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via Cape of Good Hope

The Federation of Aerlanica

Monsone wrote:-snip-

Alex stared at Ta'lhqejk.

He blinked.

He rummaged into his many pockets before withdrawing a pamphlet; it was seemingly a pamphlet showing off the map of the Science Centre. Ta'lhqejk groaned as Alex was once again not giving a direct answer.

"Alex, are you eve-"

"I LISTEN!" Alex suddenly roared, catching Ta'lhqejk off-guard with his fury. He hissed before he continued. "I listen to everything, yes! yes! I show you, I show you, but you do not see! you only hear, you do not see, you are blind, you hear but do not listen!"

He tapped the open map, showing their current floor, as well as an exhibit; "From You to the Universe"

"Iblion is on a planet with no name, around a star with no name; I cannot tell, only show." Alex explained, still seething with anger. "But no! No! 'Alex must tell!' 'Alex must conform!' 'Alex does not care for spencer!'

"If Ale-" he twitched, "-If I did not care for Spencer, why did I lie to Iblion! Why did I risk Alex for Spencer! Focus I could have and told him where he and the Broken Priestess were but I did not!"

He glowered at Ta'lhqejk, hissed once more, and twitched.

"You hear, but do not listen...wisdom? maybe not? goddess of false wisdom...goddess of lies...you say you'd rather the librarian than me...the librarian and his horse-bikes...listen I do, hear it all I do, you hear but never listen."

He reached into his pockets and pulled a flask out and tossed it to them. Ta'lhqejk caught it and looked at it; a brief inspection of scent and hearing signified that it was filled with old and possibly stagnant whiskey; the drink she wanted.

"You...were listening? the whole time?" Ta'lhqejk asked.

"Hear and listen, hear it all, hear the city, hear the galaxy, hear the universe, all screaming, all screaming...hundreds of millions of Augustan valley people wasting away far away under the Augustan desert people." Alex murmured, "do you hear them, do you feel what they feel?"

He was suddenly overcome with a sudden, yet brief, bout of spasms that rocked his body. He returned to normal soon after.

"I do...I feel all of them and all they feel...you do not...you are here, yet you do not hear...you do not listen, or try to listen; so focused on one thing, forget all the things."

He looked down on her with a mixture of annoyance, rage, pity and sorrow.

"Still want to find Iblion? Still wish for me to show you? or wish to insult Alex-" his eye twitched "-me...maybe kill me, kill me with your pity and save the old new person trouble...save them from my 'delusions'."

North South North West Kansas wrote:

Cory knocks on the door. “Hey, Darcy? You got Harold calling you out here, you want me to grab it?”

"Probably, if we're making a trip out of it we should make sure we're kitted out, like, heavily kitted out."

******

"Uh, what?"

"You got a call from Harold!"

"Uh...yeah just take it I'll be out soon, ok?"

via Cape of Good Hope

The Rei Khans Wife of North South North West Kansas

Aerlanica wrote:

"Probably, if we're making a trip out of it we should make sure we're kitted out, like, heavily kitted out."

******

"Uh, what?"

"You got a call from Harold!"

"Uh...yeah just take it I'll be out soon, ok?"

Kiki nods. “Babies can never have too much stuff.”

“Got it!”
Cory picks up the phone and wanders into the living room, sitting on the couch beside his cat. “Hey, Harold! How’s it going?”

via Cape of Good Hope

The Federation of Aerlanica

North South North West Kansas wrote:Kiki nods. “Babies can never have too much stuff.”

“Got it!”
Cory picks up the phone and wanders into the living room, sitting on the couch beside his cat. “Hey, Harold! How’s it going?”

William nodded.
"I'll keep an eye on Blue, get nathan to help me get some diapers and stuff for Blue and rush through a vaccination if you want to sort out the formula and that."

******

Tsarina and Connie had found a quiet corner to sit in. There they sat, silent. Tsarina could see Connie in thought and attempted to lighten the mood.
"Hey...you think I should wear my catsuit on this little camping trip? I'm sure nothing will go wrong with that." She said with a little laugh.

******

"Ah! Mr Cory! A pleasure to meet you, tell me, how is Miss Darcy?"

"She's good, just in the shower."

"Of course, of course, hygiene is an important thing; we don't want pestilence to get the upper hand now do we?"

"Right on the money there Mr Harold."

"Yes, well, I was going to head up to Waffle Falls with Her Majesty Queen Kiki (God save her!), William, Nathan and a few new faces, I was wondering if you wanted to tag along?"



via Cape of Good Hope

The Empire of Tyramon

Aerlanica wrote:(Take care and have fun! I await your hopefully safe return bestie <3)

******

Judy looked back and smiled.
"Ready?"

******

The artist is very grateful.

The Poet accepts this decision.

******

Rachael smiled and nodded.

(Fade to black)

North South North West Kansas

Eastrid let out another little chuckle.

(North South North West Kansas and Aerlanica I'm not back, but I managed to get on a bit today. Also, sorry about the lower quality of my previous post, I was rushed in writing it and had to go pretty much immediately afterwards.)

Vara nodded.
"Yup, ready."
Vara began doing her exercises.
"So...I was just curious...are you and Tabitha just friends, or are you more than that?"

******

Delegata provides large, well-equipped studios for the poet and artist to continue their work.

Delegata goes to the bronzes and looks for someone with experience with animals to tend for her experiments. She also looks for someone who is loyal, sly, careful, and smart, who would return to Augusta to search for more recruits and subjects.

******

Alyne played with Rachael's hair as they lay. She kissed Rachael's forehead.
"Well done, Rachael. I'd say you've earned yourself a reward. What would you like to do now? I'll let you pick, anything at all."

North South North West Kansas

Corali smiled and nodded.
"Shall we move on, or...?"
She shivered with delight.
"This is feeling better by the second, so either way is fine with me."
Corali's ears took on a relatively cat-like appearance and twitched a bit.

Roxium wrote:snip

Debris rains down on the planet causing mass panic. Afterwards, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the fact that the debris was made of metal. Several of the Du Pou wooden starships are sent to investigate within the system.

via Cape of Good Hope

The Rei Khans Wife of North South North West Kansas

Aerlanica wrote:William nodded.
"I'll keep an eye on Blue, get nathan to help me get some diapers and stuff for Blue and rush through a vaccination if you want to sort out the formula and that."

******

Tsarina and Connie had found a quiet corner to sit in. There they sat, silent. Tsarina could see Connie in thought and attempted to lighten the mood.
"Hey...you think I should wear my catsuit on this little camping trip? I'm sure nothing will go wrong with that." She said with a little laugh.

******

"Ah! Mr Cory! A pleasure to meet you, tell me, how is Miss Darcy?"

"She's good, just in the shower."

"Of course, of course, hygiene is an important thing; we don't want pestilence to get the upper hand now do we?"

"Right on the money there Mr Harold."

"Yes, well, I was going to head up to Waffle Falls with Her Majesty Queen Kiki (God save her!), William, Nathan and a few new faces, I was wondering if you wanted to tag along?"

Kiki nods. “Sounds good.”

Connie shakes her head with a little smile. “I think that might be a bad idea.”

“Yeah, I’ll have to ask Darcy but that sounds good to me. Hang on.” He goes over to the bathroom door, the cat close on his heels, and knocks once again. “Hey, Darcy? You want to go up to Waffle Falls with Harold and the Queen for a bit?”

Tyramon wrote:

Corali smiled and nodded.
"Shall we move on, or...?"
She shivered with delight.
"This is feeling better by the second, so either way is fine with me."
Corali's ears took on a relatively cat-like appearance and twitched a bit.

Luca shrugs. “I guess it’s up to you. Anything else you want to know about Kansas?”

via Cape of Good Hope

The Federation of Aerlanica

Tyramon wrote:

North South North West Kansas

Corali smiled and nodded.
"Shall we move on, or...?"
She shivered with delight.
"This is feeling better by the second, so either way is fine with me."
Corali's ears took on a relatively cat-like appearance and twitched a bit.
Debris rains down on the planet causing mass panic. Afterwards, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the fact that the debris was made of metal. Several of the Du Pou wooden starships are sent to investigate within the system.

