(Music Cue: "The Might of Rome" Gladiator Soundtrack)
Legion 1 to Council Command. Legion 1 has successfully completed Aero- braking back into lower Rubi-Kan atmosphere. Current ballistic computes E.T.A to target 8 minutes.
The calm, almost monotone voice of the wing commander echoed softly in the sparsely populated rotunda. Six bedraggled, exhausted Council members huddled over a failing holo display. The shattered glass from recent devastation crunching and grinding beneath their feet.
"By all that's holy, are we really going to carry through with this?" a young council member sighed, intending to sit down. His eyes filled with tears, as his hands brushed aside the blood-crusted glass that lay there. Whether it was real or product of his shambled mind, the councilman's stomach nearly emptied at the sight of drying gray matter bits sprinkled upon the chair.
"Sir, how can you ask such a question as you sweep aside the remains of our people? We must, there is no other option." An older Councilman said, shaking the young man.
"What we are doing is murder!! We are becoming everything we so detest in Omni-tek. You are telling me to slaughter innocent people wholesale! Men, women and children! Those people have no fight with the Clans!"
"WRONG! Every day they go to work in Omni-Tek facilities! Everyday they construct the instruments of our destruction. Weapons! Notum refining! Foodstuffs for their soldiers, money for their damned agenda! Elias they must pay blood for blood!"
"I worked for Omni-Tek once! Like many in this very council and the clans! Those people are merely coerced and blind to the despair, the villainy and malice Omni-Tek spews." Elias said, his words seeming weak as they left his lips.
"They have had their chance for redemption!! Look behind you!!!" With a surprising violence, the older councilman spun the Elias around to face what should have been the rotunda wall. Instead lay ragged steel, over- seeing the city rent, collapsed, devastated like a sandcastle against the ocean.
"Listen to your ears!" Screams of dire agony filled the hulk of the city. "Can you not see what has been done to us? Athens is no more, simply a charred relict of broken hopes and promises!" Survivors ambling along in a complete daze, many bleeding profusely, limbs sheared and smashed to uselessness. Elias fell to his knees weeping.
"You are right. May the gods forgive us for inflicting this upon our enemies...No one should have to see this in their lifetime."
Legion 1 to Council Command. Requesting final attack code confirmation.
Taking to his feet, Elias spoke into the communicator with a sudden authority to his voice "Legion 1, this is Council Command. Attack code confirmation: Spartacus."
Intended or not a deep regretful sigh escaped through the radio.
Code confirmation accepted. Initiating attack vector delta-vee. Going to communication black out.
Across the miles far away from the ruined Council seat, an unidentified blip on his sensor screen startled a dozing operator. Even as the operator slowly realized it wasn't some playboy taking a joy ride, the blip was already pulling away from Rome airspace, screaming unto the highest reaches of the stratosphere.
It took another moment or so for the operator to absorb the fact that a smaller object had been separated from the larger blip. The smaller blip was steadily picking up velocity and coming straight at Rome. The operator still groggy from his nap couldn't completely grasp the idea why the computer said the blip was missile shaped.
The blip was the final thing the operator ever saw as black hot light scorched his optic nerve. Fortunately for him, this disability was never realized, before the multi-megaton blast wave vaporized him.
Elias smiled and thought aloud "Faced with the barbarian horde, all the glory and might of Rome fell in a single night."
Anarchy Online/Everquest: Reality Storms
Chapter 2:
Honor without Profit
Ten hours earlier.
"Dimension shift completed successfully! Cheers lads" The Jobe scientist beamed proudly
"Let's hope they survive in that volatile world. Did you see the way the last team was slaughtered?" An elderly scientist muttered, sobering the jubilant mood.
"Must you be such a party poop Jaison? You obviously missed the small armory they took with them. There was enough ammo to blow up all of Omni Prime. They will be f- "
{ ALERT! ALERT!} Red warning lights flashed incessantly, a klaxon filled the control room with mechanical screams.
{Dimensional Shift Error. Dimension Shift Error. Shift feedback loop detected. Recoil. Recoil. Initiating Recoil safety measures.}
"A dimension recoil!?! What the hell is that!?!" one of the younger researchers whispered to senior.
Despite the apparent gravity of the emergency, the Senior scientiest stared blankly at the young man. Someone was definitely a trust fund baby.
"We aren't just shifting personnel and equipment. We are shifting a small portion of our own dimension over. " Stated the researcher, too anyone with a doctorate in Quantum mechanics it would have been sufficient.
"So?"
"Like oil and water don't mix. Dimensions don't mix either, the 'invaded' world for the lack of a better word, recoils violently trying to fight off the new reality. That is Recoil, it shouldn't bother us any. For some reason the shift was completed properly and the recoil was fed back to Rubi- Ka. The computer just automatically initiated an emergency procedure to keep us from being atomized. It diverted the recoil before it manifested here"
"Okay..so where was the recoil?"
Surprisingly the researcher was as blank as the trust baby for once. "I have no idea. This situation was never seriously contemplated as a problem." Fingers flying over a holographic keyboard, the researcher gasped in horror.
"My god... Athens. The recoil just blasted Athens" A pen slipped from shocked fingers clattering noisily upon the floor. ----------------
"I'm guessing you guys aren't going to let me go the hard way are you?"
