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Post by Tiefy on Jul 25, 2017 11:57:46 GMT -8
The elder sister is as stern-faced and seemingly unamused as ever, propping her hands against her hips as she examines the Official's Navi in full, even adjusting her goggles as she does. Minerva continues to look bored, even with Shane's promise of access to... why DO the ONB have an Archeology Lab? Is the study of ancient civilizations and artifacts really that relevant to police work?
...Scratch that, it's probably a daily necessity.
If a conversation has struck up in the midst of all this, Nightshade finds himself unable to hear it. Thrash seems to have frozen stock-stiff upon materializing in the physical world, and Nightshade's own thoughts are drifting, being pushed aside by bizarre images playing in the back of his head. Amidst the haze in his mind, he can make out a strange variety of data - images, sensations... and voices.
Cambion, what have you done!? This was the chariot for the Daemon's representative to humanity, not a tool of destruction!
Don't bother, Doctor, he's made up his mind already. All units, mobilize CopyBot Ops Squadron and prepare to engage. The Eidolon is live - I repeat, ZV-403 has Dimensionalized!
Today, I take the step that you were too afraid to carry out, Wataru. You intended to uproot and replace humanity, and yet your Daemons cannot even defend themselves, let alone wage war to assert their dominance. What you see today is the correction of the flaws brought about by your bleeding heart.
<...Master, shall I tend to our 'guests'?>
I should have never accepted your commission, and I should have destroyed that MONSTER when I had the chance!
Oh, bitсh bitсh bitсh. Thrash, it's time to break in our new toy - slaughter them, and every other living thing within three hundred meters of the laboratory. It is time to bring the Daemon Project to fruition... Battle Routine, SET.
<EXECUTE!!!>
As this continues, Thrash just stares into space, oblivous to its surroundings...
"So, this is the little 'apprentice', then? Hmph... I don't see it, really. But, if Thrash says you have 'great potential', I'll trust it. So, when does the tour get to the target practice part?" "... ... ..."
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 25, 2017 15:13:07 GMT -8
Shane opted to not leave his guests waiting and escorted them to the range. "Have fun you two, see you later." He told his navi before walking forward.
Nightshade grabbed his head, dazed. He would hop in front of Thrash, worried. That was the same exact feeling he felt the first time he had the Fake Core manifest itself in him. Only that this time...the sensation seemed to be originating from her. It was when memories not of his own flashed into his mind he knew that was serious. Of all the things, his friend and mentor was having a bad case of PTSD by being logged into the ONB server and Materialised in the real world.
"Thrash, THRASH!" He called, grabbing one of her clawed hands in both his own. Then, he gave it a few light tugs.
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 27, 2017 8:45:09 GMT -8
Nightshade's concern is met with a wild swing from the hand he tugs at, which has suddenly sprouted a two-foot long crystalline spear from its middle finger. The Daemon's other arm is poised and ready to strike, jagged spikes forming along its length, the sinister red glow of Thrash's cores now bright enough to overwhelm the lighting in the room. And so the beast remains motionless in this stance, blades and spines inches from piercing digital flesh and armor, Thrash's failing nerve the only thing keeping predatory instinct from taking over...
<Rrgh... this was a mistake. The entire last two months have been one mistake after another, and it is going to culminate in another massacre if this idiocy continues...>
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 27, 2017 9:47:46 GMT -8
Nigthshade fell down on the ground, accidentally setepping on his tail and letting out a soft yelp. He shrunk down when Thrash grew aggressive, before lowering his head down, sad and slightly hurt by her words. "It's my fault I guess..." he whispered. "But...as much as you think you are a monster or something, I think you are a good Navi. Whatever it might happen I will stand by my big sister and...and...and I'll make sure nothing bad will happen to all of us!"
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 27, 2017 11:41:08 GMT -8
As always, trying to figure out the Daemon's emotions just by looking is an exercise in futility, given the barrier of anatomical recognition. And yet, something about the glare of Thrash's cores gives Nightshade a sense of... worry? Possibly regret, but with a strong undercurrent of what could be tenuously called concern. Slowly, the crystalline blades break down and melt back into the gelatinous mass, and the beast gradually stands down...
