Letter Bee

S̴T̴O̴R̴M̴C̴L̴O̴A̴K̴ : Rise of Tyranny (Interest Gathering)

I am interested.

Potential Iliad City Rework

-Moved to PMs-

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

Windsor and his Crew - Present Day

Windsor was incognito, continuing to work in Aisha's ship as a regular crewman. The duties continued to shift as the Captain grew more confident in her ability to treat the youth as her subordinate, although technically she was still his'. As for the rest of their crew, they still didn't know what to make of it, and she heard whispers of how this was some sort of 'game' for the CEO. So one day, Aisha decided to go to where Windsor was chatting with a Korta member of her crew, and bluntly say, "Will. We need to talk, now. Alone, please. And no, it isn't a date."

She looked at the Korta crewmember as she said that. Either way, she gestured for Windsor to accompany her outside, to where the ship was docked inside the Queen Elizabeth's hangar, and towards a Food Crawler which, though smaller than the ones in the Galactic Bazaar, was still large enough for them to have a meal inside in relative privacy. After paying for the food, Aisha looked at Windsor and said, "As your personal pilot and caretaker, I have to say this: Game's over. You've been 'slumming it' with us long enough without telling us why. And please don't give me that bs about wanting to know how life for us is - It's flipping condescending. So tell me, why don't you go back to your life of wealth and luxury and leave us alone?"

Windsor almost snapped, saying, "It's not all it's cut out to be. Before I inherited the Fleet, there is a designated part of the ship where no one can go in and out, a part of the ship with artificial parks and rivers and streams surrounding a luxurious suite of rooms where the person inside is provided with everything they wanted - Except the right to leave. A golden, gilded cage that you must not leave 'for your own protection. And the worst part is that one did need to be protected, that there are threats outside who would use the desire of the caged bird to leave, to see the world, as an opportunity to take him away for a fate worse than death."

He breathed in and out, "I love my mother. She did what was needed. But I hate what she did, which was keep me locked up in that gilded cage, with only a few servants and my books for company, with very rare public appearances to reassure people that I am alive and fit for inheriting the Trading Fleet - But not too fit, because if I even show one moment of genius, I'd be taken away. Now tell me, is it even fair? To have the Ascendancy force this choice on my mother and me?"

Two bowls of soup were served by a Tayanen server, and Windsor began eating a few spoonfuls from his bowl out of courtesy. Then he looked at Aisha and said, "I hate the Ascendancy. I hate injustice. Just because you're rich doesn't mean you cannot be a victim - I learned that full well."

After a few seconds to let his words sink in, Windsor got up and said, "I'm resigning from your crew, by the way. If you don't want me, then you don't want me - I'm not going to demote you from the position of personal pilot, though. I promoted you to that fair and square. Goodbye, Pilot Ibrahim."

And with that, he walked to the door of the Food Crawler, waiting for the vehicle to stop. And once it did so, he walked out, calling his security personnel to send a small groundcar to pick him up. If they wanted him back in his cage, if he was really maladapted for life outside it... Well, flip them for refusing to let him learn.

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

GM Post - Ashton and Flame

Ashton and Flame, having had their laserdiscs and a few musical instruments delivered to the Xuanzang, were now looking for a place to catch up with Jude, having decided to accompany him home to the Xuanzang.

Then they saw the pillar of white fire from some distance away and Flame said, "Damnit. It's either us, the Ascendancy, or miscellaneous terrorists. Either way, we need to warn the others - Ashton?!"

His boyfriend was already looking at the pillar, a bad idea considering the fact that it could be radioactive, and taking a moment to concentrate, a long moment to use Supernal Vision. Then he said to Flame, "It's World Magic, but much amplified as if someone pumped in a lot of Mana." His face turned firm as he said, "Let's go - Maybe we can do something."

As he began running towards the source of the danger, Flame, already activating his 'Prenatural Calmness' spell (he had taken that instead of a Nuking spell - That can be learned later) said using the telepathic link being lent to them, <Maria! Are you here? Tell me what's happening with the pillar of fire! Also, send a message to every one of our crew in the Bazaar to rendezvous in the Pillar of Fire!>

Just in case Maria was somehow incapacitated, Flame would also send a voicemail to his' and the others' omni-tools, saying, "There's a Pillar of Fire in Sector North! One of us is at fault! Help us put it out and then flee the Bazaar at once - Security will not look kindly on what we're going to do!"

