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Heroic Knight
 
Group: Basic Members
Last Login: Today @ 7:05 AM
Posts: 204,
Visits: 835
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| The communicator chip in Jenna's head beeped gently to signify 4am, and she reluctantly put down the multiscan she was using. She had told herself she wasn't going to work past 4 today. Actually, she'd initially said "past 2", but at 1.30 or so she'd had an idea about one of the logic boards in the info chips and it seemed to be going somewhere, but enough was enough. She ran her hand across her good eye (her right eye never seemed to get tired any more. Practical, but in some ways she kind of missed it) and sat back in her chair, looking at the Tsunamian chips that had thus far defied much of her efforts. She wondered how they were all doing, out on Red's mission. She'd been able to pick up some scrambled reports - something about darker angels, and mutants with bioweapons. A Shengui was dead, and Ketta was reported as safe so she presumed Runaar or Aela. Jigs she'd got mixed reports about, some people thought he was dead and some people thought he wasn't. Does that mean he was a warp hound? And what about Gin? Lucius had briefly got in contact to ask if she - Jenna - was ok, but gave no details himself. And was she ok? No. Not really. It would come as no surprise to some of the harsher tongued of the Westlitsiders, but Jenna was scared. What might surprise them was that she wasn't so much scared of the Twisted, or the Angels, or anything else the Outside would throw at her, but rather of whether she was doing the right thing. She just didn't know any more. She'd had such high ideals - the truth will set you free, the people need to know, the outsiders need our support. Censorship is the enemy, it's only through facts and free information that we stand any chance. Now that whole pyramid of faith was falling down around her and she just didn't know anymore. Had she helped or hindered by telling the truth about the Empire outside? She's certianly scared a lot of people and very clearly pissed off a few more, but had it been - as she'd believed - something that people were better off knowing, or had she just caused panic and made things worse? Which was why she hadn't gone this time. Listening to the rumours and snippets that came through on the mostly cyberate channels, she needed to decide if that was better or worse than opening the floodgates. Whether she was genuinely doing more good than harm. Of course (she asked herself), if she was going to chuck in the towel and back off before she made things worse, then why was she still killing herself to understand Tsunamian technology at 5 past 4 in the morning? Answer - shut up. Or perhaps more accurately, because it might help, and at the worst if she could hand it back with a rough idea of what it did then at least she hadn't totally fucked up. Suddenly she frowned. The multiscan had fallen with the light shining through the second of the info chips and it was refracting the high end wavelengths in a way she hadn't predicted. Her hand reached for the dial and moved it fractionally, tightening up the beam, trying to narrow down the frequency band. Interesting... OK. Until 4.30am then, but absolutely no longer.
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- LT - Captain Iolanthe Swan
- Riftworld - Jenna Neraid, Clan Sceptre
- Brighton Below - Drizzle
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Apprentice
Group: Basic Members
Last Login: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 10:16 PM
Posts: 22,
Visits: 458
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Drifter listened to the comforting hum in the back of her mind with a wary but not wholly unwelcome smile. Her mind had been quiet for a long time and she had almost forgotten how it felt to feel other westlitsiders. They hadn’t known who she was and had still accepted her and drawn her in to their group, but she couldn’t stay with them; not yet.
There had been a few moments when she had seen her past and present collide. When almost all those she knew were littered on the ground around her. She didn’t want to be alone again.
She clicked her new claw on the wood of the wall, tapping a soothing rhythm. The others could discuss cures and solutions all they liked, she had accepted her lot, even practised using her new appendage. Strangely, after all that had happened she was happy for the first time in a long while.
But she really couldn’t go with them. “The clue is in the name,” she’d said to Gin, the one person whose arguments had almost given her a reason to stay. “I made a promise,” she’d said but that wouldn’t have mattered if they had really needed her.
She’d kept her reasons for leaving to herself though. The thought of even passing though Xethi made her queasy; not that City filled her with more confidence. Morgan’s throw away comment about how she had a medifit and “you wouldn’t even know it” had rattled Drifter, more even than that large battle suit the imperial had worn. If she was to be of use she would have to start working on that fear of hers. Seeing how easily the suit had been disabled had certainly helped; though it would probably be a while until she acclimatised enough to be any use against cyborgs. She suppressed a shudder at the memories that flooded back.
Time to go, come back better, stronger, less frightened, she’d settle for less frightened. Don’t let them see you flinch. Goodbyes had already been said. She’d meet them again in Com Trow. Gin had, after all, offered her a couch and she intended to take that offer. She had people waiting for her. Without a backwards glance she ported to the edge of Sam Red’s perimeter.
“Ready to leave when you are.” She said, pleased at managing to hold her grin in the face of the blank stare.
