Jack Pine
Well-Known Member
- RP Date
- YE 40, 3 months after exodus
- RP Location
- Independent station -----> Sirris VI: Obsidian City
===== Independent Space Station | North Eastern Space | 09:06=====
Aboard a commerce station, there were many shops and dining areas. Security was a bit space, however did exist. Making it a semi-decent and safe place to shop. Merchant ships and those who docked for fuel out in the middle of nowhere used this as a hub. As it was one of the few that did exist.
Ydrin has hitched a ride along with a cargo ship, making some runs to resupply the station. Him not taking up too much room and paying. Being separated from the rest of his squad after the incident, he would not be surprised if people out here had wanted posters for him in Yamatai and Neplesia.
It wasn’t till he offloaded when they docked that he took off to the restroom, having been holding it in for the past few hours, since the one on the cargo ship was more disgusting than usual.
Despite the semi remote location, the station did receive visits from ships within the region, unknown of where they hail from. But their black hulls are unmistakable, pristine and most of the time new. Generally they were more advanced than the usual freighter, or transport shuttle that rarely made appearances. One such ship pulled in on the other side of the station, receiving more than a few stares from those in the promenade.
The airlock hissed as crew disembarked to look at wares, and as the a few moved to setup merchandise at a stall reserved for them. Everything from components to weapons were displayed. Most were sold for less then one might have to buy in imperial territories.
Jane was one such crew member for this trip, simply acting as security for the frigate carrying goods for sale. She was in light gear for roaming the station, wearing a Revenant undersuit which hid nothing of her generous figure. Black and red camo cargo pants, armored boots, and a plate carrier vest completed the outfit. She had a rather neutral expression, her actions deliberate and almost devoid of character. She walked amongst the people, her long flowing white hair drawing a few looks, as her crimson eyes searched the contents of stalls.
Ydrin has finished up in the bathroom, having cleaned himself up as well. His short white hair still a bit scrambled but mostly fixed, and his slight glowing golden eyes looking around the room, his brushed and fair skin being one of his other not notable features. Only wearing a back vest and Jeans, along with some combat boots, he began to walk around to clear his conscious, as he was still stressed out about the entire situation he had just fled from. Standing at 5’8” he wasn’t the tallest guy, but wasn’t the shortest, with his slim athletic figure showing that he did indeed have muscles. When he spots the other woman, with white hair, he made sure to stay FAR away from her.
As the man saw her, he passed by their stall unknowingly, “Hey kid, you look tech savvy! Browse some of the newest tech out of the NDC! Guns, AI, power armor, even alternative power sources.”
“Carl, you make a terrible salesman.”, said a man with a magazine looking bored who was clearly older than the younger trooper.
Ydrin glanced at Carl and the stall, his golden eyes linking up with his for a moment. However, he put his hands up making it clear he wasn’t interested, giving a smirk, before turning back to a straight expression as he headed for the food court.
Ydrin would find that course suddenly needing a detour as he ran face first into something bouncy yet covered in plates. If he looked up from this awkward position, he would find a pair of crimson eyes staring down at him curiously as if he had not just done something normally considered inappropriate. Jane only stood there neutral as before, wondering who this was now face first in her chest.
Ydrin jumped back and landed in the floor, his face completely red as he looked up. He scrambled to get up as he ducked between people to get away from that extremely awkward and very weird situation he had found himself in. Not wanting that ever to happen *In public* again. Continuing to make his way to the food court.
Jane was confused by his reaction as well as the reddening of his face. In her ignorance, she thought maybe she had harmed him somehow. To her this meant she was obligated to assess if he indeed was and to assist in treatment. So the 6’2 woman took chase, taking side routes to avoid larger crowds, but following in his trail. Were as everyone else was travelling at leisurely paces, it wasn’t hard to tell when someone with a more frantic pace passed through.
Carl watched as she chased after, whispering “Lucky bastard to himself.”. The older trooper whapped him on the back of the head still hearing it, “Sit down and shut up you dumbass.”
Ydrin saw her chasing him and immediately took off. Dashing past people, he then ducked under a table with a curtain over it. Coming face to face with a growling dog, then dashing from there to be chased by a dog after it bit him in the arm giving him a nasty gash. He ran to set stairs and jumped off the rail and held of, to avoid the dog, but dangling 2 stories up. ‘Are you actually fucking kidding me right now… THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH?!?! A PSYCHO GIRL AND A FUCKING DOG!!!?!’ He thought to himself.
She didn’t take long to catch up, taking the stairs two at a time, the dog turning to her as she reached where Ydrin was hanging. It leapt at her and she grabbed it before joking the small animal out. Laying the unconscious animal down, she stepped forward and peered over the rail before reaching to grab his arm and pull him up. “Are you unharmed?”, she asked simply in a monotone voice.
As she pulled him up, he showed her the gash, though remained silent. He had a nametag on which read [Ydrin McMaster] on it with a warning beneath [MUTE]. He sighed before looking at all the blood, in obvious pain but turned to leave.
He wouldn’t get far as her suited hand stopped him. Stepping around she examined the arm, grabbing it and looking over the blood. Without a word, she pulled out a knife and cut into the suit along the same general spot of the arm. The sealant leaked out and into the wound, quickly sealing it and stopping the bleeding. After putting the knife back in it’s sheath, Jane pulled out a small cloth and a small hypo out of a small side pouch. A portable field first aid kit, the hypo a pain med which she gave him as she wiped off the blood. “I believe your wound is optimally treated now. May I examine your face for additional redness, I must confirm there is no injury from our earlier collision.”
Ydrin was blushing with a staging face the whole time. ‘Damn… she’s hot but, not like I have a chance.’ He thought to himself after nodding to her question. ‘Just in and out dude. He He… no stop seriously… just get this done.’
“Your facial features have what appears as rosacea, may I suggest being treated by a medic? I am obligated to help injured individuals if encountered.”
