FTA: Curse of the Devil | Part 15
FTA: Curse of the Devil - Crinale 2210-12
>log15: 22100729
Sunday, July 29th, 2210
"Construction complete, apply power to Sektor 10" A technician spoke into the communicator.
"Applying power... 100%, go for it!"
"Initiating... GO!" He yelled, flipping down the switch in a rather epic way.
A low whirring noise came from the machine.
>>NOW SCANNING 'I4-XA2.erion', 'T9-CA5.erion'...
>>SCAN COMPLETE, COMMENCING CONSTRUCTION.
"Hahaha, FUUHAHAHAHAHA!" Came the crazed, 'mad scientist'-like laughter from Viktor, Crinale's war craft were finally being constructed, they were now officially directly involved the war.
"Mr. Antonov, CO-10 is waiting for you in your office." The secretary called. That broke Viktor's laughter, annoying him. He then set off to his office in Sektor 9. When he entered, he found CO-10 waiting, sitting on his desk.
"It's over, Viktor, Chris, whatever your real name is." He spoke. "Your empire is done for. I shall stand by idly no more. You will cease construction of the XA2 and the CA5, you will stand down as the Director of Crinale International, and you will reinstate Alexandra Kotova as leader."
Viktor was surprised, stunned. Finally, he spoke, "You... think you can order me around? Do you know who you are speaking to?! I! AM! INVULNERABLE!"
"Oh, shut up." He said, pulling out a gun. "We'll see how invulnerable you are when I shoot you in the head. As I said, your 'empire' is over, you are finished, and Gelorum shall reign supreme ONCE MORE!!"
BANG!
The bullet just fell to the floor, after bouncing off Viktor's helmet.
"Unfortunately, the fact that my suit is bulletproof never once crossed your mind. Oh well. I don't want to kill you, you COs are very valuable, you are all important to me. Don't make me spill unnecessary blood. Besides, I'm 20 times better than Kotova ever was. I am the man Crinale needs!"
"YOU'RE WRONG!" CO-10 spat, aiming for Viktor's heart and shooting him again.
"RRGH! I said my suit was bulletproof, not just my helmet. However, for going out of your way, allow me to reciprocate your generous offers..."
He adjusted something on his wrist, then extended his arm out. He paused for a second, snarling, then flicked his wrist. The energy beam that shot out of the hidden weapon was a direct hit, causing his matter to be forcibly ripped to shreds. The man known as CO-10 now no longer existed.
Viktor's face, like before, had twisted into a demented smile.
"And that... concludes first experimental test of Crinale's Quantum Destabilizer, our F12000 super-weapon... FUUHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
FTA: Curse of the Devil | Part 16
Thanks to Saramica for providing me with Ramaela's lines for this and the following part! ^_^
FTA: Curse of the Devil - Crinale 2210-12
>log16: 22100730
Monday, July 30th, 2210
"Thank you, thank you very much for everything! It was indeed a very nice time spent here!" Ramaela said, happily shaking Brandon's hand. She was heading back to her home, after staying at Angelus HQ for more than a month.
"Hey, it was nothing, really! We just treated you as we would anyone else!" Brandon replied.
"Glad to hear that so, you do that great as well! I'll greet Italia by you all" She blinked as she took her bags, then turning to Alex. "Signorina Kotova, good luck in having back what you had lost." She smiled gently and shook Alex's hand as well in a more respectful manner
"Why, thank you, Ramaela. Alex replied, before pausing a moment, as if trying to think, or work up the courage to say something "I-I... hope you have luck in your travels." She then said, smiling sheepishly.
"Oh, it will, I feel it, after this pleased time..." She then turned seeing Matt. "Oh! Matt! Come here!" She gave him a warm hug.
"Huh? Oh..." Matt was surprised by the hug, it was so sudden.
"Pass a great time here, and thank you too as well! May destiny will let us meet again!"
"Yeah, I hope we meet again. Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you back home?"
"Nah, feel fine enough to go alone, no worries!"
"Alright, then, I'll see you around, hopefully!"
"Of course!" At the doors, she turned back to everyone there. "Salutamu!1" She said, smiling warmly.