Judy shrugged and let out a small chuckle.
"We are together if that's what you're asking, yes; I mean, come on..."

She waved her hands in the air.
"Smart, witty, and while she may have the external appearance of an apathetic and narcissistic bitch, she's really humble and kind when she's not messing around."

Judy sighed contently.
"She's kind to me...very kind."

Vara nodded as she stretched.
"How long have you been a thing?"

"Welp...oh it would've been about eight...nine months? we've gotten to the hassling part of the relationship where we give each other smack for the heck of it."

******

While making an exerted effort to find an individual good with animals, she finds one such woman...or rather, teenager; what she assumed to be a twenty five year old woman was actually a girl who was seventeen, going on eighteen in a few weeks. Delegata should have assumed immediately from the Hartian drawl and overuse of farm-related nomenclature, metaphors and phrases that this was a girl who grew up on a farm. When interviewed, she admitted that she had a way with animals, but mainly had experience with horses, and proudly stated she was beginning to breed what she called a "Waste-Horse"; a horse capable of surviving the hostile environment of Aerlanica.

As for sly individuals, unfortunately her search turned up little in regards to espionage related individuals; she would have to train one up, or possibly enlist the help of a Succubi/Incubi.

As for the artist and the poet, with their newfound enhancements Delegata was increasingly astounded by the quality of the work. The artist herself occasionally used the Security officer as a muse, who continued to show off to Delegata his combat prowess. The poet, still meek and shy, often sent his pieces to Delegata using one of her bronze servants.

******

Rachael hesitated, then pursed her lips.
"I..."

She frowned in thought before her face crossed into pleasant surprise.
"I...wow, I...I don't...I don't know what to say...Mistress Alyne I..." a nervous giggle, "...I...no one's...ever asked me that...before I...I guess...continue to service...you...Mistress Alyne...after all that is why I'm here; for you."

North South North West Kansas

Eastrid let out a happy giggle.
"I am happy you are happy." she said.

North South North West Kansas wrote:-snip-

William nodded.
"Split and meet back here by noon?"

***

Tsarina nodded with a small smile.
"Well, this bad boy's coming off I guess."

She stood up and began to unfasten her corset.
"Hey...is it just me or is there an unhealthy amount of sexual tension between that guy and the Queen?" Tsarina asked, giving a nod to William and Kiki.

***

Darcy opened the door and, holding a towel around her chest, peaked out.
"Oh...wait that's the place we went to before I transitioned..."

She frowned.
"Ah...yeah sounds like a plan I guess...who's going to sit the...cat though?"

via Cape of Good Hope

The Rei Khans Wife of North South North West Kansas

Aerlanica wrote:

William nodded.
"Split and meet back here by noon?"

***

Tsarina nodded with a small smile.
"Well, this bad boy's coming off I guess."

She stood up and began to unfasten her corset.
"Hey...is it just me or is there an unhealthy amount of sexual tension between that guy and the Queen?" Tsarina asked, giving a nod to William and Kiki.

***

Darcy opened the door and, holding a towel around her chest, peaked out.
"Oh...wait that's the place we went to before I transitioned..."

She frowned.
"Ah...yeah sounds like a plan I guess...who's going to sit the...cat though?"

Kiki nods. “Sounds good.”

“No way,” Connie snorts. “The Queen’s kind of... super oblivious. I mean, yeah, there’s clearly something between them... and they did have a kid together...” she shakes her head. “I don’t know, maybe?”

Cory shrugs. “I’ll ask Lucy.”
“Lucy?”
“Another doctor from the hospital, she just finished a 24-hour shift in the ICU so she’s got a couple days off, I’m sure she’d be happy to sit on our couch with my 3-legged cat and eat free food out of our fridge.”

via Cape of Good Hope

Monsone

Aerlanica wrote:-snip-

A twitch in the right eye, a slight movement of the lower eyelid. Ta'lhqejk's face changed from emotionless to clearly displeased, their smirk long gone, replaced by a rage-induced frown. Each word Alex spoke provoked a deeper sense of displeasure and rage, poking and prodding in ways that myopically encompassed the functioning of the world. It pained Ta'lhqejk to keep hearing these words, so slanderous and denigrating in their mind.

"SHUT UP!" Ta'lhqejk snapped as they suddenly silenced Alex, his voice instantly gone, his thoughts forcefully internalized. Aside from his words striking a very deep and sensitive nerve, Ta'lhqejk felt the need to emphasize what exactly was within the scope of their knowledge and understanding.

"What do you want me to say? Do you want me to congratulate you for not helping a creature with no qualms or morals find his next victim? Is that what you want? Well, fine! Good job not getting somebody killed!" They yelled. "I'd think it is pretty f****** obvious that you shouldn't help Iblion! I'd imagine that with all the pain and remnants of history you hear, you'd realize that helping Iblion is a moronic thing to do! It is the wrong thing to do! It is a stupid thing to do! So, how about you take a page out of your own book, and listen to what you hear! Internalize it! Learn from it! Realize that doing a good deed doesn't suddenly make you into an incorruptible figure!"

"And of course I'm focused on a singular goal right now!" Ta'lhqejk snapped while Alex began to feel his throat constrict. He coughed in utter silence as something caused his windpipe to become smaller in size, leaving him gasping in silence. "For millennia I have seen empires rise and fall, rulers come and go, septilions suffer! Each day of my existence has involved me playing witness to the cruelites and horrors of the universe! I don't hear the echos of times immemorial because I don't need to! I was there! I saw all the pain you saw first-hand! Every f****** day of my existence, I've tried my best to save this screwed-up universe! Every f****** day! And I was never thanked. Never! Nobody thanks you when you try your best. Nobody. Nobody! No f****** body!"

By now, Alex would realize that he was not going to die. His windpipe was just wide enough to allow him enough air to breath, while narrow enough to cause him discomfort. It was clear that Ta'lhqejk wasn't going to kill him, that wasn't their intent. They wanted to send a message, prove a point.

"You've never had to truly sacrifice yourself. You haven't truly experienced the horrors first-hand of seeing entire civilization decimated. You see vivid visions, replet with detail. I waded through the bodies on battlefields after the Monsonians slaughtered the Varlokiri prisoners they captured. I nearly drowned in the bloodbath the Primaeri caused with Iblion's help. I sacrificed myself to save the lives of millions." Said Ta'lhqejk as they walked towards Alex while gesturing emphatically with their hands. "I listen! I've listened to the cries and the pleas of inumerable number of beings as they begged in my name! I've tried my best to help each and every one of them! And I have failed many times!"

Suddenly, tears began to flow from Ta'lhqejk's eyes as the choaking sensation left Alex's throat. His windpipe widened once more, and the silence with which had been muzzled was lifted. Audibly gasping, he momentarily grasped at this throat while Ta'lhqejk sobbed silently. He felt compelled to speak, but was unable to, his mind seemingly unable to muster even a broken string of words.

"I-I don't talk about these things, because they screw you up." Ta'lhqejk told Alex after composing themself. "No amount of alcohol, drugs, or pleasure can errase the s*** I've seen. For f***'s sake, I could write a whole book simply listing the ways I've seen civlizations justify pointless and unjustifiable wars. Then, I could write another listing the most effective and painful ways of torturing every creature in the known universe. I-I've seen things that cannot be forgotten. I've done things that can't be forgiven. There is no excuse of the hell we put ourselves through, it is self-inflicted."

They sighed while staring at Alex, tears still in their eyes.

"There is no other way to say it, other than: I am sorry for strangling you. All this is incredibly painful to talk about, to recolect. It is one thing to have the collective guilt of knowing more could have been done. It is another entirely to be laden with the singular guilt of knowing that you could have done more to prevent the things that happened. I know this isn't an excuse for my actions, and I truly am sorry." Explained Ta'lhqejk. "Talk to any immortal being who isn't an unrepentant genocidal maniac like Iblion, and they'll likely have feelings similar to mine. Calousness isn't an option, you can't cope that way. Instead, we try to burry out darkest secrets and emotions underneath worldly pleasures. It numbs the pain, and nothing more."

