|
Alexander - FP: 5 Alexander's return to the Holy City was as bittersweet as anything could be. Coming back to Jerusalem meant a return to the happiest time of his life, and a rush of memories flooded him as he beheld the Holy City in the distance for the first time. And yet, at the same time, those memories stung like steel barbs, reminding him of a more innocent time before he learned of the depravity that had taken hold of his country. A time when he was a better man, and worthy of overseeing the Holy City. He did not belong here now, after all that had happened since he'd left, but he had no choice. The Holy City needed guardians to protect its peace, and he'd do whatever it took to keep it and its inhabitants safe. Especially a certain temporary resident...which had only made it all the more shocking when he arrived at the briefing room and saw...her. Her clothes were different and her eyes were harder and more determined, but she had the same face, the same grace, the same vital air beyond anyone else he'd ever known. It had been a supreme effort of will to take his eyes off her and focus on the transmission while it lasted. Now that it was over, Alexander was burning with questions, but if it was truly her, he could not put her on the spotlight like that. Instead, he took a deep breath to compose himself, and spoke. "Our patrons have certainly spared no expenses in constructing this base. All of it is new and tremendously advanced. Even Ezekiel appears to be newly made, but he has learned quickly." He was referring, of course, to the self-actualizing situation simulator, deep within the base's bowels. As the only pilot with previous experience with the Holy City, Alexander had been summoned by the learning computer for a long debriefing session to help construct a better simulation of Jerusalem, and thus prepare battle plans and contingencies in case of emergency in advance (as well as an extremely advanced training sim, of course). He had only emerged from it a mere half-hour before the meeting's start. "Just like we will have to, if we are to deal with these invaders successfully." Standing up, Alexander addressed his fellow pilots with a stiff bow, before seating himself once more. "My name is Alexander Ariel, of clan Abidam. It is an honor to make your acquaintance, fellow Guardians." quote:Alexander Ariel Abidam Transient People fucked around with this message at 00:27 on Feb 8, 2014 |
#
¿
May 5, 2013 21:29
|
|
/ 
|
|
| # ¿ Apr 27, 2024 05:36 |
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 Cecil's words elicited a frown from Alexander. "Of course that is not our 'style', Valkyrie. What sort of fool would call his enemy out for a mechanized duel in the middle of a city? The potential for casualties would be immense. A soldier should be more thoughtful and responsible than that." He said, his expression serious and admonishing. If the reference to magical robots or rubbed suited monsters seemed unusual to him, he didn't let it show. Transient People fucked around with this message at 23:10 on May 5, 2013 |
|
#
¿
May 5, 2013 23:07
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "Covert operations have decided wars before, in spite of involving only handfuls of men on the field. Who's to say an elite squadron such as ours cannot do the same from the frontline while the nations of the world attempt to understand the gravity of this threat?" Alexander said, his voice just as serious as before, but rather more driven. He'd seen heroism turn the tide of a battle too many times before to dismiss it wholly, as foolish as it had proven to be in many occasions. Unlike Cecil, he was at ease with the small task force - his old squadron had not been much larger back when he was still working for the HJS, and the reduced squad size meant any bonds forged in the heat of battle would be as strong as steel. He'd have to speak with him, sometime - perhaps the AUG doctrine prioritized numbers so much that it had shaken up his confidence to find himself an irreplaceable asset, but he would come around. The former captain was sure of it. After addressing Cecil, Alexander's eyes moved to focus on Teresa, lingering on her for a brief time. Nobody ever spoke without a reason behind their words, and he was curious about what reason had made the black-haired girl utter such a pronouncement. "And what sort of quality have we brought to this base, Steiner?" He asked. It was as good a way of getting to know her as any other. Transient People fucked around with this message at 00:08 on May 6, 2013 |
|
#
¿
May 6, 2013 00:01
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 As the robot schematics flashed across the screen, Alexander's heart sank. HJS crusaders. Of course it'd be them. But what were they doing here? Teresa was right, the war with the AUG was much too dire to take a single man off the frontlines, much less taunt the MHC to fight. The possibility that it might not be his brothers and sisters that he would soon be slaying provided little comfort. But this was war, and he was not a soldier of the faith any longer. Standing up, Alexander nodded. "Then there is no time to waste. Let us go, and make this their final flight."
