Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex, Chapter 30 - Training Day
The typhoon sat high in the sky above the Hawaiian islands. On the bridge, Kion sat in the helmsman's seat, while Alex, Toothdee, and Jasiri sat in other seats. Everyone was strapped in tight.
"Ok, Kion," Toothdee said, "each stick basically controls half of the ship."
The lion looked at the horizontal levers he was holding in his hands. The levers extended upwards from the seat's sides, then leveled up to be gripped and steered like motorcycle handlebars. The levers also had informational screens and keys on them that the user could manipulate to perform various functions.
"Push both levers forward to move forward. Push one lever forward to turn. Pushing the levers up and down will move the ship up and down."
Alex got ready on a secondary set of controls; if something went wrong, he could stop the airship from crashing.
Kion gently pushed the controls forward, and the typhoon moved on, cutting through the blue sky.
"That's good, Kion." Alex said, "Try turning around that cloud on the left."
The lion manipulated the controls, and the vessel turned sharply around the cloud, just barely cutting through it. The other mammals held on as the typhoon turned hard to the left.
"Not bad, but you turned pretty sharply. Try and ease off a bit."
"Roger that," Kion said, trying again to maneuver around a cloud. This time he was able to clear the cloud and went slower than before.
"Good job."
"I think I'm getting the hang of this," Kion said, flying around some more clouds. This continued for half an hour, before Kion and Jasiri swapped places, with the hyena now taking a turn at piloting the massive airship.
"Oh good, just in time," Toothdee said. We're starting weapons training. She gestured to captain Boehm, who moved towards the helm seat.
"Scram." He said, prompting a smirk from Jasiri as she got up.
The captain took the controls and guided the ship down, just above the deep blue ocean waves. The typhoon then maneuvered near the coastline, facing a large rock outcropping that jutted up from the ocean near the shore.
"Yep, this is the correct place." Toothdee said, cross-referencing the real-life outcropping with an image on a table with the text 'approved testing site' written on it. A wrecked container ship was run aground upon a part of the outcropping. Its hull was rusted to the point where any corporate marking was obscured.
"Jack, on the left. Skye, on the right." Toothdee said, and the pair of ZIA agents took their seats at the weapon positions. "The controls are fairly easy to manipulate, and the heads-up display on the screen in front of you displays your ammo count and a live feed of where your firing."
Skye gripped the 2 levers that controlled a machine gun turret on the outside of the airship. She looked between the rock formation on the screen in front of her for a few seconds. Then her gaze shifted back to the real-life rock formation outside through the bridge window.
"Target the outcropping and fire," Captain Boehm said. "Your rounds should be tracer bullets for this test."
The two mammals squeezed the triggers on their controls, and a hail of gunfire burst forth from machine gun turrets on the typhoon's exterior. The bright tracer rounds cut through the air and impacted the rock face, with those on the bridge easily seeing where the shots were landing.
"Nice shooting. Target that spire on the right." Toothdee said, and the pair of ZIA agents directed their shots toward a thin rock spire jutting up from the sea. The bullets impacted the rock, fracturing it and causing the spire to fall into the sea.
"Impressive, now switch to missile launchers using the screen on your control panels." The captain said.
Jack and Skye both pressed a button labeled "weapon selection" on the screens in front of them. This brought up a different selection of weapons. The two taped the option marked "missile launcher" that had a symbol resembling the weapon.
The screen's view quickly changed, the camera view from the gun turrets being replaced by the camera view from the missile pods.
"Let me guess," Kion said. "They're loaded with duds."
"You got it," Alex said. "Open fire."
The mammals once more engaged the rock outcropping, the projectiles slammed into the stone. The two fired off a few more salvos to get the hang of operating the weapon systems.
"It's not as hard as I thought it would be," Jack noted.
"Yeah, it's very intuitive to operate," Skye said.
"That's the idea. Ease of operation ." Toothdee said, "Now switch to cannons; they're loaded with smoke shells."
The two ZIA agents obliged and began to control two heavy canons.
