Letter Bee

Re: Zero: The High Council

Ashton Andrews

As Ashton walked on, the back of his thoughts felt like acid, burning him with their demands to be acknowledged. Because now that he had heard what Chieko had to say for herself when she was calm, he knew this: She was right. Well, right-ish. He wasn't going to be making excuses for the chuuni girl's conduct, but he wanted, no, needed to tell the truth; to further uproot the black seeds of mistrust that had been sown earlier. So, he opened his mouth to say to Aerith -

And found Hiro already whispering to the young woman, while at the same time glancing at a beggar girl with a grey cloak. It seemed that as inferred from Hiro's barely-heardwords, their killer was now following them; following them while they were still under guard by Aer and Wisp.

Ashton knew this, that there was a 50/50 chance or more that they''d try and get Aer and Wisp to attack the pint-sized hit-girl, or otherwise cause a commotion, or otherwise betray their foreknowledge in public. What he hated the most was that they'd use this to 'discredit' Chieko's (and his) proposals without completely comprehending them.

The boy looked at his older compatriots, and was tempted for the first time, to ignore the interests of the group; did he really want to be the glue trying to stop them from self-destructing at little reward to himself, even confinued survival? He wanted to be kind, he wanted to be good, but he wasn't perfect and should stop trying to be such. Ashton Andrews did not want to let the group die once more, but he also was tired of voicing opinions that were not going to be listened to, much like he knew Chieko would be. He was also tired of how mean Chieko was, how she was a judgemental jerk who buried valid points underneath arrogance and spite.

Kimura also had genuine grievances, but his behavior had been nothing short of irritating (not to him but to others). It hurt, it hurt how this crisis was bringing the worst out of the group. But Ashton knew that the cards he had been dealt with were... Cards he had been dealt with; a play can still be made by them if he had the right perspective.

Strategy was the name of the game here.

Going to where Wisp was, he would ask the cat-boy in a low voice: "Wisp, do you smell any danger, anything suspicious? As in, are we being watched?"

Flame Brooks

Concentrate on an object filling up. Flame knew what a metaphor was; the object represented how much Mana/Magical Energy can fit in his mind, magical energy that can be used to light candles and other things. Flame resisted the urge to sniff the candles; it would not do to let Doctor Donovan know he suspected poison. So he concentrated on gathering his magical energies, then said, as mildly as possible, holding the candle out, "Goa."

The candle sparked, then lit up, a small bright flame slowly consuming the wick. Flame didn''t hold his breath, or breathe in too deeply, he just lost himself in wonder at how he can do Magic now.

His pehipheral gaze turned towards Chieko, who must by now be enjoying her access to powers that defied the laws of reality. Flame Brooks knew she was driven, he respected her a little despite her mean attitude. Here was hoping that Donovan's assistant, who resembled the white-haired woman Aerith was ranting about earlier, wouldn't show her true colors right away. Even then, assuming what said 'true colors' were would be too quick to think about. His next thoughts were: Ruined World + Cast of Jerk = I don't care what happens to these people.

The world wasn't ruined, but he was definitely a jerkface and so was everyone else, even Ashton; he knew his boyfriend well enough that even the latter had limits to his kindness.

As the candles were lit, Flame waited for the drowsy feeling that accompanied the poison that had killed him twice before. If he was being poisoned, he will wait for the reset. If he was not being poisoned, he will wait and see what Donovan had planned next. Either way, Flame Brooks tried to whisper to Chieko, "You were right. Let's share deductions next reset. We'll back you up then."

Words Doctor Donovan would not know the meaning of. Words he might even fail to listen to, due to the geas/curse that affected them all.

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

@Andre Valias@AzenExile@FalloutJack@Landaus Five-One@Metatrooper@Scribe of Thoth@Sgt Vandingo@Selvariabell@Bartimaeus@Senhara@Neozeon0083@ArmorPlated:

Alexander's Right Palm now uses an Ion Pulse Projector instead of EMPs!

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

((Collab Post between @Letter Bee and @Neozeon0083))

Flashback, Part Three

Osamu glares at Serk in fury, saying, "And now you've proven that you don't know your place. Too bad that without someone under-eighteen to see what I'm going to do to you, you have nothing between me and what I plan to do to you."

He smirks. "Guards, this man is fired from Red-Star. Seize and strip him, if you please."