|
|
#
¿
May 6, 2013 17:17
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "No need to worry, Master Sergeant." Alexander said, saluting. "The Arondight will lead the charge as it is meant to do. I'm sure of that." As a service lift carried him up to the Arondight's cockpit, Alexander couldn't help but let his mind wander. This would be their first test as a unit, and the first real test the Arondight had faced in months...and likewise, his first real challenge since he had left his people. Would he be up to the task? Would he have to slay his kin? Was this a cause worth fighting for, worth killing for? "A cause is always worth fighting for, if one commits himself fully to it. Purge the doubt, Captain Abidam. Battle awaits you now." As the entrance door slid open, Alexander entered the depths of his machine, soon arriving at the Pillar of Faith, as the pilot-machine uplink was informally called. Standing on it, Alexander pressed a nearby button, causing a hatch to open, revealing a sheathed sword...a perfect small-scale replica of the Archangel's Sword. Grasping it, Alexander pulled it out of its sheath, feeling the bioelectrical input processors on the handle dig into his hand. Holding the blade up in front of him, Alexander closed his eyes and quietly spoke. "God our deliverer, defender of the poor and needy; When the foundations of the earth are shaking, give strength to your people to uphold justice and fight all wrong, in the name of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Nothing happened. For a moment, there was nothing inside the Arondight but a man, his faith, and the Lord, casting judgement upon it. Then, with a soft hum, the Arondight's lights came online, and Alexander found himself looking down at the hangar outside, his mind fully integrated with God's machine. "This is Captain Alexander Abidam." He said, and his voice was broadcasted to all the other receivers in the hangar. "ARC-65 Arondight is fully operational, and the Lord smiles upon our crusade. All units, report."
|
|
#
¿
May 7, 2013 01:00
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 Posting some conversations. Alexander's comments are in normal text, Cecil's are preced by a score (-), and Lenore's are in italics. "This is it!" Alexander cried out, even though his communication channels were closed. "Spread your wings, Arondight!" With a mighty flap, the Archangel unit established its own momentum. A moment later, its boosters kicked in, and full speed was achieved. Satisfied with his unit's performance, Alexander opened communications once again. "Captain Abidam here. Excellent launch, team. It won't be long until we are in position to intercept our targets, so if anyone has any questions about our battle plan, now is the time to speak up." Moments later, he heard Cecil speak up. Cecil posted:"And how many of you fly at the behest of some grand higher power, anyhow? Alex, you just pull out that sword thing and your mech takes off or what?" "No. It is my prayer to the Lord that brings His machine to life." -"So when it clocks out on you, is that His work too?" "If by 'clocking out' you mean punishing my lack of faith then yes, you are absolutely correct, Valkyrie." The brief burst of chatter over, Alexander opted to follow his own advice. Opening a private line between the Arondight and the Channeler, Alexander looked at Lenore's face through a monitor, his expression somewhere between anxiety, hope and worry. "Miss Santiago." He said. "I trust you are prepared for the mission ahead of us, correct?" Lenore opens the channel, and sees Alexander's look of worry. She giggles a bit and says, "Not at all, but I'm good at improvising. Alexander sighed. "I...that's good, I suppose. Honesty is appreciated." After a moment, he spoke again, more tentatively. "This assignment must be very important to you. Defending the holy city of Jerusalem as your first tour...it must hit close to home." He groaned inwardly at his awful joke. He never was too good with them. With equal seriousness, she replied, "Every place is sacred to the Lord. Every place is holy in his eyes. If we defend who we love, does it matter whether we're fighting in front of the Temple or in front of the bordellos of Las Vegas?" "It's just what she would say." He thought. For a moment, Alexander felt like his heart would burst. For the first time in months, a broad, sincere smile dawned on his face. "Well spoken. It's been a long time since I last saw you, milady. I must admit I never thought you would be the type to take up arms in defense of the needy, but I should have known better. Where has your mission led you, since we last spoke?" She grows puzzled. "I don't think I've ever met you before." Alexander's expression froze, replaced after a moment by a guarded mask. "Do you not remember, milady?" He asked, carefully, as though afraid his words could trigger some kind of trap. "We met not too far away from our current location, in the very city we've been sworn to protect. Has time erased your memories of that fateful night?" She frowns, then she hears something inaudible and her expression grows thunderstruck. "That was... Millame, the last Blessed Warrior. Shortly after she met you, she was killed in a skirmish with the MHC. Her spirit, with the rest of the