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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 16, 2014 9:15:43 GMT -6
Analyzing request...
Conditions fulfilled...
Standard anti-infiltration scan initiated... System security confirmed...
Re-checking conditions... Confirmed... Conditions fulfilled...
Initiating secure channel- recipients: All organic units...
Secure channel- properties: Priority override and two-way...
Facilitating interface between organic units...
"My name is Commander Eric Lysander of the Systems Alliance. You have one of my crew held hostage against his will… let him go…”
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Post by PaladinKOSP on Apr 16, 2014 9:24:09 GMT -6
"My name is Commander Eric Lysander of the Systems Alliance. You have one of my crew held hostage against his will... let him go..."
Those words echoed through the turians radio as he followed the tracks of the mercenary. "Know I now what's going on.." He thought as he picked up his speed, rushing toward where Meldom and his assistant are. Artacus arrived into the room, seeing both Meldom, his assistant, and Maelstrom typing away at the console. He took a gander at Maelstrom at the console, somehow he felt that the human wasn't himself. He approached the mercenary with his shotgun slightly raised and observed him silently.
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Post by grandest on Apr 16, 2014 14:04:50 GMT -6
"What's the condition of Maelstrom right now? Can someone give me a report?" Esteban's voice chimed in Cruendi'has' ear. Glancing between the Merc in Black and Meldom, trying to assess the situation, Cruendi'has replied, "He's working at some sort of data console... And has Meldom at gunpoint. Do we have a plan?" Cruendi'has genuinely hoped the answer wouldn't be a shot from behind.
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Post by Esteban Bridges on Apr 16, 2014 22:40:25 GMT -6
He's working at some sort of data console... And has Meldom at gunpoint. Do we have a plan?
My name is Commander Eric Lysander of the Systems Alliance. You have one of my crew held hostage against his will... let him go...
"Thank you Cruendi'has," Esteban replied, his muscles beginning to tense. He wasn't sure if he was about to walk into a combat situation or not, but he erred on the side of caution by activating his armor's shield system. His VI went into active scan mode, sending out waves of energy into the surrounding environment. His armor's refined sensors analyzed the reflected energy in a fraction of a second, giving Esteban a clear readout and a better idea of what's going on. "I have an idea to help," he continued, stepping into the room behind the Batarian... activating his omnitool. "I believe I can short out Maelstrom's gun for a quarter second. It should give Meldom enough time to disarm Maelstrom and get to safety. All I need is five seconds to set it up..."
Esteban stood at the ready, a step to the side of Cruendi'has. He wanted to be perfectly visible to everyone in the room, showing that he had his omnitool at the ready to begin.
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 16, 2014 23:11:51 GMT -6
Maelstrom was vaguely aware of people gathering behind him. He had no idea how he knew this, but he had a very clear impression of where they were. Two were near the door, one was close behind him. His best guess at what was keeping them at bay was the fact that he had Meldom at the end of his gun. That would only last so long. But he was ready for them to make their move.
Not that he wanted to attack them. He was fairly sure he did not want to attack them, as a matter of fact. If they interfered, though, he would need to. Nothing could interfere with what he was doing. As much as he screamed inside to stop what he was doing, it was just not something he could allow.
Hoping to delay the others from taking any action that might interrupt him, Maelstrom said, "Two by the door. One behind me. Meldom still at the end of my gun. I really don't want to hurt anyone, but I can't guarantee anyone's safety if you interfere. I need to do this."
His right hand continued to fly over the controls. The commands brought up a historical archive of the empire. He quickly brought up a timeline. For reasons he could not comprehend, he understood what the alien symbols meant. Next to the founding of the empire was a time stamp that indicated a complete null value. There were no entries before it, as though nothing predated its formation. As if nothing before its establishment mattered in the least. Several other events were listed, though they did not matter to him, just seeing the founding date.
He entered more commands. The historical archive disappeared and was quickly replaced with an educational program. His commands were being entered almost as fast as the computer could process them, and he found himself seconds later at a tutorial for understanding the relatively complex time calculations. If he understood it right, their standards, rather than revolving around a planet's cycles, were based on the radioactive decay of an isotope of potassium.
Again, his fingers worked the controls, as he moved on to the next necessary piece of information. He thought things were starting to fall into place, but he was not certain. He still needed more time.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 17, 2014 7:46:29 GMT -6
Nothing. The damned Keeper just stood there and said nothing, did nothing but stare at the black-shirted mercenary.