The swarming Orcs growled and cursed in their gruff tongue. Weapons and clubs shook with hate filled readiness.
"Yeah. I'm not one for pleading for forgiveness either." Two Beretta 30k's seemingly appeared in Cliri's hands. "Easy way then."
Eighteen Orcs and eighteen bullets later, a gentle trail of smoke twirled upwards, rebounding off the low rock ceiling.
"Were you going to lend a hand anytime this century?"
"You looked like you needed the practice." Kilao smirked
"Practice my eye." Cliri nonchalantly grumbled, flicking a cigarette butt at Kilao. A shadowed hand reached out and grasped it mid arch. Sniffing it , Ryio made a disgusted face.
"Nano-hash? You know this stuff is bad for you. It's addictive, and slows down your mind down."
"That's the idea Ms. Surgeon General." She yawned loudly, and somewhat rudely. "I don't need an overactive mind to tell me the obvious either. Mai isn't here."
"Mai?" A look of shocked recognition sped through Ryio. "Mai Orento? a.k.a Turquoise? "
"Yes."
"OH MY JOBE!!!!" Ryio squealed like a school girl "I thought your name seemed familiar!! The Dirty Pair!"
"Now, that's a name I haven't heard in along time."
Data streamed through Ryio's embedded computer, relevant files flashing across her iris.
------------------------------------------------- Dossier File: 11000567801-B InternOP Sub Division: Special Circumstances Supplemental Data File Subject: Double Black Operative Team # 233 "Dirty Pair"
Summary:
The Dirty Pair was a very succesful pairing by the Special Circumstance division for OT wetwork needs. Operatives Operatives "Cliri" and "Turquoise" were paired together after computer matching suggested that their skills would suit each other to within 99% of perfection. This degree of matching is almost unheard of.
The team was incredibly destructive. With their penchant for blowing things up, the enemies of Omni-tek and to a lesser extent Omni-Tek quickly learned to fear this team. It was because of this that the team received their handle.
An Intern-ops clerk with a hobby of finding ancient earth animated works, discovered a children's serial about a team of agents with similar habits called "The Dirty Pair". The Clerk in jest filed several reports on the agents with this moniker and the name stuck.
The team was soon disbanded (in no small part due to the rising building costs Rubi-Ka wide) mainly in due to Turquoise's repeated requests for Triple Black clearance, and Cliri's increasing mental problems (See subject file: Cliri for more info.).
(....and Rubi-Ka breathed a sigh of relief ) Warning! Unauthorized edit by File clerk 2000313
--------------------------------------------
Inside the immaculate blue-white marble of Felwithe Castle, King Tearis Thex pondered the strange matters at hand. Before him the Grail Lord Karasir stood, leader of the Paladins of Tunare and to Karasir's left lay a straw cot.
Unconscious on the cot clothed with a simple blanket lay a green haired human of unknown origins. She was fair, despite several cuts and bruises inflicted in a recent battle.
"Milord, I am at a loss. I would like to think this girl an omen with all the recent incursions by the Orc horde. Never in any memory have they been so brave or strong. We recovered her from an Orc raiding party celebrating a recent victory. In their cache of loot we found the scalps of several humans and several human like creatures. Also amongst the loot were weapons and armors the likes of which defy even our cadre of gnomic tinker's."
"Has the girl wakened at all since her capture, Karasir?"
"Once, shortly after we slaughtered the Orcs. She came to in a rage, calling out in tongue similar in sound our own. Unfortunately it is not close enough to understand without a chance for deeper study. Even without understanding her specific calls, I did get the general idea. She seemed to be summoning her comrades, I suspect she was unit leader or possibly commander of the group. In her anger, the girl saw myself covered in gore, holding the scalps of her comrades. She assaulted us barehanded, Milord, even succeeding in injuring several of my knights before she was knocked out by our cleric."
"Quite the Fury"
"Indeed. With your permission Sire, I will leave her to the care of the Clerics guild. Perhaps when she is well, she might be able to add light to happenings in the land."
"An excellent idea, also send word to Jainus, that his skills of language will be needed soon."
"By your leave" ------------------------------
The flash was blinding even from the muted holo, filtering it out Chairman Ross scowled, veins pulsing with anger. Ticking the data-stream forward and back watching the concussion wave blow apart the instantly incinerated city of Rome. Once sparkling towers and pristine streets in a second turned to mockeries of ash waiting to be cast apart.
Just who did he think he was? Who in the hell did he think he was!?! That craft, that weapon was not scheduled to be used for another 10 years! There was still much left to be done in Rome, this would certainly delay the company's timetables. If there was one thing Ross hated was a Clanner that did not know his place.
His desk chirped obnoxiously, his secretary signaling him of a high level call. Thumbing the desk gently, the holo filled with the face of Elias Marteen, Clan Council leader.
"I would say good morning Mr. Chairman but I think that wouldn't be appropriate. I have called to issue an ultimatum from the Clan's. We expect Omni-Tek to stand down any further hostilities and pay for the reconstruction of Athens, lest you suffer another blow like Rome suffered."
Normally presenting a cool, calm exterior, Ross could not help but roar with laughter.
