Peppermint cheered. "...Right?" Winter could only shake his head.
"They are necromancers, and that means they plan on resurrecting the victims of the blitzkrieg. Grand Divide is going to become an undead city."
"...And that's a bad thing, right?"
"It means that Peppermint and I have some work to do. However, it might be best if we find a different place for you to stay. My father is an artist in Malen. If you want, you could stay with him, but we'll have to move quickly. The more crowded the city becomes, the more difficult it will be to move you without being noticed."
"Do... do we have to move Nebula?" Peppermint asked somberly.
"Peppermint... It would be better for her. However..." Winter turned toward Nebula. "I'm not her creator. Nebula, I have no right to take you anywhere without your permission."
Devoid Tower
Krez took the tablet from the President, and slid it into a compartment that opened over his left "breast". "You have my word, Sir. Now, Do you have anything you want to add, Dr. Kelsey?"
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Post by Greed on Feb 26, 2013 19:11:23 GMT -5
-Nebula-
"... I'm not going anywhere, Peppermint. Do not worry." Nebula's eyes moved to Winter, examining him once again. There was something about him... She couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"I would prefer, for now, to stay with the two of you. I-Is... that okay?" It was odd, actually. She didn't have any reason to reject Winter's offer, and yet, she didn't feel like accepting it would do her any good. What reason, exactly, did she have to go to Malen, after all?
-Jessica-
"Not a thing. Thank you very much, sir." The president sat back in his chair, his eyes locked directly onto Jessie's. It was kind of unnerving, actually. Being stared down by someone with that much influence, power, and... well, she had heard that he had been around since before the rise of Kyril...
"... Jessie."
"Y-Yes sir?"
"I'm not angry with you right now. There is alot going on here that I would rather not speak of. Just know that I am a very stressed out man right now."
"I-I... thank you sir."
"And one more thing. Do what you need to, Jessica Kelsey." That was what she wanted to hear. A small smile began to grow on her lips, as the young researcher bowed a little too fast, dislodging her glasses.
"Th-thank you sir! Krez, lets go, we have to load up Galaxy and Universe!"
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Post by Advix on Feb 26, 2013 22:00:13 GMT -5
"You mean it!?" Peppermint asked with a growing smile. She was so happy that she wouldn't have to say goodbye to a friend she just made. "That's super-mighty-great!" Winter let out a heavy sigh. He knew that keeping her in his house was very risky, but then again, so was moving her. Either way, he had to keep Nebula safe.
"Maybe we'll get to do recon together!" Peppermint cheered.
"Peppermint, that's a little out of the question," Winter spoke up. "We certainly don't need a group of necromancers learning about Nebula. You'll need to keep her safe for when I need to run errands."
"Oooookaaay... Maybe I can catch up to her in 'Go Fish'!" Winter lied back in his recliner as Peppermint rejoiced, his eyes becoming distant as he seemed to be focusing on something. Almost as if he was watching a screen only he could see.
Grand Divide Sewers
A figure in cybernetic armor ran frantically through the tunnels of Grand Divide, panting and sobbing as she slumped against a wall, trying to force herself to continue. She was in pain, in every way imaginable. She struggled to hold onto her sanity as the thirst continued to deepened, slapping and beating her armored head in her futile attempts to keep her head clear. Her painful grimace was the only feature her armor exposed.
"Zeinaaaa..." a sickly sweet voice whispered out to her. "What are you doing?" A white mask with an eerie painted smile seemed to rise out of the darkness to greet the cybernetic woman. It was virtually impossible to see the burning black cloak that went with the mask in dark depths of the sewers.
"B-Boa! Please, I-I..." Her voice was cut off with a yelp as she was knocked down into the grime by a brutal slap.
"I'm sorry, I should have been more direct. That was a rhetorical question, I was not finished speaking." Boa helped the cybernetic woman to her feet before backing her against a wall. "You've been a bad girl, Zeina. Dr. Daemos was so nice to give you this exceptional armor, and you've gotten it all dirty. And you've killed everyone you feasted on, haven't you? That wasn't very nice of you, now was it?"
"I-I didn't mean to... I'mmm just so thirsty..." the woman began to cry. "P-please, Boa... I don't want to hurt people..." Boa smacked her only hard enough to turn her head, though she whimpered all the same.
"Then do a better job at restraining yourself, deary." Zeina cowered as Boa placed a hand on her cheek, freezing the dirt and grime from her face, and letting it all fall away into specks of diamond dust. His fingers glided under her chin to tilt her head to look into his eyes as he removed his mask. "Now be a good girl, and try not to drink anybody completely dry. I'm counting on you," he whispered to her as he drew her close to kiss her lips. Tears ran down her face from behind her visor as she kissed the twisted necromancer. After he released her and disappeared, her legs gave out from underneath her as she began to sob ad wheeze. Her fear of him was almost strong enough to erase her thirst from her mind. Almost.
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