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*
FTA: Curse of the Devil | Part 20
Thanks to Bardic for making sure his characters act like they should.
FTA: Curse of the Devil - Crinale 2210-12
>log20.1: 22100908-22100909
Saturday, September 8th, 2210
Angelus HQ, Perth, Australia.
"I've got word that Tsar Pawel is going to St. Petersburg for a few days." Nikole informed the two men.
"Well, then. This couldn't have worked out better!" Matt said "It's time to initiate... Operation Ananke!"
"Ananke? Greek mythology?" Brandon asked.
"We're not calling it that." Nikole butted in.
"Yes we are, all of the operations I'm involved in have codenames!" Matt responded
"Ananke," Brandon thought out loud, "The personification of destiny, necessity and fate. Somewhat relevant to Ramaela."
"Exactly. Th-"
"Oh, whatever, Let's go, now!" Nikole cut in again, walking out.
"Ugh, fine, fine." Matt said, following Brandon out.
On the way to the airbase, Nikole informed the two of more info of the operation.
"There will be one more person who will be helping us, we're going to meet them at the airbase."
True enough, when they got there, a young girl walked up to them.
"Yo! I'm Tsukiko Katsuo, but you can call me Kat!" She introduced herself, "Nic's given me a brief summary of the operation. You know, I thought we could give it a cool name, like-"
"Ananke! I named it after the Greek goddess of fate."
"Heh, that's awesome. It's fitting, considering who the main target is!"
Behind Matt and Brandon, where Kat and Matt couldn't see her, Nikole had her palm over her face.
"Anyway," she said loudly, "We're on a tight schedule, I would prefer it if we stopped talking about meaningless crap and getting on with the operation. Our plane is leaving very soon, so I would appreciate it if you hurried up!"
------------
Sunday, September 9th, 2210
Moscow, Russia.
The 4 of them were sitting in an old car a few blocks down from the parliament building.
"Ugh, couldn't have you gotten a Russian car?" Brandon asked Nikole, "The Russians are fighting the Germans, so why get a German car? I mean, I like Jennter cars like this one, but still."
"I got what I could, quit complaining." Nikole responded.
In the back seat, Kat was looking at the screen watching lines of code being typed out at a high speed.
"What exactly are you doing?" She asked Matt, who was doing the typing.
"Hacking." He said simply, focused on the computer.
"Hacking what?"
"You'll see." He replied.
Suddenly, multiple screens appeared on after the other in quick succession.
"YES! Camera access granted, thank you so very much. Now..." He was clearly anticipating something, because he started to mutter "come on" over and over, until...
>>ОБНАРУЖЕНО НЕСАНКЦИОНИРОВАННЫЙ ДОСТУП1
"Hello!" He said, as if talking to a child, or a small cute animal, "Let's play!"
He cracked his fingers, seemingly ready to code again, but then navigated to a file on his computer, opening it.
"I've always wanted to try this out." He told Kat.
Suddenly, the warning disappeared.
"BOOM! Gone." He yelled joyously. "I AM INVINCIBLE!"
"Uh, right." Kat said exasperatedly.
Matt continued to edit the camera feed to a short snippet of nothing in them. Finally, he spoke.
"Phase 1 is complete. Time for you to go into the field!" He told Kat.
"Phase 2! My turn!" She exclaimed, literally jumping out of the car and running toward the palace.
"Uhh, what exactly is she thinking?" Brandon asked, "She's going to get caught."
"No, she knows what she's doing." Nikole corrected him.
At the palace, Kat skidded to a halt, and ran down the side of it. She engaged her radio.
"Yo! This thing working?" Was the first thing that came from the radio in the car.
"We hear you, but we don't see you." Brandon turned to Matt. "Do you have the real camera feed? The one that the security doesn't have?"
"Yeah, here." He passed the monitor to the front of the car. They saw Kat running down the side of the building, then stopped by a window. She then pulled out something that looked like a gun and fired it. The grappling hook shot out and caught the roof. She pulled a button on the side and grabbed on the gun with both hands as she was pulled up an over.
