Forum Wars - Civil War

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While some of the other shards had gone off to either participate or watch the interrogation of the recent captive, Reitan wandered around the camp. He wasn't wandering around to find something to do beside watch the interrogation. No the reason behind his walking was to keep his mind distracted. Another thing that helped with that was walking into a conversation. Looking up he saw Zahariel and The Inheritor talking to a couple of people. Reitan didn't recognize any of them and normally he would've just left it at that and continued on with his own business, but one of the three was a robot. Yeah, he was real curious as to why they were talking to a robot thus he walked up to the small group. "Yo Zahariel. Who are they?" He made a slight nodding motion towards the three he didn't know.

 

"Good work Onamakritos." She spoke, standing up and dusting herself off. She nodded at Aster, recognising that he existed and that he did help - Even if it was only a little. She approached the door. "Prisoner is secure."




"Excellent work." Jaden spoke. He heard the clinking of chains coming down the corridor and looked to a soldier who was bringing better restraints. "Exactly on time. Now this time, we'll do what we should have done much, much earlier." The Inheritor opened the door and allowed his troops to file in. They occupied the walls, two of them relieved Onamakritos of Rose and held her up while the soldier with the manacles chained her arms and legs to the wall opposite the door. This left her unable to move herself anywhere - Exactly what was required. At this point, the Inheritor stepped in and appraised the prisoner.
"So, you're the infamous Black Rose. There's not that much to you, is there? I expected more." He folded his hands behind his back and began to pace from wall to wall. He turned to her after a short period of deliberation. "I suppose that we should begin with the more banal questions. As usual, easy way or hard way. It makes no difference to me which you choose. Tell me, what are Jayce's plans? The strategy behind this new strike?"

"These are new recruits. The Prince as you know has given his name, although the others have not." The Captain spoke. "Do you know their names? They don't seem too inclined to speak, the woman nor the machine."





"Nothing that you can help with. At least, nothing that will make a difference at this juncture." Kalak replied, seeing the new person on the bridge. The Demi-God raised an eyebrow. "Jayce, Theo, who's our guest? And why exactly did Ashleigh storm out of here with the fury of a gale?" He passed her by on the way here and her face was worrying. Perhaps someone insulted her father again. That was a great way to set her off, so it was probably that. He'd ask her himself later on. Someone would need to calm her down before she let loose Anthem and Requiem on the furniture. Possibly Jayce's furniture, and he had some of his stuff stolen already today, it didn't need to get worse.
"Anyway, there was a point to me coming here. When you're done dealing with... Whoever this is you might want to check your room." He wasn't going to embarrass his uncle by saying that someone broke into what should have been a highly secured ro- Oh who was he kidding? "Because someone managed to break in and escape with two halves of a Xanahammah and a cross-dimensional communication crystal that probably belonged to you. Unless it was the other broken hammer and crystal." ​

 

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"I see" Ashleigh stated simply "You missed the part where they went to join our enemies. I will let it slide this time, you took a course of action you thought was appropriate and I was pacified by the woman, it was reasonable to assume my orders were products of delusion. Nevertheless, don't do it again" Ashleigh instructed "Dismissed. Do as you wish"

Timothy mostly remained silent as he was spoken to, his circuits trying to come up with the appropriate protocol. Until eventually he emitted a beep and brightened up "Humble Greetings, my lords, your majesty, Captain" he bowed elegantly "I am Timothy Chesterton, mechanical butler and manservant to Ms Kala. It is our intention to join your faction, and I will serve you however you wish" he bowed again. Suddenly he turned to Kala "But Ms Kala, we have no home. We are safe here, among allies. We have shelter, food, company. What more could you wish for?" her sorrow did not compute with his systems. He turned around again and faced the god, the prince, the young man and the captain "Would you like some tea?"

Ransak was still walking towards the Shards base, the hammer weighing him down somewhat, but he'd reach it eventually. And when he did... he could almost taste the gold.

