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Post by Holms Net on Jun 1, 2005 15:07:49 GMT -5
As we entered the room, we saw a single person pinned to the ground by the general, being injected with some sort of material, causing the man to go limp. I tried to put together what I saw to infer what had happened, but it seemed there wasn't much to tell. The way the man looked, it seemed he had seen quite a bit of action throughout his life, and seemingly there be a lot more to go. I couldn't find any symbols on him to tell us where he came from, but he definitely wasn't a Blakist, that was for sure. A dog tag around his neck was visible, but I was too far to read the name on it.
The man also seemed to have recently taken a beating, most likely from the general. Not exactly the best way to get information from a possible ally. Even though you can never be too sure, the situation seemed that the general had taken it one step too far with the dose of... whatever it was. The general was holding the boy against the ground, even though there was no way he could get anywhere. I didn't like the general ever since I had first met him in the Op, he seemed to be trying to take it over to me, taking command of us. Now he was in a bad position as it was, and being so harsh definitely didn't seem right.
General, I think you have made your point. Why don't you back off a second and give the guy some room to talk, huh?
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on Jun 1, 2005 17:58:08 GMT -5
The comm didn't even finish the usual static before I bolted down the stairs towards the location of the General and his group.
As I entered the room, I saw the General injecting the man with some sort of substance. Infuriated with the General's actions I shoved him aside before the injection was completed.
The man went limp, obviously to avoid having a needle broken in his skin. It also appeared that some of the injection was already into his system.
General, what do you think you are doing!? You do NOT have the authority to perform an interrogation on MY mission, let alone the ability to inject this man with ANYTHING.
Now listen here you roughneck. You do--
General, you had best keep your mouth shut. This makes twice on this mission that you have undermined my authority. I don't really care how things are run in your organization, but I will not tolerate insubordination.
Zhukov and Mamba, guard the hallway. Gunman and Maxwell, please secure the General for the time being. The rest of you are to guard the entrance.
I grabbed the man by the scruff of the neck and placed him in a chair and secured his hands to the nearby table.
I slightly slapped the unknown man's face a few times to bring him about.
Now, who are you?
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Post by MechWarrior Sergei Zhukov on Jun 1, 2005 19:22:08 GMT -5
The situation in the room was tense, but when Commander Dillenger came in and shoved the General out of the way, it signaled that the tension of this mission was coming to a headway.
If this keeps up, someone is gonna get hurt...or worse.
Zhukov and Mamba, guard the hallway. Gunman and Maxwell, please secure the General for the time being. The rest of you are to guard the entrance.
Yes sir.
Not wanting to draw any of Dillenger's current wrath, I walked briskly to the entryway into the hall that was closest to the room the "interrogation" was taking place.
Mamba shifted uneasily.
You know something. What is the General up to?
Excuse me? You expect to get anything from me after how shady you've been acting on this Op. What are YOU up to?!
Mamba was edgy, but the look on her face revealed that something was up and she had inadvertantly said so.
So something is going on with the General. I don't think Commander Dillenger will need much in the way of convincing if I bring this up. He is not a happy man with you two at the moment it seems.
A long drawn out sigh showed that whatever she was hiding for the General was taxing her loyalty to something and it was beginning to show.
Your bluffing. Besides, with the way you have been acting, what makes you think he will listen to you.
You have a point, but I don't bluff. Some people fancy the gambling of their lives and others to achieve certain goals. Unlike the General, I do not. I know where my loyalties lie and I won't risk my death or that of others that have placed their trust in me to accomplish my goals. The question is, do you know where YOUR loyalties lie?
The question hung in the air like an ominous cloud. Mamba wanted to talk, but whether or not she would open up was all a matter of time.
...time. I knew I wasn't going to risk myself or the others in an attempt to finsh my mission successfully. Though an "accident" was certainly an option.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jun 1, 2005 19:41:26 GMT -5
The kid had taken quite a beating. Between whatever happened between the brawl with General Murlance and now, it looked like he'd been sent through hell and back. As Captain Dillenger sat him in the chair, and lightly roughed him up to bring him around, I cornered General Murlance.