"よし！2" She exclaimed, "I love doing that!"
She entered through the roof door, which was unlocked.
"Ok, I'm in" She whispered.
"Great, we see you there. Maintain radio silence, don't get caught." Nikole ordered, twiddling a pen in her hand, occasionally clicking it.
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
She stealthily navigated through the palace, until she found the room their target was in.
"Wh... What gives? She's not in there!"
"Eh? Who are you?" Came a voice to her left.
1UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED
2 Yoshi!, translates to Alright!
Yes, those are Goldeneye references. :D
The Horizon Cometh: Zero... Vignette Six
Monahd eson/i dutght ir/eei aetrro //h//n eiewC. xs/io p/dtn
When the others had left the room, Nikole confronted Kat with a completely different expression.
“How many saw you?"
“I wore a mask, you know." Kat tried to defend herself.
“That's not good enough, how many saw you."
“...I can't remember."
“You what?"
“They're practically janitors, it doesn't matter."
“I told you to reduce risk; don't use the radio frivolously, don't wait for De Rosa, and make sure no one remembers you."
Kat grew more defensive, “I told you, we don't need to kill people for-"
“And I told you, you might have to do things that are uncomfortable."
Kat remained silent.
“What am I supposed to do when the Russians start finding out who you are?" Nikole said, “In two years, you're going to be all over news media, all of us are. It was a big enough risk to drag you into this."
“So you did..."
Kat was pushed to the wall behind her. “If you can't act right," Nikole said, “then you will only be a danger to yourself. I'm going to cut you off, and you will be on your own until I'm told what to do with you."
“Nic?" Kat pleaded, “Can you at least think about this."
Nikole was already leaving the room.
“How long have you been on Earth?" Kat asked.
Nikole thought about that question, and what Katsuo was really asking. She stood in front of the door for well over a minute before silently walking out.
>log20.3: 22101001 /22100911
Used a title like the ones of @Ace3000, like the last part of the trilogy xD
10 September 2210, Japan
Ramaela wakes up from the operation in her leg for the bullet. She looks around her, still dizzy for the morphine, but she was able to see all her friends around with a face in relief. She indeed survived.
Kat is the first to cheer. "Woohoo! Let's celebrate! She's back with us!"
Nick looks the scene a bit apart, with a little smile with her arms crossed in rest. Matt rushes at her bed, looking the happiest. "Finally you're awake! We were so worried! "
Ramaela smiles at him. "Ah, won't be a bullet to put me in three meters underground!"
And everyone chuckles, is very nice to see that her good mood is still present, means she's already fine.
In the evening, Nikole back in her room after a short call, and after she sitted next to her old friend, the two eventually begin in having a pleased chat about the life in the 70'and a bit further.
"Do you remember this...? And do you remember that...? Ohh! Is was so great!"
Then a new name comes in.
"Did I ever let you met my Helper, Selene?"
Nikole frowns. "...No, acutally I never thought that you would have a helper, but I may understand."
Ramaela makes a little smile. "She's just like a daughter to me. I am so glad to have her next to me. She's very special too, I hope you may meet her soon, she's almost like me when I was young..." And sighs, happily, remembering the time passes with her.
Carole makes a rightful question after a minute of silence. "And now where she is?"
"At first she backs in Greece, but she's allowed to remain at my home, in Panarea. She just loves to stay there, and I am more than happy, since she never messed it up."
And chuckles.
1 September 2210, Ramaela's Home, Panarea Island
A young woman walks around the streets of the little town white and blue, just like her. She did some shopping for filling the home with food and other goods, in the patient waiting to see her Master back.
Is already midday, the way of the comeback at the candid maison of Ramaela is peaceful, as ever.
But today may be a different one.
She notices some unknown cars around and the door is half open. Afraid, the lady looks at the scene unknown what do do, Ramaela did nothing at all, what they need?