"Only from the Clans would I hear something so stupid."
Elias made to retort but was cut off by Ross's rare and fearsome tirades. "You stupid incompetent fool. You dare dictate policy to me? The Anthales- grade atomic you used was the only one in the entire Clan arsenal! You know I how I know this Elias!?! Because I supplied it!! There isn't a single piece of equipment or personal that we don't have in our catalogs! Only the pack of imbecilic miners like you Clan,-" He growled the word Clan with particular distaste "-would have the boldfaced stupidity to think they could interfere with the agenda of a Corporation spanning over 150 systems!"
Elias sank heavily into his chair completely dumbstruck. The holographic image of Ross glowered over him, seeming to fill up the whole room.
"All your little victories upon Rubi-Ka were all planned to ensure Omni- Tek's continued hold. Remove the weak and stupid from our ranks, all the while maintaining a profit of dregs. Do you really think the ICC gives a Leet's behind about your little revolution? Did you ever think that the notum you export was ever beyond our grasp?"
Ross sighed deeply, his anger dissipating. "Of course you didn't, Elias Marteen. Charismatic, narrow-sighted, simpleminded, and easily persuaded. All the reasons why you were placed into the position of leadership of the Council." Ross scoffed to himself. "If anything our intelligence underestimated just how pathetic you truly are."
"Now you listen to me Elias. You will follow Omni-Tek's agendas like the good little bootlicker we both know you to be." The Holo zoomed in so just Ross's eyes remained in the display. "or I will make sure you meet the same fate as your predecessor." The holo fizzled out, leaving Elias Marteen, Council Leader of the Clans and puppet of Omni-Tek, in the chilling dark.
--------------------------------------------
Jainus made a few notes with his stylus. It was surprising just how similar the High elven language was to the native tongue of this green-haired girl. Despite her tough exterior, she seemed to be a fairly gentle soul. She had a nice smile, it was unfortunate it seemed to be a one time occurrence. She had been understandably downtrodden over the confirmation of her fears. Being the only survivor in a land foreign to you would most certainly depress anyone. But where was this girl from? In all his travels and readings, he had never seen such a human or half-breed.
He had asked her several times and she had always answered "Ruby KAH" What was this place? Where was it for that matter? What technological wonders did they have there? Thousand upon thousands of questions and only a scantily agreed upon dialect to ask them with. It would take more time then the few days he had to even find the iceberg, let alone scale the tip of it.
"TerqwOise, I -" The chamber door slammed open, a small wood-elf boy frantically panned around looking for someone. "Sir Jainus!!! Sir Jainus are you here!?!"
"Yes, I'm here. What is it boy?"
"Oh thank Tunare. Sir, MiLord Karasir sends a message to you "Ranger's have found evidence of a large mass of Orcs that have been slaughtered. Evidence indicates weaponry similar to that of our rescued maiden. I believe this to be a rescue attempt by her people, obviously they do not know we have her. Advance scouts are searching for the maiden's kinsmen in attempts to observe and possibly communicate with them. "
"Quellious almighty! Find Karasir and tell him to have his men leave the strangers alone! They're already on edge, there's no telling how they might react to a cadre of Rangers and thieves!"
"Scouts sir.."
"Whatever child!! Deliver the message!"
Turquoise stared at Jainus with inquiring eyes. Jainus sighed heavily contemplating how to explain the situation to her.
----------------------------------------
Elias sat in his chair, unmoving, his eyes shut he watched the lingering dazzle from the holo fade from view. His mind wandered, reeling from the one-sided exchange with Chairman Ross. He could still see those eyes burning into him with that threat of death.
His mind sought some refuge from the grievous news it had received. Thus, he didn't hear her come in. Of course he probably wouldn't have heard a Brontosaurus run through. Elias' mind was absorbed in the situation; How would he handle this all? He sat back in his chair with his eyes closed simply considering his options; He never suspected how easily his decision would be made. He felt her lips first; They brushed his teasing, tantalizingly plump and warm. They were more of a shock than anything, though.
"Who the hell..." he spat as he tried to stand.
The girl smiled, and swung her glowing blue hair. Silently she pushed him back into his chair. "Mohan is who, and quite frankly I don't think you're going to complain about her." She kissed him again, passionately this time, obviously offering all of her luscious body clearly visible though her gauze robe.
"Mohan" he mumbled trying desperately to throw off the spell she seemed to be casting over his senses, but wanting nothing more than to feel her lips again, to taste her, to feel her.
She straddled his lap, knowing she had him now. "I have your answers" she offered quite plainly.
"My dear, Elias." She moaned kissing him. "So brave you are, standing up for your people. Liberating them from the oppression of Omni-Tek."
"A lot it of good, bravery will do. Omni-Tek control us" He rambled.
"Did they control you, when you single-handily destroyed the shining pearl of Omni-Tek? How much control did they have when you sacked Rome?" She said a hand cupping, squeezing his groin.
"That's right, you know it's mostly bluffs, Elias"
"You're right, even so. They have the resources of hundreds of worlds."
"A mere nothing, for one who controls the resources of universes."
"Universes?" He was finding it hard to think, let alone breathe, as Mahon slowly tormented him, his zipper gradually coming undone
He only blinked as she slid his arms around her waist after pulling off the thin gown. "I can give you whole universes. You want them don't you?" Elias only nodded as he stared as her perfect breasts.