"You are out of line. What did you give him?"
"Captain Maxwell - need I remind you who you're - "
"Rank be damned! As long as you are a member of this unit, you will not perform interrogations without my consent! You have stepped outside your authority as a member of the MRBC and as a member of the Legionnaires!"
I unholstered my weapon.
"Let's try this again. What...did you give him?"
Murlance looked from me to the weapon that rested against my thigh, then back at me. Though he stood nearly three inches taller than me, it was clear by the look on his face that I had the upper hand in this fight.
"Sodium pentathol. A mild tranquilizer. It renders the mind weak and open to suggestion. The dose I gave him is only good for about ten minutes. Now, if you'll kindly holster your weapon, we can go about the business of finding out who our little friend is, and get this damned mission accomplished. I don't know about you, Captain, but I am as eager to be rid of your unit as you are to have me gone."
I gave Murlance a steely glare, but said nothing. Walking over to the table where Dillenger had secured the prisoner, I pulled a chair alongside him, and took hold of his wrist. His pulse was slow, but strong. However, he was totally unresponsive to stimulus of any sort. I looked toward Murlance, who stood in the far corner of the room, lighting up a cigarette.
"What do you know so far?"
"Lyran."
"One of your brethren."
Murlance glared at me. "Hardly. This one is Black Ops - there can be no doubt about it. Which division - it's hard to say."
He paused, and took a deep drag of nicotine.
"I''m willing to wager he's from the Skye theater."
"What makes you say that?"
"They're all a bunch of worthless n'er-do-wells. He seems to fit that category nicely."
Before I could return a loaded comment about the General's behavior as of late, the youth started coming around.
"Hey...wake up. Can you hear me? Who are you?"
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Post by Commander Garrett Garland on Jun 2, 2005 1:07:28 GMT -5
Captain Dillenger and I moved silently down the staircase as soon as we heard the message on the radio. I put my gyroslug rifle on my back and proceeded with my Blazer laser pistol in hand— it was much quieter. Dilenger moved like the professional that he was, placing his feet on the hardpoints of the stairs to reduce noise, but still managed to keep a fast pace. Upon reaching the 2nd floor stairwell, I opened the door and stealthily proceeded, but Dillenger changed his mind and bolted into the next room, weapon drawn. I decided to hang back in the hallway, I thought that in the coming moments my presence could be a deciding factor in this powder keg of a situation.
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on Jun 2, 2005 3:55:45 GMT -5
Everyone in the unit was now present in the room where General Murlance held the intruder down on the floor. When Captain Dillenger came in he was angry, you could see it in his face, in his actions and words to the General once he reached him. Things did not look good for the General. He had overstepped his boundaries. Even though he was a General, he was not the CO of this mission. I was glad I had told Captain Maxwell about the situation, but I felt bad for the General. He didn't take being told what to do by anyone very well.
I snapped to attention at Captain Dillengers orders to guard the hallway.
Yes, Sir
Once in the hallway I was not feeling real comfortable about this whole thing. It seemed too many factions where at work here. I was afraid we might all end up killing each other trying to reach the same goal. Zhukov began to speak to me, asking me questions about the General.
You know something. What is the General up to?
I shot him a look that said, he'd be the last person I would tell anything to.
Excuse me? You expect to get anything from me after how shady you've been acting on this Op. What are YOU up to?!
So something is going on with the General. I don't think Captain Dillenger will need much in the way of convincing if I bring this up. He is not a happy man with you two at the moment it seems
I let out a long sigh, knowing that this was true. Because of the Generals actions I'm sure Captain Dillenger was as angry and distrustful of me as he was of the General
Your bluffing. Besides, with the way you have been acting, what makes you think he will listen to you?