‘If this girl in that dence I could… no… I have to try this.’ He grabbed his tablet from the side and started typing into it, then showed her the screen. [sleep with me] His expression unchanged, ‘Fuuuuuck. She’s going to punch me.’
Jane tilted her head as she read the screen, “I do not understand this phrase “sleep with me.”, what is the significance of it?” This got more than a few stares.
‘Holy shit she is…’ he swiped his screen and started to look for the definition before showing her. ‘Jesus, can I actually pull this off?!’
She read the definition after it was displayed, “I fail to understand how this action meets the requirements of treatment for injure. This action is listed as reproductive, and not medical. Please clarify?”
‘Shiiiiiit… oh I know.’ He typed in the screen then showed it back to her his response, [Redness would be completely gone. Would get rid of.] ‘Damn, I can’t believe in this far and not getting slapped.’
“If this is the treatment required, then I am obligated to administer. Please lie down so that I may treat.”, She rather monotonously.
Ydrin stares for a moment, typing then showing, [In public will get us arrested. Private like a bathroom would work.]
Jane checked the map on her HUD and marked the nearest restroom, “I have located coordinates that fit given criteria. Please follow me.”
‘Holy- this is actually happening.’ He thought following her into the restroom.
She lead him to the restroom she had found closest and directed him inside. A half hour later they exited again, “Was treatment success?” she asked in a robotic tone and with a neutral expression as if nothing had happened.
‘I see how it is… okay… I’m unsuccessful apparently.’ He thought to himself disappointed a bit. He nodded to her, his redness completely gone, but he was a bit exhausted. He waved her goodbye and took off. ‘After knowing she’s part of a faction… NOPE! Not getting dragged in with NDC shit.’ He thought as he ran.
Jane was going her separate way when a message came in, a bulletin, [Bounty target: locate and bring back for questions.] Looking at the picture, she realized it was the man she had just been in the company of. Her direction changed as the objective was set and clear. Capture and detain Ydrin McMaster.
Ydrin ran downstairs and to the food court, where le lost her hopefully in the large crowd. He ordered some food before sitting down at a table and looking at his tablet to see the bulletin pop up as he sighed, “again…” he muttered in a very young voice. Very rarely used or heard.
Jane searched through the crowd before eventually seeing him. She approached from a blindspot, and using the crowd as cover. She stepped up behind him, “I have orders to obtain you for questions. Come with me, or non-lethal force will be used.”
‘Somehow I think she actually would kill me… but if any of them found out what I did to her… I’d take my chances.’ He thought before sliding under the table then dashing out maneuvering through the crowd.
The female clone was fast to react, quickly chasing after in hot pursuit of the white haired man. “Halt, or you will be shot. No additional warnings will be administered.”
Ydrin thought, ‘I’d take my chances.’ As he was very fast for a human, being an experienced runner. Dashing through the crowd, even running by the NDC booth and using people to make obstacles.
So was Jane however, her and her batch siblings genetically tailored to be human at peak parameters. Her legs pumped as she sprinted after, moving people aside, or jumping over those who had fell with little care. She was closing in on him despite his efforts.
Ydrin spotted a staircase and an elevator. The elevator going to the third floor, while the stairs only went to the second, with the elevator closing, he slid in. Right before it did and mashed the 3rd button and the close button.
Jane stopped as she saw the elevator close before her, her glowing irises the last thing he would see as the doors shut. She hacked into the station’s network and rested control of the elevators. The one he had entered, made it half way up before stopping, and then descending. She waited just outside where she had been when it closed, her eyes still glowing a fierce crimson. It would have made her seem angry if it were not for the neutral expression she still had.
Ydrin looked up at the elevator hatch and shot it open after pulling out his pistol, he jumped off the wall and climbed out through it, taking hold of the service ladder and climbing up to the third floor. ‘This girl’s persistence is unreal! Some way to tell a guy to stick to a baby huh?’ He thought as he climbed.
As the doors opened and he wasn’t there, she looked up as she stepped in. Jumping up and hoisting herself up on top of the metal box, she pulled out her own pistol and took aim. The quiet whisper could be heard as five shock rounds were fired off at the climbing man.
Ydrin managed to not get hit as he climbed, “AH!” He yelped and climbed through the hatch and fell onto the 3rd floor, landing on his back. ‘Ow… that hurt…’ as he fell from 10 feet and hit the ground. Immobilized.
Jane holstered and scaled the ladder two rungs at a time until she reached the hatch, and climbed through. She hung from the lip of the open hatch before dropping down to land on the balls of her feet. Standing back up, she drew her pistol again and aimed at him. “Halt and desist.”
Unable to move he just laid there wincing in pain silently, keeping his face as straight as he could. ‘Fuck me… but NOT AGAIN… just shoot me or take me or whatever…’ He thought to himself as he sighed.
Jane grabbed him by the front of his clothes and dragged him back to the elevator after taking his gun, her pistol still in the other hand.
‘Well shit… who am I going to be questioned by now, Yamatai or Neplesia… I swear if I’m dragged into NDC bullshit imma flip a new one.’ Ydrin thought as he couldn’t do much and didn’t care to.
Jane carried him back to and aboard the ship, before depositing him into a containment cell. She then reported her success to the captain, who made way to return now that their job was done.
Able to now move, he sat up and looked around, “Well doesn’t this place look familiar?!” He said to himself before sighing. ‘What the hell did I get myself into…’
The ship would arrive after half a day in FTL and would have the man brought before Jack. Jane carried him forward as she escorted him off the ship.
‘Small people… doesn’t mean I’m a child. You’re carrying me like I can’t walk.’ He thought, but once he saw jack, he knew where he was, ‘Fuck… I’m on Sirris VI.’
“This is the guy two empires are fussing over? I was expecting taller I guess. How did you catch him so quickly?”, Jack said looking the man over.