Ta'lhqejk opened the flask and drank it entirely, sighing loudly after finishing it in one go. After coughing for a second, they sighed again and stared Alex in the eyes.

"It is best if you don't bring up emotional baggage with people. Sometimes, their secrets are darker than they may seem. Sometimes, things are best left alone." They said, offering advice before changing the subject of conversation. "So, back to Iblion?"

via Cape of Good Hope

The Empire of Tyramon

Aerlanica wrote:Judy shrugged and let out a small chuckle.
"We are together if that's what you're asking, yes; I mean, come on..."

She waved her hands in the air.
"Smart, witty, and while she may have the external appearance of an apathetic and narcissistic bitch, she's really humble and kind when she's not messing around."

Judy sighed contently.
"She's kind to me...very kind."

Vara nodded as she stretched.
"How long have you been a thing?"

"Welp...oh it would've been about eight...nine months? we've gotten to the hassling part of the relationship where we give each other smack for the heck of it."

******

While making an exerted effort to find an individual good with animals, she finds one such woman...or rather, teenager; what she assumed to be a twenty five year old woman was actually a girl who was seventeen, going on eighteen in a few weeks. Delegata should have assumed immediately from the Hartian drawl and overuse of farm-related nomenclature, metaphors and phrases that this was a girl who grew up on a farm. When interviewed, she admitted that she had a way with animals, but mainly had experience with horses, and proudly stated she was beginning to breed what she called a "Waste-Horse"; a horse capable of surviving the hostile environment of Aerlanica.

As for sly individuals, unfortunately her search turned up little in regards to espionage related individuals; she would have to train one up, or possibly enlist the help of a Succubi/Incubi.

As for the artist and the poet, with their newfound enhancements Delegata was increasingly astounded by the quality of the work. The artist herself occasionally used the Security officer as a muse, who continued to show off to Delegata his combat prowess. The poet, still meek and shy, often sent his pieces to Delegata using one of her bronze servants.

******

Rachael hesitated, then pursed her lips.
"I..."

She frowned in thought before her face crossed into pleasant surprise.
"I...wow, I...I don't...I don't know what to say...Mistress Alyne I..." a nervous giggle, "...I...no one's...ever asked me that...before I...I guess...continue to service...you...Mistress Alyne...after all that is why I'm here; for you."

North South North West Kansas

Eastrid let out a happy giggle.
"I am happy you are happy." she said.

Vara nodded.
"I've never really been in a relationship like that, but it sounds nice. I'm happy for you."
She inspected the weights.
"I hear succubi have superhuman strength. How much weight do you recommend I try?"

******

The girl was offered the position, but Delegata preferred not to force her into it.

Delegata called for Lithalia.

Delegata gave encouragement to all three of her coppers, the poet especially.

******

Alyne smiled.
"Alright then. Let's see how that foreplay of yours is. Do a good job and impress me, and you can service me again."

North South North West Kansas

Corali smiled.
"Okay, Luca...I'm out of ideas. If there is anything more here you recommend, we can see it, otherwise we can move on."

via Cape of Good Hope

The Federation of Aerlanica

Monsone wrote:-snip-

Alex looked at Ta'lhqejk. He looked down at his hands, wrung them together, and then let out a brief, strained half-wail half-laugh sounds before returning his gaze to Ta'lhqejk. In his chaotic eyes filled with hundreds of emotions, hundreds of millions of thoughts, and an infinite ammount of shattered, fragmented minds, they saw some semblance of clarity peek through, before it shifted to sorrow.

"Alex-" he twitched, "I is-am sorry, I am sorry..."

Silence.

"No friends, no visitors, no one to talk to..." he let out a small laugh, juxtaposed with his obviously mournful and guilty body language, "...all alone...even with the voices-" he gestured to the air, "-that are always there.

"Know how to talk," he said frankly, "but also don't know how to talk...say what I see frankly, as I see them, as they are at the base level...rude...confusing...sorry. Wanted friend...wanted someone to talk to...only made things worse..."

He maintained eye contact with Ta'lhqejk, a crazed smile on his face as a single tear rolled down his cheek, fell from it, then was flung upwards to the ceiling.

"Know how it feels...to feel all the universe...m-maddening it is..." he chittered silently, spasming with every syllable, his voice barely a whisper, "he...hehe...maddening...mad mad Alex-" he stifled a laugh, "-madness...not mad from not seeing...mad from seeing too much...mad for looking past the illusion...curse? curse...curse...burden."

He looked down and wrung his hands together.

"Am sorry..."

He tilted his head to the side, then nodded.

"Talk later, yes? work now, talk later...talk talk talk talk talk..."

He paused, sniffed the air, spasmed briefly, made an abrupt right turn and then began to make his way across the floor of the Science Centre. Ta'lhqejk, sighing again, followed. They commented that they were mad to still listen to this fractured remnant of a man, then again, it was rather fitting of their current situation.

They passed by an interactive display showing off a tornado on a screen, however as Ta'lhqejk approached they could feel their hair become tossed by wind in the otherwise still atmosphere of the building, Ta'lhqejk safely asumed it was coming from the screen. Alex suddenly halted them as lightning shot out from the storm behind them, across where they were to walk, and struck a region of the far wall that was heavily destroyed and charred.

Passing the region exhibiting various forms of natural disasters and phenomena, they entered a hallway filled to the brim with models of various spacecraft, sattelites and rockets launched into space; from Monsonian designs, to ones made by the Aerlanican Commonwealth, to even the city of New Franco itself, they stood there, relatively intact. The walls also were covered with wallpaper showing a starscape, now peeling off and revealing the plaster beneath. The lights in this hallway were also flickering briefly, a divergence from the rest of the building.

Walking along the grey carpet, they rounded a winding corner to another cross intersection; on their right, another ramp (it appeared wheelchair accessability was a priority with the architect), and to their left, double doors titled "From You to The Universe!". To the side was a brief schedule of times when the exhibit would have been shown, however it wasn't much use to them now.

"Map." Alex said simply after a brief pause before curling through the doorway and into another corridor, and ascending a small flight of stairs. Ta'lhqejk followed.

They entered a large, circular ampitheatre of sorts; twelve tiered rows of seats descended towards a large space in the centre of the room, where a holographic projector sat silent on a purpose-built circular table or bench, beside it sat a pile of...flour bags?. The room was in surprisingly good condition, with the peeling cieling the only real sign of damage, aside from a few missing patches of carpet and fabric from the seats, as well as a fine dusting of powder...most likely flour. To the right of the entrance they walked through (of what appeared to be a total of three enterances into the room) was a table, upon it rested a collection of dust masks. Two were plucked up by Alex, and one found it's way onto Alex's face, another offered to Ta'lhqejk.

"Wear." Alex instructed, his eye twitching briefly.

Ta'lhqejk, after some hesitancy, complied. Alex, satisfied, walked to the centre of the room and extended a hand out to the bags of flour. Three floated upwards to the middle of the room, leaving twelve behind, and they became suspended halway between floor and ceiling. A brief pause betrayed peace as the bags exploded, filling the room with a cloud of flour. Through the particulate, Ta'lhqejk saw as Alex reached towards the dias and pressed some buttons. The hologram suddenly projected itself, showing a single cell of a human...specifically, a skin cell.

"No." Alex murmured as his hands danced across the dias. In fast forward, it went from the cell to the human body to the city to the planet to the solar system to the galaxy to the galaxy clustre before back to the galaxy. Alex looked inquisitively at the Galaxy before producing two cylindrical objects from his pockets.

"Now...I show."

Alex pressed a button on one, revealing that the devices were laser pointers. The green beam was visible in the particulate of flour, and Alex pointed it to the very edge of the Galaxy. Then, with the other, he moved a distance away and shone it at the galaxy once more, intersecting the other at a point in the outer rim.

"There." Alex said.

