Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lev kept his expression stoic as he stepped out of the craft. He nodded toward the blue-haired woman. "No time for semantics right now, June. We need to get Riley and his captain to the medical ward right away." Waive was wheeled out by Micheal and Sarah was just barely able to hold Riley upright. The look on the poor guy's face told Lev that he wished he'd taken a wheelchair like Waive about now. It took maybe two or three minutes, but eventually a few burly men exited the Oasis compound and made their way over to the newcomers. They didn't say much except when asking Riley and Waive if they were in any pain. Riley welcomed the wheelchair they brought and they were quickly pushed off into the compound whence they came. They stood in silence for another few moments until June let her curiosity well over her. She asked what happened after Croix got shot and how Waive and Riley were injured in such a manner. Lev explained to her the recent events.

"And we came here because I do not have the proper medical facilities to mend them in their current condition. And although Ravaillac is nothing short of a genius, I felt they would be more comfortable if they were to recover here," he finished. 

June couldn't argue with Lev's logic, so instead she just nodded and insisted, "Let me show you around then."

She took the lead and guided the group passed the swimming pool that had a small waterfall at the far end of it and into the building that was nestled comfortably at the center of the green oasis. It was almost hard to fathom how this place existed, because just a small trek beyond was a seemingly endless desert. Once inside, the integrity of the place seemed to change dramatically. The air was serious. People dressed in camouflaged uniforms fitting for desert ops were walking up and down the black and white floors and long,  silver hallways. Some carried papers, others carried rifles that slung around their shoulders. But all of them kept solemn faces and firm postures. June seemed so out of place in here. Her long, slender body exposed with only a two-piece bikini and sarong. Lev was merely surprised that none of the men were drooling over her. If his interests weren't elsewhere, he was sure even he would be doing just that right now. Sarah inched closer to Lev and looked up at him. She bore a look of concern as she slowed her pace. Lev did so as well and they ended up with a lot of space between them and the rest of the group.

"Do you think Des will be okay?" she asked.

Lev sighed. "Desmond knew the consequences for what he did. But I'm sure he will be fine. Besides, worst case scenario, I'll just have to bail him out." He smiled and chuckled. This managed to get Sarah to crack a smile and the two of them quickened their pace to catch up with the group. June continued to guide them through the building, but eventually they found themselves inside of an elevator going down. When the doors opened, June guided them out into another hallway. It looked roughly the same as the others, but the air was colder here. He began to wonder if the blue-haired woman would ever change when she opened twin doors that led into a wide and opened room. At the center was a large computer console that doubled as a table. The walls were covered with machines, blinking lights, flashing screens. Beeping consoles, fuzzy radio signals, and chatter amongst the few people who occupied the room filled the air. Towards the back of the room talking to a young man with tan skin and short, dark, curly hair was a taller man dressed in a white suit and pants, black boots, a black shirt underneath and a white tie to pull the outfit to a classy finish. He wore a pair of silver-rimmed reading glasses as he looked inquisitively at a stack of papers the curly-haired man showed him. June cleared her throat and Kasimir looked up from his reading.

"Oh," he said; shoving the papers back into the hands of the younger man. Kasimir quickly stepped over to the group and stood high above all of them. "Welcome to the Oasis Base." Kasimir looked to Lev and then to Sophia, where he held his gaze. "It is good to see each of you doing well. Especially you, Sophia. You had me worried with all of that commotion back at Cornell." A smile perked on his face. Lev couldn't tell if it was an act from years of dealing with diplomats or a genuine expression of happiness. Kasimir was always a mystery to him. From what everyone said, he gathered that the tall German was immensely revered even among some of the most powerful people in the world. It was even said that he was friends with president Lucielle Tresca. It wouldn't surprise him, though. He did seem sincere enough in his intentions and nothing screamed deceit when it came to Kasimir. 

"Is captain Sibyle with you? I heard he ran into some trouble after the shooting." Kasimir's voice became hoarse and his expression drooped. As if recalling the near assassination of his son was overwhelming him. 

Lev nodded. "Waive was taken to your medical ward along with Riley Fawkes. They both sustained some serious injuries and.. I figured they would be more comfortable here than back at my casino." 

"I see. That's fine. We have more than enough room in our ward and plenty of supplies to spare. They can stay here as long as it takes to recover. However, since Waive may be out of commission for a while, I'm going to have to send in a temporary replacement officer to lead his squad." Appearing by Kasimir was a slightly shorter man. He seemed boney in structure and his face looked almost skeletal due to his prominent cheek bones and tight skin. His thin, brown hair which had receded past his forehead was kept slicked back and parted to the sides. He had deep brown eyes that did not hide the years of pain and distress well which was proved further by the thick, dark rings under them. He was dressed in a formal military uniform similar to some of the other men in the command room. Oddly enough, Kasimir seemed to be one of the few people out of uniform around here.
"This is Staff Officer Lanzo Wessel. He'll be stepping in for Waive while he stays here in recovery." This was more directed toward Micheal, since this was to be his commanding officer until Waive felt able enough to return to active duty. But he said nothing. And neither did Lanzo. In fact, it seemed as if Lanzo had been scowling at Sophia ever since he appeared next to Kasimir. ... This wasn't going to go well.

