|
Post by Steinerman on Feb 25, 2012 4:17:30 GMT -5
Task-Force Shadow-Wolf, for all of its reputation, occupied a small, unassuming compound near the center of one of the many Valtheran military bases located in Coracinduth's harbor-area.
Here in their trio of concrete buildings, the Task-Force members worked diligently, computers humming along and keyboards clacking as information on Stamaria's military might was detailed, analyzed and taken down for future reference.
In the center of the three buildings was General Donovan Winter's office, though not at the top of the building, as most generals placed their offices, oh no. Donovan's office was in the very center of it, and barely looked any different than the dozens of other offices in the building. Besides the fact that its sole access was via a second, outer office. Which housed Donovan's Aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Michelle Anders.
The tall, silent general was currently sitting in a hard-backed chair behind a solemn oaken desk, a stack of papers sitting neatly next to his personal computer. His cold blue eyes were scanning a single sheet of paper that had just arrived via courier. And, for one of the few times in the general's life, his face wore an expression of confusion.
Still staring at the paper, he carefully reached out a hand and hit the intercom switch. "Lieutenant," he called out, his voice pausing for a moment. "A moment, if you please. An odd file has just come to my attention."
He then sat back and continued to stare at the file. Mere moments later, his door opened to reveal the concerned face of Lieutenant Anders. She briskly entered and came to attention at his desk before throwing a terse salute. The general returned the salute solemnly and then handed her the paper, giving her a few moments to read it before speaking.
"What . . ." He questioned. "Is a Cheville petite?"
Anders stared at the paper, her eyes incredulous. "Uh . . ." She began. "It's a skirt, sir. An expensive one, actually. Most Cheville's are."
"And the petite?" Came the icy reply.
"I imagine it's the size, sir." Anders replied, trying very hard to hide a smile.
Donovan was silent for several moments before nodding once, his eyes narrowed with thought. "It's Button's idea of a joke, I imagine. She never sends us her budget reports. But now she does, I imagine agent Wish is the one who wanted it."
"She is undercover as Francis's adoptive sister, sir. I suppose a pricey skirt such as the Cheville would help her blend in." The lieutenant provided helpfully.
Donovan nodded again, still concerned. "Yes . . . but why did Button send us this particular report? That blasted little monster always has at least two reasons for everything she does." He waved a hand, indicating the paper be handed back. He then scanned it again, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
The two hints were so small and inconsequential that he almost missed them. The first one was at the top of the paper, in the lines indicating who else this particular report was sent to. Only one other name was on the list, Royal Advisor Sharidan.
The second hint was far more damning, and he could imagine Button's grin as she'd sent this to he and the Royal Advisor, chortling to herself all the way. He had fought tooth and nail to get one of the Tydorian pairs (the tandem Tydorian/Elven mage pairings that made up the Cadre) released from Valtheran soil, which they'd been confined to work in since they'd joined the Valtheran military community.
But this particular expense report showed not one, but five separate expense accounts active outside of Valtheran territory.
The General ground his teeth together in sudden anger. The little monster had somehow smuggled out more of her siblings. It must have been why she was so gleeful when he and the Advisor had come to visit. He should have noticed there were more missing from the compound that day than there should have been, but he'd been too intent upon Kayt's arguments.
"What game is that blasted furry devil playing at?" He hissed in anger.
|
|
|
Post by InZanety on Feb 25, 2012 14:08:42 GMT -5
Then, not too far off in the Valtheran Military's airspace, a being clad in enchanted crusader's armor and magical chaos wings extended from its back, seemed to be wandering about in the sky.
Xurdius, the ancient alchemic being dating too far back in the history books was searching for something... something that possibly exists in this military base's scientific research facilities.
There's no doubt that a few alarms and power radar's detected his mass amounts of chaotic and nightmarish energy, radiating from his very being.
|
|
|
Post by Steinerman on Feb 25, 2012 14:32:53 GMT -5
The lieutenant was about to respond to Donovan's hiss of anger when there was a chirp from the communicator at her side. She opened it up and listened attentively for a few moments before replying, "What do you mean, the regular patrols aren't in position?" She listened for another few seconds, a slow frown of concern growing in her expression.
"Fine, the Task Force has several members nearby for training, we'll activate them." She then closed the communicator and explained the situation to the still quite-angry Donovan. "General, we have an unidentified magical entity closing on the harbor. Trajectory indicates it's heading for the base. And it just so happens that the regular patrols are going through their shift-change right now. It's got a clear path for a few seconds."
Donovan's mind raced, was this Button's doing? He didn't think so, she was much quieter than a magical assault over the water. Her species was built with stealth in mind, if she wanted to attack this base, he wouldn't know it until she was shooting his soldiers.