Esteban Bridges voice came over Eric’s earpiece, a welcome relief from the cold, cool timber of the VI Emily despite the present circumstances. "I have an idea to help. I believe I can short out Maelstrom's gun for a quarter second. It should give Meldom enough time to disarm Maelstrom and get to safety. All I need is five seconds to set it up..."
“Good thinking, B,” thumbed Eric quietly. “Get set and ready to go on my word-“
"Two by the door. One behind me. Meldom still at the end of my gun,” groaned Maelstrom, growing weary from vacillating between struggle and submission. “I really don't want to hurt anyone, but I can't guarantee anyone's safety if you interfere. I need to do this."
Eric raised his voice at the intruder, throwing his arms wide to elicit a response. “What do you want with Maelstrom?!”
Silence and inactivity as before.
Eric decided to get answers from its unwilling thrall. “Why do you need to do what, Mal? What are they makin’ you do?”
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 17, 2014 8:51:47 GMT -6
“Why do you need to do what, Mal? What are they makin’ you do?” Lysander piped in over the comms. It was not what he needed to do. Merely another irritating interruption and complication.
He ground his teeth in frustration. Everyone seemed to keep getting in his way. Even he himself seemed to be fighting against what was happening. It made everything so much harder than it needed to be. If everyone could just leave well enough alone, he might even have been done.
As he pulled up another educational tutorial, this one on basic mathematics, he realized some sort of response was required, especially if he was going to hold them off. Such a bother.
"I just need to find it all," he replied with annoyance.
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Post by PaladinKOSP on Apr 17, 2014 10:17:15 GMT -6
The commotion around him made the turian ponder, everyone was so afraid of losing their comrade, but it seemed that Maelstrom isn't exactly a hostage and that these ancient beings want to show us something.
"Stand down." He said over the comms "Let this human do his thing." he commanded, stepping to Maelstroms side as he watched the process.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 17, 2014 11:48:20 GMT -6
"I just need to find it all," Maelstrom managed.
"Stand down," advised Artacus over the comms. "Let this human do his thing."
So he can what? Call in more Keeper soldiers? Arm a bomb? Activate a giant war bot?
The Keeper was still as it was in front of the frustrated ex-Alliance commander. Unmoving. Silent.
Listening.
The intruder betrayed no expression or sentiment yet Eric was convinced that it was now mocking him, daring him to solve the puzzle. To defuse the bomb set in front of him. He wanted so badly to give the word to have the hidden crew assembled around the command center charge at the ancient Keeper. Wanted to wrap his hands around its stump of a throat, pound it into the deck. Make it give up control of Maelstrom before he was made to unleash more hell upon the team...
Cap it off, Lysander! No belching or farting until the last wire’s been cut. Explosives can’t help what they do… you can…
Eric recalled one of his instructor’s crude but sage advice. He breathed in, exhaled and thumbed his earpiece.
“B… see if you can scan the area. Check for power fluctuations, structural shifts, any kinda changes since Mal went under. Keep your lil’ stunner handy in case. Everybody else keep back. Meldom… just stay still. Don’t give those things a reason to use Mal’s gun…”
He thumbed the earpiece again. “Hey Lite Brite – I thought I told ya to let me know how Mal’s doin’? Is he dying or what?”
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 17, 2014 13:46:57 GMT -6
“Hey Lite Brite – I thought I told ya to let me know how Mal’s doin’? Is he dying or what?”
Analyzing request...
Conditions fulfilled for dissemination of information...
Standard anti-infiltration scan initiated... System security confirmed...
Re-checking conditions... Confirmed... Conditions fulfilled...
Resuming communications interface with organic unit: Eric Lysander...
"Data regarding Maelstrom's position, vitals, and audio-visual recordings is transmitted in bursts. None have been transmitted since this unit's last status report. Estimated time until next burst- seven seconds... mark."
Data burst received...
Analysis: on-time and with correct security encryption... Identification: Maelstrom...
Processing audio-visual feed at 1,000x real time... Complete...
Processing vital signs readings... Complete...
Resuming secure channel- recipients: Shala'Bekk Vas Neema and Eric Lysander...
Initializing interface with organic units...
"Data indicates heightened levels of adrenals. Significant increase over those measured in previous data bursts since the initiation of anomalous conditions. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Assessment: not life-threatening unless sustained for a prolonged period."
"Analysis of audio-visual data suggests the unidentified beings are also relaying information to Maelstrom. Specifically, the locations of individuals outside his field of view. Details unknown."
"Awaiting further commands."