"You shouldn't worry yourself over me, Sophia. I am just a soldier like any other here. And regrettably, my family may be in jeopardy because of that. But you are much more. We couldn't afford to lose you, lest our entire operation may be reduced to shambles and the Blackguards would prevail," assured Kasimir. Lev raised a brow at what he said. It seemed an awfully radical stance for such an articulate person to take. Perhaps all this confusion caught him off guard. Were these his true colors? Do whatever it takes to win this war--even at the cost of his own family? No, that couldn't be it. And Kasimir even showed a look a thought as he reconsidered what to say. Eventually, he would speak again, "What I mean is: there is nothing more I would like than to have my family live safely and in peace. But for that to happen, we need to put a stop to whatever it is the Blackguards have planned. So far, the only thing we know that they're afraid of is you, Sophia. We've recently come across some new intel that the Blackguards have been scrambling ever since your encounter back at their base. And the incident at the night club--Moran tried to persuade you to defect, didn't he?"

Micheal exchanged a glance with Sophia. "Sure," said Micheal. "Right before she smoked him."

Kasimir nodded. "Right. So you can see why we can't afford to lose you, of all people." He called over the young curly-haired man he'd been speaking to when the Lev group first entered. The curly-haired man, who Kasimir called Prozi, brought with him the papers he'd had earlier as well. He gave them to Kasimir and he dismissed the boy once again. The near-giant then handed the papers to Lanzo and told him, "you've been given your requested dossiers, Staff Officer. You may leave for your new post when ready." Kasimir turned back to Sophia. "I would love to converse some more, but I must attend to my duties. Lev, I'd like you to come with me. I have some issues to sort out with you."

Without protesting, Lev followed Kasimir out of the room. Sarah trotted behind her boss and left Sophia with Micheal and their new "captain", along with June and the newcomer called Mish.



Lanzo grimaced at Sophia as he folded his hands behind his back and nearly crumpled the papers in a fit of anger. Oh, how he despised this witch. And what made the fact that he was being forced to work with such a disgusting creature is that she was apparently their "only hope." It appalled him in such a way that he couldn't begin to describe. However, this silence was nearly as jaded as his hate for this thing standing in his presence. He pulled the papers from his back and flipped through them. Then his dark eyes hovered over Micheal.

"Lieutenant Raphion," said Lanzo. Micheal straightened his posture and saluted. That was good. At least he wasn't too soft from being under Waive's leadership. Lanzo continued, "Things will be different under my command. I won't be as lenient as your previous commanding officer. Be prepared to return to your post on my order. Understood?"

Micheal gave a loud and clear "yes, sir" and Lanzo granted him ease. Afterward, he squinted and scowled at Sophia before striding out of the command room; leaving behind a heaviness that would only dissipate when he was finally out of view.

Croix flipped through the intangible monitors that projected from the portable console slipped behind his ear. It was no bigger than a pen and was standard issue tech this year. Just about anyone in the Oasis Sanctuary would own one of these little cylindrical computers. On the screens were Croix's personal notes and journals where he kept everything that could possibly condemn him in plotting the utter destruction of everything Kasimir ever was. Even in the hospital he wouldn't give up on his mission. The only thing to stop him would be--a knock on the door. Croix flung himself into his pillow and grabbed the cylinder from his ear and tucked it underneath the sheets. The projected monitors vanished and the ginger pulled the comforter up to his chest. He cleared his throat.

"Well, let them in then." He had recognized the voice as Misha Hefftcoat; one of the more promising members of Kasimir's regime. In addition to being quite the looker, she was also a very kindly girl. Croix had known her for years and he enjoyed picking at her nerves, especially since she was best friends with his sister Claire. If it wasn't for her devotion to Kasimir, he actually might have a different attitude towards her. Maybe even a romantic interest. But that wasn't the case. So he would just have to stick with his heart and torment her like the rest.

Croix watched Sophia's eyes and immediately put up his wall. His mental wall. Running through number combinations, recalling how many nurses had walked by the door in the hallway, counting the ticks from the clock on the wall. Sophia couldn't know his plans. She was too important and too close to Kasimir that it would completely ruin everything. ... Not to mention he'd have no way of stopping her, since she vastly outmatched him with her abilities. Croix smiled.

"I'm fine, Sophia. Just a little sore." He sat up a little and grunted at the pain from his wound. He wouldn't have normally groaned as such, but he wanted to sell this persona to Sophia. "Thanks for your concern and.. thanks for patching me up. I could have bled out if it wasn't for you. Oh, and my father appreciates it. He might not show it, but he really cares about Claire and I." Croix's gaze drifted over to Micheal, who was slowly striding into the room. He stood across from the ginger and leaned on the wall opposite to the one Croix's bed was against. "And I heard you tracked down the assassin who shot me, Micheal. Thanks for that. I'm sorry to hear about Stross and Waive, though." Croix's smile faded and he put on a facade of regret.

Micheal sighed. "Their sacrifice wasn't in vain. We're going to find out who it was she was hired by and why they wanted you out of the picture."

"Well, isn't it obvious?" asked Croix. "They wanted to hurt my father. The Blackguards are playing dirty, and nothing would hurt him more than taking Claire or me out." Micheal sighed again in response. It was hard to argue with Croix's claim, because it was more believable than the truth.