"See ya!" Brandon said, as everyone waved.
'Will be a long travel indeed...but finally, there will be peace.' She thought. Before the long travel back home, though, she took a detour to the mall to buy some supplies and to refill the tank of her caravan. Soon enough, she finally made it to the airport, thinking. 'Good, the airplane will leave around in... 1 hour? Fine, I can wait calmly around here.'
She took a breath and sat on a chair of the big waiting mall, opening one of her dusty books and reading while all around keeps being crowdy, as ever. Occasionally, she checked if she have still her deck in her usual bag. Suddenly, the headache followed by the left eye ache struck back.
'Ughh! N-Not again!' she thought. She barely turned her head to see what was wrong, making a fatal move in the process. She took her hand off her aching eye, revealing her light eye. "Maybe...!"
"Why, hello there, Miss De Rosa. Would you be so kind as to accompany us?" One of the suited men behind her said.
For a second she felt almost like dying inside, remaining paralyzed in place
'It happens, in the end.' She thought. She barely caught a glimpse of a gun in their suits, meaning that any resistance would be futile. "...M-May you have mercy of me..." She said feebly, in a scared expression.
1Goodbye
FTA: Curse of the Devil | Part 16.2
And here is the 2nd part. Thanks again to Saramica for Ramaela's lines! :D
FTA: Curse of the Devil - Crinale 2210-12
>log16.2: 22100801
Wednesday, August 1st, 2210
Over the skies of Russia.
"What a horrible panorama..." Ramaela woke up in the private jet, after 2 days of travel. She saw the desolate lands of Europe, but it was slightly better, however.
"Tsar Pawel Bowier, pfft... Here we go again..." She sighed as she saw St. Basilius in the distance.
The last part of a conversation between her captors was heard, as one of them enters her room. "...yeah, she's waking up. Well, then. You have caused many problems for Tsar Pawel. But you are finally in our custody. Welcome to Russia. Now, eat up." He told her, passing her a tray of food.
"...Grazzî assai..." She took it and ate in silence. "There's more to know? Or is over here?" She said, in bitterness, more than an actual provocation.
"Silence. You do not have the luxury of speaking out of hand. Speak only when spoken to. Understand?"
She remained in silence, glaring at him.
"I am speaking to you. Do you understand?"
Se1, I...I understand." she finally said, looking back outside.
------------
Pawel's Parliament, Russia.
One of the men entered Pawel's office, and spoke with him.
"Tsar Pawel, we have her! Ramaela De Rosa, that woman that eluded us for a month!"
"Good job!" Pawel grinned. "Very good indeed! Now, I shall question her." He turned to her. "You will answer my questions truthfully and honestly. Do you understand?"
Ramaela couldn't help herself, and started to laugh. "Ahh, sir, you're the second who consider me ignorant in this language so much that I am incapable to understand you all! Hahaha! If you see, I can, and very well, Sir! About your question... Yes, I will, why not at all?"
"An incident occurred on the 1st of June. I'm sure you know the one I speak of?"
She frowned. "So here who's the cause!"
"Madison Larough died, killing everyone in that building. All, except one." He extended his arm, pointing to Ramaela "You."
"Uh, so? I was with her 11 days, nothing so much important I guess!"
"Ah. In that case, what exactly caused you to survive such a destructive force?"
"Eh, you won't believe, being in late" She chuckled.
He raised an eyebrow. "You... were late?"
"I am 75 years old, I woke up with the warning of the meeting just around 2/3 minutes before she'd slay everyone, herself as well..."
"Very well, then. Next question: The 3rd of June. A man in a suit entered the palace in the late evening. he accompanied you to various places, before taking you to Australia. Who was this man?"
"...An old friend of mine. He wanted to save me. I give him a dinner as thanking him for his caring."
Pawel just had an odd look on his face 'We're never gonna learn anything from this woman...' He thought.
Ramaela continued, "And what about you, Pawel? How many died for me, innocently?" She dared to ask with a shade of coldness for what happened.
"You know?! Oh, wait... of course!" He put his hand over his face, laughing maniacally. "You're a psychic! You can predict the future! Maybe you'd be of use after all..."
