[center][h2][color=SteelBlue]Seeds of Conquest[/color][/h2][/center] [hr] Dr. Neurocide was giddy as a schoolgirl as she poured over the preliminary data gathered by the research team Maximillian had assigned her. So much of it was outside her areas of expertise, but what she could understand was world-shattering. This Node, while limited in capacity, was functionally infinite in potential. Spontaneous matter and energy generation, brief connection of points in space-time, and then there was the theory by the science team's brightest that this device wasn't unique. The idea that there were more of these... impossibilities hiding somewhere out there was enough to make the Cosmo-biologist weak in the knees. [i][color=MediumSlateBlue]"If just one brought the Organization back from the brink, and even aided its growth, what could two, or ten do?!"[/color][/i] Neurocide marveled, [i][color=MediumSlateBlue]"I wonder if it would be possible to follow the energy the Node is runnin' off of. The sheer size of the thing would suggest an even more massive generator, and if we could backtrack to it, findin' more Nodes should be simple,"[/color][/i] a thought struck her, [i][color=MediumSlateBlue]"and what about siphoning that energy, or even reroutin' it to disable or damage other machinery around this world? Nothin' says this generator only powers Nodes, and, if I had that kinda power lyin' around, I'd be runnin' everythin' I could off it."[/color][/i] The doctor had never regretting throwing her lot in with Max's organization, but, now, she was truly overjoyed at contacting him all those months ago. [hr] A disappointed frown sat on Col. Blackheart's face as he read over the reports his security team had written. Absolutely nothing had happened in the, admittedly short, time since they had established this little camp. [i][color=Tan]"Blast it all![/color][/i] he cursed mentally, [i][color=Tan]"We're in the bloody rainforest! You'd think a hungry predator or some violent natives would liven things up, but [b]no[/b], we landed in the one rainforest where even the bugs don't take offense to trespassers!"[/color][/i] he turned another page as he continued reading. [i][color=Tan]"Ho now, what's this? Smoke from the northwest?"[/color][/i] he read with interest, [i][color=Tan]"Multiple smoke trails, possibly bonfires or the like. Natives! What luck!"[/color][/i] Blackheart cheered internally. [color=Tan]"Now to convince old Max that we should teach the locals some respect!"[/color] he announced as he stood from his stool. [i][color=Tan]"You there, lad!"[/color][/i] he called to a passing Guard, [i][color=Tan]Grab your rifle and take a message to Maximillian...[/color][/i]" [hr] Montezuma stared into the embers of last night's fire. He probably should have already been back to work by now, but the voodoo priest saw no need to rush. This place was strangely quiet and it left him in a contemplative mood. Sure, it had the sounds of any other wilderness with its birds and beasts, but this new world, and he was sure it was a new world, lacked the spiritual background noise he had long since come to take for granted. [color=BlueViolet]"There be no spirits here,"[/color] he muttered to the embers, [color=BlueViolet]"there be only echoes and screams. This place be no place for the living."[/color] Maximillian was a great man, it was why Montezuma served him, but he doubted that the man could appreciate what they were stuck in. This was a place where things are brought to die, but Max could only see it as a place to rule. The priest picked himself up and dusted off his trench coat. [color=BlueViolet]"It be time to go,"[/color] he said to the Guards accompanying him and started off into the rainforest without waiting for their response, [color=BlueViolet]"The little big man be wantin' a bird and his privacy. No good can come of us keeping them from him."[/color]