You have a point, but I don't bluff. Some people fancy the gambling of their lives and others to achieve certain goals. Unlike the General, I do not. I know where my loyalties lie and I won't risk my death or that of others that have placed their trust in me to accomplish my goals. The question is, do you know where YOUR loyalties lie?
......My loyalties .... hmmmm
That was a very good question. A very difficult one to answer. The General was my commanding officer through the MRBC, but Captain Dillenger was CO of the mission. I too was not willing to risk the lives of people that put their trust in me, but this was becoming more and more complicated for me. I looked down my side of the hallway.
I think it would be better if we did not talk and just concentrate on the duty assigned us. I can assure you though Sergeant Zhukov, if I need to talk to someone it will be to one of the Commanding officers. You just keep your attention on your side of the hallway, and I will watch mine.
We both stood in silence, guarding our posts and awaiting our next orders
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Post by Holms Net on Jun 2, 2005 8:57:59 GMT -5
After being told to guard the door, the rest of us left outside. It had seemed that no one was left in the base, from what I could tell... but, than again, we had only explored a part of it. And I'd hate to get caught with us all in one place, not the greatest thing.
The majoirty of us at the door were leaning near it, trying to hear what was happening. Nothing could be heard, though, with the thick steel used on the door. After a few minutes, we turned out attention back to guarding, guns drawn.
I sure hope there aren't any cameras around...
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on Jun 2, 2005 13:09:22 GMT -5
Hey...wake up. Can you hear me? Who are you?
The man was groggy and took several seconds to compose himself. He looked up and saw the General first and winced. He looked about and saw me and he decided to speak.
I...I am Special Agent Nicholas Schuster.
Who do you work for?
Thunder God.
Excuse me? I didn't ask for a moniker. I asked who you work for.
He looked at me and frowned.
You know who "Thunder God" is. Do you really think I would allow anyone outside of the know who that is...."Ghost...or should I say ArchAngel"?
...What...He...knows...that moniker!
I grabbed Schuster by the scruff of the neck.
Who the hell are you! Where did you get that information?!
The datapad on Schuster's wrist began to flash. Either it was some sort of failsafe explosive or more likely someone was trying to contact him.
I drew my Plasma pistol and held it to Schuster's head.
Answer it. Or else you're going to have to deal with him.
I motioned to the General still agitated at my treatment of him.
Okay...okay. You want me to cooperate, I deal with you and you alone.
Fine.
I undid his cuffs to the General's dismay so that he could deal with his datapad. He slowly tapped the pad to begin the transmission.
This is Rhebus. Go ahead with your transmission.
Sorry, I seem to have run into a little trouble.
Sigma-6 is...with me.
No, I don't think he knows about Daedalus yet.
Do you think that is wise?
Very well.
Yes, I understand. I will communicate those details with Sigma-6 only.
Rhebus out.
Who is Daedalus and Sigma-6?
I motioned with my pistol for him to answer.
You are Sigma-6...Daedalus is...enroute.
Things were about to either get much easier or much, much worse.
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Nicholas Schuster
Regular
DECEASED
"Blakists are like a virus. And WE are the cure."
Posts: 139
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Post by Nicholas Schuster on Jun 2, 2005 13:14:10 GMT -5
"Who the hell is Daedalus?" Murlance screamed, throwing his cigarette aside and charging across the room to lean into my face from across the table. "Stop playing games, child!"
I angrily stood up, and slammed my fists on the table. Captain Maxwell raised his assault rifle in my direction before I regained my composure, and sat back down. I looked to Dillenger, who motioned for me to answer the question.
"Daedalus is Commander...'Split Tail' Wayne. I believe you know of her."
"Commander KATIE Wayne?" Murlance demanded. "The same treasonous stravag who whored herself to Clan Ghost Bear to attempt a defense of Skye during the FedCom Civil War, rather than turn to her own people for help?!? How dare you summon her here!"
Dillenger and Maxwell both cast disapproving stares at Murlance, who backed down, reaching for another cigarette as he did so. "You disgust me," he seethed.