"Iblion is there...there with the old-new spear-be careful of the old new spear it will sting." Alex chittered.

Alex turned to Ta'lhqejk.

"Alex-" he spasmed violently, "I help friend..." he concluded.

Tyramon wrote:

North South North West Kansas

Corali smiled.
"Okay, Luca...I'm out of ideas. If there is anything more here you recommend, we can see it, otherwise we can move on."

"Uh...yeah, sure..."

Judy walked over to the bench press before taking off weights procedurally before they ended up with twenty on the barbel.

"We'll start small, work our way up, figure out what you're at, ok? You know how to bench press?"

******

The girl shrugged and accepted.

** ** **

As Delegata lounged in her room one day, the familiar motes of red appeared. Lithalia appeared, and bowed before Delegata.

"Hello, Mistress Delegata, how may I be of service?"

Delegata looked at Lithalia's belly, and found no evidence of her being pregnant.

** ** **

The coppers continued to work dilligently.

******

Rachael nodded.
"Of course, Mistress Alyne."

(Fade to black?)

******

North South North West Kansas

Eastrid's scratches reached a particularly tender, yet euphoric feeling, spot.

via Cape of Good Hope

The Federation of Aerlanica

North South North West Kansas wrote:

“Lucy?”
“Another doctor from the hospital, she just finished a 24-hour shift in the ICU so she’s got a couple days off, I’m sure she’d be happy to sit on our couch with my 3-legged cat and eat free food out of our fridge.”

William nodded.
"See you back here."

He left the building with Nathan in tow.

******

Tsarina nodded.
"They both seem a bit...awkward...like they're dancing around something they both think the other will not like but they both like...you know?"

******

Darcy chuckled as she nodded.
"Well...hey...you could use the vacation...and besides it's good for the mind and body." she concluded.

via Cape of Good Hope

The Rei Khans Wife of North South North West Kansas

Tyramon wrote:

Corali smiled.
"Okay, Luca...I'm out of ideas. If there is anything more here you recommend, we can see it, otherwise we can move on."

Luca shrugs. “I can’t think of anything else here, I think we can move on to whatever’s next.”

Aerlanica wrote:William nodded.
"See you back here."

He left the building with Nathan in tow.

******

Tsarina nodded.
"They both seem a bit...awkward...like they're dancing around something they both think the other will not like but they both like...you know?"

******

Darcy chuckled as she nodded.
"Well...hey...you could use the vacation...and besides it's good for the mind and body." she concluded.

Nathan follows William as Kiki goes off to find some formula.

Connie laughs lightly. “Yeah, it seems like it. I’m sure they’ll figure it out eventually.”

Cory nods. “Yeah, it is. August knows I need it.”



via Cape of Good Hope

The Empire of Tyramon

Aerlanica wrote:"Uh...yeah, sure..."

Judy walked over to the bench press before taking off weights procedurally before they ended up with twenty on the barbel.

"We'll start small, work our way up, figure out what you're at, ok? You know how to bench press?"

******

The girl shrugged and accepted.

** ** **

As Delegata lounged in her room one day, the familiar motes of red appeared. Lithalia appeared, and bowed before Delegata.

"Hello, Mistress Delegata, how may I be of service?"

Delegata looked at Lithalia's belly, and found no evidence of her being pregnant.

** ** **

The coppers continued to work dilligently.

******

Rachael nodded.
"Of course, Mistress Alyne."

(Fade to black?)

******

North South North West Kansas

Eastrid's scratches reached a particularly tender, yet euphoric feeling, spot.

Vara nodded.
"Yeah, as you noticed when we first met, I do work out. As long as there isn't a difference in technique for succubi, I should be fine in that regard."

******

With the position, the girl is given the ability to change her form at will to any roughly-humanoid form, but a bronze band of color remains at her eyes regardless of form, as well as her eyes remaining bronze-colored. In her regular form, the band of color spans from cheekbone to under the brow, and from her hairline on one side to the hairline on the other side. In Delegata's mind, such an ability seems not only fitting but also useful for an animal handler. Delegata also briefly returns to Augusta to find and retrieve the horses she was working on. Delegata tells her that she is allowed to work on her own project after she cares for Delegata's experiments. She is also allowed to get assistance in her task from other bronzes. However, as she herself is still bronze, she can only ask for their help, and cannot order the bronzes around as coppers can. Delegata informs her that if she does well in both caring for Delegata's menagerie and developing the waste horses, she will be promoted to copper.

** ** **

Delegata smiled.
"I am looking for more subjects, and I find myself without anyone to do the searching. I put the task to you: bring me unaltered people to be my servants. They are not to be harmed, nor to be toyed or played with. They are mine and mine alone, after all. However, you may resort to temporary charms and influences as necessary. Look for people with skills or who would willingly be loyal to me. You may search all of Augusta or beyond. You may enlist the help of your own succubi or of others, but you shall bear both responsibility and reward for what you bring me. Bring me one hundred people for now. After you accomplish that, I shall reward you with some of that pleasure you seek. Understood?"

** ** **

Delegata presented the works of art to Iblion as well as the poet and artist. However, she told Iblion not to touch them. She explained that while they were subjects to be used, they were not to be used as pleasure subjects, just as one would not use a knife to eat soup.

Delegata also let the security officer give a show of combat prowess, and she suggested that Iblion get his best fighter amongst his incubi and succubi for a (non-lethal) fighting match for entertainment.

******

(I mean, if the foreplay is so intense as to warrant a fade to black, sure, fade to black.)

After their second round, Alyne had Rachael's tail wrapped twice around Alyne's arm, and Alyne was kissing, licking, and biting the tip of the tail. Alyne looked to Rachael.
"Rachael, I want you to bring me three of your friends. If you have no friends, choose three succubi to be your friends under my order and bring them. I'm going to get cleaned up in the mean time. You may do so as well."

North South North West Kansas and Aerlanica

North South North West Kansas wrote:snip

Corali nodded.
"Yeah, okay, let's-" Eastrid hit the spot "-ahhh...yeah, right there...a little- yeah..."
Corali's tail flicked happily.
"Yeah...we can move on then...what's next, Luca? You're the tour guide. What else is fun?"

via Cape of Good Hope

The Intergalactic Federation of Roxium

Aerlanica wrote:*SNIP*

Monsone wrote:*SNIP*

Tyramon wrote:*SNIP*

Orbital space above Kemptburge

Around every five hours, two faint energy pulses are detected. When conditions are just right... the LIDARR array may very briefly detect two simultaneous "Distortions", one of which happens to be in the process of vanishing at the exact same time the energy pulses are detected. The faint energy pulses are Cicada swapping out the ship being used to keep an eye on Spencer. While the ship is able to remain cloaked for longer than 5 hours, Cicada set the "Shift" length at 5 hours in order to create a "safety margin" of sorts, as the cloaking system starts having issues after around 6 hours of continuous use. A fourth ship has also been brought in to serve as an "Emergency backup", able to quickly take over should something go wrong either mid-"Shift" or during the "Shift" change.

As far as anyone can tell, Cicada is keeping its orbital presence very limited, and seems to be avoiding confrontation. Cicada has shown zero signs of aggression.

Unknown to Shingukai, Cicada's lack of aggression and avoidance of confrontation is deliberate. The commanders overseeing this mission have orders to avoid bloodshed at all costs.