Blessed Warriors, was passed down to me. That must be what you're seeing." For a moment, communications cut off, and outside, the Arondight waverd and briefly lost altitude. When the channels reopened, Alexander looked visibly shaken. "Dead? No, she...couldn't be. This must be another misunderstanding." She quickly grasped the implications of Alexander's loss of heart combined with the Arondight's loss of power. She tells him firmly, "I know she is dead, for her spirit stands beside me. But the Court of Miracles is not dead. We must fight now, give it our all now, and afterwards we'll talk." For a moment, Alexander felt an urge to reply, to ask more questions and find more answers. Who were these Blessed Warriors? How was Lenore connected to Millame? But eventually, he managed to calm himself down. "Well said. Our mission comes before anything else. This can wait. Prepare yourself for engagement, Miss Santiago. Captain Abidam, out." "Private Santiago, out." Transient People fucked around with this message at 04:54 on May 7, 2013 |
|
#
¿
May 7, 2013 04:50
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "If you believe that, you are invited to try and give the Arondight a test drive once this mission is over, Sakura." Alexander muttered after a moment, more gruffly than he had intended. He was not receptive to having his beliefs questioned at the moment. "Its Demiurge Engine draws from something deep inside its pilot. Not cocksureness, not confidence, not even belief in oneself, but something deeper, truer. Faith, in other words. Someone without faith would not be able to make it budge an inch. Faith is what drives us to do the impossible and overcome hardship, as with everything else. Lt. Skye might not believe it, but it is hard to blame him. After all, his people are proud and mighty now, and have forgotten what defeat's bitter taste is like. He shall come around when the tide turns. Disaster makes fervent converts out of the unbelievers."
|
|
#
¿
May 7, 2013 05:21
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 Though the others could not see it, Alexander's expression became sullen. "Think what you like. I know enough about lost hopes to know what can destroy them, child. No simple defeat can shatter the hopes of an honest man." He murmured to himself, before reopening communications. "It won't be long before we're forced into battle. Atkinson, Castle, prepare to unleash suppressing fire. Skye, use your superior speed and maneuverability to stay out of sight and get ready to flank them. Santiago, Sakura, if they turn hostile, stay back and pick them off. I will advance and get their attention along with Kurita-Steiner. If we work together, no matter how our meeting turns out this will be over in seconds. Jerusalem Squad...prepare to engage."
|
|
#
¿
May 7, 2013 05:51
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 As the enemy squad's shots rang out, Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Jerusalem Squad, execute battle plans." He said, before opening the public communication channels. "HJS squad, what is the meaning behind this foolishness? You cannot pretend to enter MHC aerospace unimpeded." Just then, the Arondight received Lenore's scans. Looking at it, Alexander tried to remember if he'd ever seen anything like it. Rolling Quick, got a result of 2. If Harriman's bonus applies, make that 3 instead. Also rolling Clever to try and recall any information about the shieldbearer, got a 1. Transient People fucked around with this message at 22:51 on May 7, 2013 |
|
#
¿
May 7, 2013 22:48
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "I wouldn't worry about that. The only ones who'll perish today..." Alexander said, raising his blade to point at the enemy forces. "Are those liars and cheats. ARONDIGHT! GO!" With a sudden burst of energy, the Arondight took off, its feet nearly touching the water below, cutting through it like a knife, causing a tide to rise in its wake. Alexander didn't notice, however: All of his attention was on the shield bearer leading the units of his brethren. "Corruptor! You've stolen the banners of a noble cause, and have come to this land seeking to drench them with the blood of innocents! This will not stand!" He bellowed, raising the Arondight's sword to a ready stance. As it closed the distance, sparks began to dance along the length of the blade, which became charged with energy. "Fiend! It is I who will be your opponent! FACE ME!" Rolling Forceful to cross the distance, and generate a tide and the Boost Sturm Und Drang in the process because... <Krysmbot> TransientPeople, +++/+3 = 6 <AlanWhats> huh <KPrime> dang. <TransientPeople> Can I place a 'Sturm Und Drang' Boost for beating the target to get to the enemy zone by that much KPrime? <KPrime> yes <KPrime> because <KPrime> jesus goddamn
|
|
#
¿
May 8, 2013 01:25
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 As the energy blast rushed towards him, Alexander did not hesitate. With a diagonal cut, he sliced the ball in half, causing the two new, smaller blasts to splash into the ocean harmlessly. Inside the Arondight, the Captain grinned. "Then you accept this challenge? Good. Prepare yourself, here I come!" Rolling Forceful to block, got this result: /+-++3 = 4. Leader gets a boost out of this.