 

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Veera stiffened at the criticism, but bowed her head before walking out silently, eyes focused only on the path ahead of her. Where that was going...she sighed and stopped, pressing her forehead to the cool wall as the outside air blew her hair off her shoulders. "Bowing to someone like that." Alpha's snarl whispered through her mind. She smacked it firmly against the solid surface before turning away, her eyes falling on Requiem. "Anthem isn't back yet?" She asked, somewhat surprised. "Do you want company while you do your...thing?" Which seemed to be trying to examine his injuries.

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Kala smiled a little helplessly as Timothy turned to offer tea to the strangers. Her eyes roamed over the robot, taking in the dents and scratches he had aquired...recently? Her memory was blurry, but she knew there had been a fight, and....And he didn't leave us. He stayed and protected us. If Timothy thought this was a good idea, then she would trust him. No one had tried to attack her yet, and....if she didn't say what she was, if she kept it hidden, then it could hardly be a problem, could it?

"I'm Kala." She murmured to the group, tucking her hands inside the cloak and wrapping it around her naked body to keep it hidden from sight. She didn't think anyone would be able to tell, as long as she kept the opening closed. "I um...I don't know how any of this works." she admitted, shrinking back into the cloth a little more. "I haven't been around people in quite a while. But...um..." she copied Timothy's mannerisms. "Humble greetings." She said.

 

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New recruits? Well that wasn't expected, but there wasn't much reason for them to decline them. The robot announced himself as Timothy, a pretty normal name for a robot. The other girl, Kala, seemed to be nervous about the whole thing. "Well most of us here aren't all that bad to be around." There were some exceptions, well one exception, but they didn't need to know that right now. He was probably preoccupied with the prisoner. "Sure, I'll have some tea."

 

Whilst waiting for tree-girl to respond to his comments, Jayce was somewhat happy to see his nephew join him on the bridge. Right up until he revealed everything that had been kept hidden from him.

The Valiant broken into? A thief who had managed to slip into his room and the museum exhibit? Who had taken both the broken Xanahammah and… and…

The crystal. The trans-dimensional communication device his father had oh-so kindly left him before buggering off to Subspace or wherever the hell he was now. A lovely going away gift, which mainly served to allow Xanatos to criticize Jayce when he screwed up.

Figures. I earn a victory and I don’t even get the chance to gloat about it.

“We have to get that crystal back,” said Jayce, moving towards the door as if to pursue the thief himself. He made it about two steps before his shaking legs and bleeding form got the better of him, and he was forced to seat himself.

His injuries. He’d ignored them for the most part and refused every offer of healing he’d been given. Now he was paying the price. His immortality was taking just a bit longer to kick in than he would have liked. He motioned for one of his guards to fetch the healers. One he actually liked.

“I’ll go after it later,” he decided, “in the meantime, I have a way of monitoring it here. The Valiant can scan for signals produced by the crystal. If and when the idiot activates it, we’ll know where to go looking.”

Looking around, his loyal council of warriors seemed to be slow in gathering. Ashleigh had fled the scene, but what of the others? Veera was nowhere to be seen, and Rose-

Gone. For now. Jayce had a half-fledged hope she’d cut her way free herself. Maybe even turn up on The Valiant before they left for the next mission…

Or maybe not.

“Well, we may as well get this meeting started. First, congratulations to all of you. Your efforts today helped to secure an important front for the Order. For the first time in a long time, we have an advantage. One I intend to press.”

His voice was not flecked with joyful tones, but painted with grey. This was not the voice of a man who had just scored an incredible victory. This was the sound of a boy, beaten and bruised.

“Our casualties may have been high, but we have secured a great deal of reinforcements from our Northern allies, which will do well to help our cause. Furthermore, aside from a few pieces of resistance, we should be able to take majority control of this area. It’s a more significant gain than anyone realizes. Before the Shards know it, we’ll have put an end to their little rebellion.”