"Ok, now engage that wrecked container ship. Target the lower decks below where the turrets would be. That's where the magazines are on warships." Toothdee said. "Your gonna have to hit it hard, those areas are well armored, and the ammo is at the center of the ship."
"Or alternatively, you could target the turrets or the area right below the turrets, where the ready use ammo is stored." Alex said, "Of course this is a container ship, but.... where the turrets would be."
Jack and Skye aimed and fired, the shells punching through the hull and penetrating the vessel.
"That's it!" Jasiri said as the shells kept landing.
After a few seconds of sustained engagement, Captain Boehm ordered a ceasefire. A massive hole had been blown clean through the container ship.
"I think you got it." The captain Said.
Jack and Skye smiled, proud at their prowess using the typhoon's weapons.
"Good work, you two." Toothdee said, "you will require more training, but I think we're well on our way to having two more weapon system operators we can rely on."
000
"What the heck is going on up there?" Haida said as he and Retsuko felt the typhoon turn sharply.
"I remember Toothdee said they were going to try training some other mammals to fly the ship...."
The vessel turned again, but thankfully the red panda and hyena were able to keep themselves stable.
"....guess things aren't going so well."
"Anyway, what movie do you want to watch later?" Haida asked, sitting on his bed and tightening the strings on his bass guitar. Retsuko sat next to him, contemplating her movie choice.
"I guess let's just see what's available."
"Alright, fine by me. Ok, everything's tightened up. Ready?"
Retsuko nodded. "Thanks for offering to play me a song on your bass guitar Haida."
"Don't worry about it, anything for you."
The hyena started strumming along and quickly formed a melody that grew plunder and louder. Haida's paw flew over the strings while he concentrated on hitting every note. Retsuko sat next to him, listening to the song, which was of the punk rock genre.
Haida didn't mind Retsuko sitting so close while he played. He was in the exact same position with another mammal he dated, Inui. He felt agitated when he was playing for her like she was breathing down her neck. But with Retsuko he felt a lot more relaxed, and that definitely helped make playing his instrument easier.
Haida strummed the last few keys and turned to Retsuko, who clapped and complimented the hyena on his musical talent.
"Thanks, Retsuko."
"You know, what if we combined your bass guitar music with my karaoke? We could probably make an exciting song!"
"Yeah, yeah, that's a great idea! We should definitely try that sometime."
Retsuko opened her mouth to speak, but before the red panda could get a word out, her phone rang.
"Oh, it's my mother," Retsuko said, looking at the screen before answering the call. It was a muzzletime call, so both red pandas could clearly see the other.
"Hi, mom!"
"Hi Retsy, how have you been?"
"I've been good. Just focusing on my work."
"Oh, be sure to take some time off for yourself, dear."
"Ok, mom, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine, dear, thank you for asking."
Haida turned to look at Retsuko's mother on the screen, and the older red panda noticed him.
"Oh, who are you with?"
"This is Haida, mom. I know I've told you about him."
Retsuko turned the phone's camera to face the hyena.
"Hi miss Retsuko, or uh... Retsuko's mom."
"Hello there dear, Retsuko has told me all about you."
"Heh, all good things, I hope." The hyena said, nervously scratching the back of his neck.
"Of course," Retsuko said, "your always so caring, and talented, and hardworking."
"Aww, that's good to hear, Retsy. So when are you going to marry him?" Retsuko's mother asked, causing Haida and Retsuko to blush madly and look away from the phone. Shocked expressions across their faces. "You have to act soon, dear, or you might miss your chance. These days young people like yourself always think they can just...."
"...uh.... listen, mom, I gotta go...."
The older red panda kept trying to say stuff about marriage and life, but she was cut off when Retsuko hung up the call.
"Ok, that was awkward," Haida said.
"Yeah, don't worry about her. She's somewhat overbearing, and she's obsessed with making sure I have a perfect life."
"Didn't you say she tried to set you up with a bunch of guys?"
"Yeah, even though she met my dad in a chance meeting at first sight. Yet she's constantly tried to set me up with an arranged marriage."
"Ah, yeah, that is definitely degrading. Remember I mentioned I'd like to marry you someday? Maybe that would get her to stop trying to set you up with people."