|
|
#
¿
May 8, 2013 16:23
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 Coming from the edge of his vision, Alexander only had an instant to react to the hail of gunfire coming at him. Twisting his sword mid-attack, he brought it straight down, as if stabbing the water, and causing a bolt of lightning to shoot from the sword. "RISE!" As the bolt connected with the water, an enormous pillar of water erupted, briefly obscuring Alexander from his aggressors, but also stopping his momentum. "Blast it!" He yelled, annoyed. "These imposters are trying to block my advance. Shoot them down!" Defending with Forceful, got +4, +3, +1. So the opposition applies two boosts, and then proceeds to fail but not spectacularly enough to grant me a boost of my own.
|
|
#
¿
May 9, 2013 16:52
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "I see it!" Alexander replied, watching the water fall in slow motion as he counted down the seconds. One, two, three, four, five... "FIEND!" As if shot out by a cannon, the Arondight blasted out of the water wall, smashing against the shieldbearing Gear. The force of the blow sent it reeling backwards, and the Arondight passed by it without wasting a moment. Turning to face the Gear, Alexander raised the Arondight's blade, watching the wave that had formed in its wake smash against the Shieldbearer. "Do you feel it, soldier of the false faith? All is in place for your demise. Beneath us, the emboldened see roars out its courage! Behind you, the raging heat of battle consumes the impure! And from above...the light of heaven descends upon us!" A massive bolt of ligthning arced from the Sword of Michael, illuminating the clear skies. "Arondight! Go!" Its thrusters flaring to life, the Arondight leapt up upward, electricity crackling across its blade. "Three are as one! Take this! TRINITY STORM!" With a mighty slash, the Arondight's blade came down on the Gear's shield, cleaving it and its bearer in half. For a moment, as a multi-terawatt shock coursed through it, it held together, in spite of its fatal injury. And then, the Gear exploded with a blinding flash. "This is Captain Alexander Abidam." The message was broadcasted across the open channels moments later. "The enemy leader has fallen. Justice has been served." Tagging Shared Faith, Sturm Und Drang, Forest of Waves, Flower Power'd and Pinned Down, and activating Test of Faith, for a total bonus of +15. The attack roll against the Shieldbearer is a +//+, or +17, enough to fully strike it down with enough room to downgrade the result by 1 and still kill, generating the boost The Shock of Lightning. Transient People fucked around with this message at 01:27 on May 10, 2013 |
|
#
¿
May 10, 2013 00:11
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "It'll be my pleasure. I will take care of it swiftly." The Arondight began moving in a downward spiral, gathering speed, then dived straight down into the water. Moving out of the zone and down after some discussion on how best to avoid geting bombarded without going against what was in the last post.
|
|
#
¿
May 10, 2013 00:52
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 Alexander was prepared to start hunting down the remnants of the enemy forces, when the songs and screams started to howl. The waves diminished their impact slightly, but it was still a terrifying thing to hear. The chatter on the comms made it even worse, making it clear that his allies were engaged in a grueling battle, and suffering all the more for it. "No!" With a sudden uprush of water, the Arondight emerged, rising upwards to meet the Gear while the rest of the Jerusalem squad bombarded it mercilessly, wrenching Teresa from its grasp. With a twist of his blade, Alexander slashed its back, then spun the Arondight in mid air, to end in front of the beast. "Devil! They are not your enemies! If you must fight anyone, take your blade and cross it with mine instead!" He cried out, prepared to fight to the death to save his squadron. Moving right back up and then attacking, invoking another Test of Faith, tagging the last consequence, and using Tsugumi's boost. The end result is a 9, which beats the boss' roll of 5 by 4, KOing it.