It was then she reached for his desk, he hadn't noticed the vile she'd placed there, and he didn't now; His eyes never left her. "Drink, then, so I can give you everything that he has to give. He offers his power in Heketon's blood" she slipped a drop of the thick liquid onto his tongue, before spilling the rest on her breasts, staining them red. He licked at it without hesitation.
---------------------------------------
The time for the recall was rapidly approaching, the trio was dejected over the run of events. Although Ryio was the only one openly depressed.
"I hope Ms. Turquoise is ok. Do you think they will send another team to look for her?" Ryio asked, her eyes gazing at the ground forlornly.
"Doubt it. Even if they did, I don't think our friends would tolerate it." Cliri said nodding her head backwards.
"Friends?"
"Some shade you are Ryio. There are at least a dozen 'people' if you can call them that, following us. Been there for the last day or so observing us."
"Fifteen to be exact"
"No one asked you Kilao" Cliri said shooting a look of mock scorn. Kilao only flashed a small smile.
"In any case, we need to lose them, Ross isn't going to appreciate having the natives camped out in front of shift site."
"Such sudden concern for the Chairman, developing a sense of loyalty Cliri?"
"Hardly. He just pays the best" She said, striking the last of her Hash cigarettes.
"Sure, I think it's loooooooooooooove, don't you think Kilao?"
"Ah hush, Ryio" Cliri growled
"Cliri and Ross sitting in a tree K I S S –'
"God, what are you, two?"
"I N G!"
"That's it! You- wait... one of them's moved. He's trying to get above us." Cliri's eyes gazed upward into the thick green trees. "I don't like this. How long until the recall Ryio?"
"Ten minutes."
"Let's pick up the pace a little." The three turned and sprinted off the worn trail into the deep forest, making a straight beeline for the recall site. Forced to quicker pace, the sounds of footfalls came from the treetops. Nearly to the recall, one set of footfalls began to edge ahead of the three.
"They're trying to cut us off"With a loud crash a thin tan form plummeted with a scream from the tree tops ahead of them. Instantly Cliri has a pistol aimed at the form.
"Cliri, no! Don't kill them!" Kilao called deftly with a burst of speed, she struck a nerve point on the small form rendering the attacker unconscious. Kilao picked the attacker up and continued on to the site just a few steps ahead.
The airborne footfalls seemed to increase their pace, they were going to beat the trio.
"Keep going! I'll hold them back for few moments!" Not even looking, two rounds from Cliri's last pistol streaked into the air finding their mark. Two shots, two branches gave away sending two of the attacking party down to the ground with loud thud.
There was scream of anger from above and three more forms descended intent on striking down a foreign foe. The pistol spoke again, a round found it's home in the shoulder of one of the attackers. The attacker screamed in pain filled defiance but did not get up.
A female attacker unsheathed two long swords swinging to and fro. The blades sang, cutting through the air. Cliri evaded narrowly from the female's aggression, ducking underneath the swift blades. Performing a back handspring, Cliri vaulted herself from the female's furious blades and leveled the pistol. At that moment, the second attacker, a male, leapfrogged over the female. A small adjustment and the round stopped the male before he got very far.
The Female roared forward her swords desperately seeking a mark. A deft kick sent the swords flying into the forest, a punch sent the female reeling to unconsciousness.
"CLIRI! RECALL IN 20 SECONDS! HURRY!"
Almost in slow motion, Cliri abandoned the pistol and dashed for the recall. However, her senses told her something was wrong, she whirled around and saw another of the attackers in the distance, arrow nocked and ready to fly. The bolt snapped forwards, flying easily through the air aimed directly at Ryio.
The shaft slammed home, the impact knocking her down. The recall site seemed to be a bit hazy, almost distorted. She coughed, some blood coating her lips.
"CLIRI!!"
A flash of black and Kilao and Ryio were gone. As the slowly fading footsteps grew closer, Cliri's world faded to darkness. -------------------------
The Gaunt Man watched events unfolding upon the ebony skin of Heketon. Traveling without a bridge thread. Such a hazardous, foolhardy thing to do. It would be so simple to throw a wrench into the process.
The Gaunt Man smiled
-------------------------
The air distorted violently in the Jobe Portal room. The outlines of three forms appeared and then with a crack they snapped into view. Kilao, Ryio and a strange looking boy.
The head researcher looked upon the scene with confusion, where was the other female they sent? Who was that child?
{ ALERT! ALERT!} Red warning lights flashed incessantly, a klaxon filling the control room with mechanical screams.
{Dimensional Shift Error. Dimension Shift Error. Shift feedback loop detected. Recoil. Recoil. Recoil safety measures.... Overridden.}
There was another flash and a terrible crash so powerful that all of Jobe shook.
--------------------------------------------
Thousands of miles away in a formerly desolate patch of desert, the air shimmered with a dark glow and there was loud crash. As the dust and sand settled, a vast expanse of twisted dark trees stood looking like a perverted oasis. A little time later, a single bluish almost humanoid being walked out beyond the forest's borders squinting at the bright foreign sun. For the first time in history, a Dark Elf stood upon Rubi-Ka.
