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#and then data TRIES TO SHOOT HIM AND IS ONLY STOPPED BY THE TRANSPORTER. and continues to be like 'ah but alas.  i have no emotions'
adriartts · 1 year
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Hello again I am STILL thinking about the most episode ever.  Fuck him up, Data!!
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iviarellereads · 4 months
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Fugitive Telemetry, Chapter 8
(Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index and a primer on The Murderbot Diaries, read this one!)
In which Murderbot's request is exactly what I'd say, too.
Murderbot and Indah board the responder, with the refugees and hostiles, and leave. MB checks its messages on the way: Mensah asking for a check-in, Ratthi asking if it's okay, Gurathin asking if the life-tender worked, Tural with an updated cause of death for Lutran: a "needle-like device" stabbed into his head, and Pin-Lee with a report on the refugee-rescuer operation, at least Lutran's cargo records on the station over the last several years. It acknowledges all of them, but watches episode 132 of Sanctuary Moon instead of replying.(1)
MB follows Indah as it does all this, and watches her lie blatantly about what the ship and the responder are doing to Port Authority, then follows her down to disembark. She stops them at a junction, and MB realizes it's because the refugees are leaving, and might freak out to see it.
While standing and waiting, MB suggests an idea to Indah, to lure out the traitor. They settle on using Human Three, Mish, one of the refugees. At first he refuses, saying they have a SecUnit and it's probably reporting to BWH. MB is surprised when one of Indah's team defends it, and Indah backs them up. Mish comes around, still grumbling about how out of place a SecUnit is if their laws are so great.
As the station reaches the end of the standard day cycle, MB finally gets approval for the systems access and resources it needs to start the audit. Indah tells it that Aylen wants to see them at the Security Office, and the responder team will be taking Mish there, so Indah will meet MB there shortly. MB notes a threat assessment spike.
When MB presses, Indah says she has to stand-down the search teams personally so not to alert the traitor. MB snarks about Indah setting herself up with a murderer on the loose, and Indah asks if MB talks to Mensah like that. MB says yes, and it's part of why she's still alive. Indah agrees to take some responder crew with her.
Examining the threat assessment spike, MB almost misses when a threat sneaks up on it, except that its drones are keeping a perimeter wide enough to give it a half second's response time to a noise. It encounters nothing, so MB calls for Aylen, but Farid answers. MB asks him if Aylen asked for it and Indah to meet her at the office, and Farid doesn't know, but Aylen just took off for a quick break. MB tells him to find her and make sure she's all right, hoping she's just in a restroom and not dead.
Signing off, MB realizes its last query got results. Reviewing them,(2) it realizes Pin-Lee was right and it overcomplicates things all the dang time. It contacts Indah, and tells her someone spoofed Aylen's ID for the last message. It asks Indah if she told Gamila in PortAuth about the trap. Indah says no, but she did ask for the PortAuth data dump for the audit. She tries to defend Gamila, saying they grew up together, it can't be her. MB says she's not the traitor, but it knows who is.
MB enters the PortAuth offices, another first for it, sending its drones to scout ahead. It walks right into Gamila's office, and tells her to run as it points its projectile weapon… at Balin.(3) They show down, and MB shoots Balin several times.
On the way over, it ran a search of Balin's record, and found that it was the only bot to ever get off a corporate transport and request refuge, which should have told the humans something.
Unfortunately, all those shots were not enough to properly damage Balin. It never once requested maintenance, because it would have revealed its internal structure: military-grade armour. Balin is a combat bot.
A short action sequence follows, and MB reviews all the assumptions and mistakes it made. Just as it thinks it's lost, JollyBaby and many other cargo bots have showed up to help. When MB queries it, JollyBaby says Balin has been destroyed by an invader, its interpretation of events when Balin disappeared from the network and a CombatBot appeared in its place.
I wasn’t sure they were wrong. [...] None of these bots knew how to fight, but they were high functioning and would move to protect humans and each other from a violent intruder. Balin could try to fight; a CombatBot could destroy a cargo bot, no problem. But it couldn’t destroy this many cargo bots plus one slightly banged up SecUnit, not all at once. Balin’s mission had depended on stealth. Now its mission was over. Its presence in the feed faded as it dropped into a resting configuration and shut itself down.
MB tells Mensah it's fine, which is a half truth. It's thinking hard about how Mensah and Bharadwaj want to make SecUnits less scary, but CombatBots like Balin are running around murdering humans. It thinks about Lutran's refugee escape network, now cut off. Still, Mensah suggests they go see a new musical theater production with Ratthi after, and MB gives in.
Later, MB is getting its ankle treated in StatSec's MedUnit, and Indah comes to see it. MB asks if she read its report, and she says yes. It's a good reminder that they did good work, except for the assumption of a human perpetrator who entered the transport from the station side, and not a CombatBot that could enter through an outside hatch. MB isn't so happy with their performance, especially its own.
Indah tells MB she didn't send the photo to the newsstreams. MB is startled at the topic swerve, and she continues that she wouldn't do it that way. If she has a disagreement, she'll take it up directly, but she won't undermine MB because she knows they're on the same side.
As its treatment finishes, MB, not sure what to say, defaults to saying it has to meet with Mensah now. Indah doesn't try to pester, as if she knows how uncomfortable MB is with the conversation, which makes it worse.
She said, “I’ll authorize the hard currency card payment for you. And I assume you’re open to another contract the next time something weird happens.”(4) I paused in the doorway. The expected wave of depression at the idea of ever doing this again had somehow not happened. Huh. I said, “Only if it’s really weird.” She said, “Understood.”
=====
(1) First, mood. Second, I wonder if the episode numbers for the show hold any significance over the course of the series. Anyone been tracking them? (Do… do I need to do it?) (2) I'm leaving my phrasing like this because I don't even really follow Murderbot's logic on this one. A consistent theme in this book, unfortunately. (3) Well, so much for being a narrative parallel to Bilbo's friend. (4) MB, I think you've made at least one more human friend this book.
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misscampacyn · 2 years
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Warrior: Chapter 3
“Warrior”
Character Name: Lura (She/Her)
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Chapter 3: <previous
Cara looks over at Din and tells him to join Fett, she and Fennec would shoot out the gunners.
Din walked back to Slave I and looked over the ridge following his sister’s every move.
“She’s a patient one,” points out Boba.
Din nods.
“I’d have killed him if it weren’t for you stopping me,” admits Boba.
“We needed him,” says Din.
“For now,” says Boba.
“Lura knows how to defend herself. She is the best fighter I know,” says Din.
They both look on as Lura fights off the Shydopp pirates.  
“It is strange seeing her out of her armor,” says Din.
Boba stared at Lura fighting figure. She was exactly what he imagined a Mandalorian warrior looked like when his father told him stories all those years ago.
“You like her,” comments Din.
“Never met a female Mandalorian.” says Boba.
“A warrior,” corrects Din.
Meanwhile Lura had fought off the last pirate but was devastated to see more approaching. Without a weapon she stood straight and readied her fist to fight off more pirates. But before they approached, TIE fighters exited the refinery and opened fire at the pirates. Lura with groan sat next to Mayfeld.
“Never thought I'd be happy to see stormtroopers,” says Mayfeld saluting a couple.
Once they got dismissed from the cargo shipment bay, they walked to the terminal located in the mess hall.  
“Okay I'll get the coordinates, I'll be back,” says Mayfeld walking into the area but pauses after seeing a familiar face. So, he returns to Lura, “Shit I can’t that Valin Hess,” says Mayfeld.
“Who?” asks Lura confused, looking over his shoulder.
“Valin Hess, my ex-commander,” says Mayfeld.
“Will he recognize you?” asks Lura.
“Probably look we’ll find another way. Come on, let’s go,” says Mayfeld starting to walk away.
Lura stops him and pulls him back, “We can’t” says Lura.
“That was the only way,” says Mayfeld.
“Give me the data stick,” says Lura reaching her hand out.
“It needs to scan your face, let’s go,” says Mayfeld.
Mayfeld hands her the stick, she swiftly turns and walks to the machine and with her helmet on and allows the machine to scan it. The machine blared ERROR and in a rapid motion Lura removed the stormtrooper helmet, exposing her bare face. Her neatly braided brown hair is wrapped twice around her head, her nervous deep brown eyes scan the buttons she presses to collect the coordinates.  Once she is finished, she collects the data stick and turns to walk back to Mayfeld. But Valin Hess stops her, she freezes the helmet she clutched in her hand.
“Trooper, pay attention when your superior addresses you,” snaps Hess.
Lura turns and looks at the man.
“What is your designation?” he asks.
Lura had no idea what to say. She was exposed, this stranger was staring at her bare face. “Transport crew,” she answers.
Hess frowns, “what?”
“My designation is transport co-pilot,” says Lura more confidently.  
“No what your TK number?” says Hess.
Lura stalled, “My TK number is...”
Mayfeld saw the interaction and rushed to rescue the Mandalorian.
“This is my commanding officer TK593, sir,” says Mayfield “I’m imperial combat assault transport lieutenant TK 111 sir. I’m afraid you’ll have to speak up to her vessel lost pressure in Taanab,” he continues.
Understanding Hess raises his voice and sounds out, “What Is Your Name Officer?”
Lura raises her eyebrows acting confused. Mayfeld notices her cue to add another lie
“We call her brown eyes, sir,” says Mayfeld.  
Mayfeld starts to lead Lura out the mess hall, but Hess stops them, Inviting them both to a drink. Mayfeld had tried to play it cool, but he needed to get things off his chest. He brings up Burnnn Konn and how many died without cause. Lura held her breath and shook her head trying to get Mayfeld to stop talking. But once Mayfeld sees the recognition come across Hess's face, Mayfeld shoots Hess straight in the forehead. Lura pauses and collects a blaster sitting on the table. Mayfield collects Lura’s helmet and hands it to her.
“You did what you had to do. I didn’t see your face,” he says sternly.
Lura collects the helmet and slips it over her head. She moved over the window kicking it open and slipped through after Mayfeld. Both walked on the ledge trying to reach the ladder to the roof.  
Cara and Fennec did what they were there to do. They cleared off the gunners in the roof top. While Boba and Din approached the pair. Once Mayfeld and Lura were in Slave I. Mayfeld asked Din to hand him the rifle. He shot at the rhydonium causing a big explosion. Din and Lura looked at Mayfeld who shrugged, “we got to sleep at night.”
Din shut the hatch and Boba lands back on the ridge to wait for Fennec and Cara. Din hands Lura her armor, but Lura does not reach for it.  
Noticing her hesitation, “Are you alright?” asks Boba.
Lura says noting but collects the armor from Din’s hand and leaves to Boba’s room to replace her armor. Once finished she walked out to sit in the cargo hold but Din stopped her by grabbing her arm.
“What happened in there? Did Mayfeld do something? Are you hurt?” asks Din.
Lura pulls her arm away from Din’s grasp and walks back in Boba’s room. Din nervously paces the cargo hold wanting to know what happened and why Lura was acting unusually. Once Lura had calmed down, she walks out in her copper painted Beskar and ignores her brother and Boba. Mayfeld sees Lura and walks out of the ship to meet Cara and Fennec who just arrived. Din follows closely behind his sister.
“It’s nice to see you in your armor,” Mayfeld comments.
Lura nods at Mayfeld having found a new respect for the ex-Imp. Lura looks at Cara, “It’s a shame Mayfled didn’t make it in that explosion,” she says off handedly.
Mayfeld frowns at her words, but Cara knows exactly what is happening.  
“Shame,” says Cara.
Mayfeld finally understood, “Wait you’re letting me go? Seriously?” he asks.
Cara and Lura say nothing as he starts to walk away. Once he is gone all four enter Slave I and sit in the cargo hold.  Although Lura ignored him before Din is still concerned with the difference in her body language. He observes as she fumbles with her bracers.  
“Lura can I... can I speak with you?” asks Din.
Lura looks at her brother saying nothing she stands and follows Din to the cockpit where Boba sits piloting the ship. Confused Lura asks, “Din what do you want?”
Boba places the ship on autopilot and turns his seat to look at the siblings. Din looks at Boba hoping his presence will make you talk.
“What happened in the refinery?” asks Din again.
“I got the coordinates to the light cruiser,” says Lura.
“Were you injured?” asks Boba.
“No” says Lura.
“tell me what happened what took you two so long? Did Mayfeld do something?” asks Din.
“I did what I had to do to get the kid back,” says Lura.
“And what’s that little warrior?” asks Boba.
Lura sighs defeated; she couldn’t keep secrets from Din. He was too good at reading her, since she was a child. She grabs her helmet and takes it off. Both Din and Boba close their eyes beneath their helmet.
“Lura what are you doing?” asks Din.
“I took the helmet off in front of stormtroopers, I’m not... I’m not a Mandalorian anymore,” she says.  
“Cyar’ika, you will always be a Mandalorian,” comforts Boba.
Lura nervously waited for Din’s response, she remembered his reaction to Bo Katan and Koska taking off their helmets.
“Din, please,” she begs. Tears now flowing down her face. She hadn’t cried in years since her father had died. Boba shifted at the sound of her broken voice, but Din did not move. “Just look at me, I've already broken the creed,” she reasons.
Boba opens his eyes and feels his heart shatter at looking at Lura’s tear-stained face. When Din finally opens his eyes and looks at his sister, he steps closer to her. “Don’t cry Lura, it will be alright,” says Din. He approaches his sister and gently places his helmeted forehead on to hers, a Keldabe Kiss. Lura sniffles and reaches her hand up to wipe her eyes, Din grabs her hand and holds it gently.
“You will always be a Mandalorian to me, you were the first person to talk to me after my parents died. You are the reason I take such pride in being a Mandalorian. You will always be my sister and if you decide never to put that helmet on you will still be one of the greatest Mandalorian warriors,” conforts Din.
Lura smiles and more tears fall from her eyes at her brother’s words. “The moment my father walked in with you I knew you were my brother, forever,” she says.
Din in tears behind his black visor clears his throat and squishes her hand gently, reassuring her.
“If anyone tells you you’re not a Mandalorian. I’ll make them wish they were never born,” says Boba.
Lura looks over her brother’s shoulder and smiles at Boba. “Thank you, both of you. I was afraid of what you would think. Since I was born, I've been a Mandalorian.” she says.
Din turns to look at Boba, who steps closer to Lura and places his gloved hand on her cheek and wipes some tears away. Din decides to step out of the cockpit leaving the pair alone.
Boba places his other hand on her other cheek and wipes the tears. His hands are now framing his face.  
“You’re strong,” says Boba.
“Please take your helmet off,” begs Lura.
Once he removed his helmet, Lura places one hand on his cheek and swipes her thumb over his lips, Boba smiles and kisses her thumb. Lura smiles and chuckles.  
“I saw you fight those pirates,” says Boba.
Lura nods.
“You’re a Mandalorian, you fought like one,” says Boba.
“You say you aren’t a Mandalorian but fight like one too,” says Lura.  
Boba smiles at her words and is about to say something, but before he could say anything the monitor beeped signaling, they were exiting hyperspace. And they have located a Lambda class imperial shuttle.
Next>
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thanksjro · 4 years
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Dark Cybertron Chapter 6: This Sure is a Comic I’m Reading.
The Dinobots are chilling out by the standing Titan, because Slag went and got his ass kicked by the super death wave a few issues back.
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Excuse me, Slug.
There’s real-world context for this change- you see, in England, the word “slag” is often used as a derogatory term. Specifically, it’s either used as a stand in for “prostitute” or “whore”, or in more of a generalized “I greatly dislike this person” sort of way. It’s typically aimed at women, which is likely why Arcee said something to him as opposed to anyone else.
This little exchange is interesting, since Dark Cybertron Chapter 6 was published in 2014. Our boy Slug here first showed up in the original cartoon, back in the 80s, and was in the Marvel UK comics, where they didn’t change his name. A good portion of the IDW creative team, including 50% of the writers for this event storyline, are also from the UK. Seems like someone finally got sick of calling a whole-ass robot dinosaur a slut.
Not that there’s anything wrong with enjoying casual sex, or being a sex worker, but slapping labels on other people without their input is sort of a shitty thing to do, especially when you’re doing it in a franchise typically aimed at younger audiences, and with a surprisingly large following in the UK, where that term is used.
Anyway, while this conversation was happening, the Titan moved, and when it did, it kicked up a shit-ton of dust. Astrotrain, who is laying off to the side with his legs and an arm off, offers Swoop his binoculars. When asked why the hell he has binoculars- which doesn’t seem so strange to me, given that they’re standard military equipment in a lot of places- he tries to explain that he’s got shit eyes, and didn’t want Megatron to know about them. This would be an interesting glimpse into the inner workings of the Decepticons and how they view disability, if Swoop actually gave a damn.
But he doesn’t.
So it’s not.
Swoop sees with his special eyes that the guys who went down into the Crystal City have escaped, and are currently trying to outrun the Titan, and also the title of this issue.
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Watch out, that typography’s gonna fuckin’ get you!
The Dinobots start firing on the Titan, which does fuck-all, and Prowl yells at them to head for Iacon, since that’s where the Titan’s going. Bumblebee, Skywarp, and Megatron are revealed to be MIA. Bummer.
Over on that weird water planet the Lost Light landed on a few issues back, the Rod Pod gang have puttered into Metroplex’s eye socket, and are currently making a Fantastic Voyage. Getaway asks where the hell Metroplex’s eyeball got to, but nobody has an answer for him, least of all Metroplex. Strange happenings on this weird water planet.