Augusta

Experts in the Roxium equivalent of the nuclear industry are quick to point out that while nuclear fission and arcane fission may seem similar, there are a few major differences. Arcane fission involves a strange, rare, and not fully understood element/form of matter known as arcane. Arcane, which is most often encountered in the form of glowing green crystals, is highly volatile, radioactive, and emits very exotic forms of energy. When a bunch of arcane crystals are brought into close proximity with each other and conditions are just right, the crystals begin reacting with the exotic energies they emit in a chain-reaction called arcane fission, producing heat, more of those exotic energies, and more radiation in the process. This reaction has many uses, the two most common being electricity generation and as weapons.
Arcane fission reactors are a lot like nuclear reactors. Both have their fuel in the form of rods, use a substance for moderation, etc. There is however, a major difference: arcane fission reactors have to deal with a build-up of a strange magic "pressure" that is called magika. If not dealt with, magika will invariably cause arcane fission reactors to catastrophically fail. The Roxium Federation's predecessor learned this the hard way when they tried to repurpose nuclear reactors for use as arcane fission reactors, leading to a string of meltdowns and explosions. All arcane fission reactors have something called a magika torus. The magika torus, as the name implies, is designed to remove magika from the reactor core. The first successful generation of arcane fission reactors simply dissipated the magika, but it was soon discovered that, through use of clever magitek engineering, magika could be converted into electricity with surprisingly good efficiency.
Practically all arcane fission power plants are of the "Dual-mode" type, which means they both use steam and magika to generate power. While "Single-mode" arcane fission power plants do exist, they are exceedingly rare and are relegated to very niche uses. The Hing-Myong Arcane Fission Power Plant is of the "Dual-mode" type. The main reason "Dual-mode" arcane fission power plants are so common is because they're "Flexible", able to function as both base-load and peaker power plants, with the magika tori handling base load, and the steam turbines handling peak loads.
An investigation into the Hing-Myong Arcane Fission Power Plant's explosions/meltdowns was recently started. The leading theory, which puts all the blame on Iblion, is that Iblion's celestial powers somehow "resonated" with the fuel rods, triggering a magika excursion that rendered the control rods useless, which in turn started a runaway arcane fission reaction that quickly overwhelmed both the cooling systems and magika tori, ultimately resulting in all 4 reactors exploding/melting down. The second closest arcane fission power plant to Hing-Myong, located in the northwestern corner of Tiyang-Po, also shows signs of reactor damage despite going into a full emergency shutdown. The damage is confined to a single reactor, and consists of "Partially melted fuel material" and "Excessive pitting and corrosion of the magika torus's interior". All other arcane fission power plants in the Roxium Federation Cape of Good Hope Territory show no signs of reactor damage.

Anomaly

Research on the Jin-Rya Magnetic Hazard resumes after Roxium forces manage to halt the Kaizen push. Unmanned "Disposable" probes are sent into the Magnetic Hazard that transmit their readings to the research lab for as long as possible until the Magnetic Hazard inevitably destroys them.

CEVA

An electronic ringing sound is heard. "Sorry to bail, but it's time for me to attend a meeting regarding CEVA 0 Mark 2 and its pilot." says Risato.

Some time later...

"The Celestial S2 core may not be as... inert as we originally thought." says Risato. "Cicada-14 Section-C5 discovered some organic tissue that had grown from the Celestial S2 Core. As I speak, several tests are being performed on the tissue. In response to this, the parameters of CEVA 0 Mark 2's dual-core test have been updated. The CEVA and Celestial S2 core are to be held in separate test chambers. The chambers are separated from each other by a 10 meter thick wall of solid atomantine. A second circuit breaker is to be added to the link cable. As a further precaution, CEVA 0 Mark 2's standard S2 core will also be moved to an external housing and connected to the CEVA by a cable."
A screen shows a rough diagram/layout of the testing area. It shows two chambers surrounded on all sides by 10 meter-thick atomantine walls. Running out of the left chamber, along one of the walls, and into the right chamber, is the cable that will link CEVA-00 Mark II with the Celestial S2 Core. The left chamber will house the Celestial S2 core, and the right chamber will house CEVA-00 Mark II. Multiple explosive charges and two circuit breakers are placed along the cable. A much smaller third chamber can also be seen, said chamber being where CEVA-00 Mark II's regular S2 core will sit. As with the cable connecting the Celestial S2 core to the CEVA, the cable connecting the regular S2 core to the CEVA will also have multiple explosive charges and two circuit breakers on it.
"These changes have pushed back the test by at least 20 hours." says Risato before pausing for a bit. "While we wait for the test site to be built, I figured we could use this time to get the pilot acquainted with CEVA 0 Mark 2." An image of CEVA-00 Mark II's pilot is shown. "After some last-minute deliberations at NERV, CEVA 0 Mark 2's pilot has been selected. The pilot is Kamina Simon." The image shows a man with a modestly muscular build, red eyes, and short spiky blue hair. "Kamina is an exceptionally skilled EVA pilot with at least 5 years of piloting experience."

via Cape of Good Hope

The Rei Khans Wife of North South North West Kansas

Tyramon wrote:

Corali nodded.
"Yeah, okay, let's-" Eastrid hit the spot "-ahhh...yeah, right there...a little- yeah..."
Corali's tail flicked happily.
"Yeah...we can move on then...what's next, Luca? You're the tour guide. What else is fun?"

Aerlanica
Luca nods. “Well, there’s lots of things we could do. We could go ice skating in midtown, hit the art museum, go for more breakfast, or ice cream or shopping. Or, if you’d like to sit down for a bit we could go see a movie, I think Toaster Dude 6 just came out a couple weeks ago and I’ve heard it’s pretty good.”

via Cape of Good Hope

The Empire of Tyramon

Roxium wrote:Anomaly

Research on the Jin-Rya Magnetic Hazard resumes after Roxium forces manage to halt the Kaizen push. Unmanned "Disposable" probes are sent into the Magnetic Hazard that transmit their readings to the research lab for as long as possible until the Magnetic Hazard inevitably destroys them.

The magnetic fields seem to also be charged with a hint of arcane-like energy, further supporting the Celestial-or-similar theories.

Roxium forces are able to start building a map of the local area's magnetic anomalies. The location of the anomalies is consistent over time. Eventually, a path is found through the anomalies to a planet near the edge of the anomalous zone. Scientists report that a good pilot in a small ship with powerful engines should be able to make it to the planet.

North South North West Kansas wrote:Aerlanica
Luca nods. “Well, there’s lots of things we could do. We could go ice skating in midtown, hit the art museum, go for more breakfast, or ice cream or shopping. Or, if you’d like to sit down for a bit we could go see a movie, I think Toaster Dude 6 just came out a couple weeks ago and I’ve heard it’s pretty good.”

Aerlanica
Corali tilted her head.
"Ice-skating? I'm not sure what that is, but it sounds interesting."

via Cape of Good Hope

The Federation of Aerlanica

North South North West Kansas wrote:

Cory nods. “Yeah, it is. August knows I need it.”

William returns to the house and begins packing.
"So, Nathan, ever been...camping before?" William asked.

******

Tsarina nodded, and grasped Connie's hand.
"We should get changed into appropriate clothing."

******

Darcy chuckled.
"I'll get dried up and start packing, ok?"

Tyramon wrote:

North South North West Kansas and Aerlanica
Corali nodded.
"Yeah, okay, let's-" Eastrid hit the spot "-ahhh...yeah, right there...a little- yeah..."
Corali's tail flicked happily.
"Yeah...we can move on then...what's next, Luca? You're the tour guide. What else is fun?"

"Yeah, just place your tails inbetween your legs and you'll be good."

Judy tapped the tip of Vara's tail, and a strange sensation happened; she felt a reflexive action happen as the tail flicked suddenly away from Judy's finger. Judy didn't think much of it; it was seemingly a normal occurrence.

"Alright, down we pop, lets get ready; just do one rep of ten and we'll start there."

** **

After some time of trial and error, Vara began to struggle with lifting weights around the one hundred and twenty kilogram mark; still less than Judy's one hundred and seventy, but nether the less impressive.

******

The Animal Wrangler nodded and got to work straight away, requesting the assistance of no less than five other bronzes as well as the directions to the menagerie, including the diets, demeanor and needs of each "experiment".

As Delegata found the Waste Horse, she saw a heavily shaggy herd in a dilapidated farm in Hartia, as if someone stapled several dozen grey mops to a horse and let it roll in the mud. The hooves were also quite vicious looking however they were tame. After Delegata coerced the horses to follow her, they were safely transported and tended to by the bronze.

*** *** ***

Lithalia gave a very respectful curtsey.
"Of course, Mistress Delegata, as you wish."