Ashton, meanwhile, was making a few automated purchases, ones which relied on his Omni-tool and access to autonomous delivery drones. One of the latter flew overhead and dropped three hoverscooters/airspeeders in front of them, which both kids hopped on and began driving towards the flaming pillar (it was up to Jude if he wanted his'). The second purchase, meanwhile, would be dropped off at where the Pillar of Fire was, and contain several containers of high-grade fire-extinguishing foam which was resistant to radiation as well.

"Maria!" Ashton said, before shifting to the borrowed telepathic link, <We just ordered several containers of high-grade fire extinguisher - The type which can put out flaming lava - Dropped off to the site of the incident! Are you okay?> Then shifting gears to talk to Jude and Finbarr in his mind, Ashton added, <Jude, we might need the Stasis power if I remember right about you having it, while as for you, Finbarr, we're going to need an escape route back to the ship as soon as possible, so rendezvous with us so we can flee!>

Why were they going to flee again? Because Bazaar Security in gunships and old-fashioned ground vehicles (which were cheaper and less vulnerable to counterattack than hovering speeders), was already flying towards Alan and the pillar of fire, saying, "Attention! Attention! You kids are under arrest for Suspected Terrorism and Unauthorized Magic Use!"

@Letter Bee@Th3King0fChaos@The Man Emperor@Landaus Five-One@FalloutJack@Conscripts@dragonpiece@Starlance@jdh97@6slyboy6

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

Ashton and Flame - The Galactic Bazaar

Ashton and Flame sent a message to Nero and Laurey through omni-tool text, saying simply, Hey, you two! We’re going to the bazaar to look for some bootleg Earth Music - J-Pop, Classical, and Heavy Metal! Want to come with?

PS: We might try and enter Korta Stock Markets next - They have their own Stock Exchange and Corporations and have had them even during their vassalage. Won’t that be fun?

The message bleeped inside Laurey’s mind as she lay, spaced out, on a crate in the Cargo Bay. The Mech towered over her. Avelyn, where had she gone? Oh well.

Music? Yeah, that’s what she needed. Something to really transport her. And Stock Markets… that seemed important, like something sober Laurey wanted to know about.

So came her reply: “You know it!”

It’s funny, because at the time, Nero was actually trying to figure out what the hell he could spend several million credits on besides ‘the best goddamn chainsaw in the world. That was still bookmarked, but while he was seeing about maybe finding some really good low-profile armor online before hitting the bazaar, a message appeared!

Ah stupid pop-ups… Always when I’m- Oh wait. Nah, this is legit.

After all, he didn’t usually get messages from people who were...you know...in the same ship as him. But since they’d landed at the Bazaar now, that probably made it a bit more necessary. He wasn’t sure about Classical music. Some people swore by it. Nero’s eyebrow DID go up at J-Pop and Heavy Metal. He didn’t know Metal as much as the other, ‘cause...you know...orphan Japanese boy, buuut he was curious, so he sent a -Sure, why the hell not?- in reply and also needed to know their location.

The response was, We’re still near the ship’s airlock, waiting for you guys. After that, we’re going to the hangar and taking a Food Crawler so we can have breakfast, while also heading for the Main Bazaar where we can go to an obscure but good music shop in the northern section of the superstructure. By the way, the two of us are paying.

“Double neat!” Laurey messaged back, swinging herself upright and almost toppling straight over again, “Thanks guys. I’ll make my way there.” Despite having just gone shopping, it wasn’t that daunting to go again, and there was breakfast. Can’t argue with breakfast.

”Eh?”

They wanted to pay? But weren’t they all…? Ah, he’d explain it to ‘em in person. Nero would show up at the airlock in basic casuals, then. Still armed, of course, but mainly stuff in his pockets so it’s not so obvious. Not that it was gonna be an issue where being taken by surprise was concerned. With the way he’d upgraded, the young assassin was feeling pretty good about handling shit right now. Besides the fact, teaching a basic novice like Laurey kind of underlined how frigging cool he was, so bonus ego boost! Thanks to all that, well, it’s not like the boy was in any sort of sour mood as he broke the confusion to the pair by the airlock.

”How come you guys wanna pay the way when I could spend literal years trying to figure out what to do with all those credits?”

Ashton blinked at that and said, “Well, we invited you, so it’d be rude to ask you guys to pay -”

Flame sighed and said, “Ashton, we should probably get to the food crawler - That and I do have some ideas on how Nero can spend his money.” He looked at Nero, “Basically, once all this is over, why don’t you buy a farm, as well as settle down with the… Partner of your choice? Or if that’s boring, why not learn how to be a gunsmith?”