So, not Button, but something else. And now he had a conundrum to face. The Task-Force, and frankly the entire base was light on magical defenses at the moment, most of the base's mages were out on assignment. What few remained weren't exactly the most capable mages in the military, and that was putting it lightly.
But his Task-Force technically did have access to heavy magical firepower, via . . . yes, Button's Tydorian Cadre. "Put out a call to the Cadre for support," he growled angrily, hoping that whatever Button was up to, she would still lend him aid if he called. "Prepare what Task-Force members we have for a defensive action against a magical entity and inform the nearby bases that we might be under attack."
He spun and went back to his desk, from which he withdrew his standard-issue .45 pistol. He then went to the coat-rack in the corner and removed his military cap and greatcoat, grabbing his walking stick a moment later before turning to face the Lieutenant. "Let's get ready to meet our new guest." He said with a grim expression.
|
|
|
Post by InZanety on Feb 25, 2012 14:46:36 GMT -5
Xurdius noticed commotion going on about below him. Perhaps he should stop by and ask for directions?
Xurdius, having learnt to make a proper landing this time to make sure he didn't cause a massive crater like last time, descended and landed lightly near their Scientific Research Facilities. This was where he felt a familiar wave of energy radiating and almost calling out to him.
As he landed, he noticed several officers have surrounded him...
|
|
|
Post by Steinerman on Feb 25, 2012 14:54:50 GMT -5
The squad of Valtheran military police glanced at each other, panic seeping through their expressions. They doubted very much that their assault rifles would damage . . . whatever this thing was.
"You there!" Shouted the corporal in charge of the squad. "You have entered restricted military property, deactivate any weapons you have and surrender immediately or we will be forced to open fire!"
The squad spread out slightly, rifles trained on the armored creature.
"I repeat, deactivate any weapons and surrender immediately." The Corporal shouted again, sweat beading on his forehead. He hoped heavier support would arrive soon.
|
|
|
Post by InZanety on Feb 25, 2012 15:03:56 GMT -5
Firing upon me means to surrendur your life to me, its only natural for almost anyone to retaliate. I advise you to not do so.
The officer's could understand him... even though Xurdius didn't even speak. It was as if they knew what he wanted to say...
You all seem to be confused as to how you can understand me... I pretty much have direct access to your minds, I can implant thoughts into them allowing me to communicate. This "access" can also allow me to do other things... painful, unwanted things. Lower you weapons, and I will make sure to not harm any of you while I am here.
|
|
|
Post by Steinerman on Feb 25, 2012 15:10:25 GMT -5
The corporal's eyes bugged out as the creature invaded his mind. This was definitely not in his job description.
"S--surrender now." He stuttered defiantly. "You are trespassing on Valtheran military property, deactivate your weapons and surrender yourself."
He could feel the other MP's fear, the men were terrified. Whatever the interloper was, it was definitely a lot scarier and presumably more powerful than anything they'd ever faced before.
There was the thunder of running feet behind him, and the corporal glanced back for a moment to see what was coming now. In the state he was in, some sort of giant dragon would seem in order in topping off the day's weirdness.
Fortunately, it was a squad of Task-Force Shadow-Wolf soldiers, armed with heavier weapons. The squad took up covering positions and then waited for the interloper's response.
|
|
|
Post by InZanety on Feb 25, 2012 15:21:34 GMT -5
I'll repeat myself once more, lower your weapons, and no harm will come to you. You have 5 seconds.
Purple and Gold lightning started to crackle and travel from his fingertips through the rest of his body, as a show of power...
|
|
|
Post by Steinerman on Feb 25, 2012 15:25:22 GMT -5
The corporal shuddered as the voice sounded in his head again. But still, he had no choice. "O---open fire!" He shouted. The other MP's glanced worriedly at him, clearly unsure if that was the correct choice, considering their opponent.
But a cacophony of gunfire erupted behind them as the Task-Force members followed through with the order. Filling the air with hissing round from their assault rifles. Seconds later the MP's followed suite, giving the corporal just enough time to clear the line of fire before adding their weapons to the attack.
|
|
|
Post by InZanety on Feb 25, 2012 15:47:13 GMT -5
Very well...
Xurdius put up his chaotic barrier and the bullets sunk in the barrier then froze inches from his body. Once enough bullets were collected there, he used them as another barrier for the other bullets that were being fired. Then he also used them as a conductor for his nightmarish lightning, firing upon them caused his lightning to travel through the bullets and connect to other bullets that were still flying through the air. The lightning eventually hit the men's guns...