<You were never meant to be involved in any of this. Nobody was. My very presence is a volatile and destabilizing force, and my history is equally corrosive - for over a century, though, I was the only one who had to worry about it. It was easy to contain, to control its influence, when it was just about me.>
Thrash sighs, seeming to shake itself of the sensations that were clouding its mind and senses mere moments ago.
<The last time I laid eyes upon the physical world like this, my hands forged a world of carnage unlike anything you would have ever seen in your lifetime. If given the means and asked to by my new Masters, I would do so again without hesitation. And so would the power that now rests within you... this is something that you need to understand about me, about us. A weapon cannot afford the luxury of morality or conscience, and while we remain civil when sheathed, our true nature is restrained only until a single word is uttered by the right person... there is no way back to the way you once were, not unless you were to erase a good portion of who and what you are. And you do not deserve such a fate - that is why I am so harsh with my teachings.>
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 27, 2017 12:59:35 GMT -8
The Daemon would feel his claw being picked up again. Nightshade would be looking up at her mask, silent for a few moments. "I won't be rejecting who or what I am. Never will."
The cat navi would place a hand over his chest, right where the fake core was laying dormant within him. "I am what I am because of you. I will not let fear control me, nor will I have fear of what I may become when my core eventually completes its growth and permanently burrows in my source code. I have accepted this darkness within me long ago. It's a gift, and not a curse. Will it be a double edge sword? Yes. Will if possibly create problems? Maybe. Would I sacrifice what I hold the most dear to fully control these powers and realize their full potential? Yes. I accept all of it. It is part of me. It is who I am..."
Dark energy engulfed Nightshade as the core activated. In a moment, the small navi's appereance changed to his ThrashSoul mode. He stepped forward, standing in front of the Daemon and showing her that form with pride and determination.
"I am Nightshade. I am Thrash's student. And I will keep going untill my body is dry, untill the very end, to become as strong as my big sister, to learn her teachings and make her proud of me. To master the powers within my body no matter the consequences.
You may hate this...half daemon standing in front of you. You may despise him for plagiarizing your powers. You may attack him again and again and again and again. But he will keep standing up in virtue of his promise. I will never leave my big sister alone. Because I care about you, Thrash. I really do."
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 27, 2017 14:59:23 GMT -8
<...You just can't turn yourself off, can you? You barely know of what you speak, and yet you're determined to see it through to an end that you can't possibly comprehend.>
...Did the edge of Thrash's mask just bend and contort itself into a smile? That notch definitely wasn't always there...
<For your sake, I hope that you are right. The world would suffer a terrible loss, otherwise, and it would be one less reason for me to not simply return to the old ways and tear it all down. But understand that what you call 'darkness' takes a form unique to the one facing it. You may not recognize it for what it is until it is too late, and you will certainly hesitate to resist its call. What you hold close as a virtue now may become your worst enemy when the time comes.>
...And the voices flood back again...
What are you waiting for? I gave you a command, and I expect you to fulfill it to the letter! <I... I cannot...> Nonsense. It is what you're built to do, and you've done it plenty today already. This will just be one more body on the tally. <... ... ...> ...Either you can do it, or I will. Explosive buckshot ain't what I'd call painless or clean, not compared to what you can do, but it'll do the trick. It's your choice - there's such a thing as following orders because it's the right thing to do, and not just because you were told. Stop this! You've proven your point, Cambion, we can still continue the project withou- No, we can't. Not until we've dropped one last bit of dead weight that's holding it all back. Old, outdated ideals that stand in the way of the perfect utopia that you envisioned... Thrash, do it. <...The will of the Master is my command. I am sorry...>
And the reverie ends in a spray of blood across Nightshade's vision, before he snaps back to reality.