Restuko laughed. "Haha! Yeah! That would be nice someday, Haida. But for now, I'm fine with how we are."
"Me too Retsuko, me too."
The pair hugged and nuzzled each other's fur for a few seconds before Haida spoke.
"So, does this mean I can start calling you Retsy now?"
000
Nick eyed the typhoon through a pair of binoculars while sitting at a table in a beachside cafe.
"I'm glad we got out of there when we did." The fox said, watching the airship turn sharply as some inexperienced mammal tried piloting it. "It would have been impossible to enjoy lunch up there on the ship."
"Are you going to focus on the typhoon all day? Or are you actually going to enjoy a peaceful lunch with your rabbit?" Judy said from her position across the table. Both of them were shielded from the sun by the umbrella that was built into the table.
Nick put the binoculars away and turned to face his bunny as she took a sip of carrot juice. He reached across the table and gently gripped the rabbit's paw.
"It's a shame they were sold out of pawpsicles." Nick said, "I would have got one."
Judy chuckled.
"Why? So you could melt it down & sell it again to make a quick buck?"
"Hey, a quick buck is how I'm paying for your lunch. Speaking of which...."
As if on cue, a tigress waiter came over, easily carrying the couple's plates and setting them down on the table.
"Ok, a salad for you, ma'am, and a burger for you, sir. Enjoy your meals."
The fox and bunny couple thanked the waiter, and she left them to eat.
"You should try eating better," Judy said.
"I know carrots, that's why I got veggies on my burger."
The fox lifted the burger bun and showed Judy the lettuce, tomato, and onions on the burger.
"Still though, you should do more for your health." The bunny smiled and reached over to grasp Nick's paw. "Because I want you to be around for as long as I am around."
Nick was slightly taken aback at first, but he soon smiled and leaned over the table to gently embrace Judy in a loving kiss.
"Please, Nick, for me?"
"Ok, for you. Guess I'll be spending more time in the training room aboard the typhoon."
A sly smile crossed Judy's face as the two started eating their meals.
"This is the one place where your shirt doesn't look out of place," Judy said with a mouthful of lettuce, prompting Nick to look down at his blue and pink colored Hawaiian shirt. "Though I am still embarrassed to be seen in public with you sometimes."
"Come on, you don't like being seen with this?"
The fox struck a smug look that made the bunny chuckle.
"Ok, that I don't mind being seen with."
"Heh, how's your food?"
"Very good, how's yours?"
"Also very good," Nick said, taking another bite of his burger.
"Is that an insect burger? Or is it real meat from an unevolved animal? Or a plant substitute?"
"The second option. It's from an unevolved cow."
"You're just like one of your ancient, unevolved fox ancestors now. Viscously feasting on other animals."
The rabbit bared her teeth and held up her claws, pretending to tear into something.
"Blood! Blood! And... death..."
Judy slumped back in her chair and stuck her tongue out while Nick laughed.
"A for effort carrots. But hey, foxes need protein."
"Yeah true, I suppose it's fair since it was an unevolved cow."
"You want a bite?"
"No thanks, I'm fine."
"Whenever we get Chinese food, you're always trying to eat some of mine," Nick said, then chuckled as he remembered who they were currently at war with.
"Wow, we're having lunch, and you're already thinking about dinner." Judy laughed while Nick smirked and shook his head.
000
"It's only us, 3." Dark JayJay said. "How could our counterparts keep besting us?"
"I don't want to say it, but I am beginning to think our defeat is inevitable." Toothdee's counterpart said.
"I know," Dark Alex said. "Heroes has taken us out one by one."
The 3 were sat at a table in a dark room. In front of the trio were reports and intelligence data from all over the pacific.
Alex's counterpart picked up a report that displayed a picture of Dark Laval, floating face down in the ocean. The warrior put that report down and picked up another one, this time showing Eris's dark counterpart lying broken on the ground. This continued with information detailing the demise of his other allies. Dark Kion lying defeated in the Zootopian streets. Jasiri's counterpart with a bullet wound in her chest. What remained of Nick's dark counterpart. Dark Judy, skewered like a kabob. Each of them having been defeated by a being they thought they would best.