As she stood up, she turned into a swirl of red motes that slowly drifted upwards towards the ceiling.

** **

After the better part of a day, Delegata watched as the hallway outside her room was slowly filled to the brim with one hundred unconscious individuals, sent into a slumber most likely by Lithalia. They were not all Aerlanicans; Tyramonians, Monsonians, Sparanodans, New Francans, Lawithonians, Kansans, Peoplean and Khanians...it was more or less a cultural cross section of the planet Augusta. Most were over eighteen, but none were over thirty five, and there was a clear preference for females over males, with a roughly 6:4 ratio.

Once she was done, Delegata once again presented herself to Delegata, wordlessly curtseying before her.

******

(I mean, it would've moved into the naughty naughty but still.)

Rachael, still filled with ecstasy, stood up and nodded.
"At once, Mistress Alyne."

She stood up, leaving her clothes (if they could be called thusly) and making her way out of the room. She returned shortly afterwards with three other Succubi. While Rachael had the generic crimson skin, the caprine horns and the spade tail, the three were different.

"This is Sapphire." Rachael said, gesturing to a curtseying succubi with rams horns, blue skin and a hexagonal end to her tail. "This is Ysolda." Rachael gestured to another Succubi with rams horns, but this time with pale white skin, a slender, tall build and an arrow-point tail. "And lastly, this is Tilly." A succubi with bovine horns, ruddy red-brown skin and the signature spade tail.

"What do you wish of us, Mistress?"

North South North West Kansas and Aerlanica

"What is Ice Skating?" Eastrid asked.

Roxium wrote:-snip-

Over these twenty hours, close monitoring of the S2 core took place. It appeared inert for the most part in the Atomantine walls, and aside from a general sense of unease around this core, there were no psyhazards (a modest improvement).

However, over time, they noticed parts of CEVA Mark 2's armour and body begin to...decay? Indeed, what was believed to be metal around the chest slowly grew black and sickly, before the end result was a large portion of the CEVA simply...decaying, requiring a major level of repairs that would be no problem aside from a bit of a headache. Furthermore, as a mechanic entered the room with the S2 core, they noticed the floor was a bit more "spongey" then it should be for a metallic surface, not to mention how sticky it was, and (once again) the tendons and sineus connecting the S2 core with the room.

By the eighth hour, several theories were thrown around, the most accepted one being was that this S2 core was, indeed, sentient, but was slowly changing the matter around it to flesh, creating some form of consciousness. Many pointed to a slew of science fiction, identifying various forms of stories involving flesh beasts and biomass, with the larger they grow the more powerful, intelligent and sentient they become.

It was a gamble, indeed all new science was, but it appeared this roll of the dice didn't work out well.

via Cape of Good Hope

The Rei Khans Wife of North South North West Kansas

Tyramon wrote:

Corali tilted her head.
"Ice-skating? I'm not sure what that is, but it sounds interesting."

Aerlanica wrote:William returns to the house and begins packing.
"So, Nathan, ever been...camping before?" William asked.

******

Tsarina nodded, and grasped Connie's hand.
"We should get changed into appropriate clothing."

******

Darcy chuckled.
"I'll get dried up and start packing, ok?"

"What is Ice Skating?" Eastrid asked.

Luca smiles. “Yeah, we’re definitely going ice skating. Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to do it, it’s fun.” He leads them off down the busy street towards the center of the bustling city.

Nathan nods. “My old mommy took me once. I don’t really remember most of it, but... I think we had a fire and made s’mores.”

Connie lightly squeezed her hand. “Yeah, probably.”

“Sounds good.” Cory makes a quick phone call to Lucy and then starts packing up his own bag.

via Cape of Good Hope

Monsone

Aerlanica wrote:-snip-

Roxium wrote:-snip-

New Franco

"I see." Mumbled Ta'lhqejk while they stared at the point. It was as if their eyes were memorizing the precise location of the dot and translating it onto a measurable and searchable scale.

"Thank you for your assistance." They told Alex after a moment of silence. Flour fell and coated the floor of the room, Ta'lhqejk, and Alex. The white dust gave the room a patina akin to a smoking lounge, creating a fog of mystery that slowly drifted and wafted its way down to the ground. A stale scent permeated through the mask, both the mask and the flour where far from new. Not old, but far from new.

"You...leave...now?" Asked Alex, prompting a somewhat sorrowful nod from Ta'lhqejk.

"I-I need to go." They stammered before composing themselves while removing the mask, unbothered by the thick cloud of flour. "Your assistance is greatly appreciated, thank you." Another pause. "But, I really must go. Knowing what I know about Iblion, procrastinating isn't an option I have. The spear he has, probably for use against Celestials. That would mean he plans to use it against Spencer. If he does, I've failed another one of my promises. That, I cannot take." A longer pause this time. "No amount of anything can erase what I've seen. And the more I f*** up, the less and less I can hope to forget. It's a vicious cycle."

Ta'lhqejk walked out of the room, slowly. Past the exhibits, past the broken glass, past the remnants of a battle, they walked. Alex was left alone in the room, the flour finally settling. With Ta'lhqejk gone, a small flash of light briefly illuminated the room and was accompanied by a blunt thud onto the carpeted floor. Noting the disturbance, Alex looked towards his feet. Scarcely half a meter from him--amid an aura of disrupted flour dust--lay a box containing a bottle of alcohol, and a thick book written in a seemingly undecipherable script. He picked the objects up, and from the book fell a small note.

Alex,

I am deeply and truly sorry for making the mistakes I've made. Pain isn't an excuse for my actions.

Your friend,
Ta'lhqejk

---------------------------------------------------------------

Having left the science center, Ta'lhqejk headed towards the library in New Franco. However, instead of walking there, they decided that for the sake of time and convenience it would be wiser to simply go there. Staring out onto the city from the sidewalk near the science center, Ta'lhqejk glanced at their phone to confirm the address of the library. They sighed, closed their eyes momentarily, and gently muttered "I'm sorry" before opening their eyes. A city in ruins, a universe in disrepair, all hope falling upon the few. It seemed as if the fate of the universe might just lay in Ta'lhqejk's hands. Or perhaps face was preordained, and no amount of wisdom or strength could overcome what was already set in stone.

After a few deep breaths, it was time. Ta'lhqejk summoned their courage, and in an instant, went from outside the science center, to outside the library where Hogan was supposed to be. They prayed Alena was right because chasing someone down in the city would be no easy feat. Wind gently rustled Ta'lhqejk's short hair, and they opened their eyes. Some steps forward and the flick of the wrist opened the main door of the library, a musty, bookish, smell permeated from inside. Ta'lhqejk drew a deep breath and sighed heavily. A familiar and welcoming smell, the smell of books and knowledge. Now, to find Hogan.

Monsonian Varlokaria

Following the Roxian rebuke, the Monsonian side is only more emboldened in its convictions. If the leading theory in the investigation was correct, it would expose a vulnerability simply not present in reactors that don't use Arcane as fuel. Despite a desire to gloat, it was obvious that the risk of accidents like the one in Hing-Myong put a significant portion of Monsonian Varlokaria at risk of contamination. Thus, the Ministry of the Environment's Nuclear Energy Board invites Roxian scientists and engineers to tour the Prendszike Generation Station, the closest Monsonian nuclear power plant to the blast site, and the one most affected by the EMP Iblion created.

Aside from being a fairly old plant (the newest of the four reactors having opened nearly four decades ago), emergency power was lost due to the EMP obliterating all starting systems for the emergency generators. In spite of the damage the plant suffered, all four reactors remained in a cold state and were eventually restarted once the grid was partially reestablished. The only structural damage the plant suffered was the toping of some high-voltage transmission cables by the blast wave, which triggered an attempted emergency power startup which proved unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, an offer is also made to have Monsonian engineers investigate Arcane reactors with the express goal of developing safety protocols and modifications to avoid future accidents of this kind. It is obvious that simply replacing Arcane power isn't an option, and that as a power source it is generally safe unless taken out of its operational parameters or provoked violently. To some Monsonians, it all sounded a bit too eerily familiar.