|
|
#
¿
May 11, 2013 17:32
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 -> 4 Rolled a 3, spending a Fate Point on Unbreakable Shattered Faith to push it up to 5 and taking a Mild Consequence of Battered Gear for my trouble. "No! NO! NO!" Alexander cried out, as the sword was taken from him effortlessly. Enraged, he closed his fists, and the Arondight did likewise. "I won't let you get away with this! Come back, you monster! GIVE IT BACK!" Heedlessly, he charged forward, seeking to smash into the Gear, to break it to pieces, but the wind coming from the portals hurled him back. At the same time, Alexander felt his Gear begin to power down. "No! Not now! Don't do this to me, Arondight! Pull yourself together! Please! ARONDIGHT!" Transient People fucked around with this message at 20:44 on May 11, 2013 |
|
#
¿
May 11, 2013 18:18
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 By the time Teresa closed the distance to the Arondight, the Gear had fallen down to sea level, hovering in place above the waves, unresponsive. Inside, Alexander disengaged the Gear View and stared down at his hands in disbelief. The replica Michael Sword was still in his hand, but the real sword of the archangel was nowhere to be found. "This is impossible. This can't be..." He muttered, his eyes wide with shock. How could a foe be so powerful to take the blade in its hand and not be destroyed for its arrogance? How had he lost it? It couldn't be real. It must be a bad dream... Cecil's message arrived. A moment later, the Arondight's sensors revealed that another Gear was in close proximity now. Reactivating the Gear View, Alexander saw that it was Teresa's Manticore. For a moment, he did nothing, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. He needed three before he felt confident in being capable of speaking without shaking. "...This is Captain Alexander Abidam. My weapon is lost and my engine might be damaged." Slowly, the Arondight started moving, its thrusters glowing dimly as it flew at a glacial pace. "...Let's go back to base. We're done here." Transient People fucked around with this message at 02:18 on May 12, 2013 |
|
#
¿
May 12, 2013 02:15
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 The Arondight sagged for a moment, as Alexander sighed. He felt so tired, weak and pathetic right now...all he wanted was to hide beneath a rock in shame. He had failed the Arondight. He had failed his people. He had failed the Lord. He was a miserable, wretched excuse for a captain, and did not deserve to protect the Holy City. "It...it is not receiving enough energy to go any faster. The engine is strained to its limits making Arondight move as fast as it is already. I cannot do anything...anything at all."
|
|
#
¿
May 12, 2013 02:37
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 "Arondight, power down." Alexander whispered, once the Gear had safely made it to its docking spot. For a moment, his vision became distorted, then he found himself standing at the center of the Pillar of Faith, alone, the replica sword in his hand. After a moment, he placed it inside a sheath on his left, and exited the Arondight. "The other pilots have provided a summary of our experiences in the field already." He said as he hit the ground, his voice dead and flat. "We will provide a more extensive account during debriefing. If you will excuse me, Master Sergeant, I have business to take care of in the training room." With that, Alexander departed, his back straight and stiff, forced to remain upright to avoid collapsing.
|
|
#
¿
May 12, 2013 18:24
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 Alexander couldn't stay in the training room forever. There was only so much frustration and impotence to work through before it was all gone, leaving him with only a hollow feeling of failure to keep him company. The fact that there were now deep gashes in the walls of the training room thanks to his tantrum was another good reason to stop as well. He had no right to wreck the facilities available for general use just because he had proven himself to be supremely incompetent. And so, he'd returned to the hangar, only to find everyone else except for the techs had already left. He'd lost track of the time he'd spent looking at Arondight. No matter how much he stared, it still looked wrong to him, as though it had lost an arm. Idly, he wondered if that wouldn't have been a better fate, before the Princess of Japan interrupted his meditations. "And what work is there, Sakura?" He asked, quietly, not taking his eyes off his Gear. "There is no battle to be fought right now. More for ill than good, my duty for the day has been fulfilled."
|
|
#
¿
May 14, 2013 02:51
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 "And where do you suggest I go? Surely, you must have something in mind, to seek me out like this. Let's hear it, then, and see what must be done."
|
|
#
¿
May 14, 2013 03:09
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 Tsugumi's words stung Alexander's pride. Useless. It was one thing to tell that from himself, but to hear it from an outsider... "Such an odd thing to hear, an accusation of uselessness, and yet you still do not know your own home. You'd be wise to put yourself beyond reproach before leaping to criticize others." Sighing, Alexander turned around. "Very well. I will give you a tour of the base, then. It's a better use of my time than standing here uselessly. What have you seen of it already?"