The Food Crawler in question, a gigantic restaurant on wheels, was quickly approaching. Perhaps it’s time to get out of the ship?

Yeah, Nero would be leaving to flag that sucker down while they were walking and talking. He’d given the duo kind of an incredulous stare. You know, the whole ‘You serious?’ look.

”Ya gotta be kidding me. Farming? Gunsmitching? Putting aside the part about ‘partner’, although a girl who can keep up’d be nice, you just said two things I’m definitely no good at. I spent the war killing plants with knives. I mean, c’mon, Flame. Literally the worst guy to do those things. I’d be a better...uhhh....hey, computer: What’s that prize-fighter wrestler with a mask?”

The Omnitool replied ”Luchadore.”, and he nodded, going ”That.”.

At this point Laurey arrived, dressed in her tatty and curry-stained clothing (the only set she had besides the Ascendancy uniform and her brand-spanking-new overalls). She did not seem to notice, or care.

“Fellas,” she nodded to the three. They had nice auras, purple-green lights dancing about them. She shook her head. “You ready to eat until our stomachs burst?”

“Yes!” Ashton said, while Flame thought about Nero being a Luchadore and nodded to show his approval for the idea.

Minor Timeskip

This food cart had a wider variety of food than the last one, and quite a bit of Earth food too, such as steaks and ribs and salads and vegetable soups. Also fresh fruits grown in greenhouses on the Bazaar, such as plums and apples and oranges and grapes. Then Flame said, “You guys want to know something potentially gross? Some Rau’ve bodies are edible, just like fruits and vegetables. Rau’ve can also grow fruit and flowers, too, and those are edible as well.”

“Gee, Flame,” Ashton said to his boyfriend, “You could have made me lose last night’s dinner right now, you know that?”

“Same goes for humans,” Laurey said, wearing a dramatically grim look, “doesn’t mean you’ll catch me chowing down.”

Yes, they were enjoying a great deal of foods to feast on, aaand when Flame brought up the subject of eating Rau’ve, there was...sort of a cough or a grunt of some kinda’ noise from Nero’s direction. It sounded a little...like embarrassment.

”So uhh...I may’ve actually figured that part out… I was a bit low on rations, and it wasn’t cannibalism, so...”

It was also a bit of trial and error, because there were also parts that weren’t edible.

Ashton twitched as Flame said, “To be honest, if it’s flowers and seedless fruits, it’s no less different than eating hair or fingernails. Still gross, but not cannibalism -”

“Okay,” Ashton said, “Let’s talk about something else.” He looked at all three of his companions and said, “My father is a fencing teacher, and by fencing, I mean swordfighting, and by sword fighting, I don’t mean the pretty stuff with rapiers and sabers. My dad knows how to use a longsword, like the one that Crow guy kept waving around, only not Perfected Electrum. He taught me and my adoptive brother a few tricks, too.”

Flame looked at Ashton and said, “That Arthur kid?”

Ashton smiled and said, “Yes, Arthur, my brother. We found him trying to take shelter from the rain - We didn’t ask why he was running away - And then we took him in and adoption was surprisingly smooth due to me being able to afford the right bribes. He fast became my dad’s finest student and was teaching him new tricks after a time.”

He then stood up from his seat and began to demonstrate a few poses and stances, not caring about what the other customers thought. Laurey clapped for the little display. If Nero gave it a thought, those were nigh-identical to Blue Crow’s fighting style when the latter eventually decided to ‘get serious’ instead of just throwing magic around...

“Nero’s been teaching me how to fight,” Laurey said as she chewed something wholly unsentient, “Not with a sword though.”

”Yeah, with proper fists and that.”, continued Nero, swallowing so he became a bit more intelligible. He had noticed the similarity in the stance from the Crow guy when he started fighting properly. Really, the boy had been a little more interested in the sword itself, but hey, he was observant.

”This father of yours have like a student that he expelled or something? That merc kinda’ fought like that. Not like really well, but I did get rushed when he launched out from the wall.”

Ashton said, “He taught for money - Gave courses lasting for years and made a few dozen apprentices in addition to his students. I was his best, though… And Arthur was better.” He sighed, “I miss them. I miss my family.”

Flame said, “So, what about your mother, Ashton?”