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Riftworld: Drifter - Westlitside Defender
Artificer: Lady Kerrigan Di Canto - Heir apparent
Maelstrom: General Korrupin - Schaffhausen
Serenity: Crew
Waypoint: Crew
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Squire
Group: Basic Members
Last Login: Monday, September 08, 2008 9:25 PM
Posts: 26,
Visits: 41
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Melyssa sat on the rocky outcropping, chewing on a ration bar as they took a break from their long walk to Bridge. Her travelling companions sat resting around her, chatting amongst themselves or staring off into the distance towards Manbas. She looked about her, quietly thoughtful. All about her she could feel them, her fellow Westlitsiders, the gentle hum of their presence and thoughts a comforting warmth in the back of her mind. It was almost like being back by the Bay – you never really noticed the gentle washing of the waves on the shore until the sound wasn’t there. It was something a non-Wester just wouldn’t, couldn’t understand. It gave strength, let her know she wasn’t alone out here in the dark and dangerous eastern lands. And now they were clear of that blasted building she could pick up on it again, untainted by the presence of all that blood spilt in violence. Well, not entirely clear. She looked over at the bagged body that rested next to Lucius and Gin. Avatar 12’s death had hit her hard, had shaken her. Avatar 12 had been tough, strong, eminently capable. If someone like her couldn’t survive out here, what chance did a lab assistant have? Her last words to them all had been of standing together, that if they did so they could survive any hardship. She just hoped they could live up to her expectations. She hoped they could hold together long enough to live up to her expectations. Lyssa’s gaze wandered to Gin, sitting against a rock with Lucius beside her. Those two, Neven, Lou, even the new and mysterious Drifter, all were capable and competent. None seemed to show any fear in the face of what they were up against. She couldn’t help but wonder if they felt the same way she did inside and were just better at hiding it. It made her feel just that little bit better to believe it wasn’t just her who was permanently terrified, jumping at every shadow and fervently wishing she was back in a nice safe lab in Gar Bay. Even the Doctor seemed to be adapting to being out here, revelling in all the new research opportunities that kept presenting themselves to him. Maybe she should get 'ported out into the middle of nowhere, unarmed, more often. Maybe it would do her courage some good, if she didn't die of fright in the process...Her eyes flicked to the bags she was carrying and she wandered if the Shengui would be annoyed at the promise Aela had made when she first met Doctor Mortimer, and his insistence it be honoured after her death. She bit her lip, and pushed that thought to one side. Ketta had certainly not seemed bothered – but then that wasn’t always a good indication of typical Shengui reaction. Ah well, that was something to be dealt with later, if necessary. As the others made to start walking again, Lyssa snapped her attention back to the present and hefted the unwieldy sword she had picked up at some point over the past few days. It was a clumsy weapon, made even more so by her holding it left-handed, but she refused to use the sharpened edge of the bony claw her right hand had become. That decision had not been hard to make – it would be too much like accepting the claw as part of her. And if the Nanolords couldn’t fix the problem, it wouldn’t remain part of her for long. She shuddered and shoved the thought away – that was for later. For now, she had to make sure the Doctor made it to Xephi intact. Everything else could wait. The sword she couldn’t use failing to comfort her in the slightest, Melyssa took up her place just behind Dr Mortimer and they continued on their walk to Bridge, her thoughts a constant worry at the back of her mind…
LT: 'Not Nuts' by Royal Decree
PD: How many changes of clothes did you bring?
RW: You can't scare me, I'm a coward. I'm always scared.
RL: Officially only 98% random.
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Wag
Group: System Moderators
Last Login: Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:39 PM
Posts: 1,141,
Visits: 3,626
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| Finally clean. After a while, the mud had seemed to get to others as well. Or maybe something else bothered the Westers. Their strong aversion to cybernetics prevents them taking the easiest solution to their mutations. In vain had Morgan explained that cybernetics does not have to mean unsightly chrome and protruding wires; it was the thought of any cybernetic modification that bothered them. Ah well, cultures vary. The thought of the psionic link between them and their casual use of such universe bending powers still sends a cold shiver down the back of her spine. Being on the receiving end of that 'ripper' had only increased her distaste. It is a cultural difference; just as a Doosh diplomatic has to accept that Sceptre are obsessed with process and forms, she has to accept the Wester love for psionics. That doesnt mean she has to like or be comfortable with it, just that she has to resist the urge to scream every time they use it. She shudders with distaste. Caplin's mutation is a shame and not one that can be easily solved with amputation and cybernetics. The leathery skin does nothing to enhance his appearance. She had planned to get him as close as possible without getting close herself, and hadnt banked on finding an actual friend. Well thats all it will ever be for her, attachment is dangerous. In any case, her plan had been much easier when he was easy on the eye.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Whispering God is your friend... trust the Whispering God... Ruins of Empire 1st - 3rd Feb, 2008, Gladstone scout centre, Chester
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Apprentice
Group: Basic Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 10:56 AM
Posts: 10,
Visits: 243
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Lu threw the stone towards the other stone, and missed. It was easier and cheaper then wasting shotgun shells. It rankled at the edge of his mind, he had joked with the others, these others who had become his new mission, but how could he look after them, protect them if he couldn't throw a stone straight let alone fire a gun straight.
Everyone had taken their change differently, the doc saw it as a challenge, his assistant saw it as a nuisance, the baitman kept swearing at it but she had a solution, and the other defenders were still not sure if it was taint or something that could be fixed.
Lu scratched at the eyepatch and picked up another stone, he tossed it into the air and reached out with his right hand to catch it, the stone made a dull thump as it hit the ground. In frustration he kicked it, the stone skipped across the surface and hit the other stone.