After that, he tapped into any survivors' minds and caused them to see a world of blackness. They started to develope headaches and their body's felt heavy. They couldn't breathe very well as it felt there was a weight pressing against their chest.
Welcome to your Nightmare gentlemen...
After that, the men started to see and experience the things in life that they feared most...
|
|
|
Post by Steinerman on Feb 25, 2012 15:55:31 GMT -5
A few hundred yards away, the three mages that currently made up the base's magical defense stared incredulously at the scene in the distance. The lead mage turned to General Winter and shook his head, "General. We can try to beat it, but we're mostly elemental damage, lightning and such. I doubt we can hurt it."
Donovan ground his teeth, his soldiers were dying out there, he could hear their pitiful screams as the creature fought them. And he was powerless to stop it. "Fall back to secondary defensive positions. I've called for heavy firepower, it should be arriving soon." He said with a confidence born of years spent in battlefield command positions. Inwardly, he was unsure if Button would come to help. She was playing some dangerous game with he and the Royal Advisor, and it might just suit her needs if he died this day to some freak magical attack that no one had seen coming.
All he could do was hope, and plan for the worst. The secondary defensive positions would be a last-ditch effort to kill the creature. He'd focused everything he could scrounge up on a short notice there. The soldiery would provide cover fire while the mages attempted to blast the attacker into oblivion.
Aid from other bases was on the way, but still at least twenty minutes out. This was going to get worse before it got better.
Wincing, he turned his back on the screaming of his soldiers and headed towards the science buildings and the defensive barricade there.
|
|
|
Post by InZanety on Feb 28, 2012 22:54:48 GMT -5
So... What I seek appears to be below?
Xurdius felt this magical radiation resonating with his, and he felt it right below him. Who knew that the military had their facilities run so far away under the earth? Perhaps theres even a few things the 'man in charge' doesn't even know about thats going on.
The magical entityplaced is hand on the concrete he stood on, and it crumbled away to nothingness... revealing a hallway with several red letters and an arrow showing where the "Restricted Area Level 9" appears to be. Like stated before... who knew things ran this deep?
He went down the hallway and stopped at a very secure, very large, vault-like double doorway. As soon as he stopped there... He triggered an alarm...
Now the funny thing with this alarm, is that it sounded correctly only in Restricted Areas Lvl 5~9 like this:
BREACH IN RESTRICTED AREA SECTOR: CODE D.E.
However, everywhere else in the entire military base sounded like this:
BREACH IN RESTRICTED AREA SECTOR: UNKOWN CODE
Which means that all the soldiers are going to have to search the ENTIRE SECTOR.
Xurdius paid no heed to these alarms. Instead he used his lil disintegration trick on the huge reinforced double doors to reveal another set... this set had the words Divinity Experiment right on the doors. Then a computerized female voice spoke.
"Access Restricted at all times during an alarrrrrr.......bzzt."
The voice slowed down and then stopped... the doors opened on their own to reveal a transparent hallway down a dome shaped chamber that has the diameter of a football feild.
On the intercom only linked to this chamber... a rough yet familiar voice to Xurdius spoke.
"Make your way to the center, I believe there is something you want here. I'll meet you there... oh and, welcome back, Xurdius."
Then Xurdius started down the hallway...
|
|
|
Post by Steinerman on Feb 29, 2012 4:12:18 GMT -5
Back at the Valtheran defensive positions, Donovan turned an angry stare towards the darkening sky. Behind him, Lieutenant Anders muttered in annoyance, "Of course it would have to start raining."
Just as the newest set of alarms started ringing, there was a brilliant blue flash of magic behind the general. The ever-vigilant Anders spun like a top and brought an assault rifle to bear on the new threat. But a restraining hand from Winter stayed the hail of bullets. For standing just a few feet away was a squad of curious soldiery.
A young human male was kneeling in the center of the new group, breathing hard as though having just greatly exerted himself. Around him were a pair of Elven males, both stately and tall, their eyes glowing with magical power. In front of each of those stood the small forms of two Tydorian monstrosities, compact sub-machineguns held in their furry hands.
And at the head of the group stood the lead Elven keeper, Audrey Valencia. Her purple hair as always, tied in a pony tail, topped by a simple cap. In her arms she cradled her Tydorian commander, Button.
Button uttered a small laugh of excitement and gently jumped out of her keeper's arms, grinning up at Donovan while unslinging her compact rifle. "Well hello there, General." She greeted brightly. A moment later she cocked her furry head to the side and called out, "Audrey, dear. Anyone in the area who's not supposed to see us should have a sudden lapse in their memory."
Behind her, the graceful Elven mage nodded her head and closed her eyes in concentration. Donovan eyed the group dubiously. "She's a telepath?" He questioned, having never actually seen that particular keeper use any of her magical abilities.