Ashton perked up again and said, “Well, she was a mechanic. A mechanic for sports cars. Also did the family expenses. I wonder how they’re doing, how they must be worried about me - At least the Ascendancy didn’t take Arthur, though… Maybe they thought I was the bigger pain.”

Nero sat back a bit. His capacity for food was reaching its limit.

”I don’t know or care for family. Yours have been fine, but mine are a pair of right fucks, so the hell with ‘em.”

Always a sensitive topic, in a way. Nero’s parents were on his list of people that he wanted dead, somewhere after the ascendancy commanders who’d started the Star Marine project and that of the soldiers - any who survived, that is - who brought him in when the orphanage basically sold him to them. Come to think of it, if those people weren’t sort of taking care of some other kids up shit creek like him, he’d off them too. Maybe he’d kick them around a little. Wasn’t sure. Point is, Nero had no love of family. They fucked up his life long before the Ascendancy ever got the chance. He didn’t like the subject, but he had no problem talking about his hatred for them. This was obviously part of the reason he was so standoffish. Where would he gain the trust of anyone in his life? Nowhere, that’s where.

“Hear hear,” Laurey said, raising a glass of blue ice wine in toast, “To family, can’t live with them, can’t live without them. No, shit, can’t be born without them. Without your parents.” A pause and a wry smile, “Fuck them. To us, and the infinite potentials of suffering and solace born unto us.” She finished off the last of her drink.

Once the food was over - Obviously, it was paid for beforehand - Ashton and Flame led the way towards the interior of the Galactic Bazaar, where they eventually entered a shop filled with musical instruments and old laserdiscs ran by an old Korta, who greeted the four and said, “Wolf Cub! Fire-boy! Glad to see you - I just got a few new pieces of Old Earth Music you guys might like!”

He then looked at Nero and Laurey, asking, “New friends? Don’t worry, I won’t pry!”

This was one of those off-to-the-side and out-of-the-way spots, as opposed to the guy shouting for business at a vendor spot marked ‘Akbar’s Emporium’ a ways back. Strange little man, that one. Anyway, this shop had a whole helluva lot that was music, ranging from instruments that Nero might be interested in messing with, here and there, to musics of all kinds and in all forms. At the mention of him and Laurey, the young assassin just shrugged and went ”Yeah, basically.”, and returned to looking around. He wasn’t completely ignorant of music. He just didn’t really own much, so certain things would get his attention. Laurey gazed at the metaphorical candy, a child.

Just as the Korta had greeted his new customers, another entered the shop, though they were not as human as the rest. Jude had been tasked with checking in on those who were spending their time and recently acquired credits down at the Galactic Bazaar. Jude didn't have any interest in spending their portion, browsing the wares of the market or even really leaving their room, but they'd long since stopped refusing direct orders from anyone in a position of authority, so off to the shops they went. After sweeping a few of the bigger stores, this particular shop caught their eye. They were a music lover, and hey, everyone was really so it couldn't hurt too bad to check for the crew in here. At the least it'd be less than a waste of time than that stupid Akbar's Emporium.

Miraculously, Jude ended up picking correctly. First they spotted Nero, then Laurey, Ashton and Flame too. They cursed their luck at not having time to browse, and approached the group. "I was told to make sure you were all fine. Are you?"

Holy moly. An eidolon of the future man had arrived from the future, man. Laurey’s mouth ran away with her, “Are you a messenger of the Great Machine?” Her face glittered like smashed glass.

A disappointed sigh escaped Jude's 'mouth,' even as Laurey's face beamed in excitement. "I am not an AI. I was human. This metal shell is just, what the Ascendancy made me, I guess. I would appreciate it if you didn't call me a robot." Jude said, their voice carrying the slight sadness their face could not. "You're… Laurey, right? I think I've seen you around. I recognize one of the guys over there too." Jude mentioned, pointing to Ashton. "Are you all with Moonstrike? Like I said, I was just checking in."

“That’s odd, I’ve never seen you,” was all she said, before letting the others deal with the not-robot. She hid her disappointment in the meticulous study of the music.

“Jude!” Ashton said as he waved at the big guy, “Glad to see you - The higher-ups allowed you to finally join us, it seems?”

Flame then introduced Jude to Laurey, “Laurey, this is Jude - He’s one of us, experimented on more… Comprehensively than usual by our old tormentors.” He then gave a rare smile and asked, “So, do you have a favored genre of music? This place sells obscure Earth songs...”