“We had intercourse.”, she said so flatly as if just giving the weather.
Jack just stared at her a moment before sighing, “For the love of the void. I need to start running social classes, or something for you guys. Okay, so…..I want to offer you a job Ydrin.”
He stared silently at Jack, ‘I’m beginning to regret pumping that girl… goddamn it I knew I would be dragged into this shit.’
Jack finally saw the tag that said [MUTE], “Oh well that’s lovely.” He pulls a pad out of his pocket and hands it to Ydrin. “Please use that for replies. Ydrin, I want to hire you. I hear you have expertise in designing new tech and figuring out how to build other projects. I quite frankly need those skills.”
He typed his response then showed, [Not an expert, I’m far too overhyped. I just robbed a few dozen stations…] he stared blankly, ‘I don’t think Mr. L is going to like this.’ His face becoming slightly concerned on that thought.
“For every tale there is a grain of truth they say. You have to have some skills to crack the number of banks you have. Don’t feed me that bull kid.”
Ydrin typed his next response then showed it, [Well… I’m not sure how my current employer Mr. L would appreciate me being here…] ‘These guys don’t know who he is so I’m sure I’ll be alright.’ He thought as Crimson had been a very hush hush thing. This is where he turned his neck to look away for a second, and the nametag he had flipped, revealing the Genesis Squad Symbol, and the Crimson logo.
“Oh look, another Crimson fuck. You guys are really starting to piss me, first you kidnap one of my people, then you suicide bomb my city, and kidnapped the man again at his own wedding. Fucking wonderful.”, Jack grumbled.
Jane tilted her head, “Is that not the group you ordered us to eliminate?”
“Fuck me mate…” Ydrin said to himself very quietly, looking up at Jack, ‘Shit… I’m actually going to die here…’ He started typing then turned it, [Employer. I’m not Crimson. I work for Johnson. Crimson pays us to rob places. Not to attack citizens.]
“Then I would seriously reconsider the offer son. You’re lucky I don’t just shoot you and be done with it. But i’m willing to offer you a way out and a second chance.”, Jack said holding in his anger.
Ydrin thought, ‘Join it die… seems to be everything now… I’ll just have to accept till Johnson can pull me out of this.’ He then responded with a nod, [I accept.] ‘If I’m out through prison labor I’m going to blow up their mainframe.’
“Good, you’ll be helping Rose in the labs. You’ll be given property, pay, and a honesty job. But to be clear, you will be watched until you’ve shown you can be trusted.”
‘He honestly doesn’t think I won’t rob people… well, if I’m outgunned I won’t. Which is We’re I not see his logic. Honest job? Sounds like a Hell I don’t want to be in.’ After waiting for a moment, ‘Wait? Rose? Wh- does he mean Thorn?!’ Frantically typing he showed, [Thorn is here?!]
Jack rubbed his neck a little at that, “We have the original. She runs our advanced R&D department, and is a member of the council. She had her health issues corrected and chose a different name. So if you’re expecting a loli, she isn’t one anymore, but yeah same woman. She’s also married to my mother, so behave yourself.”
Ydrin thought, ‘How the hell… why would she be here? It doesn’t matter now but… still, weird to meet some no shit legends.’ “Strange…” he muttered. Looking down at the pad and giving a concerned look, [YOU DON’T SUPPOSE YOU KNOW WHO KYLE IS RIGHT?] he then looked at it then typed back and showed, [Caps]
“That is the individual the Lord referenced earlier. Kyle Dee, adopted son of Seraphina Cerulius, team lead for advanced R&D department. As well as husband to Ceilia Ryzka, sister of the commanding officer of our W.R.A.I.T.H.S unit. He was kidnapped recently, Kessler Ryzka, Ceilia Ryzka, Harrison Dee, and Fenrir division left in pursuit.”, It was now Jane who replied in her neutral tone.
“Yeah, they took the kid once, we assaulted one of their bases and got him back, then after a few eliminated incursions, they nabbed him again at the end of his own wedding.”, Jack added.
‘Jesus, my cousin has been busy. Harrison too? I thought he told me he was off to go marry a popstar.’ Ydrin thought of the moment and everything. [Damn, my cousins been busy huh. Well, it is to be expected, he’s the fucking ‘Holy Grail’ for them. For one reason or another, he doesn’t seem that special so I’m a bit lost as of why.] He then thought, ‘What base do they do their experiments at… its Firetower Alpha-09 right?’
“Beats the hell out of me. Whatever the reason, we don’t take kindly to people fucking with our people. Also never thought I’d be scared of a pregnant lady, but his wife in a mech wasn’t screwing around. If you know anything that can help them, I strongly suggest you share it.”
[Firetower Alpha-09, System AFG-567 in Western Space. You won’t like what you find, but you might find my cousin there.] he responded on the pad with.
“Yeah we’ve been getting a lot of that lately. Always seem to get the sick and twisted science assholes to deal with. The info is appreciated and has been forwarded. If we don’t get him back, or he isn’t in one piece. We’ll genocide Crimson until there are none left.”, He said as he moved into a darker tone.
Ydrin thought for a moment, [Can I have my duffle bag for a moment?] He asked on the pad.
Jack nodded to Jane, who had the bag in her other hand, which she handed over. “I suggest movements be kept slow.”
Ydrin just dove right into his bag and dumped EVERYTHING on the table, there were Thousands of KS and data cashed as well as tablets labels [INTEL]. He then grabbed a cache labeled [Azazel Project] then turned it on. Handing it to Jack.
On the cache there would be pictures of monsters and demons, experiments and test on a subject named: Kyle Dee. He then wrote on his pad, [This is… what’s going to happen to him…]
Jack looked it over and made a digital copy on his Geist for analysis in the labs, as well as noted any relevant data to better tell them where Kyle was taken. He forwarded copies of everything to the search force as well. “Thank you Mr. McMaster, this will prove helpful. Is there anything else?”