Button nodded excitedly, "Oh, that she is. Though not like your young Wish girl, or her mother the Korin Witch. Audrey doesn't really do illusions. She helps in other ways, though. Don't worry about your soldiers, she's not hurting their minds, just erasing us badgers from their memory. Very helpful."
Donovan grimaced but inclined his head. The Task-force members knew that the Tydorians existed, but the regular army forces didn't, and if they kept those memories, questions would be raised that he didn't have time to answer.
"I'm surprised you came, considering that very curious bill you sent me today. What game are you playing at?" He questioned coldly.
Button giggled up at him, "A dangerous game, General. I imagine you have many questions, as will that dear Royal Advisor, in the coming weeks. But first, there's a walking tin-can in your base that we need to take care of, eh?"
Behind her, Keeper Audrey frowned deeply, "He's gone downwards into . . . some sort of underground facility."
Donovan shook his head firmly, "This base has no underground facility, I would know." He stated.
Audrey shrugged once, "General, be that as it may, he has entered some sort of facility underground."
Button checked the clip on her gun, glanced up at the rain-clouds above and started walking purposefully forward. "Well, then we'll go in after him." She stated. "Audrey will keep our minds free and get us tactical advice on how to disable this interloper. General, see to your troops. I can hear some of them crying from here, some yet live. We'll handle it from here."
With that, the three Elven mages and their small furry charges set off at a swift jog, heading for the last known position of the intruder.
|
|
|
Post by InZanety on Feb 29, 2012 11:24:49 GMT -5
At the center of this dome shaped chamber was another one. Inside was another entity... Xurdius felt it. Though, it looked like a man in a black trench coat, a hood up, and a mask with no eyeholes or mouth holes on. Just a plain white facemask.
"I'm sure you remember me."
Nis? I thought you were eradicated from that nightmare attack at least a millenia ago... How did you survive?
"I simply, manifested myself through another's mind. Now, that name you call me, is simply a cover up of my true identity.. Once you gain your REAL memory back, you'll see me for who I truly am. More importantly, yourself as well."
A flash from Dr. Nis's nametag ID against the light showed he had a connection with this military installment.
Nis pressed a button on a terminal nearby, and in the center of the room, a small metal column sank in the floor to reveal a floating, black purplish gem glowing with a bright golden light.
"Take it..."
Xurdius reached out and grabbed it... then memories of Creation and Destruction came flooding into his mind. Memories of the old gods, Memories of the Beginning of Ymaggion... Memories of a paradise... Memories of Nightmare.
"Welcome back father."
A few minutes afterwards, all units above saw several creatures, monstrosities only existing in dreams fade into existence. A description of these creatures is simply, use your imagination.
While most of them are just spirits, they cannot harm anyone. Only the bigger, more ALIVE creatures are the deadly ones... Ones in particular, the Darksteels.
These Darksteels take on any shape the mind fears. Be it a giant spider, a small bee... griffins, dragons, or even copies of another human being. Just with a silvery metallic look with a dark energy and glow spilling about.
Once the military reaches the source, Xurdius will be gone... Leaving behind Dr. Nis a familiar face to most people in charge.. Simply because he was an experiment himself.
|
|
|
Post by Steinerman on Mar 1, 2012 0:05:39 GMT -5
Button the Tydorian monstrosity glanced curiously down at the hole in the ground. "Winter really didn't know that this base had an underground science component?" She questioned of her keeper, standing a few feet back. They'd sent one of the other Tydorian pairs to deal with the strange creatures that had manifested nearby. From the sounds of laughter over the radio, it seemed the pair was having a good deal of fun.
The Elf shook her head, ponytail bobbing limply in the rain. "He did not." She affirmed, her eyes having that far-away look in them that meant she was using her potent magic to map out the area around them.
Button shrugged and started forward swiftly into the tunnels below-ground, trusting that her keeper, her brother and his keeper would all fall into step behind her. They moved swiftly, guided by mental prods from Audrey and small hand-motions from Button as she sniffed the air.
Finally they entered a curious room occupied by a lone Valtheran doctor. Button sniffed the air again before locking her unique orange eyes onto the figure. She leveled her rifle on the man, "You have about five seconds to explain things to my furry satisfaction before I paint this room in your brains." She stated pleasantly. Behind Button, Audrey's hands flared with some form of magic, as did the other Elven keeper, his eyes beginning to glow with power.
Her brother stepped to the side, searching for alternate threats and keeping a wary eye on the doctor.
"Tik-tok, doctor." Button added softly, her voice carrying a lethal edge to it.
|
|