------------------ End of Chapter 2 ------------------
Legion 1 to Council Command. Legion 1 has successfully completed Aero- braking back into lower Rubi-Kan atmosphere. Current ballistic computes E.T.A to target 8 minutes.
The calm, almost monotone voice of the wing commander echoed softly in the sparsely populated rotunda. Six bedraggled, exhausted Council members huddled over a failing holo display. The shattered glass from recent devastation crunching and grinding beneath their feet.
"By all that's holy, are we really going to carry through with this?" a young council member sighed, intending to sit down. His eyes filled with tears, as his hands brushed aside the blood-crusted glass that lay there. Whether it was real or product of his shambled mind, the councilman's stomach nearly emptied at the sight of drying gray matter bits sprinkled upon the chair.
"Sir, how can you ask such a question as you sweep aside the remains of our people? We must, there is no other option." An older Councilman said, shaking the young man.
"What we are doing is murder!! We are becoming everything we so detest in Omni-tek. You are telling me to slaughter innocent people wholesale! Men, women and children! Those people have no fight with the Clans!"
"WRONG! Every day they go to work in Omni-Tek facilities! Everyday they construct the instruments of our destruction. Weapons! Notum refining! Foodstuffs for their soldiers, money for their damned agenda! Elias they must pay blood for blood!"
"I worked for Omni-Tek once! Like many in this very council and the clans! Those people are merely coerced and blind to the despair, the villainy and malice Omni-Tek spews." Elias said, his words seeming weak as they left his lips.
"They have had their chance for redemption!! Look behind you!!!" With a surprising violence, the older councilman spun the Elias around to face what should have been the rotunda wall. Instead lay ragged steel, over- seeing the city rent, collapsed, devastated like a sandcastle against the ocean.
"Listen to your ears!" Screams of dire agony filled the hulk of the city. "Can you not see what has been done to us? Athens is no more, simply a charred relict of broken hopes and promises!" Survivors ambling along in a complete daze, many bleeding profusely, limbs sheared and smashed to uselessness. Elias fell to his knees weeping.
"You are right. May the gods forgive us for inflicting this upon our enemies...No one should have to see this in their lifetime."
Legion 1 to Council Command. Requesting final attack code confirmation.
Taking to his feet, Elias spoke into the communicator with a sudden authority to his voice "Legion 1, this is Council Command. Attack code confirmation: Spartacus."
Intended or not a deep regretful sigh escaped through the radio.
Code confirmation accepted. Initiating attack vector delta-vee. Going to communication black out.
Across the miles far away from the ruined Council seat, an unidentified blip on his sensor screen startled a dozing operator. Even as the operator slowly realized it wasn't some playboy taking a joy ride, the blip was already pulling away from Rome airspace, screaming unto the highest reaches of the stratosphere.
It took another moment or so for the operator to absorb the fact that a smaller object had been separated from the larger blip. The smaller blip was steadily picking up velocity and coming straight at Rome. The operator still groggy from his nap couldn't completely grasp the idea why the computer said the blip was missile shaped.
The blip was the final thing the operator ever saw as black hot light scorched his optic nerve. Fortunately for him, this disability was never realized, before the multi-megaton blast wave vaporized him.
Elias smiled and thought aloud "Faced with the barbarian horde, all the glory and might of Rome fell in a single night."
Anarchy Online/Everquest: Reality Storms
Chapter 2:
Honor without Profit
Ten hours earlier.
"Dimension shift completed successfully! Cheers lads" The Jobe scientist beamed proudly
"Let's hope they survive in that volatile world. Did you see the way the last team was slaughtered?" An elderly scientist muttered, sobering the jubilant mood.
"Must you be such a party poop Jaison? You obviously missed the small armory they took with them. There was enough ammo to blow up all of Omni Prime. They will be f- "
{ ALERT! ALERT!} Red warning lights flashed incessantly, a klaxon filled the control room with mechanical screams.
{Dimensional Shift Error. Dimension Shift Error. Shift feedback loop detected. Recoil. Recoil. Initiating Recoil safety measures.}
"A dimension recoil!?! What the hell is that!?!" one of the younger researchers whispered to senior.
Despite the apparent gravity of the emergency, the Senior scientiest stared blankly at the young man. Someone was definitely a trust fund baby.
"We aren't just shifting personnel and equipment. We are shifting a small portion of our own dimension over. " Stated the researcher, too anyone with a doctorate in Quantum mechanics it would have been sufficient.
"So?"
"Like oil and water don't mix. Dimensions don't mix either, the 'invaded' world for the lack of a better word, recoils violently trying to fight off the new reality. That is Recoil, it shouldn't bother us any. For some reason the shift was completed properly and the recoil was fed back to Rubi- Ka. The computer just automatically initiated an emergency procedure to keep us from being atomized. It diverted the recoil before it manifested here"
"Okay..so where was the recoil?"
Surprisingly the researcher was as blank as the trust baby for once. "I have no idea. This situation was never seriously contemplated as a problem." Fingers flying over a holographic keyboard, the researcher gasped in horror.
"My god... Athens. The recoil just blasted Athens" A pen slipped from shocked fingers clattering noisily upon the floor. ----------------
"I'm guessing you guys aren't going to let me go the hard way are you?"