Western Kravkazia, Monsone

"All checks nominal, systems within operational parameters." Said an engineer while glancing at multiple screens.

"Roger, all readings are good on my end." Said a voice over the radio.

"Good. Now switch to the dedicated communications equipment. Our radios won't work at the speeds you're going to achieve." Replied the engineer while typing something out.

"Affirmative. Switching to BLCOMS." The voice stated as the engineer nodded.

"Reading you loud and clear." They said. "You've been assigned the flight code X-ray Sierra Zero One, check in with Center, and proceed with takeoff."

"Roger that, Ground Control. Checking in with Center." Said the voice over the radio. Center, this is X-ray Sierra Zero One requesting take off permission and clearance up to FL80, over."

"Roger that X-ray Sierra Zero One, you have clearance up to FL80. Remember that TCAS is enforced beneath FL50 and that after FL80, you are outside of controlled airspace." Replied Center, clearly an air traffic control area.

"Affirmative. TCAS on, all systems running." Replied X-ray Sierra Zero One (XR-01).

"Then you are cleared for take-off. Proceed south until you hit waypoint Bravo Kilo Whisky. From there, head due west while skirting the border." Stated Center.

"Roger that. Begining take-off roll." XR-01 said over the radio.

"Godspeed." Center told XR-01.

A jagged black figure took flight, climbing steeply from the runway of a remote Monsonian air force base. Sleek, stealthy, and all black, the craft kept climbing even beyond the limits of the highest-flying aircraft. Within mere minutes, it was in orbit around Noterrae. Traveling at a swift speed, the craft flew in an erratic manner, seemingly it was being put through its paces. Sometimes it would dive, sometimes it would climb. Other times would see it accelerated before swiftly attempting to slow down. It even momentarily disappeared; seemingly traveling faster than light for a brief few seconds before returning to a slower speed. Perhaps a test of acceleration? Or, perhaps, a test of the FTL systems.

Within the hour, the craft began to approach the Monsonian-Shingukai border. From the air, divisions and demarcations weren't visible, nor were conflicts. A serenity reigned over the land when viewed from space, a peaceful and blissful existence accentuated by the glow of lights when night fell. However, both on the ground and in space conflicts were afoot. While the Imperial Air Force agonized over how to best approach the situation with the hand they had been dealt, Cicada observed Spencer under a proverbial microscope from an aura of invincibility. It was a peaceful if tense situation which only resulted in growing hatred and mistrust on one side, while the other tried constantly to stay out of conflict.

"Ground Command, I'm currently on the Monsonian side of the border, looking towards Kemptburge. I've got a bogey in my sights. You would be able to seem them." Reported the craft.

"Roger that. We've got visual on it as well." Replied Ground Command, prompting the pilot of the craft to let out a sigh followed by a nod.

"Should I missile lock them? Scare them with a dud load before rocketing off?" They asked Ground Command.

"X-ray Sierra Zero One, you have clearance to do so." The radio replied as the pilot made the craft face the target.

"Roger that, running the missile lock test." Stated the pilot.

Aboard the Cicada ship, the unthinkable would occur. Out of the darkness of space would emerge a missile lock warning. At first, it would be a panicked search to see if Shingukai was launching another barrage of missiles, and then a similarly panicked search of the Monsonian side of the border. Disappearing as suddenly as it began, the missile lock warnings ceased. Had it been a freak incident?

via Cape of Good Hope

The Federation of Aerlanica

Monsone wrote:

Alex looked at the items and, grabbing the box, began to carry them out of the room, leaving the dust masks as he went. Within his minds the voices chittered and chimed, some screaming, some laughing, many weeping. Some insulted Alex, calling him names, and blaming him for not having friends. Others comforted him, telling him that it was ok, and friend would be back soon. occasionally the other minds would try to band together and gain control of Alex, he didn't let them.

They tried again, causing Alex's neck to spasm, but he repulsed them; Alex's mind was Alex's, not theirs, was Alex...he was him, not them, they were nor him.

He maneuvered his way to a store room on the floor which was filled to the brim with shelves, lights and other nick nacks. Plush toys were arranged neatly around the place and kept, for the most part, clean, posters of various individuals were plastered across the walls in amongst other paintings and pictures of scientists, nobility and just simple scenery. The floor was covered (save for some intentionally left avenues) with various baubles, tokens, pieces of furniture and other collections of items and valuables. Some lanterns, lamps, and other light sources were scattered around as well as some motes and globes of floating light, but with waves of his hand, Alex dispelled them until a solitary corner of light remained; a pile of pillows, sheets and blankets.

Alex walked over to this pile and placed down the box close by, pushing aside a broken chessboard missing over half the pieces, and a small childrens book about a dinosaur who was very special. He looked at the book, the box and the booze as he read Ta'lhqejk's letter again. He smiled as tears began to well up in his eyes.

"Friend." he said, his voice choked by tears, still smiling.

He made his way onto the pile, remaining close to Ta'lhqejk's box, and curled up into a ball.

And thus, Alex began to weep. were they tears of joy? were they sobs of saddness. Alex thought they were a bit of both.

******

As Ta'lhqejk was about to cross the threshhold, a large had grabbed their upper arm.

"Oi, Lady-"

"Who the hell are you calling lady you oaf?"

Looking to the large man, dressed in Biker leathers and with a shaved mohawk, he frowned.

"Esteemed Individual," he replied with uncharacteristic eloquence not matching with his appearance, "no weapons in Hogan's library, empty your pockets."

He pointed to a table, where a librarian stood behind writing on a whiteboard. There were several makeshift cubby-holes made filled to the brim with all sorts of sidearms and rifles and...melee weapons.

And by librarian, as in the stereotypical librarian; long dress, checkered blouse, hair pulled back into a bun, glasses on her nose. She turned to Ta'lhqejk and smiled; her teeth were all intact. It was as if...she wasn't a citizen of New Franco, and this library wasn't even the New Franco City Library.

Indeed, as Ta'lhqejk looked inside, they saw the entire library was kept in near-perfect condition; the shelves were maintained, the books undamaged, and there was no forms of societal collapse. Sure, there were plenty of unscrupulous looking individuals being tended to by the librarians, often being helped with learning how to read and write, but other than that, this seven story neo-classical repository of knowledge and literature was more or less frozen in time.

"Excuse me," came the meek, yet polite, voice of the librarian at the front desk who addressed Ta'lhqejk with a warm smile, "but to keep the books safe we do ask you to surrender your weapons; don't worry, Hogan's Horsemen keep a close eye on things here so you don't have to worry about being jumped, robbed, raped or brutally murdered."

"Hogan's Horsemen?"

"Yeah, they're the...Biker Gang in charge of this section of the city, they serve under Azerian...you're knew to the city, aren't you?"

North South North West Kansas wrote:

“Sounds good.” Cory makes a quick phone call to Lucy and then starts packing up his own bag.

William smiled.
"That sounds absolutely lovely." He commented.

******

Tsarina nodded.
"Well, you heard the man, let's get suited up, packed to go and back here."

******

Darcy finished up in the bathroom before packing herself, making sure to discretely slip her rifle into her travel pack.

via Cape of Good Hope

The Rei Khans Wife of North South North West Kansas

Aerlanica wrote:

William smiled.
"That sounds absolutely lovely." He commented.

******

Tsarina nodded.
"Well, you heard the man, let's get suited up, packed to go and back here."

******

Darcy finished up in the bathroom before packing herself, making sure to discretely slip her rifle into her travel pack.

Nathan shrugs. “I guess so. I just wish I could remember it better.”

“Okay.” Connie smiles and takes Tsarina’s hand.

Cory comes in a few moments after Darcy is done packing. “Ready to go?”



via Cape of Good Hope

The Empire of Tyramon

Aerlanica wrote:"Yeah, just place your tails inbetween your legs and you'll be good."

Judy tapped the tip of Vara's tail, and a strange sensation happened; she felt a reflexive action happen as the tail flicked suddenly away from Judy's finger. Judy didn't think much of it; it was seemingly a normal occurrence.