‘I mean… if you guys could read minds that would make things easier.’ [Are you kidding me? This is only a fraction of what I have. There’s a stash of all sort of shit] he showed. Then sighed, “Damn it Kyle…”
“Then you will be compensated for all of it, and our tech analyst will review and scrutinize every terabyte of data. We need anything we can get if we are going to be successful a second time in his rescue. You’ve already proven you can be cooperative, and hopefully through that cooperation, we can eliminate this threat once and for all. Crimson’s days are numbered.”
[I really think that is you guys had a device that could read minds. That would help this process.] He showed having a discontent look on his face. Wishing he was able to speak more than just a few words before it began to fail him.
“Do you have a neural implant, or any sort of mental aug?”, Jack asked.
[Like I could find one that was on the market that works to optimal usage.] he showed looking disappointed.
Jack leaned forward his irises glowing now, “That, we can help you with. If you’re willing to undergo implantation. It is called the G1-NI, or Geist. It gives the user all the same benefits of a digital mind without needing to replace the mind. Well plus a couple bonus features. The choice is yours.”
‘That also means that there’s a tracker no doubt… Fuck. He’s got me pinned against a wall here.’ Ydrin rubbed his throat. ‘This also means that I’ll be able to communicate without having to type everything down. It still won’t fix my vocal cords being damaged…’ He thought giving a look of conflict. His gaze down at the table with his golden eyes made him look like he was in deep thought.
After a minute he picked up the pad and wrote something, turning it arounds and siding it across the table over to Jack.
[That would be something that I would be interested in. My vocal cords are damaged beyond repair, and I didn’t want Yamatai sticking me in a tube then enlisting my ass or going into debt. I just want to tell you that there is something I could possibly bring other than just my skills and what you see on the table.
I use to run with these other 4 in a group we called Genesis Squad. There is the Troll Johnson, our leader, Then you have Mr.Denny, whom is our informational and ‘diplomat’. After that you have the girls, Ryuko and Eleanor. Ryuko is our Spec-ops girl, she’s a hybrid of a Human and something else… I think a cat. Then you have Eleanor, big ass Nep woman who has uh… done more than a few favors for me.]
He sat a bit uncomfortable writing the last part, noticeably blushing. He grabbed the name tag hanging from his neck and looked down at the table. Wanting to just get this done to so he could get to doing something productive and not wasting time sending messages back and forth. It was very inconvenient for him to be talking. Ydrin wasn’t the best with words, though he could hold a conversation, He prefered to be left alone or just be given an order and it be left at that. ‘Damn… Wish I at least had a puzzle in front of me. Also, the issue with them is that they’re off god knows where. We split up after the incident.’
Jack read over the pad and compiled the names and species into a list. Quickly it was placed into a watch order to be sent to units placed on stations just within the territory like the one Ydrin had been on. It was also sent to the five Eye IIs, the ships being tasked to go out and search from the stations to here. All of this only taking a minute, or two to complete before looking back to Ydrin with a nod. “We’ll get whatever we can, as I wasn’t joking when I said we need people with skills. We don’t care whether you be soldier, criminal, shady in general, merc, or even just an odd man out. NDC was built around the idea of second chances, and better futures. Consider yourself starting with a clean slate here. There’s a apartment now registered to you in residential district, and four neighboring apartments now reserved for if we find you comrades and they choose to join too. Your surgery is scheduled for tomorrow with Miss Haruka Yamamoto, our head of medical. If you have any last minute questions, now is the time to ask them.”, He said simply.
Ydrin looked down at the pad, trying to think of a response, but nothing came to him. Looking up he shook his head and slid back the pad to Jack. ‘I have no clue how Johnson is going to respond to this but, from what I can see… I think he might be okay with this.’ He then grabbed the KS from the table and shoveled it back into his duffle bag. Leaving the intel on the table for Jack keep.
He then thought of something he could say, [I mean, as long as I get to do essentially almost anything I want. I’ll be fine. Lemme clarify what I mean by that though, I want to essentially just work on my projects and possibly cross them over into yours. If they fit together. I already have this design for a mech that I’ve been working on.] He wrote after snatching back the pad from in front of Jack and slid it back. ‘I think that’s all I need to say… Nothing else really comes to mind.’
“That’s how the labs normally operate. We only assign projects if actually needed, and needed within a certain time frame. If not needed by a certain time, the project is simply posted up for whoever is willing to take it on. I believe you find our lab systems, equipment, and practices very accommodating, as long as nothing unethical is being done.”, The white haired man explained as he idly scratched his chin.
‘Define… unethical… because I have plans for some ‘questionable’ things…’ He thought, giving a look that he was definitely thinking something along the lines of that.
“Tell me what it is and i’ll tell you if it is.”, he chuckled.
“Slaves.” He said then grabbed his neck, as it shit a sharp pain through his entire throat. Due to his vocal cords being so intensely damaged. His voice sounded young, but horse and broken like he was sick.
Jack shook his head, “Yeah that definitely fits our definition of unethical. Anything that falls under biological warfare, forced gene, or augment manipulations. Definitely anything that subverts free will, and anything that creates abominations of nature…...like the previous topic. As long as it doesn’t fall under one of those, the BRRF won’t come knocking.”
After Jack states that, Ydrin just stared dead at the data cache that was for the ‘Azazel Project’. ‘That thing is DEFINITELY… not going to be something you’ll like then…’ [Did you read the virus or nanobots in that project… what they… do?] he showed, still rubbing his neck, coughing up some blood into his hand. Talking was more or less lethal for him.
“Yes I read, and we’ve dealt with similar in the past, but not both in the same case. We even have a working vaccination of the original necro virus. You should stop by the doctor’s, get that treated.”