The hardened soldiers move to do so, grabbing his lab coat, boots, and pants. Osamu decides to delay what will happen for one second, saying, "Your last chance, Serk."

"Hahaha, I've heard about you, and your little escapades. There are things I've endured far worse than anything you could do, and you can only kill me once" he looks at Hibiki's fallen body, "that is my lifes work, and you mean to corrupt it? I rather he die with me"

A grin that eats all the shit creeps across his face as he taunts, "Besides, if you care for that 'boy' you have bigger problems than me."

Osamu says, "Actually, I don't care for him at all, but now you've made it personal. No gaijin is allowed to regard himself as indespensible above Asians, no matter how many contingencies he puts into place. Thankfully, my own Father is a much better scientist than you'll ever be."

He concentrates on Hibiki's implants, knowing that their unique nature meant that he can do things with them that would need any other Pilot to be in their NC. The 'bio-computer' in Osamu Akiyama's brain sparks to life as he remotely interfaces with the young man's own nervous system. The synaptic link goes off without a hitch... Then his eyes open wide in shock and barely hidden pain, before his face twists into an unpleasant grimace.

But he stays silent, stoic; he had to put on an impressive show for the guards and Red-Star's higher-ups. Even as pain burns through his nerves, through his body, Osamu endured, powered by hate and anger. Then... He breaks through into Hibiki's head, reactivating the implants that had been turned off.

As he does so, however, he feels them adapting to his Bio-Computer's intrusion, being reshaped into something he hadn't expected; Osamu's eyes turned wide in shock as he felt Hibiki's brain and implants becoming completely immune to any further intrusion... But not this one.

The android bit down the urge to kill the brat himself, but upon looking at Alexander, decided to force the latter to show how much he cared for his prospective pupil.

"Alexander Sky," he said, "If you don't want me to kill Hibiki Laplace myself, you will strip right now and grovel before me."

The artificial human was only mildly surprised at how the Slave-Pilot quickly took off his clothes and underclothes, purposefully humiliating himself to please his master.

"Good," Osamu said, "I'll even make sure that he doesn't wake up instantly to see you like that, Alexander Sky."

He then gestured for the guards to take Serk away, but not without one last parting shot, "I'm going to corrupt your work and everything you did with my willpower alone. This is the price you pay for defying me."

Hibiki suddenly takes an exasperated breath.

Now subjugated by the gaurds, Serk sees the success and cries out," No...no no no no no, what have you done? You... You can't" Actual tears start to fall from the man's eyes, " This can't be, your destroying him, destroying me. You can! Stop stop!" His rambling continues.

"I am Osamu Akiyama, and others' tears only add to my happiness," the Artificial human said before turning to Alexander, looking his naked form over. "Stand up, then put on your clothes; you will show me more of your body later on, but not today. Today, you and your new 'apprentice' get to bond."

Like my own father and I never got to. Regret, guilt, and love for the father he never knew, love that was not artificially programmed in his brain because there hadn't been time to program it. As Alexander quickly put on his clothes again, Osamu allowed Hibiki to awake, before saying, "Now both of you - Go!"

Hibiki gets up, and asks, "what happened?".

While standing next to Hibiki, Alexander feels a squeezing sensation he would relate to Osamu, but Osamu is on the other side of the room. Looking down, he sees Hibiki's hand making a pass at his ass.

Hibiki, now noticing he had done such a thing, pulls his hand back and says, " Why did my hand do that? Why did I do that?" looking to Alexander.

Alexander wasn't stupid, even in this new humiliation. Instead he says, "I think I know why, but we shouldn't bother Osamu-sama any longer."

A smile. "Let's get you some new clothes now."

Hibiki smiles at his new friend and nods. Following Alexander, like a puppy given new life out of the room.

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

((Collab Post between @Letter Bee and @Neozeon0083))

Flashback, Part Two

Alexander nods, saying, "Osamu-sama, Mako Shintai has grown up and learned most of what I can learn, so I request another pupil to impart my experience too, for the good of Red-Star. I would also like to add that 'Serk Laplace', a gaijin who had managed to evade being enslaved so far and is even honored among us, is a person who has angered many with his arrogance. Thus, he needs to be reminded that he can't have everything he wants."

Osamu Akiyama nods at that, before saying archly, "Trying to aim for 'Comrade' Rank once more, Alexander Sky? Too bad that 'Serk Laplace' reminds me of my father, and I actually love my father - or his memory. So you'll have to make it worth my while to give you Hibiki-kun. Very worth my while."