|
|
#
¿
May 14, 2013 03:19
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 In spite of himself, Alexander couldn't help but smile at Tsugumi's remark. "Ah. You are lost then, but cannot admit it as a point of pride. I can understand that, Sakura. Children aren't supposed to visit military bases. I can see why you need an adult to help you find your way now." The whole time, Alexander looked remarkably composed and peaceful. "Don't be afraid to admit fault, child. I am not the same man while resting that I am on a mission."
|
|
#
¿
May 14, 2013 03:56
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 "I do not drink." Alexander said, frankly. "Not on any occasion, at least." He wondered who Sakura thought she was. She acted as if she owned the place, and was owed due obedience. Alexander couldn't remember the last time he'd seen someone quite so...bossy. "Since you are not fully acquainted with the base yet, why do we not make use of that and pay a visit to the medbay? There is some work to be done, after all, and that is preparing ourselves for debriefing by interrogating our prisoner."
|
|
#
¿
May 15, 2013 02:38
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 The following log is both my handiwork and KPrime's. Everything said by the Unknown Soldier comes from him. The base medbay was immaculately white and as quiet as a graveyard. With nobody injured during the battle, there wasn't much activity, and only one patient currently resided there. Entering the resting area, Alexander found the person he was looking for. Resting on his bed, the man turned to look at him with dead eyes. "What do you want?" Sitting down by the man's bedside, Alexander looked at him for a moment. "You're nothing like what I expected you to be." He said. "You're a man." The man laughs, which then turns into a wheezing cough. "As opposed to wh- oh, I see. You don't know." Alexander's eyes narrowed. "And what is it that I don't know?" "How they operate, boy. Why out of that entire group, there was only one alien." After a moment, Alexander nodded. "There's far too much I don't know about my enemies. What they are, who they are, and what their goal is." He weighed his next question carefully, not wanting to make the man fall silent. "Who are you? How did you end up working with an alien being?" Now the man looked haunted. "For. Not with. For. They do it by the song, boyo. The song." "You mean those screams? What about them?" "They get into your head. Your head. The song starts sounding good. And the more people sing it, the better it sounds. And the worst bit is the people who started singing it of their own free will..." "Then they brainwash those who resist them." Alexander said, his voice leaden. "How did you first come across these aliens? Do you know what they are like?" He coughed again and sighed. "Boy, I wish I could tell you more. But they took my whole squad. Then my whole squad took me. I've never even seen one." He closes his eyes. "I'm tired and I need my rest, young man. But I've got this question I've been thinking about since you were kind enough to kill my squad and free me." With a sudden movement he stares Alexander straight in the eyes. "Why is the Society losing the war? Where are its squads going?" The man closed his eyes, and quietly settles back into sleep. As Alexander stood in shock, it occurs to him he never even got the man's name. Wordlessly, Alexander left the medbay, his mind in turmoil. What could the man have been referring to, when he asked about his people's losses in war? As far as he knew, the AUG had been pushing them because they had not been strong enough, brave enough to withstand its assaults. But what if...what if...? With a sudden decision, Alexander turned and headed for the base's bar. He had several questions, and perhaps one of his comrades would be able to answer them.
|
|
#
¿
May 15, 2013 20:16
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 "Lieutenant Skye. I would like to speak with you." Alexander said, interrupting the impromptu karaoke. Picking a chair, he sat himself beside the rest of the squadron, a businesslike expression on his face. After a moment however, he sighed and leaned back. "It seems all of you are enjoying yourselves. That's good, we had a tremendously strenous mission today." His expression looked resigned now, as he spoke, to no one in particular. "I would prefer not to do this, but there are some questions that beget answers. You were part of the AUG's army before joining the Ideal Guardians, weren't you? If so, would you happen to know anything about how the AUG's commanders saw the progress of the war efforts? I would be interested in knowing how people saw things from the e- from the other side."