"Honestly I am a Cartomant, but never mind." She sighed.
He waved his hand. "Cartomant, Psychic, what's the difference. You can tell the future! So, how about we make a deal? Work for me, and together, we will end this petty war!"
Ramaela bowed and with her arms crossed on her chest she said an oath. "I adjure again, with iron will and true desire, without fear or uncertainty, so that the oracle shall be so clear and simple that it will leaves no place for any doubt, although the predictions would be to me adverse... or fatal. You have my powers in your hands." She ended with a gaze up at him.
Pawel grinned again. "Well, then! To be honest, I was expecting you to decline my offer, but I guess you are an intelligent woman. Well done!" He looked at his guards "Show her to her new room." Directing back to Ramaela, he gave his valediction. "I will be in touch. Goodbye."
"Ni viremu!2" She said, walking out with the guards to her room.
1Yes
2See you!
FTA: Curse of the Devil | Part 17
FTA: Curse of the Devil - Crinale 2210-12
>log17: 22100825-22100828
Saturday, August 25th, 2210
"Yeah? This is Hangar 1?" The man answered
"This is Viktor. You will receive shipment of exactly 5 T9-CA5 grav-tanks. They are to be deployed immediately after processing.
"Five?"
"Yes. I believe you have some unnecessary junk there, so you can move them if need be."
"I wouldn't call them unnecessary..." He said, before Viktor cut in.
"If I recall, the F0-RG7.1 is stored there. Regardless of the amount of space you have there, move that damn thing to Hangar 71. It'll just be in the way."
"OK. Move... F0-RG7.1 to Hangar... seventy-one." He slowly repeated, writing it down.
"The rest of the junk can go to Hangar..." He paused looking at which hangars were in use and which weren't. "33."
"Everything else... 33."
"Also, note that Tsar Pawel will be visiting Hangar 1 with a few of his subordinates on the 31st. The grav-tanks should be gone by then."
"I agree, it should be, if they're being shipped ASAP."
"That's all. Do you have all that?"
The man responded, reading from his list. "Grav-tanks arriving soon, to be deployed directly after processing. Move the F0-RG7.1 to Hangar 71 and, if need be, move any other stuff to Hangar 33. Tsar Pawel and company arriving on 31st."
"Good! До свидания1"
<<CONNECTION TERMINATED>>
------------
Wednesday, August 28th, 2210
16:54:03
That day was one for the history books: The grav-tanks were processed and, on Viktor's orders, deployed. They moved to their designated locations, awaiting further instructions.
"Вулкан2 Squadron... ATTAAAAAAACK!"
Those words meant that command over Vulkan Squadron was now handed over to a Major, however, Viktor still had final word, and could override their commands. The tanks had rightly earned their nickname of "super-craft", having demolished one particular ground force in a matter of minutes. Crinale's direct involvement in the war had now begun, and had shown that they meant business.
After seeing the grav-tanks' pure destructive power, Viktor took control of of the telecasters.
"I am Viktor Antonov, Director of Crinale International. We are the Russian Empire's elite fighters, working to bring an end to this war by any means necessary. Those who oppose us shall be swiftly killed. The moment we stepped into battle was the moment you lost. Prepare for 'Silver Spear', our highest tier plan yet. Using it, the war will end quickly. Hmhmhm.... FUUHAHAHAHAHA-!"
His message was cut off mid-laughter. Afterwards, he called the Sektor 1 Hangar. "Sektor 1? Yes, prepare my personal jet ASAP. I have a meeting with Tsar Pawel at Hangar 1. Ground Control HQ, yes. Good! До свидания."
1You should know what this means by now: "Goodbye."
2 Vulkan, translates to "volcano", but also to "Vulcan", the Roman god of fire
Part 63.2: Feeling the Curse
31 August 2210
Crinale's HQ, Russia
Passes 30 days since the "Russian captivity" of Ramaela, three months of the death of Madison, soon even one year that the War begun.
Ramaela remained all the travel blindfolded to arrive at Crinale's HQ for a little meet up of the Tsar and his allied Viktor.
The car stops and the little group come out to walk at the entrance.
"Priviet Viktor!"