"I knew our counterparts were going to give us a good fight, but I never suspected this would happen." Toothdee's counterpart stated.
"We could... call for reinforcements." JayJay's counterpart said, filing her claws and leaning back in her chair.
The room was silent as all 3 warriors thought about the options at their disposal.
"There are still some things we could do." Dark Toothdee said. "Our fleet is still a threat, not to mention our own vessel, and our orbital asset is still operational."
"Hmmm.... your right, we do still maintain a lot of power on the seas." Dark Alex said. "But our priority should be striking back at our counterparts."
"It might be wise to avoid direct 1 on 1 engagement if what happened to our allies is anything to believe. But between us, I still think I could take my counterpart."
"I would relish the opportunity of besting my counterpart. It would be a true test and statement of my skill. But with so many defeats, we need to be more careful."
"I don't think my counterpart could take me." Dark JayJay said. "But, if you want us to be more careful, I can do that. Though I would also love to best my counterpart 1 on 1."
"Then let's think tactically about this. First, I'll put our naval fleets on high alert, which will stop our enemies dead, literally. And in the meantime, let us discuss how we can take down our counterparts when the time comes."
"Let's engage with backup, but I want to be the one to lay the killing blow on my counterpart." Dark Toothdee said.
"Then only fight 1 on 1 as a last resort, or when victory is assured. But we have learned more about our counterparts throughout this conflict. And that... will give us the advantage."
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Modular Expansion "Ekhowax" (official video) from denial of service on Vimeo.
audio by George Apergis
video by the denial.of.service
for /modularexpansion.com
GEORGE APERGIS - EKHOWAX (NX1, TRUNCATE, BIRTH OF FREQUENCY REMIXES)
© Modular Expansion records 2013
Ekhowax is the second personal release of George Apergis (owner of Modular Expansion records). Available in a limited 12" vinyl, Ekhowax expands the artists' club vision of his early detroit releases into a dub techno territory, filled with dark atmopsheres and a crowd pleasing vocal. The release inludes 3 massive remixes, the first one being the remix from the dynamic Spanish duo NX1, that go darker with their pumping futuristic revision. The second remix comes from the legendary Truncate aka Audio Injection, who creates the perfect club tool with his unique US Chicago style, an instant hit. The release is sealed with the deep minimal and melodic cover, from the upcoming Paris artist Birth of Frequency (of Construct Re-Form crew).
Supported By: Juan Atkins, Josh Wink, Laurent Garnier, Nina Kraviz, Chris Liebing, Richie Hawtin, Damon Wild, Ben Sims, Jeroen Search, Mark Broom, Technasia, Mikael Jonasson, The Advent, Umek, DJ Hyperactive, DVS1, Micol Danieli, Dave Tarrida, Paul Brtschitsch, Alex Bau, Tommy Four Seven, Rebekah, Developer, Bas Mooy, Advanced Human, Francois X, Space Djz, Speedy J, Slam, Billy Nasty, Alan Fitzpatrick, Perc, Pig & Dan, Raffaelle Attanasio, Johannes Volk, Lee Holman, Diego Hostettler, Thomas Hessler, Unam Zetineb, Mark Morris, Perc, Pfirter, Ben Gibson, Mirko, Patrick Lindsey, Kabale und Liebe, Spartaque, Anderson Noise, Michel De Hey etc
A1. Original Mix A2. NX1 Remix B1. Truncate Remix B2. Birth Of Frequency Remix Written and produced by George Apergis & Alex Retsis for Modular Expansion, Athens 2013 Video: Inorganic Being aka Denial of Service Artwork: wedonotcare.com Mastering: Dubplates & Mastering
CAT NUM: ME002 FORMAT: ARTISTIC LTD 12" & DIGITAL
BUY VINYL JUNO juno.co.uk/products/497918-01.htm DECKS decks.de/t/george_apergis-ekhowax/c1q-9w
BUY DIGITAL @BEATPORT beatport.com/release/ekhowax/1122226
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