<...I wonder, would the systems here still recognize my network signature? It has been AGES since the last time I had the opportunity to break into the ONB Intelligence Database and delete a few identities...>
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 27, 2017 15:26:26 GMT -8
Nightshade's eyes widened slightly. There it was. He knew it. Right there, as his connection with the Daemon got stronger, he had finally saw it. That was what he was there for. That little moment, that imperceptible hint of happiness coming from Thrash mean the world to him. She cared. She truly cared about her close ones. "When it comes...I'll be ready. I do have the best teacher of the net."
The memories flashing at him only made him even more determined.
He was snapped back to reality by her question. "Uhh I think it wouldn't, given how we can bypass most if not all security scans. However, the system we got uploaded to to materialise is separate from the rest of the ONB mainframe complex. It is physically impossible to access it. We shoudl go check on Lady Nina and Shane. I think he wanted to talk with you or something. Better not keep them wondering."
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 27, 2017 17:08:54 GMT -8
*BWOOM!!* "EEYAHAHAHAHA~!!"
<...Oh good, she found the hellfire rounds.>
Indeed, several hallways and a sealed door away, and Nina Garadi has already set to work on the targets. Actually, there aren't even any targets set up, and Shane hasn't even gone about setting up the holograms or preparing the equipment. Nina simply had her weapon at the ready, pointed her weapon vaguely in the direction of the range, and fired. What ensued was what could only be described as a compressed inferno suddenly breaking loose from its prison - Shane's headgear identifies the cause as a mixture of concentrated ethanol, kerosene, and a spray of round styrofoam pellets soaked in said chemical cocktail. THIS is apparently the payload of the red-and-yellow cartridges that eject from the beermistress' weapon onto the floor, the revolving cylinder moving another set into firing position with a quick pump of the slider.
"Nothin' quite like Molotov-In-A-Can to start off the day..." "I'm still amazed they didn't just confiscate that thing at the door." "Thirty-one inches, Min - if anyone asks, it's for hunting. So, Officer, you wanted to show off something?"
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 28, 2017 2:15:40 GMT -8
'Registered secure location detected. Override engaged.' *pop...tink... pop pop...tink tink.*
Three bullseyes in less than two seconds. Shane spun his revolver around, before applying a suppressor on its end and popping three more targets with faint *Pfht* sounds. Another three bullseyes. Breach loaded the revolver in another two more seconds and he was ready once again. He would take down a few more targets before settling the unloaded revolver in its holster on his back before taking a look at Nina's target.
"Remarkable weapon, noot too bad of a shooter. You seem to aim a little too much on the left, lady Nina." Shane commented,studying the silhouette. "Still, impressive results. If there was a real bad guy he'd be boned."
He moved over to better examine the target.
"But you should forget everything Hollywood taught you. A firearm is good if its functional."
He pointed at the elaborate master work on the shotgun. "Engravings...give no tactical advantage. It's a nice gun, I'll give you that. And that was some fancy shooting. Pretty good."
He would then examine Minervas sheet and cock his eyebrow in surprise. "Speaking of impressive...with a grouping like this without dedicated training...I would actually be tempted to invite you in the ONB."
Shane turned himself to the left when he heard a familiar set of claws tip tapping closer. He let out a soft chuckle when he saw his partner hand in hand with the Daemon. As much as people thought of him as a scaredy cat, Nightshade had quite the guts to just hang around Thrash without worries.
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 28, 2017 12:45:33 GMT -8
Not even making eye contact, Nina 'lines up' another shot - again, not even remotely aiming at the targets on her side, instead pointing vaguely upward.
"That's good shooting, if you're actually looking to kill someone with that thing. Hell, you're not exactly gonna scare anyone with it, so what else COULD you do with it?"
*BWOOOOOM!!*
Another whirling gout of fire issues forth from the dual-maws of the iron beast in Nina's hands, stopping just short of actually connecting with the targets. One paper target at the edge of the fireball's radius is promptly charred and blackened by proximity... another pump, and two more expended shells hit the floor.
"Now, if you're a businesswoman with self-defense in mind, intimidation's the name of the game. I'd get in trouble with law-enforcement types like yourself if I went straight for the heart like that every time I had to deal with a trespasser on my property. Orthos here draws a nice little line in the sand - and if I ever actually need to pull it out, most folks don't cross that line."