A little rebellion which had outnumbered The Order for many moons now.

“Now then, for our next move. I’ve spotted several targets which I believe wil-“

“Sir, we just intercepted a Shard transmission!”

“What’s it about?”

“Prisoner transfer.”

Rose.

“Bring it up!”

The table they were seated at sprang to life, presenting a holographic image for all to view. A land, dotted with a few scant towers to represent fortresses, and a red line joining two in particular.

“This is the route they’re using the transfer the prisoner,” Jayce mused, “does it mention who the prisoner is?”

“It’s your assassin sir. Looks like they plan to move her very soon.”

This was it. Their opportunity to get Rose back before she was gone too long. Before they could interrogate her. Not that they’d get any information from her form… but Jayce would rather his best-soldier remain in peak condition. He turned to Kalak.

“Nephew, are you fit to lead this operation?”
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Teliana watched the "meeting" from a short distance away, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed across her chest. It seemed that Jayce hadn't been happy with the progression of the battle, but since she had been...occupied, she couldn't say what she felt on the outcome. Disappointment, obviously, and worry for Rose, but other then that?

She grimaced as her stomach growled quietly, resisting the urge to punch it. Because that would hurt her, and she didn't really need that right now. Not when she was supposed to be listening. Her attention was refocused as someone mentioned Rose. Well, not by name, specifically, but how many other assassins did they have in their company? And how many would get Jayce's attention like that?

She half smiled to herself, before stepping forward, letting her arms drop as her eyes sharpened, her expression returning to one of businesslike solemnity. "I'll volunteer for the mission. That is, if the Scorned One will have me along."

 

He heard a rather familiar voice call him and he looked up seeing Reitan "Greetings, Lancer." Zahariel didn't mind the Lancer too much after all he too still engaged in glorious melee combat. The Captain had answered the Lancer's question and the robot and girl seemed to be more inclined to speak. The robot offered him tea, but he would have to refuse. "No, tea for me" The god stated simply. The girl however seemed to initially want to go home. The robot didn't exactly seem to grasp the concept of home. "Home isn't as much a place as it is a feeling. A feeling of fitting in, belonging where you are. This can be anywhere, everyone has a home, even if they haven't found it yet." The God explained but figured it wouldn't be very useful to do since it was a robot they didn't feel emotions like living things and therefor couldn't grasp the concept of home, flawed in it's very nature. Humans tried to be like the gods in creating these things but they didn't even come close to the glory they had made. Zahariel smiled at the awkward behaviour of Kala having not been around people in a while, there was something about her that intrigued him. "We can teach you, Kala" The Andaran Prince said and Zahariel agreed, it wasn't too difficult to do even for a Custodian like himself. "Indeed we can, worry not Kala we have quite the assortment of characters, I'm sure you'll fit in nicely." However it wasn't entirely true, no matter what they all told him, he wasn't at home here, he didn't belong among them. But as the custodian of this world he had no choice in the matter and would walk the long Road.​

 

"I was expecting something more substantial out of you. I'll reiterate, what are Jayce's plans?" Jaden demanded, more aggressively this time. He didn't even wait for a reply. He had no expectations of a useful answer, that was not what this was about entirely. This was about something entirely different. "Onamakritos, burn her left hand. Men, put it out after five seconds. Let her experience the death that she would so happily have inflicted upon us. Take care not to burn the limb off. I want her to be able to use that hand." Some might consider it foolhardy not just outright crippling her, but it was meant to be a message to Jayce, to the whole Order - Jaden Samarost could afford not to cripple his enemies, because he was the one in control. He held all the cards. They just didn't know the extent of it yet. All of it was part of the game.