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 00:48
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 As he heard Cecil's account, Alexander felt a chill run up his spine. He didn't have any proof that what he suspected had been happening to the HJS was actually the truth, but if it was... "God help us." Leaning forward, Alexander rested himself on the table and clutched his head, looking thoroughly defeated. His people had been suffering under the yoke of fiends for years, and he'd been too blind and stupid to do anything about it. "It...it is possible that my people are in danger now. Do you remember the enemies we faced today? And do you remember how they fought? I spoke to the man we rescued from that fiend's clutches, and he told me that our alien enemy is capable of bending the minds of men to its will with its song. I do not wish to believe this, but there isn't much room for doubt. In our war against the alien menace...it is possible the HJS has already fallen."
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 02:13
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 "But why do that when war is such an easy way to thin our numbers?" Alexander asked, darkly. "They clearly don't much care for their soldiers, but any commander knows that wasting men needlessly is a sure path to defeat. If their plan is to simply wipe out as many humans as possible before showing themselves, however..." He left the sentence unfinished. He was sure everyone else could see what he was going for.
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 03:07
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 4 -> 5 Compelling Former Man of Miracles to have Alexander react poorly to Teresa's barbs and say some things he might regret later. Upon hearing Teresa's words, Alexander's back stiffened. Though the others couldn't see his eyes, they had narrowed to slits, and his knuckles were going white from the effort of restraining himself. Then, after a moment, he calmed down and looked up. "Of course, you would know about this better than anybody else." His voice was now icy. "The Steiner family has a history of incidents like these, after all. If anyone would know about hearing and obeying the commands of demonic voices, it'd be you, wouldn't it, Steiner?" Alexander didn't need to elaborate further to get the message across to its intended target. The Steiners had a long history of early onset dementia that tended to manifest in the form of believing themselves to be acting on the commands of devils. It had been one such incident that had precipitated their fall from grace and escape from the HJS. "Perhaps you should stay at base next time we sortie. I would not want to help speed up the development of your illness by exposing you to such danger. It is known that it tends to skip a generation and that, my dear lady Steiner, makes you particularly susceptible to our enemies, after all."
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 04:21
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "Grr...that woman!" Alexander muttered, fuming. "What kind of game could she be playing now? I better make sure she doesn't interfere with Master Sergeant Kwembe's crew and their work." Giving the others a curt nod as a goodbye, Alexander chased after the Kurita-Steiner heiress.
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 04:44
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 As Alexander followed after Teresa, he kept himself steeled for trickery or underhanded maneuvers. There was no telling what the young heiress was planning, but whatever it was, he was determined not to show weakness in front of her. When he saw what she'd been working on, he remained silent for a time. "What is the meaning of this, Steiner? What purpose does this weapon serve?"
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 05:12
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "But this weapon...this weapon will not stand up to the rigors of battle." Alexander murmured, concern entering his voice and expression. "The craftsmanship is artful, and the intentions behind it are...sound", he said, cutting himself off before saying that Teresa's intentions were noble. There was no nobility to her actions, only ruthless pragmatism. "...But it has not been properly sanctified, nor are its materials like those of the Sword of Michael. No relics of the saints have been placed on its hilt. This blade cannot proudly bear the name of the sword of Roland. It is an imitation. A..." Once again, Alexander cut himself off, but for a different reason. He was prepared to tell the heiress the truth: the sword in front of him was nothing but a false sword. But before he could say it, another part of him spoke up and reminded him that he was not a true warrior, either. He'd left his people in their time of need to wallow in his own inadequacies, and lost the holy relic that had been entrusted to him. What better fit for a soldier with no honor that a false sword? Wordlessly, Alexander knelt before the window, and clasped his hands. "It is not a worthy weapon, yet. But when the time comes to take up arms, it will have to be." Closing his eyes, Alexander shut the world out and looked into his soul, searching for what determination and desire for redemption he could find. "O Lord above, grant to your servant this wish, that I may become worthy of you. Take this weapon, forged by a willful sinner, and give to it your blessing, that it may strike well and true in the hour of battle, and protect those who cannot defend themselves. Turn this dark steel into a glistening symbol of peace, and grant me the strength in the most desperate hour to raise it for a just cause..."
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 05:32
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 It had been a long, lonely night. With only machines to keep him company, Alexander had prayed for God's grace and blessing, never raising his eyes. It was his intention to stay where he was until the Durendal was finished, but the announcement made him rise. Being already awake and prepared, he was the first to arrive to the table, and quickly helped himself to some breakfast. Not having eaten anything since he arrived to base, he was famished. By the time the others arrived, a good half of the plates were empty. Once everyone was there, Alexander looked around. "Sakura had the best view of the action. She is probably the one most fit to provide an impartial analysis of the situation."