And suddenly, the weapon's ornamental design makes a lot more sense... Minerva, meanwhile, doesn't seem to have even heard or acknowledged Shane - she just continues to type away at the folding keypad on her PET, her headphones rendering any attempts to get her attention futile.
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 28, 2017 23:38:22 GMT -8
"True. But it wouldn't hurt to know how to shoot properly from time to time." Shane replied. "Oh, if you would excuse me for a moment"
The man walked towards the two navis that had just arrived. "Hey Nighty, can I have a moment with Thrash please?"
Nightshade would look up at his "sister" before nodding and letting go of her claw. "S-should I go oversee lady Nina and Lady Minerva?"
With a nod from Shane, he walked over the range and beside Minerva, letting out a timid salute. Shane stood in front of the Daemon. "I believe I owe you some apologies."
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 31, 2017 8:05:25 GMT -8
Thrash is obviously still getting accustomed to the Dimensional space, and the idea of having to mentally separate objects that it cannot interact with physically. The last time the Daemon's feet touched hard stone and metal, it crumbled just as easily to its strikes as digital tiles, and human flesh yielded much the same as a Navi's outer frame. Indeed, Thrash's programmed instincts are positively screaming in the back of its mind - presence in the real world can only mean that it has entered a CopyBot, meaning that it must now carry out its primary mission... well, if it HAD a designated mission at the moment anyway. Which is problematic, because having NO task means that its priorities default to "Exterminate All Non-Protected Targets".
It wouldn't HURT anyone if Thrash were to drive its simulated claws through Shane's eye sockets to pull his esophagus out through the resulting cavity, but the Daemon resists the persistent urge to do so out of sheer politeness.
<Tch... I am not the one you should be apologizing to, if you feel any degree of remorse for your conduct over the past month. To be perfectly honest, I was very much against this little trip of yours, and still am. The little one's behavior in spite of his personal growth is enough to show me that you have not changed alongside him, and I am not sure that I approve of your influence in that case.>
The irony in the room is suddenly thick enough to cut with a knife...
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 31, 2017 8:32:21 GMT -8
Shane sighed. "I know. I am more resistant to change than he is, but that's why I leave him with you. You seem way better at this whole mentoring thing than I will ever be. Besides, this was the only way I could talk with you face to...core."
He glanced at Nightshade trying to entertain Minerva and cheering Nina with her shooting.
"...take good care of him." He added, after a while. "He adores you, you're his personal hero. Not only that but, leaving this between us, his greatest wish would be seeing you fighting at his side not only during training. He wants you as a partner here in the ONB. As you said, I am not that good of an influnce and it will take me time to correct that. So, for the time being, I'm trusting you with Nighty's well being. You've done an amazing work until now, so I know you'll do well. I'm not your master, nor I can force you to do anything really. But if Nightshade went to great length to stay with you I can only respect his choice and allow him to grow his own way."
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Post by Tiefy on Jul 31, 2017 18:34:26 GMT -8
<...Are you truly that weak and short-sighted?>
Well, should've expected Thrash to not have many nice things to say to Shane. This, however, seems to be more than just a jab at his lacking operating style...
<I have done only what is necessary for his well-being - a basic education to prepare him for the consequences of a situation that was brought about by my carelessness. Whatever else he has learned from me, he should already have gained from experience alongside you if he was already a full-fledged Official. And despite my abrasiveness, he looks up to me - nearly to the same degree that he does with you.>
Clearly, Nightshade's clinginess has not gone unnoticed by the Daemon. Thrash stares coldly back at Shane - a gesture whose intensity can be felt even without proper eyes to express the glare.
<You are his Operator, his master, his partner. I commend you for going against your personal sentiments to do something that you feel is best for him, but everything I have done for him will be completely pointless unless you learn and grow together, as the singular entity that you are supposed to act as. You must give the support that the boy so craves that he would come to the likes of me for it. And if you cannot, sit and learn alongside him as his other half should - you are both useless without each other, just as any Navi and Operator pair. Just as I would be without a Master of my own.>
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