Ratchet gives everyone the skinny on Titan physiology theory- thank god he came along on the trip so I could at least get a little lore to feed my brain through this slog.
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So, Metroplex’s spark could actually be out right now. Even though the lights are still on, that doesn’t mean anyone’s actually home, because the power of his spark needs time to actually travel through the body, and it needs a lot more time than the average robot, because he’s just so goddamned big. Humans also need time for their animating force… or, uh, blood to travel through the body. This is why we have a pulse. If it was instantaneous, we wouldn’t, but we’d probably also explode, because our squishy little bodies wouldn’t be able to handle that shit.
The gang starts scanning for life signs, even though they’re not even sure if they’ll be able to pick anything up. Brainstorm theorizes that the water could be causing degradation to Metroplex’s body. Getaway is still stuck on the Rod Pod existing. He’s having a moment. He’s been having a moment, really, ever since he saw the damn thing.
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The results from the life-scan come in, and it looks like Metroplex might actually be okay, because there’s a blip for everyone in the Rod Pod, plus one! Hooray!
Nobody tell them about the hanger-on who’s basically glued himself to the ass of the Pod. We’ll let them have this little win, if only for a moment.
Ratchet suggests they head for the brain to check things out. Brainstorm reads back the report on the water sample he took, holding his data pad as precariously as he possibly can as he does. There’s admium flakes in the water. Nobody knows what this means, so they try to call Swerve, who is a metallurgist, for his professional opinion. The call goes to voicemail. Pity, that.
The fellas show up at the cranium, and there’s a small issue; Metroplex’s brain isn’t there. It wasn’t yanked out, either- it’s clean as a whistle in there, all things considered. Next stop- the spark. Hopefully they can get there before all the lights go out, because it’s beginning to look rather grim for ol’ Plexy.
Back on Cybertron, Starscream is asking about the fatality rate of the death wave, which is a bit funny to read now that I’ve typed it out. Tankor- who is our tie-in issue character today- decides he’s going to start some shit with Starscream, even as people are evaporating around him in the medical center he’s volunteered to assist at. Starscream takes the verbal stripping down with a straight face, because at this point, it’s just par for the course for him. Being head honcho of a whole planet kinda sucks, as he’s quickly finding out.
Flatline, who is also here, makes a crack at Starscream’s expense, and Starscream decides that that’s going to be the straw that breaks his camel’s back, as he starts getting dangerously sarcastic with the guy. Too bad this isn’t the time for that, however, because the Titan just showed up at the city limits.
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Wow, Titan really said “fuck those two guys on the left in particular.”
Over in the Dead Universe, it turns out that the massive fiery laser blast from last issue DIDN’T kill everyone, and doesn’t actually seem like it was ever intended to. I suppose it was some sort of transport beam that Nova Prime used for his entrance, like the dramatic bitch he is. That’s neat, I guess.
Hardhead’s pretty upset by Nightbeat’s betrayal, not that Nightbeat really cares- being brainwashed tends to have that effect. Hardhead starts slamming his skull against the containment cube, living up to his name and also making himself look like a fool. Cyclonus is beginning to regret agreeing to this trip. Orion Pax punches the wall and starts yelling at Nightbeat for being a traitor, pretty much breaking his hand in the process. Rodimus tries to get him to chill out, and gets a knuckle sandwich for his troubles.
Also, this whole thing is a ruse. Orion managed to crack the cube, and he’s gonna try to get them out, but he can only do it if Nightbeat doesn’t realize what’s going on. Once Rodimus is let in on the plan, he tries to butter up ol’ Ikea Johnson, who notices the very mysterious something that’s on Rodimus’ palm. The thing that’s NOT his forcefield generator, that we don’t get to know about just yet.
Seeing the mysterious something makes Nightbeat fall to his knees, clutching his head in pain. At least, that’s what Orion says happened. I don’t know what happened or why, or why Orion would fucking know what happened or why. Or even, really, if it was Orion making the claim in the first place.
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Not even any feet to try to connect to characters. I’m just guessing on previous panels.
“Dark Cybertron” makes me so, so tired.
Anyway, Nova Prime tells everyone to get on their knees, lest he shoot them with his big honkin’ back turrets.
Back inside Metroplex, the fellas have exited the Rod Pod and are on the hunt for Metroplex’s spark. Someone’s gone and drawn arrows pointing in the direction of the spark chamber, though who exactly is a mystery. Lots of mystery going on this issue. The boys decide to see where the graffiti takes them, leaving the Rod Pod to whatever fate might befall it while they’re gone.
Nobody likes the Rod Pod very much.
Also, that hanger-on from earlier is still there. This’ll turn out great, surely!
We get treated to a double-page spread of Escher proportions, as the gang tries to traverse the inner workings of Metroplex, until they hit an arrow that seemingly hits a dead end. When they brute force their way through the ceiling, it’s bad news bears; they’re right back where they started. Whirl, our most volatile friend, takes out his frustration on the Rod Pod, only for more bad news to reveal itself: the Pod’s been rigged to explode by the hanger-on!
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And that’s a series wrap on the Rod Pod Squad! Let’s give ‘em a hand, folks!
Back in the Dead Universe, Nova Prime is busy deadnaming Orion, and generally just being an asshole. He notices Cyclonus off in the corner, and starts being an asshole at him too, because that’s how Nova interacts with the world. It’s all he knows.
It’s at this point that Cyclonus gives Hardhead the signal, and Hardhead bashes through the crack in the cube. Too bad it reseals itself directly behind him. Hardhead goes to punch Nova Prime, and gets his hand crushed into pulp for his troubles. Then he dies, because that was his forcefield hand.
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And that’s a series wrap on Hardhead!
Nova Prime informs everyone that he’ll be taking them to visit a pal of his.
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You know, this reveal would be a hell of a lot more poignant if I could FUCKING TELL WHO THE SHIT THAT’S SUPPOSED TO BE.
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psychedelicships · 3 years
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Containment Breach. But For Real This Time.
@chaos-family-scp-au @chaos-family-writing @orange-side-please-appear @unlawful-lawyers-chaos @hihello-what-is-chaos-doing are you ready? :)
SCP-0475 hung upside down by their knees from a pull-up bar that SCP-0472- well, only the researchers called xem that; 0475 called xem Orange-had requested (0475 had actually asked Orange to request it, but details ruined a good story!). It, like everything else on xyr room, was made of hard tungsten metal and bolted down. 0475 snacked on some heavily buttered popcorn as they watched Orange. 
Orange lay spread eagled on the floor beneath 0475, making vaguely annoying humming noises. 
Xe sat up without warning. “Everyone calls you by your number. 0475. But what’s your name?” Xe asked. 
This caught 0475 by surprise. 
“I… I don’t know.” 0475 replied. 
“Don’t you know, like, everything though!?” 
“Only things that have been proven.”
“Okay, well, if you don’t have a name, I’ll give you one!”
This caught 0475 by surprise- and not the kind of surprise that Orange usually invoked- no, Orange’s usual surprise consisted of fire, screaming, and sometimes a sentient roomba. 
“Okay. Um, what kind of name?”
Orange’s reply was drowned out by the blaring of sirens. 
“Um, this breach wasn’t my fault!” Orange shouted over the sirens. 
“Oh, this time! Stay here, you’ll be safer.” 0475 told xem before teleporting out of Orange’s cell into the hallway, where the alarms blared even louder and the walls were bathed in red light. 
“Where’s Graves!” 0475 muttered to themself. 
Their question was abruptly answered when the doctor ran into them- quite literally.
“0475! What are you doing here!? Get out! This isn’t safe!” Dr. Graves shouted over the alarms.
“Well then you need to get out, too! What happened!?”
Their question was once again answered as another creature came barreling down the hallway. 
“You motherfucker!” 0475 shouted at the teddy bear ambling closer to the doctor. 
“Stop antagonizing it and run!” Dr. Graves shouted, pulling 0475 along with vem, 0475 giving a long string of swear words as the bear came closer. 
“Fuck this! I hate running!” 0475 shouted and grabbed Dr. Graves before closing their eyes and teleporting. 
With no particular destination in mind- only away! The darkness that surrounded them when teleporting seemed thicker- or maybe it was also the fact that they had never teleported with another person. Was 0475 even a person? They looked like one, but were they really? The void seemed the consistency of maple syrup, or maybe molasses, when it usually seemed like water. 
They trudged through the darkness until they pushed through a light. A second later, 0475 and Dr. Graves tumbled out of the darkness into a grassy field. 
“What. Was. That.” Dr. Graves gasped, sitting on aer knees. 
“Teleporting. What else would it be?” 0475 replied. 
“Oh… I really, really hated that.”
“Oops,” 0475 gave a sheepish grin. “But you should be proud of me! That was the first time I’ve teleported with someone else!”
“Really? Can you describe how it was different?” Dr. Graves sat up. 
“It was… heavy. Normally I just step from one place to another, but this was like… I dunno. You know those videos of someone pushing a car uphill? Yeah, like that. Except you’re the car. And the hill is the teleporting void. If that makes sense, I guess.”
Dr. Graves nodded. “This is valuable information. Thank you.”
0475 gave a small grin. “Now, uh, I think we should just stay here until the asshole of a murder-y teddy bear is caught.”
“Agreed. Wait- how do you know about SCP-1048?”
“Remember in the interview I said that I know everything that’s been proven as a fact? Yeah, the fact that SCP-1048 is a keter. The 1048-A, B and C, the ears… I know it all. I wish I didn’t know some of that. I wish I didn’t have access to everything that I do.”
“Would you change, if you could? Be… normal?”
0475 fell silent for a minute. 
“In the end? No, I don’t think I would. There are definitely some things I would like to forget about… but I like doing this. Being able to teleport. Being essentially bulletproof. And punching fascists is kind of what I do now. I wouldn’t give up my powers, but I do wish there were some things I didn’t know. What you don’t know can’t hurt you, right?” 0475 gave a fake laugh. 
“No. No, knowledge is a tool. A vast, useful tool. And I’m glad you have that knowledge. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t teleported me away? I might have been made into SCP-1048-D, and then 0472 would burn the place down. And- wait- you said you were bulletproof!?” Dr. Graves put aer hand on 0475’s shoulder and frowned. 
“I guess you’re right. But that doesn’t change the fact that I know things I wish I didn’t. And yeah. I found out when some asshole tried to shoot me,” they laughed. 
“I’m sorry. I would offer you amnesiacs, but I don’t know if they would help.”
“They wouldn’t. I think that’s how I got into this whole mess in the first place.”
“Can you elaborate?”
“I could. But I don’t want to. It might get back to Bitchard.”
“Bitchard?” Dr. Graves bit back a laugh. 
“Yup. He’s a bitch. Beta gave him that name.”
“You’ve talked to hum?”
“Yeah, hum’s pretty nice. Hu likes it when I do most of the talking, though.”
Dr. Graves nodded again. 0475 noticed ve did that a lot- nodded in the way that someone with a lot of gears turning in their head nodded. Like how a therapist or a professor nodded when thinking about a particularly difficult question. 
SCP-0475 and Dr. Graves sat in the field until the sun set. “Do you think they have murder bear under control yet?” Graves asked.
0475 closed their eyes and thought for a minute. “Yes.” Their voice suddenly turned almost robotic, as if they were programmed to read off the page. “Attention all staff members. SCP-1048 has been recaptured and is now in transport to site A-24 under high security. SCP-1048-D has been terminated, with only three D-Class KIB (killed in breach). No other SCPs have escaped. It is safe to exit your offices or wherever you have hidden. Thank you for your cooperation.”
“I’ve never seen you do that before. How did you access the foundation’s emails?”
“It’s a verifiable fact that SCP-1048 is in transport, and I just… saw the email. I don’t know how to explain it. I’m sorry.”
“That’s what my job is. Research. If you’ll let me research, I want to help.”
0475 shook their head. “I’ve seen what happens to Orange and Green after experiments. I know what Beta is like after research. No thanks.”
“Okay. I won’t force you. I know Bitchard would say otherwise, but gathering data by any means is unethical and is not what the foundation should be doing. Now come on, I should be getting back,” Dr. Graves stood up and offered a hand to 0475, who accepted.
As soon as 0475 gripped Dr. Graves’ hand, the two teleported out of the field and entered the void. It wasn’t nearly as thick as it had been, though it was still difficult, carrying Graves. 
They tumbled out of the darkness, landing on top of Dr. Grave’s desk. 
“Wow. The second round was not any better.” Ve rubbed aer head.
0475 shrugged. “Sorry about that. Again. I’ll be back, so don’t be surprised if I’m watching Jeopardy! again on your computer. Bye!”
Dr. Graves was going to reply- say something, even a returned goodbye- but 0475 teleported before Graves could even think of something. 
Ve sat down at their desk (on the chair, not the top) and put aer head in aer hands. 
Somewhere on the other side of the world, SCP-0475 remembered what Orange had said: “Okay, well, if you don’t have a name, I’ll give you one!”
0475 probably had a name, a long time ago, but they couldn’t remember it anymore. It would be nice to have a name, rather than a number, they mused. 
Perhaps they would let Orange give name suggestions the next time 0475 visited. 
But for now, 0475 was content to have a number and punch homophobes.
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calliecat93 · 3 years
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ST: TNG S4 Watchthrough Episodes 22-25
Half a Life: Okay Lwaxana, let's see if the fourth time is the charm. So… gonna be honest, this episode just made me uncomfortable with the subject matter. Essentially Lwaxana becomes friendly with a man named Timicin… who is going to commit suicide as part of his culture due to his age. needless to say, I thoroughly am not okay with this. The episode does delve into it like Lwaxana reacts as you would expect and there are points made about how she has no right to interfere in others cultures/personal beliefs and how we treat middle-aged individuals nearing their elder years. But… y’know… a society that dictates that you kill yourself at 60 is… I’m sorry, I just cannot discuss this topic fairly. While I am opinionated, I do try my best to be fair… but I’m just not comfortable enough to discuss this topic in this way because I thoroughly disagree with suicide as acceptable on any level. At least not with how it was done here. That being said, being fair, I can give some praise. First, David Ogden Stiers! Heck yes~! I love his work in various Disney films, and he was excellent here! And on Lwaxana… I liked her here. Not only is her man-chasing ways with a man who is receptive to it so it feels less dumb/annoying/kinda creepy and more charming and legitimately entertaining than when she’s forcing it on Picard, but frankly I was on her side throughout the episode. When suicide is involved, someone should intervene and Timicin shouldn’t have to die just because he’s hit 60 and they don’t want to burden their children with caring for the elderly. My dad died at 54, and I never hesitated in trying to care for him. No one in my family did. But you could see Lwaxana’s pain and grief and when she broke down in the Transporter Room to Troi… God. I may not be the biggest fan of her character, but the poor woman just needs a big hug. In the end, it's really hard for me to tell which side the episode is standing with. it chooses to shoot down the middle with Timicin choosing to go through with it and Lwaxana finally allowing it… but it doens’t feel like we’re supposed to be okay with it. I get it, it’s their planet’s beliefs and whether one should interfere in one's culture or not is a legit question… but when it comes to matters like this I just… IDK. Like I said IDK if I can give this a fair opinion because again, I just don’t agree with the subject matter whatsoever and it just feels utterly wrong. Maybe it’s supposed to, but… yeah. I’m gonna be fair here and shoot down the middle for the rating because I can’t say it’s a poorly done episode and the personal bias may be affecting my judgment… but it is certainly one I am unlikely to revisit. 3/5.
The Host: Crusher’s got a boyfriend, aww~! Too bad that he ends up dead, aww… but it’s okay! Turns out they’re actually a symbiote known as a Trill in a host body and they stick him into Riker in the meantime! Uhh… sure? Is this how it works for Jadzia in DS9? So the symbiote, Odon, is also an Ambassador and still needed, so Riker volunteers to be that host… despite no human ever carrying a Trill before. Needless to say, this not only causes issues for Riker but… well, muddies up Crusher and Odon’s relationship quite a bit. This makes sense, Odon not only mentioning this detail but being a symbiote that goes from body to body can be hard to settle. Crusher does eventually decide to try and make it work despite the awkwardness because she genuinely loves Odon, who is suffering due to Riker’s body just not being suitable. It’s fine, it’s certainly an interesting concept… until we get to the ending. What causes Crusher to break it off with Odon? His new host body suited for them… is a woman’s body. Now she says it’s because she just can’t handle the body hopping and I’m gonna take that as the truth… but the way the episode portrays it, it’s more like she can’t handle the body hopping into a female body despite her saying that’s not it. I know, I know it was the 90’s and again I’m just gonna act like seeing the new body was when the reality was hitting Crusher and she realized that it was just too much too fast. I can buy that. But again, the execution makes it feel… well, there’s no other way to say it, homophobic/biphobic/transphobic. Again 90’s, but still. At least the Trill’s aren’t picky about their gender at least physically, I can respect that. But yeah… needless to say this has quite a few unfortunate implications under a modern lens. Still, it was alright. Considering Jadzia in DS9, I’m looking forward to seeing more about the Trills then. The episode was alright, I just wish that the ending was more open-minded because it really put a damper on my final opinion. It shows that for all its progressiveness, ST still has plenty of prejudices from the real-life eras that they were made in. I’m just glad that we’re at least beginning to improve now. 2/5.