The swarming Orcs growled and cursed in their gruff tongue. Weapons and clubs shook with hate filled readiness.
"Yeah. I'm not one for pleading for forgiveness either." Two Beretta 30k's seemingly appeared in Cliri's hands. "Easy way then."
Eighteen Orcs and eighteen bullets later, a gentle trail of smoke twirled upwards, rebounding off the low rock ceiling.
"Were you going to lend a hand anytime this century?"
"You looked like you needed the practice." Kilao smirked
"Practice my eye." Cliri nonchalantly grumbled, flicking a cigarette butt at Kilao. A shadowed hand reached out and grasped it mid arch. Sniffing it , Ryio made a disgusted face.
"Nano-hash? You know this stuff is bad for you. It's addictive, and slows down your mind down."
"That's the idea Ms. Surgeon General." She yawned loudly, and somewhat rudely. "I don't need an overactive mind to tell me the obvious either. Mai isn't here."
"Mai?" A look of shocked recognition sped through Ryio. "Mai Orento? a.k.a Turquoise? "
"Yes."
"OH MY JOBE!!!!" Ryio squealed like a school girl "I thought your name seemed familiar!! The Dirty Pair!"
"Now, that's a name I haven't heard in along time."
Data streamed through Ryio's embedded computer, relevant files flashing across her iris.
------------------------------------------------- Dossier File: 11000567801-B InternOP Sub Division: Special Circumstances Supplemental Data File Subject: Double Black Operative Team # 233 "Dirty Pair"
Summary:
The Dirty Pair was a very succesful pairing by the Special Circumstance division for OT wetwork needs. Operatives Operatives "Cliri" and "Turquoise" were paired together after computer matching suggested that their skills would suit each other to within 99% of perfection. This degree of matching is almost unheard of.
The team was incredibly destructive. With their penchant for blowing things up, the enemies of Omni-tek and to a lesser extent Omni-Tek quickly learned to fear this team. It was because of this that the team received their handle.
An Intern-ops clerk with a hobby of finding ancient earth animated works, discovered a children's serial about a team of agents with similar habits called "The Dirty Pair". The Clerk in jest filed several reports on the agents with this moniker and the name stuck.
The team was soon disbanded (in no small part due to the rising building costs Rubi-Ka wide) mainly in due to Turquoise's repeated requests for Triple Black clearance, and Cliri's increasing mental problems (See subject file: Cliri for more info.).
(....and Rubi-Ka breathed a sigh of relief ) Warning! Unauthorized edit by File clerk 2000313
--------------------------------------------
Inside the immaculate blue-white marble of Felwithe Castle, King Tearis Thex pondered the strange matters at hand. Before him the Grail Lord Karasir stood, leader of the Paladins of Tunare and to Karasir's left lay a straw cot.
Unconscious on the cot clothed with a simple blanket lay a green haired human of unknown origins. She was fair, despite several cuts and bruises inflicted in a recent battle.
"Milord, I am at a loss. I would like to think this girl an omen with all the recent incursions by the Orc horde. Never in any memory have they been so brave or strong. We recovered her from an Orc raiding party celebrating a recent victory. In their cache of loot we found the scalps of several humans and several human like creatures. Also amongst the loot were weapons and armors the likes of which defy even our cadre of gnomic tinker's."
"Has the girl wakened at all since her capture, Karasir?"
"Once, shortly after we slaughtered the Orcs. She came to in a rage, calling out in tongue similar in sound our own. Unfortunately it is not close enough to understand without a chance for deeper study. Even without understanding her specific calls, I did get the general idea. She seemed to be summoning her comrades, I suspect she was unit leader or possibly commander of the group. In her anger, the girl saw myself covered in gore, holding the scalps of her comrades. She assaulted us barehanded, Milord, even succeeding in injuring several of my knights before she was knocked out by our cleric."
"Quite the Fury"
"Indeed. With your permission Sire, I will leave her to the care of the Clerics guild. Perhaps when she is well, she might be able to add light to happenings in the land."
"An excellent idea, also send word to Jainus, that his skills of language will be needed soon."
"By your leave" ------------------------------
The flash was blinding even from the muted holo, filtering it out Chairman Ross scowled, veins pulsing with anger. Ticking the data-stream forward and back watching the concussion wave blow apart the instantly incinerated city of Rome. Once sparkling towers and pristine streets in a second turned to mockeries of ash waiting to be cast apart.
Just who did he think he was? Who in the hell did he think he was!?! That craft, that weapon was not scheduled to be used for another 10 years! There was still much left to be done in Rome, this would certainly delay the company's timetables. If there was one thing Ross hated was a Clanner that did not know his place.
His desk chirped obnoxiously, his secretary signaling him of a high level call. Thumbing the desk gently, the holo filled with the face of Elias Marteen, Clan Council leader.
"I would say good morning Mr. Chairman but I think that wouldn't be appropriate. I have called to issue an ultimatum from the Clan's. We expect Omni-Tek to stand down any further hostilities and pay for the reconstruction of Athens, lest you suffer another blow like Rome suffered."
Normally presenting a cool, calm exterior, Ross could not help but roar with laughter.