‘Okay. Well. Looks like I’m stuck here now.’ Ydrin thought to himself as he sat there. [No further questions.]
Aboard a commerce station, there were many shops and dining areas. Security was a bit space, however did exist. Making it a semi-decent and safe place to shop. Merchant ships and those who docked for fuel out in the middle of nowhere used this as a hub. As it was one of the few that did exist.
Ydrin has hitched a ride along with a cargo ship, making some runs to resupply the station. Him not taking up too much room and paying. Being separated from the rest of his squad after the incident, he would not be surprised if people out here had wanted posters for him in Yamatai and Neplesia.
It wasn’t till he offloaded when they docked that he took off to the restroom, having been holding it in for the past few hours, since the one on the cargo ship was more disgusting than usual.
Despite the semi remote location, the station did receive visits from ships within the region, unknown of where they hail from. But their black hulls are unmistakable, pristine and most of the time new. Generally they were more advanced than the usual freighter, or transport shuttle that rarely made appearances. One such ship pulled in on the other side of the station, receiving more than a few stares from those in the promenade.
The airlock hissed as crew disembarked to look at wares, and as the a few moved to setup merchandise at a stall reserved for them. Everything from components to weapons were displayed. Most were sold for less then one might have to buy in imperial territories.
Jane was one such crew member for this trip, simply acting as security for the frigate carrying goods for sale. She was in light gear for roaming the station, wearing a Revenant undersuit which hid nothing of her generous figure. Black and red camo cargo pants, armored boots, and a plate carrier vest completed the outfit. She had a rather neutral expression, her actions deliberate and almost devoid of character. She walked amongst the people, her long flowing white hair drawing a few looks, as her crimson eyes searched the contents of stalls.
Ydrin has finished up in the bathroom, having cleaned himself up as well. His short white hair still a bit scrambled but mostly fixed, and his slight glowing golden eyes looking around the room, his brushed and fair skin being one of his other not notable features. Only wearing a back vest and Jeans, along with some combat boots, he began to walk around to clear his conscious, as he was still stressed out about the entire situation he had just fled from. Standing at 5’8” he wasn’t the tallest guy, but wasn’t the shortest, with his slim athletic figure showing that he did indeed have muscles. When he spots the other woman, with white hair, he made sure to stay FAR away from her.
As the man saw her, he passed by their stall unknowingly, “Hey kid, you look tech savvy! Browse some of the newest tech out of the NDC! Guns, AI, power armor, even alternative power sources.”
“Carl, you make a terrible salesman.”, said a man with a magazine looking bored who was clearly older than the younger trooper.
Ydrin glanced at Carl and the stall, his golden eyes linking up with his for a moment. However, he put his hands up making it clear he wasn’t interested, giving a smirk, before turning back to a straight expression as he headed for the food court.
Ydrin would find that course suddenly needing a detour as he ran face first into something bouncy yet covered in plates. If he looked up from this awkward position, he would find a pair of crimson eyes staring down at him curiously as if he had not just done something normally considered inappropriate. Jane only stood there neutral as before, wondering who this was now face first in her chest.
Ydrin jumped back and landed in the floor, his face completely red as he looked up. He scrambled to get up as he ducked between people to get away from that extremely awkward and very weird situation he had found himself in. Not wanting that ever to happen *In public* again. Continuing to make his way to the food court.
Jane was confused by his reaction as well as the reddening of his face. In her ignorance, she thought maybe she had harmed him somehow. To her this meant she was obligated to assess if he indeed was and to assist in treatment. So the 6’2 woman took chase, taking side routes to avoid larger crowds, but following in his trail. Were as everyone else was travelling at leisurely paces, it wasn’t hard to tell when someone with a more frantic pace passed through.
Carl watched as she chased after, whispering “Lucky bastard to himself.”. The older trooper whapped him on the back of the head still hearing it, “Sit down and shut up you dumbass.”
Ydrin saw her chasing him and immediately took off. Dashing past people, he then ducked under a table with a curtain over it. Coming face to face with a growling dog, then dashing from there to be chased by a dog after it bit him in the arm giving him a nasty gash. He ran to set stairs and jumped off the rail and held of, to avoid the dog, but dangling 2 stories up. ‘Are you actually fucking kidding me right now… THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH?!?! A PSYCHO GIRL AND A FUCKING DOG!!!?!’ He thought to himself.
She didn’t take long to catch up, taking the stairs two at a time, the dog turning to her as she reached where Ydrin was hanging. It leapt at her and she grabbed it before joking the small animal out. Laying the unconscious animal down, she stepped forward and peered over the rail before reaching to grab his arm and pull him up. “Are you unharmed?”, she asked simply in a monotone voice.
As she pulled him up, he showed her the gash, though remained silent. He had a nametag on which read [Ydrin McMaster] on it with a warning beneath [MUTE]. He sighed before looking at all the blood, in obvious pain but turned to leave.
He wouldn’t get far as her suited hand stopped him. Stepping around she examined the arm, grabbing it and looking over the blood. Without a word, she pulled out a knife and cut into the suit along the same general spot of the arm. The sealant leaked out and into the wound, quickly sealing it and stopping the bleeding. After putting the knife back in it’s sheath, Jane pulled out a small cloth and a small hypo out of a small side pouch. A portable field first aid kit, the hypo a pain med which she gave him as she wiped off the blood. “I believe your wound is optimally treated now. May I examine your face for additional redness, I must confirm there is no injury from our earlier collision.”
Ydrin was blushing with a staging face the whole time. ‘Damn… she’s hot but, not like I have a chance.’ He thought to himself after nodding to her question. ‘Just in and out dude. He He… no stop seriously… just get this done.’
“Your facial features have what appears as rosacea, may I suggest being treated by a medic? I am obligated to help injured individuals if encountered.”