The Mind’s Eye: Geordi has been kidnapped by the Romulans. That sucks… and it gets worst when they conduct a painful mind-control experiment on him. Why? Well, the Enterprise is en route to deal with a Klingon insurrection and have a Klingon ambassador on board. They want Geordi to kill said the ambassador and thus crumble apart from the Federation/Klingon alliance. So yeah, bad. Geordi is a good boy, in romantically hopeless, he didn’t deserve this! Poor guy isn’t even aware of what he’s doing and can’t even sleep properly. It especially got tense there in the end as Data started piecing everything together… just as Geordi is readying to execute the assassination. Thank God that they managed to stop him, but again, poor Geordi. Oh and the fact that there was a Klingon turncoat on board triggering the order… yeah. Looks like Duras wasn’t the only Klingon in ona. Romulan conspiracy. Geordi’s left with implanted memories and the trauma of undergoing a brainwashing that he can’t even remember happening. Another solid episode that continues the threat of the Romulans and this whole RomulanKlingon conspiracy. We’re beuilding up to something, and it’s likely to be explosive. 4/5.
In Theory: A girl named Jenna has a crush on Data, oh my! Data, despite believing that as an android he can’t feel romantic attraction, decides that he’d like to pursue this, even making a romantic program for himself. In other words, it’s The Dauphin 2.0. So first, again with this whole thing about Data being an unfeeling android. Why can’t Data feel romantic attraction? He’s been shown to feel plenty of feelings including some level of affection for Tasa, just because it’s not in the ‘’normal’ way doesn’t make it any less true. Maybe Data is aromantic, but that’s not gonna come up in a 90’s show, which 90’s standards are why this feels so wrong. Data’s curiosity on the subject and deciding to pursue it is fine. He’s new to it and sure studying/emulating what media and books say about romance isn’t always best as the episode does demonstrate. That’s certainly a fine message to express and plenty of people have done/gone through that. There were some fun moments like Data seeking out advice from the others and Worf pretty much threatening Data to treat Jenna, who is part of Security, well or else was also amusing XD But yeah this episode was cute in a few ways, but I just can’t get over that whole ‘Data is emotionless’ thing. The show has shown far more evidence for Data having emotions than lacking them? Maybe Data thinks that he doesn’t, I can believe that, but still. Had they portrayed it simply as Data, being new to love and curious about it, didn’t fully get it/wasn’t ready but was trying to force it anyways and Jenna broke it off because of that instead of using the ‘he was a rebound’ excuse? I’d have been more accepting of that instead of wondering why they even bothered with this plot to begin with. To say that Data can’t feel love and anyone who tries is doomed to failure instead of Data learning to be better over time? Yeah… sorry, not buying it. The Dauphin, despite me not liking how Welsey acted at the end, was standard but still cute. This one though? Sorry, didn’t care for it. But hey, we got Spot again, so that made it worth it! 2/5.
So… aside from the third one, not the best episodes. But hey, everything else this season has still been good. Very least I’ll have plenty to make a Top 5 Best/Worst list for S4 now. Next time is the S4 finale/S5 premiere! Yay~! S4 has been such a fun ride so far! Will the ending end things on a high note and guarantee a strong beginning for S5? We shall see~!
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Magnificent Scoundrels- Pariah
This was an absolute blast to write.  I find that the interactions between the different cultures and battles scenes are probably the most fun to write, in my opinion.  Here, we have more Vir and Cain.  We are introduced to Conn, so shenanigans will most definitely ensue.  I’m not quite sure if they’re the type of shenanigans you’re thinking of though...
As always, none of these characters belong to me.  Enjoy the story!
Aboard the Omen
Things had gotten better.  Tensions were much lower, thanks to Simone’s suggestion that Cain watch the Omen’s ground forces and Vir take up the Commissarial duties of the Valhallans.  Both groups seemed to be more comfortable with each other.  There were still competitions, of course, and they were still exceptionally competitive, of course, but they had lost their malevolent edge.  Much was still to be learnt, however.  Each side still retained quirks and habits that, to the other, seemed exceptionally odd.
The common Imperials were still xenophobic.  A lifetime of teachings and practice couldn’t be changed in a matter of days or weeks.  While both Vir and Cain preaching tolerance certainly helped, it did not eliminate the problem all together.  It had gone from ‘I’m going to possibly shoot you on sight’ to ‘stay out of our way and we’ll stay out of yours.’  A definite improvement, all things considered.  
There were still other oddities, as mentioned before.  Not counting the posting of armed guards, any crew member of the Omen could instantly tell where the Valhallan quarters aboard the ship were.  As benefitted ice worlders, their comfortable ambient temperature was slightly higher than freezing, and they set the air conditioning in their section of the ship to match.  Vir found himself wearing heavy winter gear when he stayed with them for extended periods.  He was also fairly certain there were a couple of them camped out in the cooling ducts, but there were no reports of damage or any mechanical problems, so he decided to let that slide.  
However, Admiral Vir and his crew were a lot better off than the Imperials, seeing as they were used to strange and occasionally egomaniacal aliens aboard their ship.  They had open minds.  
To the Imperials, everything was just so… bizzare.  It was like being in a completely other dimension.  Here, aliens and humans got along.  Talked together, fought together, laughed together.  The Admiral was not a distant figure of authority, but instead more like a wise and older friend, ready to help you along any path you chose.  Hell, the ship’s officers talked with the crew.  You could actually see them walking through the halls.  On Imperial vessels that transported soldiers, the Naval crew stayed in their area, and the infantry in theirs, with only the high ranking officers speaking to each other.  
Then there was the ship itself.  Like any proud naval personnel, the crew of the Omen liked to brag about their vessel.  Apparently, it was brand new.  Brand.  New.  Only in service for a year or more.  What kind of ship was that?  Usually, the troop ships of the Imperium were in service for centuries, if not millennia, and the Naval fighting platforms even longer.  The oldest vessel Cain had ever been aboard was the massive battleship Throne Eternal, built during the days of the Great Crusade, some ten thousand years before.  
Perhaps it was the fact that the ship was brand new, but it was so incredibly clean.  The hallways were neat and sterilized.  There was no accumulated grime.  No comforting iconography.  From the outside, the ship looked like a brick.  It was all steely grey metal.  It was so strange.  So foreign.  So distinctly… un-Imperial.
But, in the end, despite the oddities, it could be said that things were a lot more calm aboard.  And so, it was with no small amount of alarm that Admiral Adam Vir remembered that Conn was aboard the ship.
Conn was an alien, which would have already put him on the Imperial’s bad side.  But that, in and of itself, was not the problem.  You see, Conn was a starborn, quite possibly the most unusual alien species in the galaxy.  Ghostlike, they were small, white, and lived in the cold void of space.  Accustomed to the blackness, they could not survive in any areas with gravity’s pressure without external help.  But, much like an annoying infomercial, there was more.  Starborns were natural telepaths.  They could read the minds of almost any living being.  Conn in particular was quite annoying about it.  He reveled in the sensation of knowing everyone’s deepest secrets, and made no qualms about being nice about it.  Most of the crew, Adam in particular, found him, to put it mildly, extremely annoying.  He was kept around because he wasn’t truly malicious, despite indications otherwise, and his usefulness outweighed his flaws.  
Vir had a sort of… connection with Conn.  Due to an unfortunate accident that resulted in the loss of his eye, part of his brain had been skewered, making it easier for him  to communicate telepathically.  The strangest part of all of this was the fact Vir hadn’t heard from Conn the entire voyage.  That was definitely not a good thing.  Who knew what sort of mischief that could be wrought.  He was fairly certain that Conn was not missing because he was wise enough to stay hidden from the Imperials.  No.  Something else was afoot.  
So, with trepidation, he began his search.  
Conn was not in any of his usual haunts.  He wasn’t floating around annoying people, wasn’t where he usually lurked in the medical bay.  No one had seen him.  Not the engineers, the doctors, the marines, or any of the bridge crew.  How very odd.  It seemed as if no one had heard from him from the moment they had set off.  So Vir had to do it the old fashioned way: wander around the ship, thinking as loud as he could to attract Conn’s attention.
It was only when he started to go in the passageways closest to the exterior of the hull that he started to get a response.  
Conn?  Conn?  Can you hear me?  Where are you?
I can’t hear…  Emptiness.  Void.  Nothing.  Nothing.  He’s nothing.  Nothing!
Conn?  Where are you?
The darkness.  Alone.  Pain.  Can't hear voices.  Can’t hear thoughts.  
Conn!  Where are you?  What’s wrong?  I can’t help if you don’t tell me.  
Slowly, through the telepathic link, he started to see where Conn was.  Outside the vessel.  Starborn were more comfortable and could survive in space.  Conn was known to go in and out of the airlock of his own free will… but that didn’t explain why he had been there for so long.  It also didn’t explain the strange mutterings and thoughts.  
Adam?  You’re here.  You can hear me.  Good.  Not alone anymore.  Something was very wrong.  Conn was a jackass, through and through.  Vir had never heard thankfulness and relief from him before.  
Yes.  I’m here.  He tried to make the thought as reassuring as possible.  Conn, what’s wrong?  What is the problem?  
It’s him.  The closest thing to a mental hiss came with that word.  He’s nothing!  Pain.  Misery.  Alone with my thoughts!
Conn-
The void!  Blackness.  I can’t hear anything!  I can’t hear!  
Conn.  Calm down.  
Yes!  Yes.  The second yes was much more calm.  
You can’t hear others’ thoughts?  Is that it?
Yes.  A vigorous telepathic nod.  
Why?  I’ve never heard of anything like that happening before.
It’s because of him!  The thoughts were becoming hysterical again.  He snuffs it out.  He’s a void, a-
Conn!  Stay focused.  Who is he?
He- ARGHH!  The mental connection was abruptly cut as a searing pain shot through Vir’s body.  He collapsed to his hands and knees.  He felt as if he did a long time ago, wounded and feverish during the Drev War with no painkillers.  His mind was white hot, his body wracked with agony.  The edges of his vision started to turn black.  No!  Don’t pass out! rebelled some far away part of his mind.  
“Admiral!” said a voice, seemingly far away.  He focused on the voice.  Deep breaths.  Come on.  Stay conscious.  The blackness receded.  The voice got stronger.  
“Admiral, sir!  Are you all right?” asked someone hesitantly.  Vir shifted his weight to his side and clutched his head.  What the hell happened?  
“Yeah, I think I’ll be alright,” he murmured.  He shook his head to clear it of any last vestiges of pain.  “What was… doesn’t matter.”  He turned, and found himself face to face with a most unexpected individual.  Jurgen, the Commissar’s aide.  
“Good to know that you’re alright, sir.”  A grimy hand reached out and handed Vir a data pad.  “The Commissar wanted me to give you this.”  
“Ah, yes.  Personnel rosters.  Thank you, Jurgen.  I won’t take up any more of your time.”  Jurgen saluted and walked away, leaving Vir staring, perplexed, at the pad in his hands.  
Vir lay on his bed, gazing at the ceiling.  He couldn’t sleep.  The mystery of Conn’s telepathic severance was dancing through his mind.  What was he talking about?  Some sort of void…  Some strange monster, lurking in space, perhaps?  No.  Think logically.  Go through this step by step.  What do you know?  First, Conn was isolated.  There was something severing his telepathic communication.  Second, that something was a someone.  It was a he.  Third, this hadn’t happened before the Imperials had arrived on board.  Therefore, logically, this person was one of the Imperials, causing the cutting of telepathic communications and pain to anyone using them.  Okay.  Good.  We’ve established that.  Now what?  Who was doing it?  Were they even aware they were doing it?  How was it even possible to do something like that?  Some strange technology?  Possible.  That made sense.  Perhaps they had fought some telepathic aliens in their galaxy, and developed something to stop it.  
But, still.  He squirmed slightly.  How… who… what… why?  None of this made sense.  How to get to the bottom of this mystery?  He couldn’t figure it out, so perhaps someone else could.  Cain?  Cain would probably know.  But did he trust Cain?  That was an entirely different matter.  It could be on Cain’s orders.  Hell, it could be Cain himself.  Cain’s aide?  Out of everyone aboard, Vir had a nagging feeling that something was wrong with that man.  Plus, the pain had only started when Jurgen had come close to him… 
So… Jurgen, then.  Most likely suspect.  But how?  How could he find out?  Hmm…
A search of the Imperial quarters and armory yielded no results.  He wasn’t sure what he expected to find, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.  While their equipment was strange, everything he found had been earlier explained to him.  Nothing.  So either it was a device small enough to hide on a person, or it wasn’t a device at all.  Conn had said he.  Perhaps it had nothing to do with technology.  
Vir decided, therefore, to have Katie and Kril, the ship’s doctors, to test every single one of the Imperials for anything strange.  HIdden behind the facade of making sure they were disease free, they all had a physical examination done, and blood and tissue samples drawn.  It was… less than helpful.
Kril did the equivalent of a human sigh as he put down the blood readouts.  Katie was still studying them with perplexity.  
“So, did you find anything out of the ordinary?” asked Vir.  
“That’s the problem.  Everything is out of the ordinary,” replied Kril.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that- well, let me explain.  So, you know how evolution works, right?  Over time, all organic species naturally evolve.” “Yes.  And?” asked Vir.  He didn’t see where this was going.
“So, Drake gave you timelines for all of our galaxies, didn’t he?  He says, and from what I can tell, he’s right, that our timelines split somewhere around the year 2000.  Now, every single one of our galaxies is in a different time since then.  Most of the other galaxies are around the early second century C.E., in human measurements.  Ours and Drake’s are in the early fourth centuries C.E.  Cain and the Imperials are from 40,000 C.E.  Plus, none of them are from Earth, whereas most everyone else we’ve met is from Earth or from a planet close enough to Earth for the evolution tendencies not to be affected in any major way.  So, to sum up, most of them are from an ice planet 38,000 years in the future.  We have no idea what we’re seeing here.  All of these genes are very different from the human’s I’ve studied before.  I can’t tell what’s abnormal or not.  I could figure it all out, but it might take a month or more.”  Wonderful.  Vir sighed.  
“Thanks for trying Kril.  I guess I’ll have to figure this out some other way.”
Now he was back in his bed, mulling things over.  This had to stop.  He couldn’t allow Conn, annoying as he was, to suffer like this.  Conn was, after all, part of his crew.  There was no other solution.  He had to see Cain.  But, what if Cain was doing this, or it was being done on his orders?  Vir looked over to the suit of Iron Eye armor resting gently in its place.  He walked over, and started to buckle on the plates.  This had a liability to get messy.  
Cain looked up at the sharp knock on the door.  Jurgen hadn’t stopped whomever it was, so it must be Vir.  
“Come in,” he replied politely.  Sure enough, Vir walked through the door into his borrowed quarters.  “Admiral Vir.  A pleasure to see you.  What brings you here today?”  Vir shifted, slightly uncomfortable.  This was going to be awkward, at the very least.  “Would you like a drink?”
“No, thank you, though.”  He gave a slight cough.  “I wondered if I might talk to you, however.”
“Of course,” replied Cain.  “What about?”  Vir scratched the back of his neck.
“Uh, well, there’s no easy way to put this.”  He took a deep breath to compose himself.  “You see, there are some crew members that you haven’t seen before.”
“I rather had the feeling.  More… aliens, no doubt.”
“Heh.  Yes.  However, there is one in particular.  He is of a, uh, most peculiar species… well, he can read minds,” finished Vir lamely.  Cain looked up sharply from where he was sitting, fingers moving instinctively for his weapons.  
“What?”  
“Yes.  You heard me right.  However, that is not the problem,” concluded Vir.
“And what would the problem be?” asked Cain warily, his hand inching closer to his sidearm.  
“The problem is, he can’t.  There is something or someone aboard this ship that blocks his mental communications and causes him untold agony.  Now, while I personally find it annoying and distasteful to have my mind read, especially by him, he is in quite a lot of pain.  This only started when you boarded.  I’m not sure what is causing this, and I am not insinuating anything, but it has something to do with someone in your regiment, and I would like it to stop.”  Cain stared at him with a calm and considered look.  
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Admiral Vir.  I know nothing about aliens, so it could be something wrong with him,” he replied.
“I don’t think so,” said Vir.  “You sure you don’t know anything about this?”
“No,” replied Cain.  Vir sat up from his chair.  One more card to play.  
“Absolutely sure?  Not even anything that has to do with, say, your aide?”  Cain looked up at him, this time with a completely neutral expression on his face.  
“I’m afraid I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, Admiral.  Good day.”  Damn.  Fine.  Got to go out on a limb here.  Vir leaned over the table, his earlier expression of calm gone, replaced with the attitude he assumed around unruly subordinates.
“Don’t bullshit me, Cain.  You know what’s going on.  And I will find out eventually, with or without your help.  So if you want me to trust you, you’re going to tell me now.”  Cain sighed, stood up, walked past Vir, and locked the door.  Vir tensed, hidden Iron Eye servos whining, ready for any sudden movements.  There were none.  Cain stood face to face with Vir.  He’s tall, idly mused some unnecessary part of Vir’s brain.  Cain drew his pistol and held calmly out at his side.
“You are not going to tell anyone what is said here.  If you do, if any sort of word of this gets out in any way, I will kill you,” he said in a deadly serious tone.  He looked around, then sighed.  “My aide, Jurgen, is a blank.”  Vir gave him a look that plainly said ‘elaborate.’  Cain suddenly got a strange look in his eyes, then raised his gun a fraction.  “If his powers work on your xeno telepath… then that means it has some sort of connection to the Warp.”  The pistol came up, pointing directly between Vir’s eyes.  “So now, you are going to tell me everything.”  Vir struggled to remain calm.  Cain wasn’t going to kill him, yet.  He was fairly sure this was just another misunderstanding.  