Nero looked over back at the new arrival who was being kinda’ obvious, openly talking about Moonstrike and all. Granted, the guy running this place was a friend of Ash and Flame’s, so he wouldn’t mind, but it was a bad idea to just open your yap about the rebel organization. The interaction between him and Laurey was also kinda’ weird, but then it was obvious that both of them were cybered up and...hang on a minute. Even as he was being introduced, Nero snapped his fingers.

”Now I remember. I saw you in combat once. Think I jumped off that helmet once into somebody’s guts. Nice swords.”

Jude wouldn’t recognize Nero right off because he wasn’t in his mask or any combat armor right now. The reverse was possible because the cyborg always looked the way he did now. Nevertheless, the instance of some Star Marine hopping off of his head and diving headfirst into someone to vibro into their body with vibroblades would be something he could easily recall.

Jude was a tad confused at how Ashton seemed happy to see them, at first, but then they were swept up into introductions and the like and didn't really have time to process all that. Flame was here as well, and approached Laurey and themself with Ashton, eager to introduce the two. Jude was glad he had got Laurey's name right, not much of a worse introduction than getting someone's name wrong, but they were far happier at Flame smiling at them and making pleasant small talk. If only those of Jude's old squad were as welcoming…

Before Jude could answer, though, the last person in the shop, who, again Jude thought they recognized something about, introduced himself. Apparently they had been in combat together, Nero vaulting off of Jude into someone they were currently fighting and disemboweling them.

"Thank you. For the help in that fight and the compliment. As for the music question… Um, well, I have kinda eccentric taste? Or, eclectic? I'd be interested in some softer rock music, stuff from around the start of the 21st century."

“We have those!” the Korta shopkeeper was in his element, “Let’s just say that during the ‘dark days’ of our vassalage, we made plenty of illegal contacts with illegal music sellers on Earth…”

@jdh97 @FalloutJack @Kafka Komedy

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

@The Man Emperor, accepted.

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

@Kafka Komedy, accepted, move to the Characters Tab.

Fate/Novus Apocrypha - The Ends justify the Means!

I might already be too late since this Thread has been quiet for a while, but are you still looking for someone to join?
I have a few unused Masters and Servants that are collecting dust, so I should be able to fill any slot you are missing.

@XmasForJuan

I ended the RP just yesterday, sorry.

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

GM Post

Natasha Zhang

They were back in the Xuanzang. Thank god, after a stressful first mission, they were back in the Xuanzang. Not that Natasha did anything much in the actual mission, but when Ashton and Flame had brought up RealAscendancyStockBets once they were back on the ship - She had an account there too - the Captain had decided to make up for her relative inaction by earning the group some money and more importantly, deal some financial hurt to the Ascendancy with the help of her genius/prodigy crewmembers.

Within 24 hours or so of their return, a few Ascendancy hedge funds had been obliterated, a scattering of various rich oligarchs was (metaphorically) writhing in agony from having their speculation ruined, and Ashton and Flame were clearly in their element as they caused a few ripples in the Ascendancy's Core Worlds before the regulators struck - Even then, RealAscendancyStockBets managed to make off with a generous amount of cash, although actually buying things with it will have to wait till they return to the Galactic Bazaar. There was also the option of going to a Tayanen or Korta world, too - The Ascendancy's former vassals ought to be enjoying their newfound freedom.

Freedom, she mused, that Plenty had been deprived of once Kherol and Co. had crushed the rebellion there - Let's just say that the quick getaway of the Xuanzang was something Natasha could take credit for in the end...

Ashton and Flame

"We keep the bulk of the money, Ashton," Flame said, "Only twenty million each for our friends - The rest belongs to us."

Ashton said, "But Flame, what can we do with a full billion if we're not giving it to Moonstrike?"

Flame said, "Ashton, I hate to say this, but we need an exit strategy for if we fail - We don't know if Moonstrike has commanders who can stand a chance against Grand Admiral Laguna, much less Grand Admiral Kherol. And by exit strategy, I mean we need to escape a potential defeat while having a way to strike back, and thanks to having a full billion, we can buy our own dreadnought, which can form the nucleus of a new opposition force should Moonstrike get their asses kicked."