She takes some courage, rushes at the door and slammed apart the door, being immediately spotted with a gun by a light blonde hairy guy, and slowly walks toward her. The white-haired woman tries to speak. "W-Who you all are!? What do you need here? R-Ramaela is not here!"
Hal lows the gun and stares at her a moment, then after a while he calls his boss. "Sterling!..."
Not caring who's calling, she makes a step backward from the entrance and squeaks.
"I-I swear I will call the Police!"
"No, no, that won't be necessary! Uhh, yes, this is... there's been a bit of an incident." Said Sterling, who rushed in front of her to stop her.
"What..? What that means? T-Talk, please!" Said with a worried expression now.
He first looks behind to Hal. "keep a look out outside..."
And Hal so leaves after a nod.
The man back then to speak to her. "...De Rosa has been, how do I put this... of inter interest to very, very powerful people-Not that we're those people, heh, we're sort of against them. So we, uhh... visited..."
At this news, she feels like mortified. "Ohh, not again!
She promised me that she would've been safe!"
"Do you mind me asking where you saw her last?"
She puts a hand on her forehead and leaves off a bit a white tuft off accompanied with a desperate sigh.
"I-Is since I lefted her in Germany that I don't see her, around two/three months, expect in some rare calls..."
She mutters. "First Madison, and now?"
"Did those call seem different in any way? Did she repeat any odd phrases, or anything of the like?"
She looks him in a questioning manner, then answer.
"No, still happy, I know when something went wrong on her...however once she said that she had to remain for an uncertain time in a place, Angelus, to be protected. Luckily I knew that she was even in Australia! But she promised me that she'd back here safe and sound. I thought those men stopped to chase her, looks like we were both so wrong!"
He makes a slightly nod "...Can you give me a minute?" Before she may answer, he already walks out of the room for a phone call.
"Oh what a Passion1!"
She whimpers a bit while walking in the kitchen to put her shopping bags in and sits on a chair there.
Wasn't a long call, and after two minutes he's walking in with a more serious expression. "Is confirmed. De Rosa left for the airport, but, she never got on the plane. That's about what we know now."
"Oh no..."
"Do you have another place where you can stay safe? I'm not sure how safe you are after speaking on the phone with her."
"Uhm...does this island looks enough safe?"
"That depends on what happened to De Rosa, more importantly, if she was captured, who did it, and why.
If it were a government that took, and there's a hearty chance that it was, than no, it doesn't. Unless you never left your house or used the phone, which I don't see working out to well."
"T-Thanks, sir...
Please, let me know more of the situation!"
She said with a hopefully look.
But he remains thoughtful a moment... "Well, I think it would benefit the both of us if you came with us."
This was enough for her.
"What? How...How much I can trust you?"
"Well, your not shot. That has to mean something, right?"
She frowns. "Ramaela doesn't even have a gun, she doesn't like them... What assure me that you're not the same men who kidnapped her?"
Sterling grins in amusement. "If we took her, I would not ask that come with us. Best case scenario; you wouldn't have a say in the matter.
Worst case scenario; you wouldn't do anything, ever."
At that answer, she makes a dry gulp, understanding his speech. "O-Ok...I think I can trust you guys..."
"Alright, you can take five minutes to take what you need, and then we'll take you to an aircraft, and we'll talk more from there."
"Got it!"
She disappears to then comes back in time.
In the aircraft, she looks at the departure in a shade of sadness, but then she smiles and looks at Sterling and Hal.
"Anyway my name is Selene, pleased to meet you."
11 September 2210, Japan
Sterling walks in with a special guest with.
"Nikole? Ramaela? Selene is here."
At her name, Ramaela almost jumps out the bed and looks her helper with eyes fullfilled of joy.
"Selenella! Mia cara!"2
Nick smiles more, also this mini mission was complete, The Reunion.
1: In meaning of a great painful moment.
2: "Selenella! My dear!"