Lu turned away, picking up the shotgun he slung it up onto his shoulder, and began walking again.His eye glazed over as he stared into the middle distance lost in thought. Although there is nothing like a stressful/emotional/combat environment to forge new relationships and friendships, he began to reflect on what exactly had happened and if anything should be reported back. After all half a dozen of the group now sported physical mutations and that baitman with the fused shoulder seemed too close to the creature known as Crow, and maybe getting too close to becoming one herself. It would be a shame to shoot her again and maybe with a lethal round as opposed to a knockout shot, and if he did he'll have to keep an eye on the defender known as Lucius and possibly put him down as well. They seemed to have a relationship those two.
Well he could only keep an eye on all of them literally now...
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PD: Barrun Maximillan 'Max' Dortmunder
Riftworld: Defender Lupus 'Lu' Walaric
BB: Rookwood
LT:Lions Faction Logic Engine
RL: Jimi (the bald/the rat/Pop*)
*Delete as Applicable
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Heroic Knight
Group: Basic Members
Last Login: Sunday, November 09, 2008 6:56 PM
Posts: 245,
Visits: 1,267
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| The empty bottle fell from his hands as he leaned back into the one chair of the bleak room he had been assigned in what passed for an HQ these days. It hadn't helped There was annother bottle sitting on the table beside him, but he knew that would do no good, either. He'd seen the looks on their faces, Ecka and Morgan both... they'd said it nicely to his face as well, which was nice of them, but the words he read from their faces were "Freak", "Mutant"... but probably shy of "Twisted", since that was a loaded expression. Not that it wasn't going to be going through the heads of a few people who saw him. All those Westlitsiders whining on about their problems, as if they couldn't be solved with a simple cyber replacement. Guess it just isn't in their nature to look for easy answers. But some things just couldn't be fixed by replacement... sure he could replace his arms with metal, chrome himself up like some crazy bolthead (like Carver, maybe?) but there would still be the body, the face, the... (everything that made him human) covered in the thick leathery material that used to be his flesh. He should go see how his father was doing, but it would pain him to see his dad so reduced, so drained of everthing. It would pain him to see the look in my father's eyes when he saw what I had become. GRrrrr. His mind focussed back on what the officer had said "A soldier who cannot hurry when needed represents a liability to a forward unit." Mutant, he hadn't added but Caplin had heard it unspoken... but a little voice in my head told me... Ack!
Was it me? Was it one of Them?
It was me, right? It was just my own thoughts running through my head. Right. Frakkers. Can't even trust my own thoughts. Why are they playing with us? If they have so much power and so many servants why are they bothering with this crap?
Why can't they just let us alone? His hand reached out for the bottle as his mind whirled around. Living in Sacrifice, is this what that means?
His hands methodically poured out the next bottle of moisturiser onto his joints. Joints that just didn't move right any more no matter how much he tried to soften the skin...
Dave 2 / Man in Blue
LT - Artfiel Macenion Duvall, Knight of Celestial
EOS - Weeping Boar, War Sayer of the Mystwalker Tribe Maelstrom - Tal Rufen, Quicksilver Trading Riftworld - Cpl Caplin San Angelo, 48th Assault Recon
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Knight
Group: Basic Members
Last Login: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 5:36 PM
Posts: 71,
Visits: 478
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| "Hey baby..." That had been the first thing she'd said. The second had been "When do you want the hand to come off?" Was she right in doing it?Was she right in aiding Lucius to scar himself again? She could feel his hatred for the tentacle on his left arm washing off him, and it was something she couldn't get rid of, not like the pain removal she'd become so good at. What she could and couldn't do was becoming an interesting point. She could still do her job - and with pride she remembered that she was the only person who'd managed to track a teleporter when they'd gone after Belraine... a low level one, yes, but still, she 'd done it. What she couldn't do was let the rage that was building inside her turn into a full blown rage, not without some kind of failsafe in place that would knock her unconscious. She could love Lucius, that much was obvious. She couldn't ever let him know how badly it had almost gone, especially when he'd been rippered into the ground so heavily. She could make sure everyone else never knew how much she was scared. She couldn't let anyone know how badly she wanted to wander off into the woods and open a vein, just let her life drift away. "You don't have to run away from me, Gin..." Crowe, with his mocking grin and his sardonic voice. No, she didn't have to walk away, because he wouldn't hurt her. The Spine Wolf didn't want her hurt. No, he wanted her whole and raging, and what would achieve that the most would be to kill everyone she cared about. Her right hand balled into a fist and she nearly drove it through a tree in her anger and frustration. She looked towards Lucius, and just for something to take her mind off the anger, she mentally formed the words and pushed them over the psionic ether..."I love you, baby."
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PD: Elaia De Brynn, High Class Lady with more suitors than sense.
Riftworld: "Luscious Gin" Jones, holder of the "Most Athletic BaitGirl This Side of The Warp" title. Ascendancy: Anna Elizabeth Hoyght, Mostly a Pirate and Kisser of Foreheads RL: Kate, mostly confused, sometimes not....
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