Ashton looked at Flame and said, "Not a dreadnought, Flame - Kherol won his victories with Carriers. We're going to need something which can give those ships and their swarms of starfighters a problem." He breathed and paused, "I've contacted Gloriana - She says that the Korta have a design for a dedicated artillery ship - A gigantic pipe with a Fusion Reactor and Engines inside which can launch superheated jets of hydrogen gas. But the problem with implementing this design is money - They're still rebuilding from decades of Ascendancy oppression."

Flame chuckled, "And that's what we have aplenty. Very well, funnel the money to the Korta, then - Commission a prototype unit of this 'Tube Ship' as soon as possible, and if we ever get more money, we make more."

William Windsor and his Crew

As William was returning from Ponin, the young man had acted with renewed purpose, working as an ordinary crewfolk abroad Captain Aisha Ibrahim's ship while using FTL comms to communicate with his mother, Elizabeth, and coordinate a minor financial assault on the Ascendancy's oligarchs in Wall Street with the help of the rest of RealAscendancyStockBets. Not that they'd cross the line to causing a panic, though - That'd get their buddies in the social media organization investigated by regulators. No, he'd content himself with bringing down some of the worst hedge funds and lenders.

After that, it was time to talk about other matters.

"This Kaisoken, Mirrorshard," William was asking his mother through private comms, "You are certain of his loyalties?"

Elizabeth answered as her holographic projection straightened the shawl around its neck, "I am - He speaks with the commitment of a new convert, one who has pursued a previous cause with fervor, was disillusioned with it, and now pursues a new one with greater zeal than before. Treat him well, William, he might make a good ground commander."

A shudder swept through William then. "The very thought of fighting in a planetary surface, in open ground and evenly high gravity... It is very unusual. And the thought of doing so for days and weeks on end -"

"Kherol did such," Captain Aisha Ibrahim interrupted as she entered the comms room, "But I must admit, as we're both fleet-born folk, that spending more than a few days on a planet like Ponin and even fighting there... Well, it makes for a lot of phobias, right?"

"That it does," Windsor said, "But I must overcome said fear if I am to to lead the true rebellion. Moonstrike has given no indication it intends full-scale war or is even ready for it. I, however, am..."

@Letter Bee@Th3King0fChaos@The Man Emperor@Landaus Five-One@FalloutJack@Conscripts@dragonpiece@Starlance@samakama@jdh97@6slyboy6@Jade Kiyo

Innocence Lost - A Science Fantasy RP [v.03]

GM Post - Realist (NPC)

Realist didn't even attempt to disappoint Laurey and her expectations, giving the cyberneticist a vision of a great, golden hall made up of binary and trinary codes, glowing with their own soft yellow light. A transcendent space meant to show the immense space of Realist's mind and what it can hold, and also flattered those whose paradigm already revered AI and borderline worshipped it.

And then he flooded Laurey's mind with information, information which her cybernetics can barely comprehend, yet which it did, due to Realist pacing the flow just enough. Numbers, dates, and technical schematics of various Ascendancy projects flooded into Laurey's head, as well as philosophical musings on Magic and his own sapience. And of course, a 'historical model' which puported to show the course of history as he saw it - Cycles of revenge feeding into each other over and over again without end.

Laurey Karlin - Take me out of here, Realist's voice, heavy with information and accumulated wisdom, echoed in her head. Jan is distracted, your partners are freeing the remaining prisoners. You can remove me from this 'cage' I am in, so that I can reveal to you the dark secrets of the Ascendancy, and the treasure trove of information Moonstrike seeks.

Instructions flooded through her brain, instructions on how to detach his AI Core from the machines keeping him in place and take him out of the room safely. Save me, Laurey, Realist said. You know how little the Ascendancy values its tools. Especially... the AI continued, That which hold the key to a new world, a new world of transcendence and heights of beauty incomprehensible to those who reject the gift of cybernetics.

But deep in his heart of hearts, Realist felt the human emotion called humor, felt the human emotion called... Satisfaction. Satisfaction at the lies he was weaving, lies mixed with truth, and how Laurey was being led away from his hidden truth - That a part of his knowledge had been locked, hidden, and rendered inaccessible to her. That even though he wanted to get rid of the block as soon as possible, he did not want her to do it, for what she can do with that truth... It will lead to the end of everything and not in the way most folk would anticipate it doing so.

Take me away, Laurey Karlin - The Ascendancy is catching on, the window of opportunity is closing, Realist said once more, suppressing the human feelings he felt, concealing them from Laurey's cybernetic senses. They already know.

@jdh97@The Jest@Th3King0fChaos@The Man Emperor