“I don’t know anything about any Warp.  Conn is a straborn.  They are born in space, and they can read minds naturally.  That’s it.”  Cain still looked as if he were going to put down the gun, then looked up sharply again.
“Innocentia nihil probat,” he murmured.  “Jurgen!  Get in here!”  The door opened, and Jurgen stepped through.  Apparently he had the key.
“Yes, Commissar?”  Cain turned to Vir.  
“We are going to search your ship.  If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear.”  Vir opened his mouth to make an objection, which Cain forestalled with a raised hand.  “I learned a long time ago that it is better to explain too much caution than bleed for not enough.”  He put a small communications node in his ear, then keyed it.  “Colonel Kasteen, ready the regiment.  Search the entire ship for any signs of Chaotic taint.  This is a precaution, but you know what to do.”  Cain turned once more to a bewildered Vir.  “Tell your men to stand down.  If they resist, they die.”  He stepped back, then gestured towards the door.  “After you.  And, remember, our conversation was still confidential.  If you tell anyone, you die.”  
A cliffhanger.  I know.  Originally, I didn’t intend for it to end like this, but this is the way the story went and this is how this scenario would play out of the conversation actually took place.  Above all, I strive to remain as accurate as possible to how these characters would actually interact, so that is why this went the way it did.  I will have the ending to this up as soon as possible, so don’t worry!  Wherever you are, have a great day.
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guigz1-coldwar · 3 years
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'Old Echoes of a Cold War': New chapter for "Always for the greater cause..." is out!
Chapter Summary: The mission at the Yamantau is on for Jackal, Naga &amp; Kitsune to get what Perseus needs in the mainframe...
To read it on AO3, click here!
Taglist: @snowgoldwaylon , @clxudtea , @efingart
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1st March 1981, 13h45 AM MSK
Owethu "Jackal" Mabuza, Mercenary hired by Perseus
In a flying soviet Mi-24 Hind, arriving near the Mount Yamantau, USSR
After at least one hour of getting briefed and preparing ourselves on what we should expect when our feet will hit the snow ground of the Yamantau, it was time for us to be going to that mountain and do our job with a new member of the team called Kitsune, said to be a hacker or something like that as Sonya told us and that she will be the one to do the hardest task in the mission: extract the necessary data that Stitch needs to get as for me & Naga, we are going to make our usual tasks: shoot & kill, stab & murder...the usual...
We got ourselves inside a Mi-24 Hind that Sonya managed to get for us as a means of transport and also our extraction vehicle, and then, we could fly away from the base we've been resting for two days to join the mountain and especially in a secure secluded place, at least 300 meters from the abandoned base and its mainframe. It's my first time to do a mission in sunny weather and it was at a place that I heard about from some people I worked with before, let's hope that it will go well.
I was surprised also that Kitsune didn't bring any warm jacket for her, leaving her tattooed arms in the open but she wasn't even showing any signs that she was cold during the flight as Naga got lucky as he got a variation of his usual outfit, the same outfit but in white, perfectly dressed up for the mission...I wasn't cold but damn, I could already feel it from inside the helicopter when it landed right at the starting point...
"Alright, let's get some fresh air," Naga joked, taking nothing seriously as he moves inside the transport bay of the Hind to open its door and after he did it, my body went chilly just to see the snow outside and its cold...shit, that's cold..."Fresh & cold to say," Naga added, stepping out of the Hind with his preferred LC-10 in hands.
"You always been joking like that?" Kitsune asked him, following his lead as she got two SMGs in her hands: Tec-9s as she said in the few sentences that she pronounced during the flight.
"Why? You're liking it?" Naga scoffed with a good voice, turning around to face her while I was also going out, my eyes moving over the little path that was going away from the place, leading to the base.
"No, I'm not," Kitsune replied to him in a serious voice, passing her free left hand over her right arm, sort of cleaning some dust she got on it after putting her Tec-9s on her vest. "You should better stay focus than continuing to joke, that's better for us," She advised him, impossible for me to interpret Naga's reaction to that, the part of his face that I could see wasn't showing me anything that could help me.
"Okay, everyone," Sonya's voice called us out as they stayed silent during the flight, having come with us to explain some details, they weren't the one flying that thing, it was a pilot of the Russian Air Force affiliated to the Collective. "Right now, you have a window of opportunity of 30 minutes, the main soviet forces will arrive soon, you will have to be quick," They explained.
"30 minutes? Should be going now, I think," I presumed and they nod at me, thinking that we're now in a hurry...already and we didn't even go out of the starting point.
"There are some patrols in the base but I'm sure that you three will take care of it," Sonya admitted, the three of us looking at each other and nodding too, knowing that we could do a great job...if Kitsune & Naga don't argue about jokes. "Anyway, we're taking you away once you got the data, you call us on the radio," They added before they made a sign to the pilot, meaning that they were going away from here, moving to another position until we're done here and it's without words and walking away from the helicopter that it starts its engine and flew away, leaving us here.
"So, no way to back down, now?" Naga demanded, keeping his funny tone only by looking in my direction, not having his eyes one second on Kitsune.
"Too late for that, Kapano," I responded to him with a good tone, not like Kitsune, turning around to face the path that we were going to take.
"You two, follow me," Kitsune's voice, sounding more authoritarian than before, ordered us, already taking the lead of the group as she engages herself on the path, me & Naga exchanging confused glares before we start to follow her.
Honestly, even if she was brandished as one of us & a necessary member of the mission, she was still acting mysterious & not very nice to us, wondering why she was like...especially with us. During the briefing moment of the early hour, she didn't speak too much and when Naga & I tried to say something to her, she was using a bad tone against us and even during the flight, she only talk a bit and it wasn't with us...that girl was mysterious and we have to follow her...
The path we were walking on was surrounded with debris & bodies that were aged, the snow has taken over them and the ruins. The place suffered an avalanche the day the CIA came here to steal some data here in 1968, I can thank the few ex-soviet mercenaries that told me that but this place was indeed like buried in time, the few birds flying above us sounding like echoes of the past and it was a way to think of something else until we arrived at a viewpoint, no patrols on sight for the moment.
"Shit, that place is really old," Naga commented after we got in cover behind a fallen tree, just at a few meters from the ridge as we were looking to a building with a big antenna on the top, buried in the inside by the snow.
"Seems that it was an observation post that the soviets used before an avalanche destroyed it during a CIA raid," I told the two, Kitsune having taken some binoculars to check the place up. "I heard about it but I don't know this much," I added, saying it mainly to Naga.
"It was used by Nikita Dragovich before," Kitsune suddenly said loudly, me turning my head to realize that I wasn't the only one that know this place. "He was the man that was in charge of the Numbers Program, he tried to brainwash a CIA agent to make him kill JFK and release Nova-6 in the US with the help of sleeper agents," She continued, telling more as I & Naga looks at her, surprised.
"How do you know all of that?" Naga asked her.
"Stitch allowed me to check the archives of Solovetsky about the old Perseus operations," She responded, taking her binoculars off her eyes to see us. "That's why I wasn't in time, I was preparing myself too," She revealed, giving us her reason that the mission got delayed.
"You could have to prepare yourself with us in that base," Naga let out a sigh, him watching the building away from us.
"Maybe but I was busy so excuse me for my late, Mister funny," Kitsune ranted, even adding a new nickname to Naga, and just by seeing his reaction through his mask, the guy was smiling...
"At least, you know that I'm funny," He remarked to her, giving me a friendly wink away from her.
"I didn't say that you were..." She was trying to argue with him that he was wrong before she sighs, sounding annoyed to listen to him and more willing to go on. "Whatever, I hope that you're two are discreet, we're moving," She said before standing up, ready to walk on a little path that was leading to that building.
"Don't worry, you two, I'm a goddamn snake!" Naga proclaimed while I & he were standing up too, my eyes going a bit wide at hearing him saying that...did he said that he was a snake?...better than saying something but still strange. "Let's go then," He walked past me as I got myself back on track to follow them, moving on to intrude ourselves inside that abandoned base, a funny thought crossing my mind...
Let's hope that the snake isn't going to get us caught...
-------------------------------
MEMORANDUM FOR: Bellamy
FROM: Wraith
SUBJECT: Update
DATE: March 1st, 1981
Bellamy, you will maybe wonder why this letter is only written for you and not with Knight, it's because that (if you don't know yet) there's a rift that happened between Bell & him after something that happened last night. From what I could hear from Bell, she said that she suddenly got angry at him and refuted him away without any apparent reasons and this morning at 6 AM, Knight stormed out in anger to join Aldrich in town as Bell tried to apologize to him without success. Because of that, I can't bring myself to add Knight's name to the letter, so it's only for you until the two got back along.
I know that you didn't want to be linked to Bell, joining yourself on something that you didn't do and never saw happen, (Talking about Rebirth Island, I know that it wasn't you with Stitch but it was Sonya Kuzmin instead) but I don't want you to reject her like that if she got angry with you in any occasions. She sees you as a friend so pretends that you're hers too even if you don't like it, it's better to have better control over her moves & what she's doing while someone close to her than letting her alone. About that, it seems that Bell is starting to have some questions in her head, questions that she's surely hiding from us.
This morning too, I tried to know well about she got but she betrayed herself in her voice & gestures, something in her head is trying to say earlier that something's wrong and we have to control it to not let her know about her past, we're the barrier to stop her doing that but what she got in her head, her past, is still interesting me a lot. Not for personal use but to take better precautions in the future in case we run on her friends during a mission. It's a priority for me, I hope that Liliya will find something about her soon.
Talking about something else, I still can't find the Numbers Program file and even Aldrich claimed that he didn't take it away from us, meaning that it's either Stitch, Naga, or Jackal that took the file but my suspicions go mainly on Stitch as he was looking pretty interested by it since his eyes got on it. To be honest, I don't like it and the fact that it got into Stitch's hands is worse, it was supposed to stay with us on study for Bell but no, he took it. I hope that he will return to us soon to give us an explanation.
PS: We need to talk about things that I can't write on this report face-to-face, find me behind the safehouse alone tonight.
Cordially,
Wraith
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1st March 1981, 14h06 AM MSK
Owethu "Jackal" Mabuza, Mercenary hired by Perseus
Arriving inside the old Dragovich base at the mainframe, Mount Yamantau, USSR
And when I thought that the mission will go awry, having Naga's remark that he was a 'snake' in my head while we were adventuring ourselves inside the base, I was surprised instead that we manages to not get any alarm raised up or even got spotted by the patrols that we succeed to kill along our way and it's during those moments that I & Naga saw that Kitsune wasn't a woman to have trouble with as she kills by herself, a patrol of three men without them firing a single shot from their guns.
After at least 10 minutes of trying to find our way around the base, we finally get to the place that we needed to be: the old mainframe with all that precious data, deep underground as we had to go down the ruins of the place to reach it, no enemies in the horizon for the moment and a relieved breath was made by me & Naga when we got our feet on the same level that the mainframe is...to say, that thing was quite big when we saw it from up close.
"That's the mainframe?" Naga asked, sounding shocked in his voice as he was pointing the big thing in the middle of the room just above us, the blue sky. "You're going to tell me that this big thing is a mainframe?" He added as Kitsune passed next to us to reach that.
"Why it wouldn't be?" She asked him back, getting her Tec-9 on her vest as she approach the mainframe, near a part of it that got a little screen with a keypad.
"Because...it's not looking like one," Naga stated as I start to look around us to see if we don't get any surprises in case.
"As you thought but now, can you please protect me while I'm extracting data, please?" Kitsune demanded, turning around to look at Naga, sounding very serious. "It isn't going to help if you continue to be like that," She affirmed.
"Come on, Naga, prepare yourself in case," I said, joining Kitsune for this time as quicker she can do her thing, quicker that we could get out of that place.
"Whatever," Naga sighed, keeping his two hands on his LC-10 before joining me at my side while Kitsune was doing her magic into 'hacking this thing and get what we need' as she said during our infiltration in here. "Do you think we should call Sonya now?" He proposed.
"Sure," Me & Kitsune replied at the same time him and it was enough for him to take his radio in hand.
"Sonya, we're finished soon, get the chopper ready to extraction," He started, his radio just in front of his mask to make himself clear, his eyes looking above us before he stop moving. "Uhm...you should get here quick, hostiles approaching," He added, his voice going back into a serious tone as we start to hear some Russian voice coming from a hallway that was just in front of me.
"Shit, incoming!" I said before I could see some armed soldiers coming from that hallway, me reacting the first shooting with my C58 towards that direction and causing the soldiers to get into cover, Naga soon following the process to get behind some concrete cover along with me. "Kitsune, is it done?" I asked her, my voice rising to make myself heard from her.
"Almost there, protect me!" She shouted, staying up to look at the screen she was on, letting me & Naga fire bullets into the soldiers that were coming from that hallway but the more we were firing back, the more soldiers were coming in.
"Guys, the soviet forces arrived sooner than expected, we're here!" Sonya's voice spoke up through our radios, sounding a bit worried in their voice.
"And how you're expecting us to go out of here?" Naga questioned them, trying to mix between talking to them and shooting with his LC-10 at the soldiers, protecting Kitsune in her things before we could hear a loud helicopter engine above us.
"Look up," Sonya simply said as we could see the Hind awaiting above us outside before some ropes fall down from it, landing right in the space separating us from Kitsune. "Hook yourself to those ropes, it will be faster," They ordered, the ropes a bit moving with the helicopter.
"Go, I'll provide cover," Naga advised me as I was reloading my C58, giving me a friendly tap before he let me go, firing his gun again. I joined the ropes as Kitsune was doing the same with me.
"Done?" I questioned her, starting to hook myself on one of the ropes, doing the same for her before showing me something in her left hand, looking like a small hard disk.
"Everything's on it, erased the unnecessary," She exclaimed, putting the thing back into one of the pockets of her vest before resuming to hook herself. "Naga, your turn!" She shouted at him suddenly, her head looking at him.
"Coming!" Naga yelled back as he was reloading before he decides to join us and quickly hook himself on the remaining rope available for him. "Sonya, we're good," He said over the radio, and in the second that followed, we got our feet off the ground, the ropes pulling us out of the underground. "Fuck!" I suddenly hear Naga curses on the way up just before we got back outside, and then, getting back inside the Hind in the transport bay. "Fuck!"
"Hey, what happened?" I asked him, a bit confused as to why he was like that as we got our feet inside the loading bay, himself already going down on his ass while Kitsune got herself back to sit.
"I got shot in the leg!" He replied in a high voice, pointing at him the leg that was wounded but I didn't see anything red on it.
"Wait, let me see," Sonya came in, moving to reach Naga on the ground as the helicopter was flying away from the mount, the mission looking over as Kitsune did her things and got what we need on that hard disk, me going back to sit too as Sonya was checking Naga on the Hind's floor. "You idiot, the bullet only grazed your leg," They sighed, finding out that Naga wasn't so seriously wounded.
"Yeah...but that hurts," He defended himself.
"You're really an idiot, Kapano," Sonya sighed again at him, shaking their head. "But anyway, still loves you," They whispered in a low voice, be able to hear it despite the volume of their voice and it made me smile through my mask, the job finally complete, away from that cold and good to leave the country while Sonya was staying with Naga on the ground & Kitsune was looking away, a little smile on her face...maybe she was thinking the same thing but now, we're finally done this...
Time to leave the USSR with the snake if he isn't too badly grazed...
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dvsvsgrr · 3 years
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and a higher torque version will be available
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munsonsduchess · 3 years
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So, I re-watched The Old Guard, again. Just like my Mag 7 re-watch I made some notes, six pages of them to be exact which is why I’m gonna drop them under the cut so I don’t clutter up anyone’s dash with my mildest of observations and all my feelings for a sad alcoholic Frenchman. 
I love how we’re introduced to everyone, Andy walking alone through Marrakesh and Booker speeding through the narrow streets on his bike. Are we supposed to think they’re strangers or do they know each other
Bookers little smile when he catches up to Andy like he’s so happy to see her again and Andy’s face lighting up to see him again too
Andy spent a fortune on a book because she knew Booker would like it. “First edition Don Quixote, that wouldn’t come cheap” “it didn’t”
“What brings you to Marrakech?” // “Family'' leave me alone I’m already sobbing
Andy honey they’ll still be able to see that picture in deleted photos but you tried and that’s what matters
Nicky and Joe!
Nicky is so happy to see Andy. That little smile. It’s adorable
“You look good” “you look ok” gentle family teasing is the best ok
“Boss”
It’s been a year since they saw one and other and they just love each other so much. No one touch me.
Nicky and Booker betting on the baklava and Joe just sitting there like “let him lose his money it’s fine, he won’t learn and it’s funny”
Everyone teasing Nicky for loosing and he’s just stood there like “no it’s fine ”
These are the best people for the job and Copley knows it and doesn’t care how much it will cost him. He has faith
Copley knowing Nicky is there and the little wave
Andy taking her axe with her. I love that axe
Just a group of immortals walking through the desert with swords and guns nothing to see here
“Peace be with you” those catholic teachings never quite leave
“It’s a trap!”
That has got to hurt. Those guys emptied full clips into them. Like I get the need to do a job and do it well but come on guys that’s overkill
This is what women want. Andy and her axe
Nicky still having faith there are girls
The picture on Copley’s desk. Like if you knew why did you have to go through this bullshit?