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 17, 2014 14:02:57 GMT -6
More educational tutorials. Depictions of gravitational effects of stellar bodies in proximity to one another and the the formulas for calculating the effects. These flashed by at incredible speed, as though he was watching them in fast-forward. It seemed to him that the concepts were more important than the specifics of the . Like a teacher telling you what page of a book to look in for an answer when you asked a question. The problem was that the question was just at the edges of his mind.
Again, he heard the turian's respirator. His presence, so near, at the edges of the swarm, was an irritant. Not just to him, it seemed, but to the sea of light and thought surrounding him. It wasn't that he was of any particular threat. Together, he and the ocean of beings surrounding him could most likely handle all four of those in the room with him. It was the thought that they could interfere with what he was doing. That they might even get it in their minds to interfere with the console. He would never let that happen, though.
Yet, inwardly, he wished they would. Not that he was sure it would make a difference. This was worse than last time, though. Last time his thoughts were his own. His body was his own. Now, he was a prisoner, struggling to maintain his independence, his ability to think. He wanted to scream.
It was not really relevant, though. The only thing which was really important was getting the data. And understanding it. That seemed important too now. Maybe if he got it all, he could understand it. Nothing could be allowed to come in the way of that.
Not fully trusting the turian's presence, he reached down deep inside to touch his biotic potential. Not close enough to make him glow with it, but enough that he could unleash havoc in the blink of an eye. They had all seen him act as biotic artillery, all seen him take down enemies with an unerring aim, but none of them had seen the other tricks he kept up his sleeves...
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 17, 2014 14:58:08 GMT -6
Emily’s tone returned. "Data regarding Maelstrom's position, vitals, and audio-visual recordings is transmitted in bursts. None have been transmitted since this unit's last status report. Estimated time until next burst- seven seconds...”
… least it’s not playin’ elevator music… yeah, you jus’ keep lookin’! What are you doin’, fallin’ in lo-
"Mark,” interrupted the VI. “Data indicates heightened levels of adrenals. Significant increase over those measured in previous data bursts since the initiation of anomalous conditions. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Assessment: not life-threatening unless sustained for a prolonged period."
It then added. "Analysis of audio-visual data suggests the unidentified beings are also relaying information to Maelstrom. Specifically, the locations of individuals outside his field of view. Details unknown. Awaiting further commands."
Eric considered Emily’s report. Maelstrom was still within the boundaries of rescue but his situation could change faster than his heart rate. The bomb was still ticking down to inevitability, the consequences unknown. Time remaining needed to be assessed. An alternate circuit to disconnect had to be located.
“Two questions,” Eric proposed. “One - How long before Mal’s condition becomes life-threatening? Two – If they didn’t breach Mal’s suit and inject him with somethin’, the bugs gotta be usin’ lights to hypnotize him. Can you blot out his faceplate so no light gets in?”
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Post by PaladinKOSP on Apr 17, 2014 15:54:09 GMT -6
So he can what? Call in more Keeper soldiers? Arm a bomb? Activate a giant war bot?
Those words made him cringe. More Keeper soldiers? They would've swarmed them by now. Arm a bomb? A possiblity, but doubtful. Activate a giant war bot? Can humans get any more idiotic? Artacus knew of what was happening, they just don't know it yet. He just stands the by the edge of the swarm, seeming very calm in a crisis like this. He felt a familiar feeling, a feeling that an attack is imminent and is directed toward him. As he looked to the console that Maelstrom was typing on, he wondered what these "Keepers" are trying to show them. Another section of this tomb that lays undiscovered? More ancient texts? More information regarding the Reapers? The turian wouldn't know but there would be only one way to find out...
"Unless you want something new from this place, I suggest we let Maelstrom do his thing." He commanded over the comms. "If things go south, I'll take care of it."
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 18:06:39 GMT -6
River was easy enough to move on her own. Iskra had better control of her biotics out of battle than most did in it. The soft blue glow emanated around her hands as the girl's body floated across the medbay before she was laid gently into the cryo tube.
It was clear Iskra had promised Corwin too much again, she couldn't help but picture the look on his face when they returned to the Citadel...
She needed to return to Rakhana. There, failure didn't mean anyone's death but her own. She absentmindedly brushed a piece of hair from River's face before closing the pod.
"Asa. Initiate medical cryo sleep." The crackling sound under the glass started almost immediately, the vines of ice growing from the edges. The drone's read outs began to slow as process started to take hold. It wasn't a few seconds after that River's last breath came out as fog from her lips.
"Beyond the edge of the world there’s a space where emptiness and substance neatly overlap, where past and future form a continuous, endless loop. And, hovering about, there are signs no one has ever read, chords no one has ever heard." Iskra quoted from an old book, that part had always stuck with her, maybe because it was so close to how she saw the universe. "Find peace in that place while you can, River. Once you return the beating heart becomes loud once more and it will not silence until the universe allows it."