‘If this girl in that dence I could… no… I have to try this.’ He grabbed his tablet from the side and started typing into it, then showed her the screen. [sleep with me] His expression unchanged, ‘Fuuuuuck. She’s going to punch me.’
Jane tilted her head as she read the screen, “I do not understand this phrase “sleep with me.”, what is the significance of it?” This got more than a few stares.
‘Holy shit she is…’ he swiped his screen and started to look for the definition before showing her. ‘Jesus, can I actually pull this off?!’
She read the definition after it was displayed, “I fail to understand how this action meets the requirements of treatment for injure. This action is listed as reproductive, and not medical. Please clarify?”
‘Shiiiiiit… oh I know.’ He typed in the screen then showed it back to her his response, [Redness would be completely gone. Would get rid of.] ‘Damn, I can’t believe in this far and not getting slapped.’
“If this is the treatment required, then I am obligated to administer. Please lie down so that I may treat.”, She rather monotonously.
Ydrin stares for a moment, typing then showing, [In public will get us arrested. Private like a bathroom would work.]
Jane checked the map on her HUD and marked the nearest restroom, “I have located coordinates that fit given criteria. Please follow me.”
‘Holy- this is actually happening.’ He thought following her into the restroom.
She lead him to the restroom she had found closest and directed him inside. A half hour later they exited again, “Was treatment success?” she asked in a robotic tone and with a neutral expression as if nothing had happened.
‘I see how it is… okay… I’m unsuccessful apparently.’ He thought to himself disappointed a bit. He nodded to her, his redness completely gone, but he was a bit exhausted. He waved her goodbye and took off. ‘After knowing she’s part of a faction… NOPE! Not getting dragged in with NDC shit.’ He thought as he ran.
Jane was going her separate way when a message came in, a bulletin, [Bounty target: locate and bring back for questions.] Looking at the picture, she realized it was the man she had just been in the company of. Her direction changed as the objective was set and clear. Capture and detain Ydrin McMaster.
Ydrin ran downstairs and to the food court, where le lost her hopefully in the large crowd. He ordered some food before sitting down at a table and looking at his tablet to see the bulletin pop up as he sighed, “again…” he muttered in a very young voice. Very rarely used or heard.
Jane searched through the crowd before eventually seeing him. She approached from a blindspot, and using the crowd as cover. She stepped up behind him, “I have orders to obtain you for questions. Come with me, or non-lethal force will be used.”
‘Somehow I think she actually would kill me… but if any of them found out what I did to her… I’d take my chances.’ He thought before sliding under the table then dashing out maneuvering through the crowd.
The female clone was fast to react, quickly chasing after in hot pursuit of the white haired man. “Halt, or you will be shot. No additional warnings will be administered.”
Ydrin thought, ‘I’d take my chances.’ As he was very fast for a human, being an experienced runner. Dashing through the crowd, even running by the NDC booth and using people to make obstacles.
So was Jane however, her and her batch siblings genetically tailored to be human at peak parameters. Her legs pumped as she sprinted after, moving people aside, or jumping over those who had fell with little care. She was closing in on him despite his efforts.
Ydrin spotted a staircase and an elevator. The elevator going to the third floor, while the stairs only went to the second, with the elevator closing, he slid in. Right before it did and mashed the 3rd button and the close button.
Jane stopped as she saw the elevator close before her, her glowing irises the last thing he would see as the doors shut. She hacked into the station’s network and rested control of the elevators. The one he had entered, made it half way up before stopping, and then descending. She waited just outside where she had been when it closed, her eyes still glowing a fierce crimson. It would have made her seem angry if it were not for the neutral expression she still had.
Ydrin looked up at the elevator hatch and shot it open after pulling out his pistol, he jumped off the wall and climbed out through it, taking hold of the service ladder and climbing up to the third floor. ‘This girl’s persistence is unreal! Some way to tell a guy to stick to a baby huh?’ He thought as he climbed.
As the doors opened and he wasn’t there, she looked up as she stepped in. Jumping up and hoisting herself up on top of the metal box, she pulled out her own pistol and took aim. The quiet whisper could be heard as five shock rounds were fired off at the climbing man.
Ydrin managed to not get hit as he climbed, “AH!” He yelped and climbed through the hatch and fell onto the 3rd floor, landing on his back. ‘Ow… that hurt…’ as he fell from 10 feet and hit the ground. Immobilized.
Jane holstered and scaled the ladder two rungs at a time until she reached the hatch, and climbed through. She hung from the lip of the open hatch before dropping down to land on the balls of her feet. Standing back up, she drew her pistol again and aimed at him. “Halt and desist.”
Unable to move he just laid there wincing in pain silently, keeping his face as straight as he could. ‘Fuck me… but NOT AGAIN… just shoot me or take me or whatever…’ He thought to himself as he sighed.
Jane grabbed him by the front of his clothes and dragged him back to the elevator after taking his gun, her pistol still in the other hand.
‘Well shit… who am I going to be questioned by now, Yamatai or Neplesia… I swear if I’m dragged into NDC bullshit imma flip a new one.’ Ydrin thought as he couldn’t do much and didn’t care to.
Jane carried him back to and aboard the ship, before depositing him into a containment cell. She then reported her success to the captain, who made way to return now that their job was done.
Able to now move, he sat up and looked around, “Well doesn’t this place look familiar?!” He said to himself before sighing. ‘What the hell did I get myself into…’
The ship would arrive after half a day in FTL and would have the man brought before Jack. Jane carried him forward as she escorted him off the ship.
‘Small people… doesn’t mean I’m a child. You’re carrying me like I can’t walk.’ He thought, but once he saw jack, he knew where he was, ‘Fuck… I’m on Sirris VI.’
“This is the guy two empires are fussing over? I was expecting taller I guess. How did you catch him so quickly?”, Jack said looking the man over.
“We had intercourse.”, she said so flatly as if just giving the weather.