Alexander forces a smile. "Tell me how I can please you, Master Osamu."

The Artificial Human grins, "Not in the presence of a sixteen-year-old; I only like people eighteen and above. Let's just say that you're putting on a show for me tonight. Deal?"

A nod from Alexander. "Deal."

Osamu smirked, grinning from ear to ear. "Now go; I'll send word to Serk that Osamu is to be given eight hours outside of the laboratory to play with you. But remember, keep up your end of the bargain, or else."

The Slave-Pilot bowed deeply, "Of course, Master."

And with that, he told Hibiki, "All right, Hibiki-kun; you now have eight hours with me. Why don't I find you some proper clothes?"

Hibiki, not understanding the undertones of the conversation, becomes very ecstatic.

It is at that time a heavy knock comes from the door and a voice rings into the room, "Hey, Osama, we have a problem". A portly man in a lab coat walks in, ignoring custom.

As the man enters, Hibiki shows clear signs of terror, as he attempts to hide behind Alexander.

"My work has gone missing, we ha..." The Scientist, clearly 'Serk Laplace' spots Hibiki, " Oh, there you are. That's enough play, time to come back to the lab".

Osamu looks at Serk, "Actually, my dear gaijin friend, the Red-Star Corporation wishes to remind you of who your superiors in the corporate ladder are. While I am personally fond of you, the fact is that you've been going around the ship thinking you can do whatever you want, even if it is above your pay grade."

A purse of his lips, "So effective today, we're training Hibiki ourselves every eight hours of every day. You will be compensated for this in new money and equipment. Refusal will bring punishment and you don't look attractive enough for the cool methods of teaching you your place."

He claps his hand, and several Red-Star guards in dress uniform come in, ready to take Serk in if he did anything more than bow and scrape and grovel.

Serk, looking around seeing the inclusion of more company, Gives a shit eating grin, "So that's how it is?". Osamu gives a gesture affirming the terms. "Hahahahah! Fine you can have the boy but ..." He puts his hands in his pockets. " I have one thing to say, Exodus 196 protocol 5" and he seemingly presses something in his pocket.

No sooner than that, Hibiki goes limp in a catatonic state.

Alexander curls his fists, turning rigid.

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

((Collab Post between @Letter Bee and @Neozeon0083))

Flashback, Part One

The Red-Star Floating Supercarrier Kuei-Ren floated above the South China Sea, carrying with it both Drones and NCs, as well as living facilities for both 'Comrades' and 'Slave-Pilots'. Currently, there were more of the latter than the former, and Alexander Sky planned to take advantage of that in the Darwin Expedition. But first, he needed to seek an excuse to see Hibiki Laplace, the pilot he was concerned for the most. Thankfully, Red-Star wasn't entirely blind to the need for its pilots to know each other, and Alexander had given no indication that he was any less loyal after a public flogging and the loss of his parents. So as long as Osamu Akiyama, the Political Officer of the ship, allowed it, then he can go wherever he wanted.

It was a shame that he had to pander to that perverted young man's wishes to get said permission. Nevertheless, Alexander was heading towards where Hibiki was kept in the Supercarrier's miniature laboratory, with just the proper pretext in mind. Here was hoping his trip was uneventful.

Approaching the lab, Alexander hears a struggle. Follow by the cries of guards yelling, "Stop!". He could hear on the cold metal floor the slapping of flesh in a rhythm. Soon, a young man in hospital gown bounds around the hallway. The boy makes a sharp turn towards Alexander, then passes him soon after. Moments later, the guards arrive unsure of where he ran off to and consequently run off the wrong direction.

That was good; it seemed Hibiki still had some independence of spirit. Alexander can use this. And so he walked off to where Hibiki was running, knowing that the young man would soon be tired.

Alexander, upon pursuing Hibiki, hears a commotion coming from the mess hall. He enters the now rowdy room, the soldiers are producing a spectrum of reactions. Ranging from laughter, confusion, and interest. Alexander happens to eye the cook, and he gestures to the food storage.

The Slave-Pilot walks over to the food storage, figuring out what Hibiki was doing; hungry boys needed food. So he comes in, saying: "Hibiki-kun, are you inside? Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you."

Those were actually truthful words.