Kalak nodded as Jayce spoke, outlining the mission details. What he was most surprised about was that he was being directed to lead the mission. That seemed to be more of Ashleigh's department, but he went along with it. Vasher's dark side wouldn't be getting out on to the field this time. A rescue mission suited a more rational mind anyway.
"Very well, I shall lead. It won't be an issue. Besides, commanding will be... Refreshing." Perhaps they could make a difference here, try to catch the Shards off guard. He looked to the woman who had just volunteered for the mission. "Considering you skipped the last operation, I should hope that you're taking part in this one. Your eyes might be of use to us here. As well as your... Other talents." He knew of her abilities to manipulate blood, and the curious nature of her eyes. Regardless, he looked straight into them. With what was inside his mind, he needed not fear any hallucinations. ​

 

Jayce said nothing more as Telina volunteered herself for the mission. Inside however, he was smiling. Kalak and Telina, a very formidable team together. They would prove to be more than enough to handle a simple prisoner transport. Still, it was Rose, so it was best to be safe...

"Take Sophia Hamerkop with you as well, along with two-dozen soldiers. This is a chance to strike against the Shards before they can lick their wounds. Whilst this is happening, I'll send another group to attack some Shard outposts. We'll gain momentum, throw them out of the nearby regions and bring more support to our cause."

"Do you two have any questions before I send you off?"​

 

David's pov:



Jaden said, 'A most prudent course of action.' He stood there and folded his arms. Perhaps things could get done now. He was not surprised that he was the only one to think of closing the door. Now it was time to watch what he did unfold. Then madness happened and it looked like he was going to have to get involved again. That was when the group inside the door seemed to get it together somehow and get her chained to the wall. Well it was about time something happened. 'What are Jayce's plans?' Jaden asked. There was no way there was going to be any answer that would be helpful here. What do you know he was right they did not get anything useful. It then turned into burning a hand. He was not sure this would work, but there was nothing he could do at the moment.


Sophia's pov:



It did not seem that Jayce wanted her help and she was fine with that. There was something about getting some crystal back. She was not paying that much attention. There was something about a Prisoner transfer. Rose, Why would they move her? "Sir this could be a trap, if I was them I would not be moving a prisoner so easily." 'TakeSophia Hamerkop with you.' "Wait what?" She was Surprised that Jayce would want her to go, but what you going to do. "Alright I will go." She turned to Kalak and looked at him. "What do we know about the Shards? What will be at Where they are taking Rose?" This whole thing seemed somewhat rushed, but meh, she would go along with it for now.

OOC: I have family coming in this week so I will be unable to post for some time.

 

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Teliana narrowed her eyes as Kalak met her gaze. No fear, hm? We'll see. They always changed their minds after watching what she could do. Although in the company of gods and demons, she wasn't so sure she was as intimidating as she had once believed. At least the Hammer kept other people from thinking she would be easy prey.

"Don't ruin the surprise for everyone." She responded to Kalak with a sly smile. "It's always a beautiful thing, watching someone watch me for the first time." It wasn't. At all. But she had always heard, if you wear your flaws like armor, then no one can touch you.

She turned to Sophia, the distaste obvious on her face. This woman asked too many questions for her liking. "We'll find out what's there when we get there. And yeah," her gaze turned to Jayce. "This is probably a trap. But then we'll show them why they shouldn't mess with the Order of the Hammer. I'm sure one of them has heard where they're actually keeping Rose, if she isn't with them." She smiled grimly. "I'll be able to get the information."

"So, can we get going? I've got a date for dinner and I'd so hate to be late." She raised an eyebrow, waiting for Kalak to give the order. He may be commanding this mission, but he would have to earn her respect.

 

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Timothy opened a hatch in his chest and placed a cup into it. The hatch closed, and Timothy shook slightly. Steam blew out his ears and a ding indicated that the tea was complete. He handed the tea to Reitan. He then stood by Kala's side loyally.

Reqiuem shrugged and emitted an apathetic note in response to Veera. The effect of that gruff mouth creating such a musical sound was slightly disconcerting. Requiem examined his helmet, he would probably have to a get an entirely new suit of armour. Soon enough, Anthem arrived, and the two had a musical exchange that could have been recorded and sold as the newest hit pop song.