Jack just stared at her a moment before sighing, “For the love of the void. I need to start running social classes, or something for you guys. Okay, so…..I want to offer you a job Ydrin.”
He stared silently at Jack, ‘I’m beginning to regret pumping that girl… goddamn it I knew I would be dragged into this shit.’
Jack finally saw the tag that said [MUTE], “Oh well that’s lovely.” He pulls a pad out of his pocket and hands it to Ydrin. “Please use that for replies. Ydrin, I want to hire you. I hear you have expertise in designing new tech and figuring out how to build other projects. I quite frankly need those skills.”
He typed his response then showed, [Not an expert, I’m far too overhyped. I just robbed a few dozen stations…] he stared blankly, ‘I don’t think Mr. L is going to like this.’ His face becoming slightly concerned on that thought.
“For every tale there is a grain of truth they say. You have to have some skills to crack the number of banks you have. Don’t feed me that bull kid.”
Ydrin typed his next response then showed it, [Well… I’m not sure how my current employer Mr. L would appreciate me being here…] ‘These guys don’t know who he is so I’m sure I’ll be alright.’ He thought as Crimson had been a very hush hush thing. This is where he turned his neck to look away for a second, and the nametag he had flipped, revealing the Genesis Squad Symbol, and the Crimson logo.
“Oh look, another Crimson fuck. You guys are really starting to piss me, first you kidnap one of my people, then you suicide bomb my city, and kidnapped the man again at his own wedding. Fucking wonderful.”, Jack grumbled.
Jane tilted her head, “Is that not the group you ordered us to eliminate?”
“Fuck me mate…” Ydrin said to himself very quietly, looking up at Jack, ‘Shit… I’m actually going to die here…’ He started typing then turned it, [Employer. I’m not Crimson. I work for Johnson. Crimson pays us to rob places. Not to attack citizens.]
“Then I would seriously reconsider the offer son. You’re lucky I don’t just shoot you and be done with it. But i’m willing to offer you a way out and a second chance.”, Jack said holding in his anger.
Ydrin thought, ‘Join it die… seems to be everything now… I’ll just have to accept till Johnson can pull me out of this.’ He then responded with a nod, [I accept.] ‘If I’m out through prison labor I’m going to blow up their mainframe.’
“Good, you’ll be helping Rose in the labs. You’ll be given property, pay, and a honesty job. But to be clear, you will be watched until you’ve shown you can be trusted.”
‘He honestly doesn’t think I won’t rob people… well, if I’m outgunned I won’t. Which is We’re I not see his logic. Honest job? Sounds like a Hell I don’t want to be in.’ After waiting for a moment, ‘Wait? Rose? Wh- does he mean Thorn?!’ Frantically typing he showed, [Thorn is here?!]
Jack rubbed his neck a little at that, “We have the original. She runs our advanced R&D department, and is a member of the council. She had her health issues corrected and chose a different name. So if you’re expecting a loli, she isn’t one anymore, but yeah same woman. She’s also married to my mother, so behave yourself.”
Ydrin thought, ‘How the hell… why would she be here? It doesn’t matter now but… still, weird to meet some no shit legends.’ “Strange…” he muttered. Looking down at the pad and giving a concerned look, [YOU DON’T SUPPOSE YOU KNOW WHO KYLE IS RIGHT?] he then looked at it then typed back and showed, [Caps]
“That is the individual the Lord referenced earlier. Kyle Dee, adopted son of Seraphina Cerulius, team lead for advanced R&D department. As well as husband to Ceilia Ryzka, sister of the commanding officer of our W.R.A.I.T.H.S unit. He was kidnapped recently, Kessler Ryzka, Ceilia Ryzka, Harrison Dee, and Fenrir division left in pursuit.”, It was now Jane who replied in her neutral tone.
“Yeah, they took the kid once, we assaulted one of their bases and got him back, then after a few eliminated incursions, they nabbed him again at the end of his own wedding.”, Jack added.
‘Jesus, my cousin has been busy. Harrison too? I thought he told me he was off to go marry a popstar.’ Ydrin thought of the moment and everything. [Damn, my cousins been busy huh. Well, it is to be expected, he’s the fucking ‘Holy Grail’ for them. For one reason or another, he doesn’t seem that special so I’m a bit lost as of why.] He then thought, ‘What base do they do their experiments at… its Firetower Alpha-09 right?’
“Beats the hell out of me. Whatever the reason, we don’t take kindly to people fucking with our people. Also never thought I’d be scared of a pregnant lady, but his wife in a mech wasn’t screwing around. If you know anything that can help them, I strongly suggest you share it.”
[Firetower Alpha-09, System AFG-567 in Western Space. You won’t like what you find, but you might find my cousin there.] he responded on the pad with.
“Yeah we’ve been getting a lot of that lately. Always seem to get the sick and twisted science assholes to deal with. The info is appreciated and has been forwarded. If we don’t get him back, or he isn’t in one piece. We’ll genocide Crimson until there are none left.”, He said as he moved into a darker tone.
Ydrin thought for a moment, [Can I have my duffle bag for a moment?] He asked on the pad.
Jack nodded to Jane, who had the bag in her other hand, which she handed over. “I suggest movements be kept slow.”
Ydrin just dove right into his bag and dumped EVERYTHING on the table, there were Thousands of KS and data cashed as well as tablets labels [INTEL]. He then grabbed a cache labeled [Azazel Project] then turned it on. Handing it to Jack.
On the cache there would be pictures of monsters and demons, experiments and test on a subject named: Kyle Dee. He then wrote on his pad, [This is… what’s going to happen to him…]
Jack looked it over and made a digital copy on his Geist for analysis in the labs, as well as noted any relevant data to better tell them where Kyle was taken. He forwarded copies of everything to the search force as well. “Thank you Mr. McMaster, this will prove helpful. Is there anything else?”