Hibiki, a bit startled, sees the man, but it's not the guards so he calms down. Then Turns back to the porthole, looking at the world go by. The boy stays silent, as he eats an apple. After finishing the apple, Hibiki turns to Alexander and with a big smile, "Hello, you know my name? Are you like me? How many painful experiments have they done to you?"

Alexander sits beside Hibiki and says, "I do, I am like you, and plenty. My name is Alexander Sky, fellow Slave-Pilot of Red-Star."

A pause as he checks the food storage for cameras and other surveillance equipment; none were pointed at his exact spot, thus emboldening him to say, "You know, the guards will come here eventually; they will catch you. But if you're with me, I can tell them that our Political Officer assigned me to be your mentor. Which I could be. So what do you say? Be my pupil and be allowed out of the lab for some hours each day?"

With an inquisitive head tilt Hibiki asks, "What's a slave?". He then readjusts his head and smiles again, " what you say does sound nice...but..." he trails off. Gaining some composure the boy continues, " I don't think my father would allow that, I'm... I'm never supposed to leave the labs, he says the outside will contaminate his work" he says smiling but with his eyes welling up.

Alexander says, "A Slave is a human who is owned by another human as property. That's who we are, Hibiki. As for your father, he is a Master, but there are people above him who can make him do what they want because they pay him and give him lab equipment to do experiments with."

A pause. "I'll go to their superior right now, one Political Officer Osamu Akiyama. I'll do whatever it takes to get you outside of your lab for a few hours. Will you come with me?"

The Pilot was earnest.

Hibiki jumps up into Alexander's face with a hopeful expression, but clearly seen in his eyes are surgical scars, Hibiki says, " You really can do that!". Hibiki is ecstatic and now uncomfortably close to Alexander. " Let's go tell them right now!" The boy tugs at Alexander's uniform gesturing him out the door.

The Pilot smiles at his fellow Corporate Slave, and goes out the window, where the cook and a circle of guards were waiting. Alexander waves them aside, saying, "I and this boy have business with the Political Officer; touch him and you will be punished."

This threat works and the guards part to allow Alexander and Hibiki to move across the ship, going through the corridors to where Osamu Akiyama waited in his office. The redhead, who looked only eighteen years old, smirked at Alexander, saying: "You requested to see me, Slave-Pilot Alexander. It's about the boy you have with you, correct?"

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

@ArmorPlated, accepted.

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

@Neozeon0083, accepted.

Everyone Else: Neo's profile was made through mobile, which is why it looks bad.

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

Stern Algorithm has left, so there is an open position for Field-Captain!

Edit: Well, 'Open', as I am trying to talk ArmorPlated into joining...

Re: Zero: The High Council

Ashton Andrews and Flame Brooks

Ashton admired Aerith for keeping her composure, but despite his annoyance at Chieko, he had to make peace with both her and the others. Or at least, remind them all that whether they liked this or not, they were all in this together. So he spoke a few last words, "Going to get papers... It's a temporary measure. We can always go to the other places afterward, but for now, we need to be safe for a few seconds more. Like it or not, we need to get settled, we need to build ourselves up to a point where we can stand on our own two feet, and while going for safety won't solve the problem long-term, sometimes, the only thing we can do is buy time."

He looked at Flame, but the other boy was already saying, "Nevertheless, Ashton, I am going with Alistair and perhaps the Japanese Girl to where Doctor Donovan is if Alistair insists on going to the 'Good Doctor'. But again, I have no objections to just going with you once more as long as we do it now."

Flame looked at Yuuki, gave him a nod of acknowledgment, "It's true that our present strategies are not working right now. We're all angry and frustrated at each other. But if we all hate each other as a group, we're going to die countless times and then be forced to endure each other in this futile cycle, and no one wants that."

The redhead then stood between Alistair and Chieko, ready to follow their lead to go to Doctor Donovan. As Ashton looked at his boyfriend, then Chieko, then Aerith, and after that Yuuki, all he can do is have faith in... Someone that they would all make the right choice. A glance at Aki, the street urchin from this world who had chosen to hang along with Chieko; he thought of asking her to persuade the Japanese Girl to go along with them, but that would be seen as manipulative and he didn't want that.

NCQuest - A Mecha RP: The Defense of Darwin (BeeNCQuest)

@ArmorPlated, Also, you have permission to post in the OOC to give commentary on the IC's story as a story; I like your perspectives on things.