"Priviet Pawel."
"So is this the prodigious granny who survived the fury of that schizophrenic? I am impressed, milady!"
And makes a fake bow, leaving the fact she's still "blinded". Ramaela wanted to speaks out her rage toward him for his provocations, but the threat of don't speak without being called was more stronger, and so she keeps all inside.
"Well, inside you can leave her bandage and let her show our mightness! I really wonder what she can tell about, xaxa!"
Inside in fact, leaved the bandage, she's surrounded by a more meaching atmosphere. Yes, there's order and discipline, but she didn't see that particular harmony she saw in the Angels.
She feels only fear. She already "met" a ship there.
"T-Tigron..." she mutters frightened.
"No...no...no no no, let me go out from here..!"
She said while back some steps.
Pawel stands behind her, unevitable that she bumped on him.
“Well, I sure hope you aren't thinking of escaping now, are you.”
She just makes a little empty gulp and freezes there. “N-No, but…” She then points Viktor and continue, ever with her afraid tone. “...what the hell you did here!? Why I feel those cursed pieces of that Tigron here!?”
Viktor answers her while looking the old model with a shade of profound dislike.
“Because one particular model of ours uses Tigron parts. We don't use that craft any more, our new one will be much better! Also, I did nothing, it was the previous Director who did that.”
“Much...better...? Haha...hahaha! You gotta kidding me!”
“I don't understand the laughing. the F0-RA8 is better! It's stronger, better shielded, has more powerful weapons systems... need I go on?”
She remains there in front of him, then silently she walks away, surpassing him and arrives toward the ship.
The dark Leader stares it again and makes a little frown in his mask.
“I don't even know why it's here, it should be at Hangar 71. Where we are now, this is Hangar 1, our main base of operations on Earth-”
Suddently the Cartomant turns to him and almost even shouts!
“Shh! Don't interrupt me! Ask that to your employees, Sir!” Then on the ship again, checking it as she did with the Angelus one.
Viktor is indeed very surprised, but more enraged to be like challenged like this by a woman that for him still means nothing. With a loud tone he let notice that to Pawel. “Did she just shut me up? Me?!”
She groans for his reaction and backs the "hit", with an irritated tone now. “Yes! I did! I need to focus to know better, Sir!” Then to herself “Is incredible that I can’t even work properly...for my luck I am a spinster!”
Pawel shakes his head. “I think she's on to something. Better be quiet.”
“Fine.” And groans.
About around a minute of studying the energy of the ship, Ramaela backs to them.
“I need to see the last one you've made.”
He laughs loudly at her request, feeling it as a joke than a serious request from her, then he answer with a grin. “No. That craft is still yet to be built, but even then, it will still be better than that slow pile of scrap parts! And even if it was built, it would stay at our R&D section, which is strictly off limits.”
“What you are creating is...terrifying!” said in a sudden De Rosa, after a little meditation.
Viktor chuckles with a little smile of satisfication.
“Terrifying? I know, right?”
But then he questions about that phrase of hers. “...wait, that's in a good way, right? Is that the "cool" thing to say?”
“No! I bet that Kotova wasn't so aware of what Tigron was REALLY, and YOU as well! I feel that your desire of power, reflected in your ships, will eventually devour your own soul!”
She then noticed the motto on the old ship, thinking it is still of them as well she comment it coldly. ”You are not "Ultimate", you are only at the beginning of a self destruction! I don't wanna say redeem, but I am afraid of.”
“Oh, please. Alexandra knew of Tigron, that's why she got those parts for that craft! The beginning of a future disaster? MY soul endangered by myself? Hah! Don't make me show you just how powerful I can be…”
He seems not even more serious with the last sentence.
Ramaela calmly explained. “She's changed at least now, I can say that to you."
That last part of him for her was totally a threat, another one that she can't remains in silence.
"Ohh! You Sir? Powerful? I am not afraid of you.”
Viktor walks up to her, takes his gun out and aims it, pointing blank at her head and shouts at her face that he grabbed with the other hand. “ARE YOU SCARED NOW?! HUH?! ARE YOU?!”
The woman stares him. Not even a muscle moves on her. Rebellious on life, on death she wanna remain so.