‘I mean… if you guys could read minds that would make things easier.’ [Are you kidding me? This is only a fraction of what I have. There’s a stash of all sort of shit] he showed. Then sighed, “Damn it Kyle…”
“Then you will be compensated for all of it, and our tech analyst will review and scrutinize every terabyte of data. We need anything we can get if we are going to be successful a second time in his rescue. You’ve already proven you can be cooperative, and hopefully through that cooperation, we can eliminate this threat once and for all. Crimson’s days are numbered.”
[I really think that is you guys had a device that could read minds. That would help this process.] He showed having a discontent look on his face. Wishing he was able to speak more than just a few words before it began to fail him.
“Do you have a neural implant, or any sort of mental aug?”, Jack asked.
[Like I could find one that was on the market that works to optimal usage.] he showed looking disappointed.
Jack leaned forward his irises glowing now, “That, we can help you with. If you’re willing to undergo implantation. It is called the G1-NI, or Geist. It gives the user all the same benefits of a digital mind without needing to replace the mind. Well plus a couple bonus features. The choice is yours.”
‘That also means that there’s a tracker no doubt… Fuck. He’s got me pinned against a wall here.’ Ydrin rubbed his throat. ‘This also means that I’ll be able to communicate without having to type everything down. It still won’t fix my vocal cords being damaged…’ He thought giving a look of conflict. His gaze down at the table with his golden eyes made him look like he was in deep thought.
After a minute he picked up the pad and wrote something, turning it arounds and siding it across the table over to Jack.
[That would be something that I would be interested in. My vocal cords are damaged beyond repair, and I didn’t want Yamatai sticking me in a tube then enlisting my ass or going into debt. I just want to tell you that there is something I could possibly bring other than just my skills and what you see on the table.
I use to run with these other 4 in a group we called Genesis Squad. There is the Troll Johnson, our leader, Then you have Mr.Denny, whom is our informational and ‘diplomat’. After that you have the girls, Ryuko and Eleanor. Ryuko is our Spec-ops girl, she’s a hybrid of a Human and something else… I think a cat. Then you have Eleanor, big ass Nep woman who has uh… done more than a few favors for me.]
He sat a bit uncomfortable writing the last part, noticeably blushing. He grabbed the name tag hanging from his neck and looked down at the table. Wanting to just get this done to so he could get to doing something productive and not wasting time sending messages back and forth. It was very inconvenient for him to be talking. Ydrin wasn’t the best with words, though he could hold a conversation, He prefered to be left alone or just be given an order and it be left at that. ‘Damn… Wish I at least had a puzzle in front of me. Also, the issue with them is that they’re off god knows where. We split up after the incident.’
Jack read over the pad and compiled the names and species into a list. Quickly it was placed into a watch order to be sent to units placed on stations just within the territory like the one Ydrin had been on. It was also sent to the five Eye IIs, the ships being tasked to go out and search from the stations to here. All of this only taking a minute, or two to complete before looking back to Ydrin with a nod. “We’ll get whatever we can, as I wasn’t joking when I said we need people with skills. We don’t care whether you be soldier, criminal, shady in general, merc, or even just an odd man out. NDC was built around the idea of second chances, and better futures. Consider yourself starting with a clean slate here. There’s a apartment now registered to you in residential district, and four neighboring apartments now reserved for if we find you comrades and they choose to join too. Your surgery is scheduled for tomorrow with Miss Haruka Yamamoto, our head of medical. If you have any last minute questions, now is the time to ask them.”, He said simply.
Ydrin looked down at the pad, trying to think of a response, but nothing came to him. Looking up he shook his head and slid back the pad to Jack. ‘I have no clue how Johnson is going to respond to this but, from what I can see… I think he might be okay with this.’ He then grabbed the KS from the table and shoveled it back into his duffle bag. Leaving the intel on the table for Jack keep.
He then thought of something he could say, [I mean, as long as I get to do essentially almost anything I want. I’ll be fine. Lemme clarify what I mean by that though, I want to essentially just work on my projects and possibly cross them over into yours. If they fit together. I already have this design for a mech that I’ve been working on.] He wrote after snatching back the pad from in front of Jack and slid it back. ‘I think that’s all I need to say… Nothing else really comes to mind.’
“That’s how the labs normally operate. We only assign projects if actually needed, and needed within a certain time frame. If not needed by a certain time, the project is simply posted up for whoever is willing to take it on. I believe you find our lab systems, equipment, and practices very accommodating, as long as nothing unethical is being done.”, The white haired man explained as he idly scratched his chin.
‘Define… unethical… because I have plans for some ‘questionable’ things…’ He thought, giving a look that he was definitely thinking something along the lines of that.
“Tell me what it is and i’ll tell you if it is.”, he chuckled.
“Slaves.” He said then grabbed his neck, as it shit a sharp pain through his entire throat. Due to his vocal cords being so intensely damaged. His voice sounded young, but horse and broken like he was sick.
Jack shook his head, “Yeah that definitely fits our definition of unethical. Anything that falls under biological warfare, forced gene, or augment manipulations. Definitely anything that subverts free will, and anything that creates abominations of nature…...like the previous topic. As long as it doesn’t fall under one of those, the BRRF won’t come knocking.”
After Jack states that, Ydrin just stared dead at the data cache that was for the ‘Azazel Project’. ‘That thing is DEFINITELY… not going to be something you’ll like then…’ [Did you read the virus or nanobots in that project… what they… do?] he showed, still rubbing his neck, coughing up some blood into his hand. Talking was more or less lethal for him.
“Yes I read, and we’ve dealt with similar in the past, but not both in the same case. We even have a working vaccination of the original necro virus. You should stop by the doctor’s, get that treated.”
‘Okay. Well. Looks like I’m stuck here now.’ Ydrin thought to himself as he sat there. [No further questions.]