"Alright, down we pop, lets get ready; just do one rep of ten and we'll start there."

** **

After some time of trial and error, Vara began to struggle with lifting weights around the one hundred and twenty kilogram mark; still less than Judy's one hundred and seventy, but nether the less impressive.

******

The Animal Wrangler nodded and got to work straight away, requesting the assistance of no less than five other bronzes as well as the directions to the menagerie, including the diets, demeanor and needs of each "experiment".

As Delegata found the Waste Horse, she saw a heavily shaggy herd in a dilapidated farm in Hartia, as if someone stapled several dozen grey mops to a horse and let it roll in the mud. The hooves were also quite vicious looking however they were tame. After Delegata coerced the horses to follow her, they were safely transported and tended to by the bronze.

*** *** ***

Lithalia gave a very respectful curtsey.
"Of course, Mistress Delegata, as you wish."

As she stood up, she turned into a swirl of red motes that slowly drifted upwards towards the ceiling.

** **

After the better part of a day, Delegata watched as the hallway outside her room was slowly filled to the brim with one hundred unconscious individuals, sent into a slumber most likely by Lithalia. They were not all Aerlanicans; Tyramonians, Monsonians, Sparanodans, New Francans, Lawithonians, Kansans, Peoplean and Khanians...it was more or less a cultural cross section of the planet Augusta. Most were over eighteen, but none were over thirty five, and there was a clear preference for females over males, with a roughly 6:4 ratio.

Once she was done, Delegata once again presented herself to Delegata, wordlessly curtseying before her.

******

(I mean, it would've moved into the naughty naughty but still.)

Rachael, still filled with ecstasy, stood up and nodded.
"At once, Mistress Alyne."

She stood up, leaving her clothes (if they could be called thusly) and making her way out of the room. She returned shortly afterwards with three other Succubi. While Rachael had the generic crimson skin, the caprine horns and the spade tail, the three were different.

"This is Sapphire." Rachael said, gesturing to a curtseying succubi with rams horns, blue skin and a hexagonal end to her tail. "This is Ysolda." Rachael gestured to another Succubi with rams horns, but this time with pale white skin, a slender, tall build and an arrow-point tail. "And lastly, this is Tilly." A succubi with bovine horns, ruddy red-brown skin and the signature spade tail.

"What do you wish of us, Mistress?"

North South North West Kansas and Aerlanica

"What is Ice Skating?" Eastrid asked.

"Well, I think I've about hit my limit here. I guess I'll do what I can at one-twenty and then move on to other exercises."

******

The Animal Wrangler was provided with all the necessary information and tools for her job. The Waste Horses were provided with good housing, and Delegata watched their progress with interest.

** ** **

Delegata stood and nodded approvingly. With a wave of her hand, the unconscious individuals were sent to another barracks.
"Well done. You have delivered good subjects to me, and you have earned your reward. I promised you pleasure, and so it is pleasure you shall receive. What form of pleasure do you wish for? A drink of blood, perhaps? Or something else?"

** ** **

The new arrivals were given the same test and sorted into bronzes and beasts. Delegata decided to look for two people amongst her bronzes with experience and skill in the field of physical pleasure, one male and one female. She then gave them horns and tail of Iblion's succubi and incubi and increased their attractiveness. They were instructed to only tease the others for now, and would only be given for a night as a reward to coppers and bronzes that did well.

Delegata also looked especially for anyone with leadership experience.

******

(Fair enough.)

"Rachael, put on your clothes."
After she did, Alyne nodded.
"Good. Now follow me. We are going on a hike. Do exactly as I say. Be very quiet, raise no alarm. If we get out, you shall all be rewarded greatly. Now, step forward and give me a kiss, one by one."
As they did, their skin turned clear, like glass. They were only just visible, and from a distance were almost impossible to see. Afterwards, Alyne turned clear herself. However, they all were still able to tell where each other were.
Alyne began to lead them out of the castle and out of Lithalia's allotted area of control.

North South North West Kansas wrote:Luca smiles. “Yeah, we’re definitely going ice skating. Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to do it, it’s fun.” He leads them off down the busy street towards the center of the bustling city.

Corali's tail and whiskers continued to grow, and her ears finished moving to the top of her head, now with a fully cat-like appearance. As she walked up to Luca, her tail bumped softly into his leg.
"So...can you tell us a bit about what ice-skating is?"

via Cape of Good Hope

The Rei Khans Wife of North South North West Kansas

Tyramon wrote:

Corali's tail and whiskers continued to grow, and her ears finished moving to the top of her head, now with a fully cat-like appearance. As she walked up to Luca, her tail bumped softly into his leg.
"So...can you tell us a bit about what ice-skating is?"

Luca nods. “Basically you put these skates on, they’re basically like special shoes. And then you go out on an ice rink and move around, you can, like... glide around and stuff. It’s pretty fun. The best part is watching Ken fall on his butt every 30 seconds—“
“Hey!”
“And then we get some lemonade and pretzels and it’s a really good time.”

via Cape of Good Hope

The olivavan union

Across interstellar space
Eyewitness reports and amateur footage have confirmed sightings of several star vessels of unfamiliar architecture, appearing hexagonal at their base. Any attempts to scan them so far have failed, and they flee if approached or provoked. They have been caught tapping into transmissions, but otherwise simply seem to observe the environment around them and move on. From what little data was able to collected on these lurking scouts, a few of those attentive enough have noticed a warp signature indistinguishable from the Olivavans. Impossible, they haven't been seen this far out in what seems like eons...

via Cape of Good Hope

Monsone

Aerlanica wrote:-snip-

"Right, my pockets." Grumbled Ta'lhqejk as they reached into their pockets, removing assorted objects from them.

"I don't live here, purely I'm here on business matters." They added on while still removing some of the objects. "Very urgent and prescient business."

A packet of cigarettes, several cigars, a lighter, assorted Federalisk in the form of coins and bills, a packet of chewing gum, some throat lozenges, a switchblade knife, and a credit card all found their way from Ta'lhqejk's pockets and onto the check-in table. The items were from a variety of strange and foreign places, prompting the librarian to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. Perhaps it was the throat lozenges packages being emblazoned with a multitude of incomprehensible languages, or the cigars not belonging to any brand found on Augusta. Regardless of what the reason was, the librarian was a bit confused as to who exactly Ta'lhqejk was. After all, it was clear they weren't from New Franco, but they weren't exactly Monsonian either, despite having several thousand Federalisk in cash on them.

"Keep the knife, I don't even need it. It's a cheap knock-off I purchased for a bargain after forgetting to bring a cheese knife. Cheap ceramic in the blade, and the rest of mostly plastic save for the mechanism inside. That is aluminum." They pointed out offhandedly while gesturing towards the switchblade knife.

"Is there anything else in your pockets?" Asked the man in biker leathers, prompting Ta'lhqejk to roll their eyes.

"Of course not." The response was a complete lie, their phone was obviously still in their pocket, amongst other things.

"Are you lying to me?" Responded the man in biker leathers as he approached Ta'lhqejk, a menacing look crossing his face as the Varlokiri deity reciprocated with a blank and unenthused stare.

"Do you take me to be the kind of person who would destroy a book? Oh please!" They scoffed before crafting their retort. "I am a bibliophile amongst many other things. Not to mention the optics of the Varlokiri goddess of knowledge destroying a library would not exactly be particularly beneficial to my public perception. But, enough about the books or the library. I'm not here for the information they contain. I came were hoping to see Hogan." Ta'lhqejk explained. "Alena and I have spoken, and to make a very long story short, I need to speak with Hogan to find a certain individual and in turn try and save the universe."

"If you would be so kind, I would like to take my belongings and meet with Hogan," Ta'lhqejk said. "Time is of the essence, and by my watch, I've just spent five minutes attempting to clear this pathetic excuse of a security check. Frankly, I should have been exempted by my credentials alone. When was the last time somebody with multiple doctorates intentionally destroyed a valuable text?"

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