Pawel almost jumped from the sudden reaction of his companion, understanding in a flash what is happening he comes next to him and grabs violently his arm to stop his homicide instincts.
“VIKTOR! Kill her and you die. Put the gun away!”
Viktor stares at Pawel with disgust, then frees her face from the grip and walks away, while the gun back at its place. A cold threat went out his lips.
“Next time... you won't be so lucky.”
She calmly says keeping staring him. “Being afraid is the last thing I'd want to feel. You already spilled enough blood. Killing to feel stronger.”
Shakes her head in a like disappointed feel.
“FUUHAHAHAHAHA!! That's what war is about, lady! But admit it! You did feel fear! It's only natural. We all have a rational fear of dying. We all want to survive!”
“I know what IS a War! I was there in the WWIV as well and now here in the WWV! Oh sure, but when you saw enough times the death in front of you? And what Natasha Belmondo would say about?"
“What about Belmondo?! How does she have anything to do with me?”
“You are in favour for the born of the F12000, and the “heavy” that needed to be trashed out was in fact her! Her death was only YOUR fault! If you didn't killed that innocent, at this time there wouldn't be any of this damn War!"
Viktor glares.
“Irrelevant. You have no idea how she died. I don't recall seeing you anywhere near Orcus too!”
“I can see still.” Says with pointing her light blue eye with a little triumphant smile.
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“I hope you may have the proof of MINE of powers one day, Sir!”
Pawel comes close to him and whispers. "She's a fortune-teller, she can tell the future. And see it."
Viktor back to see her with a new vision.
"So what, you predicted her death? Or even SAW it?”
“Sadly yes.”
A heavy silence falls as they keep looking each other, only the sound of the engenieers working nearly there keep to fulfil the air with something.
“I think I am done. May I talk to you in private if I can, Pawel?" Then she interrupts suddently. "Oh wait, can I see your pilots as well? I am curious to know them!”
Viktor makes a low groan and shakes his head.
“They, too, are at the R&D Section, training for the new craft and the new season.”
“Greet them by me, Sir."
She takes a pause, then continues toward the Tsar. "So, Pawel, I need to talk to you, privately.”
Pawel adjusts his jacket and turns toward the woman. “Is there any reason why we should stay here? If not, we could go back?”
Lowering her gaze she answers to his question. “What you wish, Sir.”
“Well, I've done all I came here to do, so let's go.”
“Goodbye, Mr Viktor. I hope was a decent meeting this.” Said bitterly lastly to him, she turns then to follows Pawel.
Blindfolded again, she back in the car and finally lefted the workshops of Crinale.
***
August 31 2210
Parliament of the Tsar
Pawel sits on the royal chair and stares her in front, the table is already all settled for the consult. The incense keeps burning, the little fire of the white candle trembles, but all back calm as she wished.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
She put on the table two cards, after previously shuffled enough times the little deck of the 22 cards.
“Well well well… Looks like The Luck is all decided by Viktor by now, not you.”
The Tsar almost trow away the table with his fists for the answer. “WHAT?! But he is a mere pawn!”
She pointed the two lonely cards on the table and explains calmly.
“Look, the Wheel of Luck is next to The Devil, and is since my permanence at Angelus that I felt this Card on them. This means The Wheel is turned by Him at his own desires. If you don't be careful, you may fall in his plans, who knows!”
“What do you mean, plans?”
“I feel...rebellion, a civil war more than the war of nowadays, or will be him to begin it.”
“A rebellion? Can’t be! My men will surely knows how to stop this!” Said with almost an evil grin, naturally that would be possible since he’s at the head of one of the most powerful country ever.
“I feel this, could be or not, still be careful, Pawel.”
“Fine. I shall keep my guard up. Thank you.”
“Your welcome, Pawel.” She makes a little smile, fake, then organizes her things to leave them off her table.
“Pass a nice day, at all, sir!”
“You too.” He up a hand to sign her dismiss.
She makes a slow, little reverence and goes out, still with her face up.
“This surely is a curse...of The Devil.”
FTA: Curse of the Devil | Part 19
Thanks to Bardic for providing the rough draft, I just finished it.