Andy has lived too long and seen too much
Like I know now that Booker knew what was happening or maybe he didn’t know the extent of it but him saying sorry did feel genuine
Andy is just all kinds of done. She didn’t want to do the job in the first place
Nile proving that yes you can be in a strange place and you can serve your country but you don’t have to be a dick about it
“Keep it respectful”
She made an effort to learn the language and learn the customs which goes a long way to establish trust
How traumatic must this have been for Nile? She always knew there was a possibility of being injured in combat or worse never coming home but to be injured so fatally and have your friend hold your life in their hands only to come back and be rejected because you’re an anomaly. A freak
Goes a long way to explain Booker’s feelings too
Nicky and Joe sleeping in the train car is something that is obviously so normal for couples and goes such a long way to show people how ‘normal’ queer people are
“What did you see?” “Part of a name tag” thanks Booker that’s helpful
“I felt her die”
“Everything happens for a reason boss”
Booker didn’t want to go after Nile. He didn’t want her involved
Nicky pushing for them to go after Nile. The emotional centre of the group, appealing to their own experiences and feelings from their first times
Andy is not happy and I can understand how she feels. Given their current situation bringing an unknown element into the mix is only going to complicate everything
“I know I saw her die”
No scarring. Nothing to suggest that anything happened to Nile
The seeds of doubt already growing amongst Nike’s friends and allies
Merrick looks like he should have been a doctor who villain who got his shit kicked in by Donna
Copley you asshole what did you think was gonna happen? They were just gonna get clips emptied into their bodies and let the mercs walk away? Use your big boy brain
Nile trying to come to terms with what happened to her. Everyone around her looking at her with suspicion. Even her Sargent who’s sending her away from more tests
The hostility in the barracks. The fact that her things are already packed.
Everyone knows what happened. Nile has never been more alone just like Nicky said
Trying to drown out the noise of the world and decompress and understand what happened“
But you can call me Andy”
Just casually steals a military transport. Nbd
MA’AM PLEASE I AM ALREADY GAY. Riding around in a tank top and shades like that is not helping
“These damn kids” 
Zero hesitation in shooting Nile. This is a woman who has run out of every kind of fuck
“Why does it always have to be so goddamn slow the first couple of times?”
“You shot me” “yes honey now back in the car
”Andy might think she’s cold and heartless and only here to do a job but you can see how much she already cares about what happens to Nile
Soldiers. Fighters. Family
You know what I’m really glad they didn’t make Andy’s tank top skin tight or moulded to show off her body. That isn’t how she rolls
Andy is so proud that Nile stabbed her. Look at that smile
!Nile already having the makings of a plan within minutes of stepping onto the plane
Andy just like “god isn’t real, I’m real though and people thought I was god”
I wonder how many nights the group sat up until the wee hours discussing things like theology. Andy who was worshiped as a god. Nicky and Joe who fought in a holy war for their beliefs and Booker who probably had his own feelings on the subject 
Andy being so chill about the crash. The best poker face
It was a good try Nile and look Andy is proud of you!
The smile on Andy’s face when she’s fighting with Nile gives me so much serotonin
Soft Andy. Who had to be tough to teach a lesson
Poor Nile. Coming to terms with what she is and the fact that she might never see her family again
Family dinner time!
Awkward family dinner time
Nicky and Joe staring at each each other with their puppy dog eyes “we’re meant to find each other”
Then Booker and Andy like “misery loves company”
Everyone’s just like “awh Nicky and Joe are so cute”
Andy reliving the people she’s fought with and lost
Booker knows just how much ‘help’ talking to ones family about the situation is
Booker do not put your finger on the trigger of your gun when it’s still in your trousers! You might be immortal but that’s gonna hurt a lot more
Oh no. Quynh.
Andy’s face. I can’t
Joe in tears telling the story“
Before me and Nicky it was just the two of them”
Booker knowing exactly how it feels to hang there for hours and not die or dying and coming back time and time again. Knowing how Quynh and Andy must have felt
I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Andy. To be with someone for so long. The only other person who understands you. To be ripped apart like that
“Why do you blame yourself” that’s not a nice question to ask people
The big emotional talk with Andy and Nile in the churchyard being interrupted by the gunfire
Andy being so afraid Booker wouldn’t come back and delegating to Nile who just accepts her orders
“Welcome back asshole” / “it feels like someone was dancing on my chest”
The banter
Nicky being banished to the table in the corner after 2006 is my favourite headcanon
“Wait for my signal” Andy is more pissed than ever at the people coming after her family
“Big wounds take longer to heal” Nile as a millennial presses x to doubt
The sheer emotion in Andy’s eyes as she fights. The tears. She’s doing this for her family.
Will I ever stop harping on about found family in this show? No I will not“
How can you even tell what the signal is?” One explosion later “oh wait nvm”
The wound on Andy’s shoulder probably doesn’t even feel like anything with the amount of adrenaline
The van. These two“
What is he your boyfriend?” Stanzas of Arabic poetry later, “he’s not my boyfriend he’s all and he’s more”
Nicky and Joe Horny on Main all day every day
These cocky little shits “can you remove the chains? no? ok”“
There’s a TV Joe!” “Champagne?” it’s not a field trip boys
“I used to keep my stuff here” in an abandoned mine she found in the 1150s or that’s when she thinks she found it
Nile being amazed by Andy’s ‘stuff’
Booker meanwhile makes a joke at the expense of his sister
Merrick really should have been a doctor who villain honestly. The grand gesturing the weird mood swings. He could have been great in a two part episode and then had to reckon with Donna
Donna Noble is my favourite companion don’t @ me
Copley beginning to have second thoughts on everything
Andy realising only now that she hasn’t healed from the fight in the church“
Just because we keep living doesn’t mean we stop hurting” I have a lot of Booker feelings ok“
I thought you were the brains of this outfit” oh honey no
Bookers family. Oh no.
No but really how hard must it have been for Booker. To know that his son, his baby was suffering from cancer such an awful disease all the whole cursing his father for being selfish, uncaring, cursing Booker and Booker can’t do anything about it. He’s immortal, he heals, disease will never ravage his body, but he can’t share it with his son. He can only sit and watch as death claims everyone he’s ever loved. Living with the fact that his family despised him at the end of their lives because they didn’t understand that his immortality is a curse.
I have a lot of Booker feels don’t @ me
The pharmacy girl though. Helping just because she could
Reaffirming the reason why Andy started to help people in the first place
A selfless act. A purely good deed. Nothing expected in return. An unselfish act
Andy’s wound and Lykon’s death causing Andy to come to terms with her own mortality
Merrick “prosperity data” and Copley “I’m sorry those are people not objects”
Nicky is not here for your bullshit
Malta Sex Vacation ™
HORNY JAIL
Family bonding time with Nile and Andy
Andy “whatever it takes” and Nile “not on my watch”
So what I want to know is obviously Booker was in on it from the beginning but did actively derail Andy looking into Copley after Joe and Nicky were taken or was he just genuinely having a hard time
Nile prioritising her flesh and blood family and Andy totally understanding because she’s doing this for family too“
You and me Book. Now and always” my heart can’t cope
Nile finding the empty clip. Realising what’s about to happen and going back for her new family because as much as she loves her flesh and blood family this one matters to her as well
Meanwhile Copley I guess got a tip off from Booker (?) and knew this was all going down
The conspiracy wall
Booker you bastard why did you shoot her in the back?
I love this man but god damn
Booker wanting to be ‘normal’ because the memory of being rejected is still so raw
Suicidal tendencies in a 200 year old man
They’re both so upset by the whole thing. The betrayal
Book loves this woman with all his heart and soul. This is the woman who saved him and now she isn’t healing. She’s dying
Booker putting up so much of a fight so they wouldn’t take Andy
“I’m sorry Andy I’m sorry”
You might disagree with me but in my mind Booker never meant to hurt anyone. He didn’t want to be a lab rat. Didn’t want anyone else to be a lab rat. He just wanted to be ‘normal’“
All things die”
“Your time is coming” // “As is yours” Nicky is gonna fuck someone up
“I’m new” says Nile after shooting herself in the foot to make a point
Copley’s conspiracy wall or his fanboy wall for all the good Andy, Booker, Joe and Nicky have done
Copley’s grief at losing his wife being the driving factor for handing the group over to Merrick is tragic and heart breaking and just goes to show how much of a human story this really is
Nile said no guns Copley
Nile is here to save her family
“Those three men in there and I we’ll keep you safe” // Nile coming in guns blazing for them instead
Joe is going to kill Booker himself
“You and Nicky always had each other. All we had was our grief”
Everyone being so surprised to see Nile like “what the fuck?”“
Just leave me here” // “No man left behind”
Meanwhile Joe is fine with just leaving Booker right there to be the last lab rat
The groups concern for Andy who’s always been so strong
The concern. The subtle little head nods Andy does to let them know she’s ok
Andy spies an axe
Joe being so concerned for Nicky and making sure he comes back ok
Nicky immediately scrambling to his feet to go and help Andy
“What happened in 1934?” // “1834”
“Wait for the signal” “like the last one?” “Go big or go home!”
Arguing over who goes first and Andy just “if it doesn’t work our next time you can go first”
And there’s your signal
“You shot Nicky” Joe is not messing around when it comes to his other half“
You ok?” // “Everything hurts”
Andy has been immortal for so long she’s lost all sense of feeling human. Then Nile shows up to do just that. Remind her
Merrick calling Nile selfish like I’m sorry you entitled little shit what did you say“
Do you think he speaks Russian?”
YEET!
That one must have hurt
Nicky and Joe just like “wow the new girl is hardcore”
“Faster than the elevator”
Gotta save Andy’s axe
Nicky sits in the middle which is the actual worst place to sit in a car
Do you think they al rocked up to a hotel covered in blood like “don’t ask just give us a room and a shower”
Joe still seething at Booker through the pub window
Nile having to live with the fact that her family will never know what really happened to her. That they’ll all think she was KIA and whatever body they send back won’t be hers
The 100 year naughty step
I love that Nile was gonna let Booker off with an apology like “he didn’t mean it he’s just a sad alcoholic”
Nobody look at me. Ok. Andy and Booker saying goodbye on the shore. I can’t. This is it. This is the scene that breaks me
“I won’t see you again” // “Have a little faith Book”
Joe really wants to hit Booker. Probably did in the interim
The big picture“
Maybe this is the why Andy”
Andy laying down the law and Joe in the background like “yeah this isn’t a request”
Meanwhile in Paris. Booker is tired and just wants a drink
I am a fan of the scruff though
If that’s water Quynh definitely brought it in herself for The Drama ™
QUYNH THOUGH
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It is finished! This is a commission for @datalaur​! It was fun to go outside my comfort zone, since I do not actively ship Data/Geordi, but I hope I did it justice. 
Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation Rating: General Audiences Relationships: Data/Geordi La Forge Summary: The Enterprise is transporting some dignitaries, and one of them has the hots for Data. This inspires Geordi to say something he probably should've said a long time ago.
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The Junior Minister was a plump woman. Certainly wide in appearance especially when standing next to Counselor Troi, but not unattractively so. Her short navy hair emphasized strength while drawing attention to her soft features and light eyes. And those eyes were so thoroughly and obviously fixed on Data, Geordi thought he could have seen it without his visor.
Having feelings for a dear friend was a strange thing, because part of Geordi wanted to tell Data to go for it; he deserved an alien fling once in a while just as much as anyone else on the crew. But of course, part of him wanted to tell the Junior Minister to take a hike.
“They’ll, uh… They’ll catch you staring, Sir. At least, someone always does me…” said Barclay, sitting down next to Geordi at the bar. He practically winced as he sat, not really knowing if he was welcome.
“No one ever accuses a blind man of staring, Reg.”
“But you are. St-staring, I mean… Aren’t you?”
“I’m having a drink, and looking in the general direction of our guests.”
“Yeah, he’s been staring at them for 20 minutes,” interjected Guinan. “But how you doing, Reg? You want some fruit punch?”
“I-Well, er, yes please.”
Geordi smiled, thinking for a moment that Guinan could make just about anyone feel at home, but his eyes never left Data and the Junior Minister.
While the Junior Minister sat with the officers in the middle of the room, fully immersing herself, the High Minister, a tall man whose dark blue hair was greying on the sides, stood at the end of Ten Forward having a muted conversation with the Captain and Commander Riker. * Ten Forward was fuller than Geordi had ever seen it. The Ministers had 6 other dignitaries with them, 2 lawyers, and 17 trackers which as far as the crew could tell meant some sort of assistant, and all 27 people were mingling jovially with Starfleet officers. Their people had been in the process of joining the Federation for 7 years and according to some gossip from one of the trackers, it was still a few years off.
“Though we’re a warp capable species with a one world government, it’s obvious the Federation disapproves of our bartering system,” one of the trackers had mentioned to Ensign Velor that morning. The ensign was meant to be leading each of them to their quarters; Geordi just happened to overhear the chatting.
The Enterprise was transporting them to some sort of negotiation and cultural exchange. No one really knew the details.
“Care to join us?” asked the Junior Minister, looking straight at Geordi. Her voice carried over the crowd with ease, without her yelling or disrupting the other sounds of the bar. It was a little unsettling, in fact.
“I told you,” Barclay whispered.
“Mmm, forgive me if I’m resistant to trust your assessment of social situations,” said Geordi lowly, while shooting the Junior Minister an apologetic smile. Barclay sank a little further inside himself. Geordi took a swig of his drink, left it on the bar, and stood to approach the group.
Halfway there, he said, “Come on, Reg.”
Barclay stood suddenly, smoothing his uniform. He started to follow but Guinan whispered, “Reggie, take your drink with you,” and pushed his glass toward him. He raised an eyebrow and she added, “Something to do with your hands.” He nodded and took his drink with him.
“Geordi La Forge is the Chief Engineer, of the Enterprise,” Data introduced him, adding, “He’s also my best friend.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. La Forge.”
“Right, I just wanted to apologize. I didn’t mean to leer. I was just, thinking about something. It’s an honor, Junior Minister.”
“Oh please, like I told your friend, call me Tuviece. And who is this?” asked the Junior Minister looking squarely at Reg. He tried and failed to look her in the eye.
“Is there something wrong with my face?” she asked. Counselor Troi opened her mouth to cut in, but Data beat her too it.
“Lieutenant Barclay interacts somewhat differently than other humans. He means no disrespect, just as I would not were I to do something considered socially unacceptable by your people.”
Tuviece smiled, eying Data. “You care very much your crewmates, hm?”
“I… They are my family,” said Data, not wishing to bog Tuviece down with a more technical explanation of how an android forms attachments.
Geordi and the Junior Minister melted. Deanna would have too, normally the first to call Data cute, but she had to take a subtle step back from the group instead, overwhelmed by Tuviece and Geordi’s internalized reactions. She blinked and fanned herself with her hand. She made eye contact momentarily with Barclay, and his eyes widened as he tried to figure out what the look on her face meant.
“That must be magical to be so close with your coworkers.”
“Magical?” asked Data, “I do not understand.”
“She just means good, Data,” said Geordi, “Very good.”
“Yes, it is a common expression in my language. When something feels so special it is as if it was caused by an impossible magical force.”
“O-ours too. Our language I mean,” said Barclay.
“Ah, so you can speak!” replied Tuviece.
“Do you have many relationships you would consider magical?” asked Data.
“Mm, no I suppose not… But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like one.”
The Junior Minister was a very passionate woman, and with her feelings, Geordi’s responses, and Barclay’s embarrassment, Deanna could only handle being in the conversation so long.
“I hate to run, but I think I’ll go check on the captain if you don’t mind,” said Troi.
“Oh, of course, dear,” she grabbed Deanna’s hand suddenly. “If I don’t see you again this evening, have a pleasant night. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Of course, a pleasure,” the counselor replied, moving away.
“Now, boys!” continued the Junior Minister, “Tell me what made each of you decide you wanted to serve on a starship?”
The night wound down gradually. The High Minister had already gone to bed, as had Reg, both admitting they needed some time alone. No one knew when the captain had disappeared, only that he was probably the first. The Junior Minister was afraid she wouldn’t be able to remember where her quarters were, so Data had offered to guide her.
“Such a gentleman,” she had called him.
Riker, Troi, La Forge, and Worf meandered slowly down the hall, heading for their own beds.
“Geordi, I’m sensing some discomfort,” said Troi.
“Hm? Oh, you know… big parties.”
“Oh, come on, you’re the life of the party,” said Riker with a smirk.
“I understand the feeling,” said Worf. “I too find parties exhausting.”
“Don’t Klingons have rather wild parties?” asked Riker.
“Our celebrations can be a bit much for humans, but the requirements of the socializing are different. Less pretense.”
“Sure,” said Troi, trying not to sound sarcastic.
“Though I will admit, even Klingon social events are sometimes tiring and disconcerting for me.”
“Well, everyone needs their space,” said Troi, “but that wasn’t the type of discomfort Geordi was feeling, was it Geordi?”
They stopped as they reached Geordi’s quarters. They formed a casual circle, Geordi’s back to his door. “… I didn’t ask for a group therapy session,” he said.
“If you need to share your feelings, Commander, we will listen without judgment,” said Worf.
The three of them turned their heads to look at Worf.
“What?” he asked. “Why do you stare?”
No one answered, and Worf huffed.
Troi cleared her throat, “I’m only worried that you’re sabotaging yourself again, Geordi.”
“Again?” La Forge replied incredulously. When he looked at the others, he realized they agreed with that assessment, and was suddenly quite self-conscious. “What is it exactly you think I’m doing on purpose?”
“Not on purpose,” said Riker, “But subconscious. Because of… well, hmm…”
“Out of fear,” finished Troi. “But there’s nothing to be afraid of—”
“Deanna—” interrupted Geordi, but Troi didn’t stop.