"Which begs the question - what are you - and Commander Wayne - doing here?" Dillenger inquired.
"I could ask the same question of you and this...lot...Captain Dillenger."#nosmileys
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on Jun 2, 2005 13:45:51 GMT -5
I could ask the same question of you and this...lot...Captain Dillenger.
I could tell the room saw that the color drained from my face momentarily when the words Ghost Bear were dropped by General Murlance.
I breathed deeply and regained my composure.
I am here with the Mercenary group the Legionnaires under the Command of Capt. Maxwell and Capt. Gunman.
The General is...tagging along.
The general seethed at my jab, but Maxwell seemed intrigued that I was willing to talk so openly with the Special Agent.
Interesting, honor with...mercenaries and...them.
Capt. Maxwell is quite honorable and I would place my life in his hands. In fact, I have done so many times already.
The General is another matter. Sometimes one cannot choose his allies in dire situations.
Indeed.
Maxwell stepped close to me and gave me a stern look.
Commander Dillenger, how is it that you can trust this man so freely?
Captain Maxwell, every man has his Ghosts...it would seem this man knows how to find mine...
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Nicholas Schuster
Regular
DECEASED
"Blakists are like a virus. And WE are the cure."
Posts: 139
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Post by Nicholas Schuster on Jun 2, 2005 14:07:59 GMT -5
The fact that they were Mercenaries put my mind at ease. Mercenaries didn't perform covert Ops for lost technology. That was left to the upper echelons.
"Dillenger...what is a man who associates with the Gokusotsu doing with a band of mercenaries on the southern continent of a Lyran world? Did you come to play with the Blakists?"
"You could say that."
"What bodes so dire that your ability to choose allies has been...compromised?"
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Post by MechWarrior Sergei Zhukov on Jun 2, 2005 16:33:43 GMT -5
I think it would be better if we did not talk and just concentrate on the duty assigned us. I can assure you though Sergeant Zhukov, if I need to talk to someone it will be to one of the Commanding officers. You just keep your attention on your side of the hallway, and I will watch mine.
I quietly watched my side of the hallway. For the most part I could just hear the muffled spats of yelling. Though I could not tell who was yelling at whom, I was relieved that I was not in the room and not on the receiving end.
I pondered Mamba's statement and what implications it may carry. With the prisoner and the General taking the center stage, it made me realize that this was a prime opportunity to take the heat off of me so that I could perform my duties elsewhere.
I hope we get moving soon....
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on Jun 2, 2005 17:24:07 GMT -5
What bodes so dire that your ability to choose allies has been...compromised?
As I'm sure you are aware, this area belongs to House Kurita. I'm here to investigate why the Word of Blake is so interested in building a base here.
Then I intend to wipe it off the map.
I see. You seem to know more than you are letting on.
You too.
Get up, you're coming with us.
Do you intend to carry out a mission with a prisoner in tow?
I leaned in close enough to whisper so that only the agent could hear.
I brought the General didn't I?
Schuster snickered and got up.
What about Daedalus?
She's a smart woman, I'm sure she'll find us. After all, you're not dead and she knows you're with me. That kinda narrows things down a bit.
Indeed.
Bishop-1 to all units. We are moving out. Head towards the basement area. Let's do what we came here for.
I wonder what she is going to say...It's been so long...are things going to be the same?
For the time being until Daedalus shows, Schuster is MY prisoner. His well being and whereabouts are MY sole responsibility aside from leading this mission. Is that understood?
The General gave yet another on of his disapproving looks. But I returned a colder stare that would break lesser men and show the kind of men like the General that I mean buisiness.
Understood.
As we filed out, I picked up Schuster's weapon and handed it to him. He looked puzzled and relieved at the same time.
There's something about you that says that you won't harm me.
Funny, Daedalus said the same thing about you. At least, assuming that you knew that I was the key to bringing her to you...and that you still, well that's between you and her.
So he had instructions to relay my whereabouts if they ever became known...I wonder...
