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 Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:56 pm
"Camille Erikson," Cassandra declared, already knowing the end from the beginning. "Did it occur to you we might be being watched doing this, or, y'know, you might be the Captain trapping us cleverly or something?" A lightbulb came on. "Random thought here," (sort of her catchphrase, they would soon discover) "We could be actively being denied access. It's gotten worse as we've gone along. If so we should probably stop."
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:04 pm
"Someone is blocking us," Isaac said quietly, then repeated it louder. "We're being blocked. We've been found out, guys!"
He looked to the door with a sort of foreboding premonition.
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:46 pm
"I don't think so. I mean, I've been caught before, they might know what I'm doing, but it never really ends too bad- Oh, hey, it's starting."
"-ikson.
Your Rank: Captain, Angeldust Channeler 3rd Class
Your Present Occupation: Classified."
The shadow mage hit a key.
"Present Occupation: Captain of the Triumphant, vessel of Zero-Sum
Your Service Record: Classified"
Click.
"Service Record: Four major attributed tours of duty. Three years as a member of the Los Angeles Ground Defense Force. Assistance in damage control during the 2015 Madrid Incident. Participation of classified extent-"
Click.
"Participation of classified extent-"
Click click.
"Participation as an Archer-Exalted assassin during the New York Liberation. CO of the Angelship Triumphant, 2034 onward.
Known Strengths: Powerful, if not exceptional, arts-angelic and ability to create a channeled arts-angelic bow with no preparation. Near-perfect accuracy up to approximately one kilometer without assisted sight.
Known Weaknesses: X7 Classificat-"
Click.
In Paul's voice: "Miss Erikson is a fierce fighter, but her Catholic upbringing conflicts strongly with the angelic policies of no mercy, no forgiveness, and no prisoners. She's often self-doubting, but I think in spite of this, her ability to adapt to changing situations will make her a suitable captain for the Triumphant."
"Biography: Camille Erikson was born-"
"Close file," a male voice commanded from behind the line of terminals around which they'd crowded. "Ah, and I'd thought I'd never see action out here."
A man stood from beneath the terminal across from the one they were at; he had an expensive-looking black suit, graying hair, and cold blue eyes, which moments later were hidden behind sunglasses.
"You can call me Agent Frost. Technically, you're all accomplices." He smiled. "But I don't care about that. I care about the man who just broke the DO's personal encryption code. Anything I should know about him?" He muttered afterward, "Damn, that was uncomfortable...."
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:49 pm
Isaac shivered and remained silent. He had been right on one count, at the very least.
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:58 pm
"Wait, he just what?" Cassandra asked. "I... woah. Hey, how the hell did you sit there that long?" Cassandra shifted a little nervously, but he had told them he 'didn't care'. That was good enough for her.
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:02 pm
"Sure your back ain't injured, old man?" Carlyle joked as he pulled the captain's clearance card from the terminal and tossed it at the newcomer... oldcomer.... person with authority. "He used this as a starting point."
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:06 pm
Ty's hackles rose as Cassandra and Isaac started voicing their suspicions, and he actually began hunching down when the repeated word "classified" seemed to sting the air with its repetitions.
Although he was reassured by the shadow Martin's confidence, it wasn't by much, and his growing tension exploded in a yelp and jump backwards when Frost revealed himself. Why hadn't he smelled the guy? Once he had recovered, he discretely sniffed the air. There was something odd there, definitely.
And then there was the introduction, and his face brightened considerably. "Hi!" He patted his chest. "Ty - how long have you been there?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:10 pm
"About... two minutes longer than you. I came in advance when he approached you," the aged agent explained. "Now, I'm going to be taking you in, mister....?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:16 pm
"Wait, so you knew this was going to happen? Lame. I thought we were being sneaky. Anyway, my last name's Franklin. Taking me where?" he asked with chipper mien. This was exciting!
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:21 pm
"You can call me Martin. For the moment. But I prefer to call myself...." His face shifted, jeans and a loose shirt melted and reformed as complexly layered robes. "Maratriel." He hunched over a little and with a mighty roar, black wings exploded from the robes, throwing the Coven soldiers to the floor. A single flap sent a small cloud of black feathers to the floor. "Feel free to take a commemorative feather. I would kill you, but Siluriel doesn't like when we kill kids. Also, I rather like you. You were useful. If I hadn't been able to use you four to work around their magic-based voice recognition, that card - and the X7 breaker I added to it - would've done me no good. And now that I've figured out a few things I needed to know about, well..." he smirked. "Say hello to the magi-generals Simpson and Colburn for me. They'll know my name. I think Sai down there should as well, if he lasts the hour. See you around...." He began to walk directly towards the exit.
Ty's statement was lost in the new event.
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:30 pm
Isaac stiffened in fear at the name, and at the transformation passed out cold.
Clenched in his rigor mortis-like hands, though, was a single black feather.
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:36 pm
Cassandra did not speak. She did not move. She lay on the floor, petrified with fear, waiting for the Lucifex to exit. She hardly even breathed, thankful that Siluriel apparently counted them as children.
Please just leave please just leave please just leave nobody say anything not a soul I don't want to die here not yet I've still got things to do oh God don't let it happen - collect yourself here. Collect yourself. He's leaving, he won't kill you. No troubles. Not one. You'll live to see tomorrow. You're okay. You're okay.
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:41 pm
"Like hell!" the agent yelled, pulling a phase knife and leaping the table in one bound; age hadn't been too cruel to him, it seemed.
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:44 pm
Unfortunately, Maratriel was crueler to him than time was. He leaped back, flapping his wings and landing upon Frost's head, kicking off and landing behind the collapsed agent; it was like watching water flow.
"A phase knife won't help you against a Lucifex," Maratriel informed him. Glyphs appeared in the air before him and chains of light bound Frost to the floor. "That'll be enough of that, though. I have places to go. Maybe you kids should check on Sai. Akai Ryu agents are closing on him now. They're already past your perimeter, and the Path would rather see him alive."
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:47 pm
"Oh, s**t..." Carlyle muttered. He grabbed his pistol and aimed it at Maratriel. "Bad idea..." he muttered, lowering his weapon with a sigh, his hand shaking. "What... what was he saying about the Drakken?"
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