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 23:13
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "Sir. The interrogation revealed that the aliens, whatever they might be, possess the ability to manipulate humans and brainwash them. Sakura forgot to mention this, but after we dispatch the squad leader, the other enemy units began singing to herald the arrival of the real commander, which identified itself as Legion. That song has the power to bend the minds of men to the will of the aliens. It is imperative that we find a suitable counter to it, or they might simply grind our mental defenses down until we cannot resist them any longer." After a moment, Alexander grit his teeth and continued. "The prisoner also suggested that the HJS had been losing the war because of alien interference. My discussion with Lt. Skye leads me to believe it might have been infiltrated. Dr. Castle also suggested that the same could be the case for the MHC. An intelligence gathering mission into MHC territory seems wise if we are to defend the Holy City."
|
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 23:54
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "Easy, Dr. Castle. As the Son once told his disciples, he who has been struck by someone with evil intentions should not seek to hit back, but turn the other cheek instead." Alexander's words would have been considerably more convincing if his voice had not suddenly gone flat from what the commander had just told them. Millame had been involved with the Ideal Guardians on that level? What else had she been working on? How could he know so little about the woman he had loved so deeply? "What secrets did you keep hidden from me, my love? What else will I find out if I follow your trail?" "I am not certain we should take our units with us if we visit the MHC, Lt. Skye." He added after a moment, his voice regaining some emotion. "We are a motley crew, piloting some of the most advanced units the world has seen. They would stick out like a sore thumb, and even in the best of cases no Gear has ever been good at covert operations. I fear we might have to make do without them if we decide to attempt this operation."
|
|
#
¿
May 17, 2013 03:20
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 At Levi's suggestion, Alexander nodded. "Yes...that does make quite a lot of sense. Good thinking, Atkinson." Afterward, he turned to look at Cecil. "Lt. Skye, I would suggest you practice remaining in close contact with Ms. Kurita-Steiner for at least a few minutes at a time. Body language is what truly marks two people as a couple, and it would not do if either of you flinched at the other's closeness. Our cover identities must be as good as we can make them."
|
|
#
¿
May 19, 2013 04:47
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "That could be arranged. It would raise few eyebrows." Alexander said, nodding. "With some practice, you could make a decent couple...you do seem...compatible, for some reason."
|
|
#
¿
May 19, 2013 05:11
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "That would be...reprehensible." Alexander said, through gritted teeth. Besides being a cover story nightmare, it felt wrong to steal the trappings of another faith for the sake of secrecy. "Though it would not be too difficult to create the illusion. I have had firsthand seeing how one such arrangement functioned in practice. I would much prefer a more traditional set-up, but if that is what our duty mandates..."
|
|
#
¿
May 19, 2013 05:35
|
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "A group of professionals will not resist even a casual scrutiny if found in the middle of a restricted area." Alexander explained, massaging his temples. If they indeed chose to go with Levi's plan, it would be a greater test of his faith than the most grueling battles he had been part of. "Nor will we have a convenient way to justify our actions to onlookers if it becomes necessary to split up. And make no mistake, we will have to split up if we are to find our needle in the Holy City's haystack. It would be best if none of us moved alone, and an...ahem...romantic liaison will lead to fewer people asking the right questions. It will act as a smokescreen, if you will, Ms. Kurita-Steiner."
|
|
#
¿
May 19, 2013 05:57
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ Apr 27, 2024 05:36 |
|
|
Alexander - FP: 5 "The first thing we need to do is acquire some information." Alexander said, after thinking about Lenore's question for a moment. "There must be telltale signs we can use to spot the song's influence, but for that we need some direction. I think I know of someone who can shed some light on this matter. Let's split up, see what we can find, and meet up later at a restaurant I know of..." After giving the rest of the team some directions, Alexander set off for the Old City. Even though he was on a mission, he couldn't help but relish the sights on his way. The happiest days of his life had been spent here, and returning to the Holy City made him feel younger, as if an enormous weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Eventually, he arrived at a small alleyway, not too far away from the Wailing Wall. There, he approached one of the houses, rang the bell, and waited.
|
|
#
¿
May 19, 2013 22:55
|
|