Out now, Anthem and Requiem's newest hit album, "recordings of everyday conversations in music language". Including such hits as "Did you feed the cat?", "Can you drive me to work?" and the heartbreaking masterpiece: "I think I lost my keys"

Eventually the pair entered the Valiant, gesturing for Veera to follow.

 

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Veera sighed, leaning against the wall as she crossed her arms and stared at the ground. She had always assumed those in her pack would react the same way she did; with evident emotion when something, or someone happened. Her old pack would hug and shout with joy when one of their members returned, and weep with sorrow when one was lost or injured. These two, Anthem and Requiem....She muttered several words under her breath as the two began to speak. She couldn't read them, couldn't understand them...and Ashleigh was no better. The woman could use words instead of notes, but Veera didn't understand her any more then the two next to her.

"Find a new pack." Alpha whispered. She cringed as the voice caressed her mind, numbly following Requiem and Anthem into the building. "You wanted to hunt that girl. Perhaps find where she went. Watch her. Study her. Strike when the time is right. Others will follow. Your strength will draw them." But she couldn't just abandon the Order, could she?

"What's stopping you? Unrequited loyalty?" Good point. I'll think on it. Veera promised Alpha as she continued on after the musical soldiers. I'll consider it.

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Kala looked from Reitan to the Andaran Prince to Zaharial, the last of which she tore her eyes from forcibly. Something about him whispered to her. To a different, darker part. She shoved it away, and tried for a smile, hoping she succeeded as Timothy returned to her side. "Thank you." she whispered, her hand reaching out to touch the cold metal of the robot's elbow. "Um..." she shivered, and flushed. She was the only female here, and something told her this was significant....somehow.

"Um...I need more clothes." She said softly, ignoring the urge to hide behind her robot protector. "And...." She blinked, peering back at the cloaked figure. "Are you staring at me?" Reitan didn't seem so bad, kind of....cool. Is that even a word? Yes, okay. He's cool. The Andaran Prince hadn't revealed anything, and had been kind, in his own way. But Zaharial, well....she didn't like the way her eyes inevitably drawn back to him, the inexplicable whispering that told her to take....take what? She didn't like it.

"He called you Lancer." she turned back to Reitan, her eyes flashing with curiosity as her mind jumped away from the uncomfortable feeling. "What does that mean?"

 

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Despite the the lack of change in his facial expression, Reitan started to get lost in his thoughts upon hearing him mentioning a home. Not once has Reitan felt at home since and to be honest, he barely noticed for he didn't even know what home was suppose to feel like. Maybe that was why he didn't know what his teacher's last words to him meant.

Hearing the sound of a ding brought him from these thoughts and back to reality, to which he saw the open hatch in which Timothy had made the tea as well it being handed to him. "Thanks." Reitan took the cup from the robot and then a sip of the tea. It was good, even if he had no idea what kind of tea it was. (it's Earl Grey). "There's not really a special reason behind me being called lancer, it's just that my weapon of choice is a lance." Reitan explained to Kala as best as he could. not that there was anything that could've been left out of his explanation.

 

The Ancient God was rather perceptive and noticed how Kala kept tearing her gaze away from him. She asked him if he were staring at her. "No, but you seem to be struggling with not staring at me, but don't worry it happens more often..." Zahariel said, and then smiled he hadn't been staring at her, then again how would she know even at this distance his hood concealed his face. However, as to not be accused of staring again, he did something he rarely did in public and pushed the hood back down, revealing his pale skin, red eyes and long, flowing, black hair, his appearance having a certain timelessnes to it.

The Andaran Prince stared at him for a moment then turned to Reitan. "A lance carrier, when so many advancements have been made with weaponry? Unless there is a story behind in which case I offer you my sincerest apologies, for I do not wish to offend you." The prince stated, then again his own weapon wasn't exactly state of the art either, but that was more a problem of supply with newer weaponry, not to mention the war going on, but shipments still disappeared every now and then, but surrounding nations vied for these so they might protect themselves from this war.