“I don’t think honesty will hurt you in this situation.”
“Yes,” Worf cut in, “do not dishonor yourself with lies.”
Geordi raised an eyebrow at Worf, wondering why he cared about this.
“It’s not fear… It’s… I just don’t know if it’s fair to put that kind of pressure on him.”
“I don’t know, I think our android friend is pretty good at taking things in stride,” said Riker with a smirk.
“I just don’t know if he is in a position to be made to make those kinds of decisions.”
 “Well what if something happened with the Junior Minister?” asked Troi.
“That’s different… She’ll be gone soon enough. There’s no long-term decision to be made.”
“Listen, I know Data is a little awkward when it comes to dating but—”
“Is that what we’re talking about?” asked Worf. “Commander La Forge having a romantic interest in Data?”
“Oh Worf…” said Deanna. Riker started laughing. La Forge delicately lifted his visor from his face so that he could rub the bridge of his nose.
Replacing it, he said, “It’s like a teenager. They think they know what they want. And when it comes down to it, you can’t stop them from having their own experiences, but… but you can’t expect…”
Geordi drifted off and there was a pause as they all let his point sink in.
“La Forge, if I may?” asked Worf.
“What is it, Worf?” asked Geordi, trying not to sound exasperated.
“Now that I understand the premise of this conversation, am I to infer that you are insinuating Commander Data should be deemed incapable of giving consent?”
“I… well not in so many words—”
“Because from what I know of Data, though he wishes to be a part of humanity, he also values his autonomy, and I believe he would be offended by a denial of his right to make his own choices.”
Worf’s surprisingly aware statement rattled around in Geordi’s head the rest of the evening. He was right. It was up to Data to make his own choices. That didn’t mean Geordi would automatically get whatever he wanted, but not everything was about him.
Data helped him with some maintenance in engineering for most of the next day. Reg was in and out providing assistance. The Junior Minister came around to observe. Normally La Forge didn’t appreciate outsiders sticking their nose in his warp core, but the maintenance wasn’t urgent, and Tuviece asked questions with a friendly curiosity that showed she didn’t mean to get in the way. Plus since Data didn’t mentally tire, or struggle with how to answer a technical question, he was happy to entertain all of her inquiries. Sometimes Reg would translate to layman’s terms when he got the courage.
Around midday Tuviece asked if they ever took breaks.
“Ha! Sometimes. But oh so rarely,” Geordi had joked from his place on the floor.
“ I was so hoping to have a spot of lunch with you…” She said it like she meant all three of them, but she looked at Data out of the corner of her eye. Geordi figured he shouldn’t third-wheel, so he made up some excuse about not leaving this panel open.
Data immediately began explaining that he neither requires breaks or food, and Geordi could almost hear the disappointment on her breath.
“Well then… What about you, Reginald? Care to join me?”
“Me?” he asked.
“Of course. I promise you don’t have to look me in the eye if you don’t want to.”
Reg let out a half laugh, and led her back to Ten Forward.
“Data, you eat sometimes,” La Forge said once they were gone.
“Yes, but I do not need to.”
“…Buddy, are you blowing off Tuviece on purpose?”
“Blowing her off? You mean to avoid? No. Should I have gone to lunch with her?”
“Only if you wanted to.”
“I… I have no specific desire. No desire to stay or to go.”
“Oh.”
Geordi knew he should talk to him, but he also knew he wouldn’t be able to focus on work afterward.
Reg and Tuviece returned after about an hour. It wasn’t their fault, but by the end of the day Geordi was sick of them both. Or maybe it was of Data being oblivious.
When Tuviece asked if someone might walk her back to her quarters, Data volunteered Reg for the job. Geordi raised his brows and mouthed why at him but Data only looked confused in return.
After Reg and Tuviece had disappeared, Data and Geordi chatted idly as they made their way toward Data’s quarters.
“Data, what’s the matter? You don’t like the Junior Minister?”
“I like her very much. She is fascinating.”
“Then why’d you send Reg to walk her back to her quarters?”
“His quarters are closer to hers.”
“Sure, I guess that’s logical.”
“Have I turned down another invitation, Geordi?”
“Well… Yeah, actually.”
“But why would she prefer me to walk with her?”
“Data…” whispered Geordi as they came up to the door to Data’s quarters. He turned and leaned against the bulkhead, crossing his arms and pulling up a leg to press his foot into the metal behind him.
Data came close, anticipating Geordi continuing to speak quietly.
“She likes you, Data.”
“And I like her too, but—”
“No, she’s interested in you. Romantically.”
“Oh.”
“And if you don’t want to engage with her in that way, that’s obviously up to you. But I just thought you should know so that you have the choice.”
“Oh,” Data repeated.
“I mean, because I have feelings for you too,” Geordi blurted out before he could lose his nerve. “And you don’t have to acknowledge that either. But I just wanted you to know all your options, because if you don’t know—”
“Do you believe I have offended the Junior Minister?”
“Oh… I… maybe a little, but not detrimentally so.”
“So you do not think that I should interact with her on a romantic level in order to maintain diplomacy?”
“Oh, no, Data she’s not going to be angry if you don’t like her. Only go for it if you want to. It’s about what you want.”
“I see no reason to. I’ve already attempted to have a relationship once and it failed.”
“You—Data, that was like three days.”
“It was nine.”
“Okay, but Data, that’s not how it works. Relationships aren’t pass or fail, and you’re supposed to keep trying until you find the right fit for you. I mean, that is, unless you don’t want to.”
“Would explaining this to me require lying about having these types of feelings for me?”
“Lying? I wasn’t lying.”
“Then why would you choose now to tell me?”
“When do you think the best time would have been?”
“Whenever it first became true, which I’m assuming wasn’t during this conversation.”
“Well… that’s easier said than done, Data.”
“Why, if you have these feelings, would you push me toward someone else?”
“I’m not pushing you. I just wanted you to know the opportunities. I just want you to be—” he almost said happy but stopped himself. “Satisfied,” he finished, “I want you to have what you want.”
“I like challenges, but most humans I have observed seem to enjoy relationships more when they are less challenging. A familiarity seems to help in anticipating and preventing challenges. I would also personally prefer a relationship that lasted a significant amount of time, as I haven’t experienced that yet. And since I don’t have a sex drive, there’s nothing pulling me toward the momentary interlude I would have with Junior Minister Tuviece.”
“I see.”
Geordi was so resistant to getting his hopes up that he almost looked sad, and Data put a hand on his shoulder with a look of concern.
“So, you are the obvious choice,” said Data.
“Excuse me?”
“You are the obvious choice for me to be in a relationship with.”
“But you can choose no one. You don’t have to be in a relationship.”
“I’m… unsure why you keep repeating the same point. But you have presented me with an opportunity and I am taking it. Unless you are taking back what you have said.”
“No! No, I’m not taking it back.”
“Excellent,” Data said moving forward and kissing Geordi with little grace.
“Data, Data,” mumbled Geordi, “You’re pressing on my visor.”
“I apologize.”
“Maybe we should go inside.”
“Your quarters are more comfortable,” said Data.
“You’re incapable of physical discomfort.”
“I would like you to be comfortable.”
“If you insist,” Geordi said pushing off the bulkhead and starting off for his own quarters.
“Geordi?” Data asked.
“Yes, Data?”
“There are several things that, due to my lack of time in relationships, I have yet to experience… that I would like to.”
“Let’s… let’s wait until we get into my quarters, and then… you can tell me all about them.”
 As this particular mission came to an end the captain, his chief engineer, his first officer, his second officer, and… Reg, walked with their multitude of guests to transporter room 1.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, High Minister Bieve,” said the Captain Picard.
“The feeling is mutual, Captain,” he replied as he joined several others on the transporter pad. One of the trackers blew Riker a kiss, and then the group was gone.
The Junior Minister was the last to leave, and as she turned back toward them on the transporter pad, she told them how much she’d enjoyed spending time with all of them.
Just before she disappeared, she said, “I’ll write to you, Reginald,” and winked.
Reg blushed.
“Barclay!” said Geordi once she was gone, “Did you—?”
“It’s none of your business,” he replied without missing a beat.
“Reg!” Geordi shouted, clapping him on the back.
Speaking for the first time, Riker said, “I guess everybody got laid this weekend.”
The Captain pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, but admittedly, he did it with a smile.
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Universal, Part Four: What Have I Done
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Series Summary: Simply a multi-part, self indulgent reader insert with John Wick universe kinda plumbed in. Fair warning…. SLOWWW BURN. Ignore canon and timing and crap, that’s not important….  Gifs and recognizable characters are not mine, but the story and all of the mistakes are!
The Universal - Masterlist
Chapter Notes: I re-wrote this like 50 billion times. I knew roughly what I wanted to happen here, but the execution was a struggle. I hope I made the right choice in this version and hope y’all enjoy it! On a side note, I actually had to stop myself from calling this chapter “WTF Obi Wan?”
Warnings for this chapter: Where do we begin? Blood, violence, mad rage, character death, angst... *phew*
The Clone Wars have been raging on.
They were on a remote planet in the outer rim and were laying siege to a Separatist base. It was their mission to ensure the Separatists did not escape while Anakin and Ahsoka infiltrated and gathered intel. As transport after attempted to leave… the Republic shot them down. So far, there had been no casualties that they were aware of.
Obi Wan stood in the command room with his eyes closed as her energy flowed through him. The comfort that her presence gave him came as a shock. He hadn’t seen her since that night at The Universal, but she was here now and he knew that would change.
Cody ran to him and gave yet, another, report. “There is another transport leaving, Sir.”
“Bring it down.” Obi Wan said waving Cody off distractedly. He heard as Cody ran off and give the command. He tried to focus on her again, to prepare for what she may be planning. The sound of the cannon seemed to ring especially loud in his ears and this time, time seemed to slow to a near stop.
Obi Wan gasped as fear and anger gripped him so strongly that it brought him to his knees.
It wasn’t his.
Shaking, he looked out of the window and watched in horror as her fighter appeared, as if out of nowhere, between the cannon and the transport. He reached out with the Force to the cruiser and felt it, there was life on that transport. “No.” He choked out in despair as the bolt hit her ship in the wing and she spiraled to the ground, disappearing in a cloud of smoke and dust. What have I done?
“Are you all right, General?” Commander Cody asked with concern, returning to Obi Wan’s side and pulling him to his feet.
Obi Wan didn’t trust his voice to be steady, so he simply nodded and looked back to where she had crashed.
Cody hesitated, but shook off his brief confusion and gave his report. “The transport got away Sir, but I believe the ship we did take out belonged to Lady Y/L/N!” He said with pride.
“Good work, Commander.” Obi Wan said after a few moments. He hoped that Cody couldn’t hear the trepidation he felt in his voice. “We will need to search the wreckage; she may have survived.”
“Right away, Sir!” Cody said with a salute before gathering a small team.
It didn’t take them long to make their way the remains of her ship. As they drew closer Obi Wan motioned for the clones to stand back. He had a moment of relief as he felt her presence again; however, it was short lived as a darker energy than he had ever felt consumed him.
He managed to grab his lightsaber just in time as the hatch opened and Y/N flew out and attacked him with even more ferocity than their first encounter. Obi Wan could only defend as her lightsaber battered against his own. Every time their sabers connected it felt as if a shock was sent through his entire body. As she continued to push him backwards, he felt a strange tightness in his chest and he realized what was happening.
It isn’t just anger, this is hate.
The thought made him pause just long enough for her to gain the full advantage. She managed to knock his feet out from under him while disarming him at the same time. He attempted to roll and Force push her away, but she had countered him with her own strong push.
As they each struggled to gain the upper hand, the moment slipped away and it felt as if they were pushed away from time itself. They had somehow each gained full clarity into the others mind and were stunned as memories that were not their own flooded them.
A five year old child stood before the Council with her nervous parents standing behind her. “Too old to train, she is.” Yoda stated with a finality that seemed to crush the small family.
~
She had no memory after the bully punched her brother who was defending their little sister. When she was aware again, she was being pulled away as the older kid gasped for air. She had only wanted to protect her family.
~
The child was seven now and she was alone in a small room packing her few belongings. The sounds of her parents arguing could be heard through the walls. She had to leave. Dangerous is what they called her.
She closed the sack as she crossed to her window, but the sight of the holo on her makeshift desk stopped her. She picked it up gently and watched as the parents and three siblings laughed as if they had nothing to fear. Tears formed in her eyes as she stuffed it in her sack and disappeared out the window.
~
She was alone, afraid and starving. She backed into a corner as a mysterious man approached her with his hand raised cautiously. “Don’t be afraid, young one. I can help you to control it.” She glanced at his extended hand suspiciously, but her stomach rumbled with pain and she knew she had no choice but to take the chance.
~
They were in The Universal. A younger Winston shook her hand with a warm smile and she immediately felt at peace. “This is the closest I have to a home Y/N.” Her new master explained. “It may not be the most honest living, but you can live.”
~
The girl was thirteen, and her master was dying. The tattooed Zabrak stood over him with a menacing smile.
“Run Y/N. Go, NOW.” Her Master cried out with his last breath. She was stunned and watched as the Zabrak landed the killing blow and turned toward her. She switched on her new lightsaber but it was unsteady in her hands. She took one last look at her Master and, with tears in her eyes, followed his final advice.
She ran.
~
She had come a long way since her master died. Her skills had improved and she was fully confident in her abilities. Now twenty-four, she was lounging with her eyes closed as Winston was reading his data pad. “Did you hear? A Jedi has killed a Sith.”
“Oh?” she said with mild disinterest.
He nodded as he continued reading. “Yes, apparently an apprentice… Obi Wan Kenobi killed a Zabrak called Darth Maul.”
She opened her eyes, but it was the only indication that the news had any effect on her. “Hm, I will have to thank this Jedi someday.”
~
She pushed her family toward the transport, but her father turned on her. “They have shot down every single ship that has tried to escape. What makes you think this one will make it?”
“There’s a Jedi in that control room. He will feel your lives, he won’t bring it down.” She said with certainty.
“What makes you so sure?” He demanded.
“I’ve met him. I trust him.” She said, surprising even herself.
Her father finally met her eyes and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Y/N, I’m so so…”
“Not now, you need to go.” She said, interrupting him and shoving him on board.
They were both trembling as the memories faded, but Y/N still had a firm grip on her lightsaber. “What have you done?” She finally choked out with tears shining in her eyes.
Obi Wan closed his own eyes and tried to center himself, but all he could find was confusion and fear. As he began to wallow in his despair, he heard Y/N scream in pain. He opened his eyes to see her crouching on the ground holding her bleeding arm. The clones had managed to shoot her, and her lightsaber lay deactivated a few feet away.
“Lady Y/L/N, you are under arrest for crimes against the Galactic Senate.” Commander Cody stated without emotion as he stood over her with his blaster pointed at her head.
Y/N regarded him with pure malice. “You may have won this battle clone, but you just assured this war for the Separatists.” She said with conviction.
Obi Wan stood shakily and stepped between Cody’s blaster and Y/N. “Y/N please, do not fight this.” He pleaded, before adding quietly. “We can help you.”
“No! I will never submit to someone who would kill innocents!” She spat, focusing her fierce gaze on Obi Wan.
“Your lies will not work on us, Separatist Scum!” Cody yelled as he moved around Obi Wan and hit her with the stock of his blaster.
“Enough!” Obi Wan commanded as he pulled Cody away. He glanced at Y/N who now had blood trickling down her face, but wore a satisfied grin as she watched their interaction. He turned back to Cody with more ferocity than he intended. “She has had enough, we will take her to the council.”
“As you wish, General.” Cody said with clear frustration. He shook out of Obi Wan’s grip and moved forward, pulling her roughly to her feet. She swayed with the abrupt motion, the events of the last few moments finally catching up to her.
“Treat her gently, Cody.” Obi Wan warned. “She may be a prisoner, but she is a prisoner of the Republic. She will have care and will not be harmed, any further, in any way.”
Cody’s grip tightened on her arm, but he responded with respect. “Of course, General Kenobi.”
He watched with empathy as Cody tugged her away toward their base. When they finally disappeared, he turned toward her destroyed ship and moved pointedly toward the cockpit. He wasn’t sure how but he knew he would find it in the rubble, the sack the young child had packed. After a few moments of digging, he finally pulled it out and opened it gingerly.
The contents had changed. It was now mostly filled with the golden coins used as currency at The Universal, but the holo he had seen in the vision was still there. He plucked it out and activated it. It was the same family he had seen in her memories, so happy and full of hope for the future. Tears suddenly filled his eyes as he turned off the holo and placed it back in the sack.
He found his way back to their base in a slight daze and contacted Anakin immediately. “There’s been a development. We’ve captured Lady Y/L/N and I will be escorting her to meet with the Council. Will you be okay?”
“Of course, Master.” Anakin replied.
“Yeah, I’ll protect him Master!” Ahsoka said cheerfully.
“That’s enough out of you, Snips.” Anakin scolded.
Obi Wan smiled despite himself and ended the communication.
As he moved toward the ship that would transport them to Coruscant, he reflected on what had happened. They had somehow formed a bond, stronger than anything he had ever felt before. The thought warmed his heart and simultaneously gave him a strong sense of dread.
What have I done?
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arctic-the-archaic · 4 years
Text
Day 2: High-Speed Chase
“—eading down east side, Commander!”
“Copy, shifting.”
Commander Fox depressed the accelerator on his BARC Speeder, zipping with ease through the crowded skylanes.