"Only from the Clans would I hear something so stupid."
Elias made to retort but was cut off by Ross's rare and fearsome tirades. "You stupid incompetent fool. You dare dictate policy to me? The Anthales- grade atomic you used was the only one in the entire Clan arsenal! You know I how I know this Elias!?! Because I supplied it!! There isn't a single piece of equipment or personal that we don't have in our catalogs! Only the pack of imbecilic miners like you Clan,-" He growled the word Clan with particular distaste "-would have the boldfaced stupidity to think they could interfere with the agenda of a Corporation spanning over 150 systems!"
Elias sank heavily into his chair completely dumbstruck. The holographic image of Ross glowered over him, seeming to fill up the whole room.
"All your little victories upon Rubi-Ka were all planned to ensure Omni- Tek's continued hold. Remove the weak and stupid from our ranks, all the while maintaining a profit of dregs. Do you really think the ICC gives a Leet's behind about your little revolution? Did you ever think that the notum you export was ever beyond our grasp?"
Ross sighed deeply, his anger dissipating. "Of course you didn't, Elias Marteen. Charismatic, narrow-sighted, simpleminded, and easily persuaded. All the reasons why you were placed into the position of leadership of the Council." Ross scoffed to himself. "If anything our intelligence underestimated just how pathetic you truly are."
"Now you listen to me Elias. You will follow Omni-Tek's agendas like the good little bootlicker we both know you to be." The Holo zoomed in so just Ross's eyes remained in the display. "or I will make sure you meet the same fate as your predecessor." The holo fizzled out, leaving Elias Marteen, Council Leader of the Clans and puppet of Omni-Tek, in the chilling dark.
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Jainus made a few notes with his stylus. It was surprising just how similar the High elven language was to the native tongue of this green-haired girl. Despite her tough exterior, she seemed to be a fairly gentle soul. She had a nice smile, it was unfortunate it seemed to be a one time occurrence. She had been understandably downtrodden over the confirmation of her fears. Being the only survivor in a land foreign to you would most certainly depress anyone. But where was this girl from? In all his travels and readings, he had never seen such a human or half-breed.
He had asked her several times and she had always answered "Ruby KAH" What was this place? Where was it for that matter? What technological wonders did they have there? Thousand upon thousands of questions and only a scantily agreed upon dialect to ask them with. It would take more time then the few days he had to even find the iceberg, let alone scale the tip of it.
"TerqwOise, I -" The chamber door slammed open, a small wood-elf boy frantically panned around looking for someone. "Sir Jainus!!! Sir Jainus are you here!?!"
"Yes, I'm here. What is it boy?"
"Oh thank Tunare. Sir, MiLord Karasir sends a message to you "Ranger's have found evidence of a large mass of Orcs that have been slaughtered. Evidence indicates weaponry similar to that of our rescued maiden. I believe this to be a rescue attempt by her people, obviously they do not know we have her. Advance scouts are searching for the maiden's kinsmen in attempts to observe and possibly communicate with them. "
"Quellious almighty! Find Karasir and tell him to have his men leave the strangers alone! They're already on edge, there's no telling how they might react to a cadre of Rangers and thieves!"
"Scouts sir.."
"Whatever child!! Deliver the message!"
Turquoise stared at Jainus with inquiring eyes. Jainus sighed heavily contemplating how to explain the situation to her.
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Elias sat in his chair, unmoving, his eyes shut he watched the lingering dazzle from the holo fade from view. His mind wandered, reeling from the one-sided exchange with Chairman Ross. He could still see those eyes burning into him with that threat of death.
His mind sought some refuge from the grievous news it had received. Thus, he didn't hear her come in. Of course he probably wouldn't have heard a Brontosaurus run through. Elias' mind was absorbed in the situation; How would he handle this all? He sat back in his chair with his eyes closed simply considering his options; He never suspected how easily his decision would be made. He felt her lips first; They brushed his teasing, tantalizingly plump and warm. They were more of a shock than anything, though.
"Who the hell..." he spat as he tried to stand.
The girl smiled, and swung her glowing blue hair. Silently she pushed him back into his chair. "Mohan is who, and quite frankly I don't think you're going to complain about her." She kissed him again, passionately this time, obviously offering all of her luscious body clearly visible though her gauze robe.
"Mohan" he mumbled trying desperately to throw off the spell she seemed to be casting over his senses, but wanting nothing more than to feel her lips again, to taste her, to feel her.
She straddled his lap, knowing she had him now. "I have your answers" she offered quite plainly.
"My dear, Elias." She moaned kissing him. "So brave you are, standing up for your people. Liberating them from the oppression of Omni-Tek."
"A lot it of good, bravery will do. Omni-Tek control us" He rambled.
"Did they control you, when you single-handily destroyed the shining pearl of Omni-Tek? How much control did they have when you sacked Rome?" She said a hand cupping, squeezing his groin.
"That's right, you know it's mostly bluffs, Elias"
"You're right, even so. They have the resources of hundreds of worlds."
"A mere nothing, for one who controls the resources of universes."
"Universes?" He was finding it hard to think, let alone breathe, as Mahon slowly tormented him, his zipper gradually coming undone
He only blinked as she slid his arms around her waist after pulling off the thin gown. "I can give you whole universes. You want them don't you?" Elias only nodded as he stared as her perfect breasts.