The Ancient God adressed the group as a whole "If there isn't anything else, you wish to ask of me or talk about, I shall be on my way again, if you make up your mind I am to be found in my quarters." He then turned to Reitan in particular "If you wish to train, Lancer, let me know. The last engagement left me a little... disappointed...and maybe a training session will take care of that." The god said as he put his hood back on and turned his back on the group as he walked towards his quarters. ​

 

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Kala glared at Zahariel, his appearance not intimidating in the least. In fact, without the hood, he looked like a doll. Or a statue. "You're making me upset. But not upset. You're...." she struggled with the words, trying to identify what she felt. "You're full of yourself." She finished, crossing her arms. She still remained close to Timothy, growing more confident that the robot would protect her should something go wrong. He hadn't let her down yet, right?
"I think I want to hit you." She announced, grabbing at the folds of her cloak as they began to open. Whatever rules of society she did or didn't know about, being naked in front of strangers seemed like a bad idea regardless.

"Frustrating!" She nearly yelled, clapping her hands over her mouth as a smile grew on her face. Zahariel was leaving, apparently done with their group, but she couldn't help laughing in delight as her hands dropped once more to the edges of her cloak. "You're frustrating!" She laughed some more, all other negative emotion gone as she was filled with excitement at having discovered, or perhaps rediscovered an emotion.

"And you're..." she scrunched up her face as she pointed at Reitan, her other hand keeping the red cloth folded around her body. "You're.....quiet! And..." she paused as she examined the Andaran Prince from afar. "You're quiet too." This confused her, and Kala fell quiet once more, contemplating. Could people be more then one thing at the same time? How could she tell them apart if they were the same thing?

"Timothy, I need clothes." She whispered, leaning on her robot friend. "Can we go find some? I have to think about the quiet people."

 

Jayce somewhat doubted the validity of Teliana's statement that she had a hot date. With the amount she ate, it was a turn off for any man or woman in a fifty mile radius. Then again, she did hold some wisdom in his words. He hadn't considered the possibility of a trap. But his sources were well-placed, so he wasn't going to waste a chance at saving Rose just yet. If they transferred her to Shard HQ, he doubted they'd get her back at all.

"What we know about the Shards is what we've always known. They're a bunch of heretics who've got their hands on some powerful technology and allies. Be very careful when you engage them. I managed to wound the Ancient God they've got on their side, so I doubt he'll be making an appearance. Carissa shouldn't be too difficult either. She's anti Demi God, not anti... Hamerkop. Still, watch the others. As for the prisoner transfer, nothing appears to be out of the ordinary. Standard transfer, probably to a more secure facility. I'm guessing they've got her hidden in a camp we haven't found yet. No matter. I'm sure the three of you can torture the information out of some Shards. If you get that information, I'll move The Valiant in to blow their little base to kingdom come."

Jayce hit a button on the console before continuing.

"You'll find a shuttle awaiting you in the docking bay. That'll take you to the transfer site. The Shards have a slight advantage now, but if they lose Rose AND give up the location of their base, we can inflict some hefty damage before the sun dawns."

Which couldn't come soon enough. His arms and legs were sore and sluggish. His eyes fluttered constantly. He wasn't sure how much longer he could remain in the world of the awake. Still, he'd have to push on a little bit longer. They still had some work to do before he could embrace that sweet gentle slumber and maybe get some goddamned sleep. It was here in his tired, battered and breaking mind that thoughts swarmed like hornets. Amid the storm, a single idea ran true in his mind. Another plan to strike whilst the Shards licked their wounds and admired their soon to vanish prize.

"Theodosia," he turned to his 'assistant', "get Asleigh up here. I'm going to need her for a mission."​