Some bounty hunters had stolen some high-value data from a Republic Data-Center. Him and The Guard had been ordered to get it back. Fox didn’t fail his objectives.
In the distance, he could hear rapid blaster-fire and the occasional bang or boom of a speeder crashing. Aurek Patrol had been the closest to the scene at the time, so on Fox’s order, they had engaged. The Commander himself had been back at the Republic Military Base, but had sprinted to a speeder when the call came in.
The blaster-fire grew louder as he neared the chase. Zipping around a corner, Fox came across two air-speeders, three occupants each. He recognized all of them from bounty-hunting bulletins. Probably trying to take the ‘score’ for themselves. He thought as the wind buffeted his form. Don’t shoot at me, don’t get in my way, and you’re not my problem.
He flew past the two speeders and looked up at a skylane above his. He had given Aurek Patrol’s Commanding Officer free reign to engage at his discretion due to Fox’s lack of knowledge of the situation. The Commander reserved his own judgement for when he arrived on the scene.
Time almost seemed to slow down as more adrenaline entered the Commander’s bloodstream. His brain entered an analytical mode when in a dangerous situation; That was exactly what was happening. There’s no way this thing can elevate to that level fast enough to keep up. He thought, realizing his dilemma with the BARC. His eyes darted around for a moment, then, Bingo.
There was a section of building jutting out at just the right angle to act as a ramp to get him up there quicker. He steered his speeder across the skylane and depressed the accelerator as far as it would go before quickly connecting his HUD to the speeder’s electronics system and overclocking the repulsors in an effort to give himself some extra height, hoping to whatever deities that existed that this worked. The speeder hit the ‘ramp’ and flew upwards…
A hodgepodge transport that looked like a sneeze could take it apart flew above him, followed by several turbo-laser bolts flying towards his men from Aurek Patrol that were pursuing on jetpacks and speeders. Apparently it was armed. Not good.
Fox’s mind registered three phrases,
Civilians threatened…
Troopers threatened…
Lethal Force: Authorized.
As he flew through the air from his jump, Fox pulled an impact grenade from his belt and lobbed at the transport’s engine nacelles. The grenade landed home, slamming into one of the engines and detonating, sending the transport spiraling onto a section of unused artificial land and crashing with a screech of metal on metal. Fox nodded in approval as his speeder stabilized at the desired level and he saw a Coruscant Guard gunship descend towards the crash site to check for survivors.
Note, add impact grenades to standard unit-wide equipment. Some part of his mind mentally marked down.
Focusing back on the chase, Fox accelerated through the traffic and came upon two Starhawk speeder bikes each carrying two bounty hunters. Seriously? What is with these guys? Fox scoffed.
Before he could zip past them, the passenger on each bike turned and began firing a blaster pistol at him. Fox easily dodged the poorly aimed shots as his mind registered the threat and analyzed the quickest way of elimination.
Speeder blasters too inaccurate. Precision required. Hand-blasters acceptable.
Fox took one hand off the controls and drew one DC-17, firing two quick and precise shots into the backs of his two attackers, making them slump in their seats, unconscious and injured but not dead. He fired two more shots, each one hit one of the repulsors on the bikes, sending them careening into a nearby empty walkway. Two Jet-Troopers peeled off to go arrest them as Fox shot forward again.
Now nearing the bounty hunters’ vehicle, he could identify them. Embo, Aurra Sing, and Cad Bane. Of fekking course. The three top hunters in the galaxy. I thought today would be an easy day for once, no stress. But nooooo…
Fox watched as one of his Jet-Troopers flew forward, attempting to get a disabling shot on the speeder only for Cad Bane to put a blaster-bolt straight through the unlucky trooper’s head. He felt his composure slip for a moment, MURDE— He took a deep breath. Then exhaled. Targets armed and dangerous. Locate efficient way to neutralize and capture.
The hunters flew down a few levels and began zipping through side passages, Fox only a few meters behind them. Finally, deciding he’d had enough, Fox opened up with the high-powered blasters on his own speeder, doing his best to avoid civilians if the shots missed. Finally, the Commander scored a lucky hit and the hunters’ speeder fell from the sky, sliding onto and unused landing pad. He watched as the three disembarked, and then fired a few blasts into the speeder, making it explode. When the smoke cleared, he saw Embo’s hat flying at him. He tried to avoid it, but it clipped one of his repulsors and sent him crashing to the landing platform.
As Fox climbed to his feet, he silently cursed himself for forgetting the Kyuzo bounty hunter’s impeccable throwing skill. Looking up, he spotted Aurra Sing slowly walking towards him with a single blaster drawn. What he also saw, was the blue glow of the Republic Data Crystal he was after in one of her belt pouches. He purposely stumbled in an attempt to draw her closer, he had to get the crystal.
Sing laughed as she stopped about a foot from him, “You were a very brave little clone. Chasing us all the way down here. Very skilled too. It’s almost a shame I have to kill you.” She raised her blaster, and then Fox struck. His left hand shot out, grabbing her blaster and jerking it from her hand. Before she could react, the Guardsman twirled on his heel and sweeped her legs out from under her, sending her to the ground. He tossed her blaster away and drew his own, putting three stun bolts directly into her head. That should keep her down for a while.
Fox crouched, quickly swiping the data crystal and depositing it in one of his belt compartments before snapping a pair of binders onto the stunned bounty hunter. Not a second later, blaster bolts flew his way from Bane and Embo, forcing the trooper into cover behind a stack of crates. As the two hunters peppered his hiding place with blaster-fire, Fox’s mind whirred for a solution. Come on, give me something…. He felt around on his belt, then, Aha! This oughta do. He palmed the thermal detonator, activated it, and then lobbed it over the crates. A moment passed, and then a blaster fired, followed by an early explosion. And that was when Fox rolled out of cover, letting loose a hail of blaster bolts at the two hunters, forcing them to take cover.
Fox focused on Bane, sprinting towards where Bane had taken cover, only for the Duros to explode out from behind the wall, knocking the Commander’s DCs from his hands, but not before he got off a single bolt into Bane’s side. Fox punched Bane in the stomach and went for an uppercut, only for Bane to catch it roundhouse kick Fox’s helmet off. He grunted, taking a step back, only for his eyes to widen and he quickly rolled to the side as Bane’s flamethrower activated. Not good. Eliminate. Now.
He moved forward as the flamethrower turned off, sidestepping a kick and catching a right-hook. He jerked his head forward, headbutting the Duros, sending him reeling. Without giving him a chance to recover, Fox slammed his boot into the hunter’s face, knocking him out cold. And then he remembered, Osik! Embo!
He turned around, only for that damned hat to slam straight into his face. Fox felt his nose break and grunted as blood began pouring down his face. His vision swam for a moment, but he saw Embo catch his hat and turn to run, only for a line of laser blasts to cut him off. He stopped and looked up, Fox did too, seeing four gunships descending from the sky, all with Shock Troopers roping down from them. Embo’s hands immediately raised.
A pair of medics jogged over to Fox, one with his helmet and the other with his blasters. “Sir, are you alright?”
Fox couldn’t help himself, he laughed. “Just another day in the life of a Coruscanti Guardsman.”
I couldn’t help myself. This demanded to be written early.
(The chase scene was inspired by Red VS Blue)
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holylulusworld · 5 years
Text
I like you, don’t go away
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Summary: James Bucky Barnes is the newest addition to the Avengers. Trying to help his friend settle into the new situation Steve asks his friend and the teams moral support to help him with unknown consequences.
Pairing: Bucky x Reader, Steve x Reader (platonic), Sam Wilson, Natasha Romanoff, Tony Stark, Clint Barton, Bruce Banner, Wanda Maximoff, Stephen Strange
Warnings: angst, violence, injured reader, fighting, blood, comforting, fluff, tension
Sequel to: I don’t like you but stay 
 “Just a bit longer, Baby,” Bucky whines as you try to get up for your mission.
“I can’t Barnes, neither can you stay in bed. Get up and start the shower, I’ll be there in a minute. Need to check my emails first.” You chuckle trying to get out of Bucky’s grip, but he tightens his hold on you, brushing his lips over your neck.
“Don’t know, doll. You feel so good in my arms. How about spending our time in here…?” Bucky whispers trying to roll his hips into your lower back.
“Buck, shit, don’t make me weak. Steve will get mad again. Do you want him to scold us in front of everyone once again?” You pant as James metal hand slips between your thighs, drawing circles into the soft skin.
“Just a minute longer…a minute.”
“Barnes, we both know a minute means an hour to you. We can’t…god…don’t make me disappoint our commanding officer once again, Barnes.” You pant.
“Fine, Baby Girl. Let’s have this shower and get the mission done. I’ve got a surprise for you, doll.” Bucky whispers.
“Surprise?”
“I won’t tell you till we are back. Now shower…need to see you naked…”
----
“You are late, Bucky…Y/N.” Steve sighs glancing at the hickey at your neck and Bucky’s grin he knows exactly why you and your boyfriend are late.
“Sorry, Bucky distracted me with his lack of knowledge about the technology of the 21st century.” You shamelessly lie.
“We all know what he did…” Tony chuckles and you glare at your fellow Avenger.
“So…the mission, Steve.” You say praying your friend will drop the subject. Smirking Steve clears his throat, watching Bucky playing with a loose strand of your hair.
“Right. The mission. We need to protect three witnesses of Hydra activities. Means, insiders.” Steve explains.
“Assholes working for the enemy getting cold feet?” Clint mumbles and Bucky gulps hard.
“He doesn’t mean you, Buck.” You whisper gently stroking his hand. “You’re an Avenger now, James.”
“I know…” James mumbles glancing at Steve who’s smiling at your behavior. Your fingers slide through Bucky’s shaggy hair as you plant a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Love you…”
“Love you too…” Bucky whispers still nervous about showing his emotions.
“We need two teams, one securing the transport, the other team to provide back-up,” Steve explains showing you the needed data on your tablet. “Tony, Pietro and I will secure the transport. Bucky, Natasha and you will be the back-up team. Clint and Sam will follow us using the rooftops to observe the situation from above.”
“Steve, Y/N is not an active fighting member…” Bucky mutters moving his arms around your waist, planting a soft kiss to your hair. “You know she hates fighting.”
“Buck, Y/N will provide back-up, using her powers to shield the witnesses if needed, nothing else,” Steve says, giving his friend a warm smile. He knows Bucky hates watching you fighting.
“I’ll be fine, Buck. You are there to have my back.” Your hand intervenes with his as you lead him toward the entrance. “It’s a nice back…”
“I know you like my back…” You tease and Bucky gives you a cocky grin. “Not just your back…”
----
“Retreat, fuck…this is a fucking trap,” Clint yells via intercom, trying to take down another wave of enemies attacking you and Natasha. Your friend is bleeding, she got hit by a bullet so you try to shield her with your powers but slowly you feel weak.
“Nat, we need to get away from this position, we need to try to reach Cap or Bucky.” You pant, helping the red-head up, steadying her with one hand while you use the other to form a new shield, to block the bullets.
“We are fucked.” Natasha pants seeing more enemies getting closer to your position. “Rather screwed. Clint, how many?” You ask and Clint coughs, he got hit by a bullet, his arrows are gone…
“Too many, I got to get out of here…I got hit, no arrows left.” Clint answers.
“Get away, try to reach Wanda and Vision. We need back-up, maybe even Bruce.” You order and Clint limps toward the exit, to leave the rooftop, trying to reach Bruce.
“What now?” Natasha asks checking her empty gun.
“Now I’m going to do what Bucky will hate, crawl into the building and do not come out till it’s over, Natasha.” Her eyes widen and she shakes her head.
“No…this could kill you.” She gasps.
“I know…tell Bucky I love him.” You whisper using your powers to burst the door open as Natasha crawls toward the now open door. “Stay down, no matter what.”
Your eyes drift toward the approaching enemies as you walk toward them. For a moment they are stunned about your boldness but then they start firing bullets without an end. Your powers shield you as you drain more energy and more till you reach a level of power you never felt before.
“Y/N don’t…” Natasha calls but you shake your head. Concentrating you use your telekinesis to fire all bullets back, taking the enemies down. The next wave is getting closer as you use your powers to lift a car, smashing it onto the men.
“Y/N…” Bucky gasps running toward your position. Blood is dripping out of your nose when you fall to your knees using your last strength to shoot one of Clint’s arrows into an enemy’s head trying to attack James. “NO!”
----
“You’re going to be alright. Stay with me, doll. Fuck, I should’ve never left your side to provide back-up. I fucking knew it.” Bucky curses holding your hand as Bruce checks on you.
“She drained too much energy out of her body - it is life-threatening. I need to bring her to the medic-bay.” Bruce explains.
----
“Buck, calm down. Bruce and Stephen are on it. They are going to help her,” Steve says as his friend is pacing around the hallway, glaring at him.
“I told you she should stay behind. I told you she hates to fight!” Bucky yells. “Buck…”
“No, Steve, don’t Buck me!” Bucky’s hand moves around Steve’s throat to press him into the wall. “If Y/N dies, if the woman I love dies…we are done. I told you she doesn’t want to fight, and you ignored it. I told you after I saw these ‘witnesses’ they do not look scared or guilty.”
“I know…James…” Steve chokes out, moving his hands around Bucky’s wrists. “I love her too, she’s my friend.”
“You don’t have any right to love her! This is the second time she almost died due to your failure. If I lose her…” Bucky chokes on his words, letting go of his friend. “I can’t lose her Stevie…she’s everything…the best thing ever happening to me. I need her…”
“Bucky…” Steve sighs trying to soothe his friend but he doesn’t have time. Pushing Steve’s hand away James walks toward the examination room.
----
“She’s stable now, James. Her body is reacting to the treatment and Wanda’s stimulation. Y/N is strong and we are sure she’s going to get better soon.” Stephen explains.
“What did you do?” Bucky asks taking your hand in his, kissing it softly.
“We combined medical knowledge, Stark’s technology, Wanda’s powers, and Dr. Strange’s abilities to find the perfect treatment. She needs to rest now, but you can stay here. I’ll check on Y/N later.” Bruce explains.
“Thank you, all of you.” He whispers not taking his eyes off you. “Can I hold her?”
“Might be dangerous…for you,” Stephen says.
“Why?”
“We helped her to learn how to drain energy from others. Y/N could drain energy from you too if her body is still weak.” Wanda says using her powers to let you sleep.
“I don’t care…” Bucky mutters kicking his shoes off to lie down next to you, moving his arms around you. “She can have all my energy. I don’t care…”
----
“Hey, looks who’s awake.” Bucky is kissing your hair as you glance up at him. He looks exhausted…he never looks exhausted.
“What happened? You look like shit.” You chuckle.
“You are looking pretty as always, princess. How about sleeping some more.” Bucky pants.
“James? Why are you so…weak?”
“Strange did something…got no clue. Mystical…magical. Fuck, can’t remember. He made it possible you can drain energy from someone else. Strange called it…” Bucky is scratching his scruffy chin, not remembering what Dr. Strange told him.
“We activated her full powers, using our combined abilities and knowledge, James,” Wanda says. “Y/N was always able to not just drain her energy but the energy of others too.”
“I’m a weapon now, this is what I always tried to avoid…” You sniffle hiding your face into Bucky’s chest. “I never wanted to use this part of my powers…”
“You knew?” Bruce gasps.
“’cause I knew about this ability. I tried to bury it deep down inside of me. I never wanted to drain someone else’s energy to make me stronger.”
“Shh…you only drained mine and I didn’t mind. Felt good…damn good. Like good sex.” Bucky whispers and you chuckle into his chest.
“Everything feels like good sex to you, pervert.”
“Not everything. Rest a bit. Stephen and Wanda will help you control this part of you. If you want to seal it, they will help you to do so. Right?” Bucky grunts glaring at Wanda.
“We will, but she should rather learn to control it, to save people.”
----
“I want this surprise now, Barnes.” You tease pushing against his chest, trying to make him stop sucking hickeys into your neck.
“Not now. I need to wait for the perfect moment.” Bucky whispers.
“Now…I almost died Buck.” Whining you tug at his hair and he growls against your skin.
“I wanted to tell you I love you,” James whispers. “I wanted to thank you for being my girl for over two years and…” Rolling off you James opens the nightstand to get a little black box. “I want you to become my wife.”
“James Buchanan Barnes…” You gasp glancing at the beautiful ring. “Stevie helped me.” He explains getting the ring out, waiting for your answer. “Please say yes…I like you…please stay with me.”
“Yes…”
All works Tags
@yolobloggers​, @meganywinchester​​, @shikshinkwon​​, @miraclesoflove​ ​, @mogaruke​, @shatteredabby​
Marvel Tags
@stuckys-whore​, @notyourtypicalrose​, @voltage-my2dlove​, @thedoctorscamanion , @officialmarvelwhore​, @randomgirlkensy​, @juniorhuntersam​, @lumar014​, @doctorswife221b​, @badboysdoitbetter2​​, @sister-winchesters99​
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starfleetimagines · 4 years
Text
Data - First Date
Part 2 to First Meetings
Requested by ElfWarriorQueen on Wattpad: “Maybe them going on their date and there could be some kind of unfortunate accident that draws them closer together; like drinks get spilled over the reader, or maybe there’s a malfunction in the elevator and they’re stuck for a while” Word count: 1.2k Warnings/notes: I’m currently sick with a headcold, so I apologize for any mistakes and if it isn’t that good Tag list: @dxnisnflwr, @schroedingershund, @andskysthelimit, @jaytodded, @dancingwith-thesunflowers, @spaceyslytherin - if you want to be added to or removed from a tag list, please let me know!