FTA: Curse of the Devil - Crinale 2210-12
>log19: 22100906
Thursday, September 6th, 2210
The two men, one old and in a suit, the other young looking an in a lab coat, were conversing in the latter's office, but was distracted by the arrival of another person.
"How do you get in here, anyway?" Brandon asked.
"That's not your concern. tell me what you found." Nikole replied
Matt spoke up "I've found two places that Ramaela could be. The Russian government has an unusually long profile of her, suggesting she's more than just a third party. I've also found files from Crinale that cites "captive see-er" as a source of information."
"Good, now give me a reason to trust you." She said.
"Isn't that obvious? I'm helping to get her out."
"...That is insufficient, for one. I'm not going to be shepherded into a trap."
"Both Russia and Crinale's defences can track a hacker from farther than anyone would have the range for, except for me. I've been in this business long enough to know how to hack without setting off any triggers. You'll need someone on the field for this job, and I'm going to be that person."
After thinking for a moment, Nikole responded. "Fine. get ready, a helicopter will pick us up in twenty minutes."
"Wait, what?! You want to do this now? We don't even-"
Don't question me," She interrupted, "Or I'll walk out and we can start this whole thing over."
Matt hesitated for a moment, then walked out of the office. Nikole then turned to Brandon.
"This is what's going to happen. We're going to keep her here. A guard will be staying in a neighbouring room. She is not to leave the building without his supervision, and she'll have a tracker on her in case we lose sight."
"So you just want me to re-kidnap her." He said flatly.
"She decides when and where she goes and can keep the guard out of her room."
"What about Sicily, can she go there?"
"Even De Rosa should know better then to show her face there by now. Stop testing me."
Brandon's face twitched. "Is that a threat?"
'Why does everything have to be a threat...' She thought, before speaking again. "Listen, I'm trying to stay in line this time, but we won't get anywhere if you don't cooperate with us-"
"And why's that?" He snapped, gradually getting more angry "Why should I have to listen to you? What, are we just a set of pawns, servants for you to use however you please? You say 'jump', and we're supposed to say 'How high'?"
She made no response and her large shades hid her expression
Brandon continued. "Ramaela spoke with me. She said I was the angel, and you know I think I've earned that title. I should never have listened to you. I should've known better, than to let you get in the way."
"You know what your problem is? You. Are. A child." She finally replied.
"Excuse me?"
"You, Brandon Smith, the angel, will right the wrongs of evil. You, without rest, without sleep, without an ounce of consideration for how the world really works."
"So you think that justifies them? A ham fisted 'Light vs Dark' argument? Don't I get a justification, for saving lives, for ending this tyranny?" What's your justification? Safety? Is that why you can't hold her in whatever hell-hole you've been hiding in all these years? What the hell just happened to you, anyway? What went wrong in your brain to make you such a cold hag."
Nikole moved closer, getting personal. Her gaze was eclipsed by her glasses. Brandon simply started to chuckle to himself.
"I see what this is. You almost had me, but I figured out what you're getting at. You're hiding behind me. You're using this 'safety of the world' façade to use Ramaela for your own gain, so you throw me the smoking gun. You're not out for anyone's safety. You are just like them.
"You're exactly like Crinale."
That was a direct hit. Her jaw quivered. She reached her hand towards her face. As though she needed a clearer look, she removed her shades. Suddenly, her eyes changed. It changed colours faster then Brandon could register, in a permanent state of unrest.
"You don't know the half of it. You're not just an angel, you are a tiny, baby, cherub blinded by the light of the rapture... I... am the word... of God."
Brandon reacted to those words, a look of surprise grew on his face as he took a step back.
"Follow my instruction, keep your business to yourself, and never, ever, challenge me again."
He gritted his teeth.
"Tell me that you understand."
He blinked, still keeping the same position.
"TELL ME!" She yelled
He sighed, dropped his arms to his sides, and replied, "I understand".
Nikole, getting the response she wanted, then turned and left.
Part 66: Славная революция
[part removed and same goes for the context]
Aircraft were spawning at the horizon...
____________
*cought* Brandon, the last line is your signal *cought*