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Post by Commander Garrett Garland on Jun 3, 2005 0:42:58 GMT -5
Bishop-1 to all units. We are moving out. Head towards the basement area. Let’s do what we came here for.
We checked our weapons and proceeded to move towards the stairwell. I was surprised to see Agent Schuster armed and walking amongst our group as if he were a Legionnaire himself. Occasionally he would speak with Captain Dillenger, but he kept his voice low enough to prevent me from discerning the nature of their conversation. Despite my uneasiness with an armed unknown walking amongst us I felt that Dillenger had made the right choice, at the moment General Aegis was the largest threat to our group for he seemed to carry considerable weight with Black Mamba and Zhukov.
I was now walking point as our group reached the stairwell door. I opened the door carefully and checked the stairwell for contacts. I was about to signal the all clear but I noticed a slight movement on the landing above us. What I thought had merely been a shadow cast from one of the stairway light’s housing was actually the elbow of a soldier above us, most likely a Jihadist.
I whispered to Dillenger who was right behind me, “Sir, we’ve got a contact on the next stairway landing, from the movement of his shadow it seems that he is tense, waiting for us, but he doesn’t know that we’re here. I doubt that we can slip by and continue our descent without alerting him, and my guess is that he isn’t alone.”<br> The Captain replied, “Get in position, I’ll toss a flashgrenade and then you’ll rush him.”
“Right sir.”<br> The Captain did an underhand toss, the ‘nade landing right next to where the soldier’s foot should be. Having timed it perfectly, the ‘nade exploded a mere tenth of a second after its landing, bursting with a brilliant white light. Fortunately, my combat goggles blocked out the majority of the light as I rushed up the stairs.
I was greeted by not a solitary soldier, but three of them. These Wobbies must have been reserves or perhaps from the lower levels. I expected them to be completely off guard but as I hosed the first Blakist down I noticed with dismay that his face was adorned with the same combat goggles as I wore. The two other Blakists opened fire on me, their vision no more hampered than mine. Fortunately, their weapons were meant to deal with unarmored personal so my body armor took most of the hits. I dispatched the second Blakist with a three-round burst from my Gyrorifle, the bullets creating a procession from his sternum to chin. With his lower jaw blown away the Jihadist spun backwards, catching two more rounds in the back from his fellow soldier. I didn’t sense fear from the final soldier, only a maniacal fervor possessed by a zealot such as he. We fired together, my final round catching him in his left eye, his round catching me right above the kidney. It was unfortunate that his final shot had landed there because one of his comrades had recently tagged that area with a shot of his own. The slug broke through my weakened ceramic armor, tearing through me and then stopping upon contact with my rear armor plate. I dropped my rifle and fought to hold onto the stairwell rail in order to not fall backwards. I prayed that someone had an emergency medkit with them, perhaps Schuster had some medical training…
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jun 3, 2005 14:15:19 GMT -5
"Garland's hit! Get me some covering fire!"
The gun battle raged around us as I maneuvered my way to the rear of the formation, where Mamba and Gunman had helped move Garland onto one of the staircase's landings. He clutched to the breastplate of his armor as I skidded to a stop beside him and began prying his armor away from his chest. The slug had bypassed his armor, passing through his body, and making a clean exit through his rear protective plate. Already, a large, crimson stain was beginning to form on the floor behind him.
"Shit...Mamba! Get the Eligus diagnoser out of my pack! I need to know the extent of this wound!"
Mamba scrambled to where I had dumped my pack, and began rummaging through it while I peeled away the rest of Garland's armor. I knew this was going to be ugly. I pulled his undershirt, which was once white, but was now stained a deep red, away from his torso. Blood seeped freely from the open wound, which was half the width of my index finger in diameter. I grabbed a handful of dressings from my combat medikit, and pressed them against the entry wound while using the weight of his body to apply pressure to the exit.
"Stay with me, Lieutenant. Stay with me. You're going to be all right."
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