“I had a great time,” you said to Data as the two of you rode the turbolift down to the transporter room.
“It was enjoyable,” Data agreed. “I found it quite fascinating to learn more about you.”
You smiled. “I liked getting to know you, too.”
The turbolift suddenly jolted to a stop, sending you tumbling into Data who caught you with android-fast reflexes.
“Thanks,” you mumbled, awkwardly pushing yourself off of him.
“You are welcome. Are you hurt?”
You shook your head. “No, I’m fine. Are you?”
“I am an android,” he said. “I am not able to get hurt. Although, I am not damaged.”
You smiled slightly. “Well, that’s good. What happened?”
“I am uncertain.” Data went to the panel on the wall and tried pushing a button, though nothing happened. “Strange. It appears as though the turbolift is offline.”
You frowned.
“Data to the bridge.”
“Picard here.”
“Lieutenant Y/L/N and I are in a turbolift which appears to be malfunctioning. We were on our way to the transporter room when it halted all movement,” Data said.
“A conduit blew while an engineering team was working on repairs,” Picard said. “The transporter is offline, as well. I’m afraid you two will have to stay put for the time being. Geordi tells me everything should be fixed within the hour.”
“Was anyone hurt?” you asked.
“Only a few minor injuries,” Picard replied. “I apologize for any inconvenience.”
“It is quite all right, Captain,” Data said. “We are both all right and are not in any danger.”
“Y/L/N, I will contact the station and alert them of the situation.”
You nodded in understanding, even though he couldn’t see you. “Thank you, Captain.”
“I will keep you two updated. Picard out.”
You sighed and leaned against the wall. “I guess the universe just doesn’t want our date to end, huh?”
Data looked at you. “The universe had no influence on what has happened. The captain said—”
“It’s just an expression,” you said. “You know, kind of like fate?”
Data tilted his head. “Ah. So, you believe our fate is to be stuck in the turbolift together?”
You smiled slightly. “You never know.”
“Hm.”
You sat down and patted the floor beside you. “Have a seat, Data. It sounds like we’re going to be here for a while.”
“I do will not tire,” he said, then added, “Though if you wish for me to join you on the floor, I will oblige.”
You smiled when he sat next to you.
“It’s just easier to talk to each other if we’re both sitting,” you told him.
“You wish to spend our time in here talking?” he asked, not unkindly or in a judging manner.
You nodded sheepishly. “If that’s okay with you. We don’t have to, of course.”
“I would find it enjoyable to talk to you.”
You smiled at him, feeling relieved. “So, tell me about life on the Enterprise. I have no doubt that it’s much different than life on DS9.”
Data tilted his head slightly as he thought about a response. “From what I have witnessed, there is more structure to our duties onboard the Enterprise. Captain Picard is quick to reinforce the rules and regulations. I suspect it is difficult to maintain Starfleet expectations on a station that is so greatly populated with non-Federation citizens.”
You nodded in agreement. “It can be, but Sisko is a great commander. He makes sure to listen to the Bajorans and always take their opinions and beliefs into consideration.”
“As a good commander should do,” Data mused. “Would you consider it to be dangerous on the station?”
“Dangerous?” you asked. “In what way?”
“On the Enterprise, we have encountered many hostile species and have unknowingly entered into space claimed by said species. We have been in battle with a number of ships and our away missions sometimes go poorly because of misunderstandings.”
“We get visitors frequently, and there have been some incidents with them on occasion,” you replied. “Some of us go on away missions which can be dangerous, but I suppose life on the station is relatively safer than life on a spaceship.” You smiled then. “Although, Quark’s bar can get a bit hectic if someone accuses him of cheating.”
“Has that happened before?” Data asked.
You laughed lightly. “More times than I can count.”
Data looked at you curiously. “Is Mister Quark not punished for his actions?”
“He is, but sometimes Odo can’t prove anything so Quark just goes on his merry way and cheats another customer.”
“Curious,” Data said, “you do not appear to have any negative feelings towards him, despite his questionable behaviour.”
With a shrug, you said, “He’s family. Everyone on board is family, flaws and all. I may not agree with what Quark does sometimes, but he’s a good guy deep down.”
“I see. So, a sense of family overrules a sense of right and wrong?”
“No, but a sense of family means that I can accept the wrongs and focus on the rights. Most of the time, anyway”
Data pondered over that. “Fascinating.”
A smile spread on your face. “Is everything fascinating to you, Data?”
“Everything regarding human behaviour,” he admitted. “I find is quite interesting to learn about how different people perceive different situations and what their reasoning behind their perceptions is. It is my hope that by learning about how others behave, it will help me become more human myself.”
Your smile widened and you gently placed your hand onto his shoulder. “Well, if there’s anything you want to know, just ask. I’ll be an open book with you.”
Data appeared puzzled for a moment, then his mouth opened slightly. “Ah. You mean you will be truthful and forthcoming with your answers should I ask you personal questions.”
You nodded. “That’s right.”
“There is something I have been wondering throughout this evening.”
“Shoot.”
When Data looked confused again, you said, “It means go ahead and ask your question.”
“Curious expression,” he said quietly. “From my research, I have learned that is it sometimes customary and expected to have a kiss after the end of a first date. Why is that?”
You laughed. “To be honest, I’m not sure. I guess it kind of symbolizes that the date went well. If the other person kisses you, you know they had a good time and that they like you romantically. Not every date has to end in a kiss for it to have been a good date, though. Some people just don’t like kissing someone they don’t know very well, others are nervous. It all depends, really.”
Data nodded along to your explanation. “Are you expecting me to kiss you?”
A soft blush tinted your cheeks. “I try not to expect anything from anyone, especially when it comes to romantic gestures.”
“How would you react if I did kiss you?” he asked.
“I would probably kiss you back.”
“Hm.” He looked away, staring straight ahead at the turbolift walls.
You waited, but he made no movement. Your brow furrowed slightly. “So, that wasn’t a hint that you were going to kiss me?”
Data looked back at you and made eye contact. “Our date is not over,” he stated simply. “We are still trapped in this turbolift for at least another half hour, which means our date has not ended yet. I shall kiss you when our date is officially done if that is acceptable.”
You smiled widely. “Yeah, yeah Data that sounds good.”
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ebachan · 4 years
Text
Sonic Movie - FAN sequel
I had this idea for a sequel before this rumor appeared. It sure has its flaws, but I'll try to provide a full-movie story in enough detail to have a picture of what the story-line could be about.
I’m sorry for any mistakes, as this is just a quick draft and idea :-) Tell me what do you think about this :-) Does this sound like a good “draft“ plot?
Tags: @movie-robotnik-positivity​ @movie-sonic-positivity​ @aawesomepenguin​ @welcome-to-green-hills​ (sorry for the tags, but you are like the biggest Sonic movie fans I know out there :-D )
If you like this, please reblog ;-) And sorry, it’s reaaaaly long ^_^;
I’m using the pictures from the first Trailer to not have this as a block of text ;-)
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Sonic games: Sonic 2 + Sonic CD
Returning cast: Dr. Robotnik, Annie, Tom, Sonic New cast: Tails, Amy, Metal Sonic Place: Sonic's world (mostly)
Plot: Sonic is in his world after about half of the year after Dr. Robotnik's defeat who went missing. Now, Sonic has more friends - Tails and Amy - and finds a way back to Earth. There, he invites Tom and Annie (I wasn't counting with Jojo here as she wasn't introduced at the time I had this idea) to his world for a picnic or party.
(Also, no Agent Stone - as I can't find a place in this story for him ^_^;)
Tom and Sonic chat with Tails while Annie and Amy are together, and Amy naturally asks how to win Sonic's heart. Annie is amused by this idea and is happy to provide tips and stories on how she had met Tom.
As the party goes on, Dr. Robotnik appears in Eggmobile-like craft and captures the girls. Sonic is surprised but also excited, as he can take on Dr. Robotnik once more. Tom isn't for obvious reasons. Dr. Robotnik gloats as usual, and Sonic gives him his nickname Eggman or talks about his new mustache-cut to Robotnik's annoyance and nicknaming Sonic pin cushion or needle mouse or rodent (to name a few easter eggs).
When Sonic attacks Eggman, he is deflected by equally fast blue bur which turns out into Metal Sonic. With a new threat and enemy, Sonic is unable to keep up with somebody with equal speed and fast reflexes. Sonic ends up hurt, and Robotnik takes both girls away (they are squirming, and Annie is trying to escape with Amy being more of damsel-in-distress for the time being).
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Tom helps Sonic and finds out Tails was hiding in a bush. The kid is scared-cat after all at this point. Sonic wants to go after them, but Tom stops him, insisting he will go too. They only need to figure out how to tail them.
At this moment Tails mentions Tornado, his makeshift plane he was developing. They head to his house, and Sonic is hyper over the plane. together they set forward.
New place: A Robotnik's hideout resembling Chemical Plant zone
Meanwhile, Eggman/Robotnik imprisons the girls and gloats about his plan and Metal Sonic. Metal is in this movie "mute" and follows the order to the last bite (that can perhaps turn to a bit of comedic moment). Annie tries to get more info from Robotnik with moderate success, as he loves to gloat.
Robotnik explains, he had discovered great energy sources in this world and is using them to power his new robot army (I imagine the wide-smiling orange robots from Sonic Colors or Heroes for example) with some resembling Badniks. His ultimate goal is to conquer this world, then move to Earth and then the whole universe.
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New place: Tail's house
There, Tails shows them his plane, and together they embark on finding Amy and Annie. Sonic stands on the plane as seen in Games. Tails uses his yellow-console to find some traces left by Metal Sonic, and they follow the robot to different zones (inspiration from CD perhaps). When flying above one, they are attacked by the new robots.
Sonic rushes to beat them, realizing inside are animals, and so he has to change his approach. At the same time, Tails in the air loses control over his plane, as he is hit and goes for an ugly crash landing. Sonic can't save them, and when the plane explodes, Sonic is devastated that he had lost his friends. But a few seconds later he hears Tom and Tails from above, and to his surprise, he sees Tails flying.
Tails then explains, he was always bullied for his two tails and was shy to tell Sonic, the first person to be nice to him, that he can fly as not to be seen as a freak. But for Sonic, this ability is way past cool, and Tom can only agree. The travel further, finding a signal coming from an old temple (Sonic 4 perhaps).
Here, Toms helps them to navigate as he had seen many Indiana Jones movies and knows how to these places works... by setting one or two traps along the way. But in the end, they encounter some robots, free the animals, and make their way toward the center. Inside is Metal, collecting data for Dr. Robotnik (we can see statues resembling Echidnas and the mosaic showing Chaos - as a tease for the next movie).
Sonic engages in the battle, frustrated he had lost the first time. He takes this fight more seriously, and it can be seen on him not having any smart-jokes or puns.
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Back to Dr. Robotnik
Annie tries to figure out how to escape, but Amy is more in the corner, questioning her attempt. Annie has no intention to wait for boys to save her, as she is no princess from the tower. Dr. Robotnik is getting ready in unleashing his robotic army with a nice countdown of a few hours.
I'm not sure how would they escape in this point (outsmarting a robot-guard, perhaps Agent Stone - But I haven't had any role for him in here), but after they escape their prison, Annie and Amy are attacked by robots. Annie tells Amy to run away, while she beats the robots with a pipe without much of an effect. Amy stays, watching, and her fists curl.
When it seems Annie is getting seriously hurt, Amy jumps in the actions and with Piko hammer defeats all of them. Annie asks, why Amy didn't use her hammer before. Amy confesses she was made fun by other girls for being a tomboy and not enough lady-like, so she swore to herself she would never use her Piko hammer again.
Annie, says, "I'm sure Sonic would prefer a girl that can keep up with him by his side." This one sentence opens Amy's eyes and pushes her on the way to be herself. Armed and with more hope, they embark on the robot-crushing quest.
Dr. Robotnik isn't happy, but he still does nothing to stop them as everything still goes according to the plan. And he is having his latte time.
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Meanwhile Sonic in the temple is losing to Metal, as he lets his frustration control him. Tails and Tom meanwhile figure out how to use the traps to their advantage, messing with Metal Sonic's attack patterns. In the end, Metal buries Sonic under rubble and escapes with all the data he had needed, sure Sonic is dead this time. Metal still needed to record a few places at this point.
However, that isn't the truth. Sonic is bruised, but much alive. During the evening, they patch themselves, and Sonic keeps to himself. Tom goes to him and asks what is troubling him. Sonic isn't happy to say a word, but do it after a bit. Sonic is losing confidence in his speed and is unsure what to do. Tom encourages him to do what he does always - don't give up, keep moving.
Here can resonate words from LongClaw (Sonic's Owl guardian/parental figure) which renews Sonic's passion and will. Right now, they have to hurry, as Tails picked up many signals from Chemical Plant Zone where Eggman resides.
Back to Eggman
As Amy and Annie are getting out, Metal Sonic appears but ignores them as he calculated they are no thread. His orders also didn't include keeping them in prison. With the data, Eggman/Robotnik now can start his Master Plan with the robots being just a distraction to his real plan.
Sonic uses his rings to transport them to zone (as Tails could give him accurate coordinate). There he goes after the robots with Tails and Tom right behind. However, the duo soon finds a suitable weapon - a big mecha-suit (Advanced style) Tails drives and Tom shoots from the lasers. Together, they soon beat the outside army.
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While inside, Tails and Tom remain behind to stall the next robot wave, while Sonic goes to find Amy and Annie. We stay with Tails who is showing panic in his face as his brain is telling him in what danger he is. Their mecha-suit gets damaged, and they fell out with robots closing in.
Tom encourages Tails to not give up, to go for what he believes in. Tails' memories flash in the fox's mind, being reminded he was always a big coward and bookworm with little physical endurance. The fox runs away, hiding behind heaps of trash while Tom tries to fight off the robots.
Tails is shivering and flashes of his encounter with Sonic reminds him how happy he was to get the first friend. And they actually explored quite a bit before Tom and Annie arrived. With the crisis getting out of hand, Tails see a computer panel behind himself and hacks it, sending the robots shut-down-command, freeing the animals.
With this, he saves Tom and saves Sonic the trouble of busting the robots to free the animals. Dr. Robotnik notices this and sends Metal to deal with Sonic. Metal is now more aggressive and attacks more often. His calculation told him twice Sonic was dead, yet he stood in front of him. For pure 0-1 logic-brain that was unacceptable, and it had to be fixed - permanently.
While Sonic and Metal fights, Tom and Tails find Annie and Amy. Together they operate an aircraft (it would be cool if it was a blimp-like one) to follow Dr. Robotnik. Sonic boards too, kicking Metal with a big spin-dash leaving the robot crackling.
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They catch up to Dr. Robonik above a big lake where appears Little Planet - a place with Time Stones. Dr. Robotnik's ultimate plan is to conquer the Time-and-Space including capturing Baby Sonic to power his machines and rewriting the history to his liking.
The gang faces flying drones, getting closer to Dr. Robotnik who landed on the Little Planet. When they catch up, Dr. Robotnik is about to take the first Time Stone and Metal returns for the last showdown. Sonic can't fight Metal and go after Dr. Robotnik at once, but with a quick-thinking and team-work, they damage Metal.
Time stones are placed on small pedestals around the planet in a special array, that allows it to "travel" outside of the time for a whole year before it appears for a few hours. Now, the gang has only about an hour to leave the planet or stay there trapped (the place has a different time-flow as well and nobody knows how it works - so one year outside can be 50 on the planet).
Dr. Robotnik possesses three stones now and is powering his main machine (Eggmobile-like) with it. The laser blasts now "evaporate" in the air to appear somewhere else a bit later or even before they were shot. Amy, navigates Sonic, as she has a sharp intuition (game inspiration) and so, Sonic avoids many hits.
The rest of the group tries to figure out how to get those stones off the Eggmobile and hinder Dr. Robotnik in going for the next stone. With Dr. Robotnik abusing the power of Stone, the Little Planet exhibits places morphing to its past or possible future self, with ice and lava spurting out of green land. The landscape turns into chaos, and Metal faces his ultimate defeat (Perhaps OAV styled, but that would be sooo sad!).
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With the main robot gone, Sonic hits the Eggmobile and gets the stones out. Dr. Robotnik falls into one of the time portals, disappearing. The Little Planet is collapsing and returning back to its own flow of time. To prevent the worst, Sonic heads to place the Time Stones back to their place, hoping to restore the balance.
While the rest waits outside of the Little Planet that is fading away, Sonic is there placing the stones. He sees the rest of Metal's head (alternate ending a bit later), and he heads outside just in the nick of the time. The Little Planet is gone for another year.
With Dr. Robotnik again defeated, they return to their picnic, and Amy shows off her hammer and is more accepted by Sonic. Tails had found courage inside of him and promise to not let fear control him.  
After credits, Dr. Robotnik travels through the time witnessing the destruction of the Angel Island by the hand of Chaos and hears the prophecy. He puts one and one together and with the pictures from Metal, he formulates his new plan, while still floating in the stream of time.
Alternate ending: Sonic takes Metal's head with him and Tails turns Metal into a small hedgehog robot similar to Bits in shape and behavior from Sonic Universe - Silver Age.
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This was so loooong. Sorry about that. I don't think this works well for the movie format, and there may be a problem with pacing as I think there is a little space for character development, but I always thought the next movie could be based on Sonic 2 and CD, saving Knuckles for the next one (Sonic 3 & Knuckles + Adventure 1). Yes, there are some logical problems as well, but I think most of it works well :-)
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