It was then she reached for his desk, he hadn't noticed the vile she'd placed there, and he didn't now; His eyes never left her. "Drink, then, so I can give you everything that he has to give. He offers his power in Heketon's blood" she slipped a drop of the thick liquid onto his tongue, before spilling the rest on her breasts, staining them red. He licked at it without hesitation.
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The time for the recall was rapidly approaching, the trio was dejected over the run of events. Although Ryio was the only one openly depressed.
"I hope Ms. Turquoise is ok. Do you think they will send another team to look for her?" Ryio asked, her eyes gazing at the ground forlornly.
"Doubt it. Even if they did, I don't think our friends would tolerate it." Cliri said nodding her head backwards.
"Friends?"
"Some shade you are Ryio. There are at least a dozen 'people' if you can call them that, following us. Been there for the last day or so observing us."
"Fifteen to be exact"
"No one asked you Kilao" Cliri said shooting a look of mock scorn. Kilao only flashed a small smile.
"In any case, we need to lose them, Ross isn't going to appreciate having the natives camped out in front of shift site."
"Such sudden concern for the Chairman, developing a sense of loyalty Cliri?"
"Hardly. He just pays the best" She said, striking the last of her Hash cigarettes.
"Sure, I think it's loooooooooooooove, don't you think Kilao?"
"Ah hush, Ryio" Cliri growled
"Cliri and Ross sitting in a tree K I S S –'
"God, what are you, two?"
"I N G!"
"That's it! You- wait... one of them's moved. He's trying to get above us." Cliri's eyes gazed upward into the thick green trees. "I don't like this. How long until the recall Ryio?"
"Ten minutes."
"Let's pick up the pace a little." The three turned and sprinted off the worn trail into the deep forest, making a straight beeline for the recall site. Forced to quicker pace, the sounds of footfalls came from the treetops. Nearly to the recall, one set of footfalls began to edge ahead of the three.
"They're trying to cut us off"With a loud crash a thin tan form plummeted with a scream from the tree tops ahead of them. Instantly Cliri has a pistol aimed at the form.
"Cliri, no! Don't kill them!" Kilao called deftly with a burst of speed, she struck a nerve point on the small form rendering the attacker unconscious. Kilao picked the attacker up and continued on to the site just a few steps ahead.
The airborne footfalls seemed to increase their pace, they were going to beat the trio.
"Keep going! I'll hold them back for few moments!" Not even looking, two rounds from Cliri's last pistol streaked into the air finding their mark. Two shots, two branches gave away sending two of the attacking party down to the ground with loud thud.
There was scream of anger from above and three more forms descended intent on striking down a foreign foe. The pistol spoke again, a round found it's home in the shoulder of one of the attackers. The attacker screamed in pain filled defiance but did not get up.
A female attacker unsheathed two long swords swinging to and fro. The blades sang, cutting through the air. Cliri evaded narrowly from the female's aggression, ducking underneath the swift blades. Performing a back handspring, Cliri vaulted herself from the female's furious blades and leveled the pistol. At that moment, the second attacker, a male, leapfrogged over the female. A small adjustment and the round stopped the male before he got very far.
The Female roared forward her swords desperately seeking a mark. A deft kick sent the swords flying into the forest, a punch sent the female reeling to unconsciousness.
"CLIRI! RECALL IN 20 SECONDS! HURRY!"
Almost in slow motion, Cliri abandoned the pistol and dashed for the recall. However, her senses told her something was wrong, she whirled around and saw another of the attackers in the distance, arrow nocked and ready to fly. The bolt snapped forwards, flying easily through the air aimed directly at Ryio.
The shaft slammed home, the impact knocking her down. The recall site seemed to be a bit hazy, almost distorted. She coughed, some blood coating her lips.
"CLIRI!!"
A flash of black and Kilao and Ryio were gone. As the slowly fading footsteps grew closer, Cliri's world faded to darkness. -------------------------
The Gaunt Man watched events unfolding upon the ebony skin of Heketon. Traveling without a bridge thread. Such a hazardous, foolhardy thing to do. It would be so simple to throw a wrench into the process.
The Gaunt Man smiled
-------------------------
The air distorted violently in the Jobe Portal room. The outlines of three forms appeared and then with a crack they snapped into view. Kilao, Ryio and a strange looking boy.
The head researcher looked upon the scene with confusion, where was the other female they sent? Who was that child?
{ ALERT! ALERT!} Red warning lights flashed incessantly, a klaxon filling the control room with mechanical screams.
{Dimensional Shift Error. Dimension Shift Error. Shift feedback loop detected. Recoil. Recoil. Recoil safety measures.... Overridden.}
There was another flash and a terrible crash so powerful that all of Jobe shook.
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Thousands of miles away in a formerly desolate patch of desert, the air shimmered with a dark glow and there was loud crash. As the dust and sand settled, a vast expanse of twisted dark trees stood looking like a perverted oasis. A little time later, a single bluish almost humanoid being walked out beyond the forest's borders squinting at the bright foreign sun. For the first time in history, a Dark Elf stood upon Rubi-Ka.
------------------ End of Chapter 2 ------------------