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 17, 2014 23:01:15 GMT -6
“One - How long before Mal’s condition becomes life-threatening? Two – If they didn’t breach Mal’s suit and inject him with somethin’, the bugs gotta be usin’ lights to hypnotize him. Can you blot out his faceplate so no light gets in?”
Analyzing request...
Conditions fulfilled for dissemination of information...
Standard anti-infiltration scan initiated... System security confirmed...
Re-checking conditions... Confirmed... Conditions fulfilled...
Resuming communications interface with organic units: Eric Lysander and Shala'Bekk vas Neema...
"One- Current conditions, with the exception of brainwave patterns, are not dissimilar to soldiers in highly stressful combat situations, though slightly more pronounced. Analysis suggests that the condition could be maintained in excess of an hour. Further estimation impossible, as too many unknown variables exist."
"Two- His visor does not have the ability to 'blot out... so no light gets in,' however it does possess a filter for intense solar radiation during EVA's. When coupled with certain night-vision and radiation filters, this may significantly dim and alter the composition of the lights."
"Extrapolating- Due to the unknown nature of the alien beings surrounding him, it is impossible to predict their reactions should Maelstrom be severed from their control. Per the provisions of security protocol 1,087 section 38, subsection 12, an action which would place him at such risk can only be performed by this VI if two users authorized in this protocol agree. Authorized users are Shala'Bekk vas Neema and Eric Lysander."
"Awaiting commands."
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Post by Maelstrom on Apr 17, 2014 23:27:37 GMT -6
Another tutorial, even more advanced. The scientific principles and formulas for calculating stellar drift when factoring in the effects of dark energy. He would have nodded in satisfaction to have another piece of the puzzle, but it was important to keep his visor on the screen to record what was coming in.
A drop of sweat rolled down his face, stinging his eyes. It was not important. No more important than the voice inside himself yelling to get out. That's what the sea of thought and light said, as they coursed all around him, on the floor, walls, and ceiling. He could not see them without moving his head of course, but he knew they were there. No matter where he looked, they wanted to be seen.
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Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Apr 18, 2014 3:26:00 GMT -6
Shala was back on the main level of the Valiant.
(NOTE: She has her back to the situation with Lysander and the Keeper)
She frowned. How did I get back here? she thought. I was just at the ruins with Cruendi'has.
Her first thought was that she had another panic attack and had fled back to the ship.
She shook her head. No, there was nothing dangerous, at least what I can remember...
She thought back. She remembered that they had just reached the ruins, Cruendi'has had just offered his hand to help her exit the lift, and then...nothing.
Was there nothing there? she wondered. Or was it just boring?
She shook her head. No, she would have remembered that...wouldn't she?
The first spikes of fear starting to jab themselves in her brain, she brought up her omni-tool and checked the chronometer.
No, that can't be right...
She stabbed at the command for the omni-tool to run a self-diagnostic, the fear on the verge of turning into full-blown panic.
Where was I? Why don't I remember it?
Her omni-tool chirped, letting her know the diagnostic was complete and that it was operating within normal parameters.
Her calm eroding under the waves of panic, she managed to mash out the command for a diagnostic of her suit as well as a full biological scan of herself. The greatest fear among her people was sickness, that somehow an infection had penetrated the suit and was poised to end their lives in a few short minutes.
She waited second after agonizing second for the scans to complete. Why is it taking so long? she thought. It never takes this long.
The omni-tool finally chirped again--the most beautiful sound in the galaxy--and let her know that her suit had no rips, tears or punctures and that she was fine, except for an accelerated heart rate and respiration.
What happened to me? And why can't I remember it?
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Post by River Havens on Apr 18, 2014 5:33:10 GMT -6
[Continued dream sequence]
Cerberus taught her to kill.
So young in age was when she first took a life. A lonely six year who could not tell the difference between a game and an execution. When it was over, when she should have been punished, she was rewarded. New powers, new weapons, more training until she became what they wanted. Until the day that their creation escaped them, and fled into the bowels of Omega's underbelly. For years, a lonely child created her own kingdom of dirt and rot, living alone for years knowing nothing else but dangers and violence...until that ever-so random encounter.
Daddy...Uncle...Auntie...
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Post by Eric Lysander on Apr 18, 2014 6:58:28 GMT -6
A second later Eric received his answers.
"One- Current conditions, with the exception of brainwave patterns, are not dissimilar to soldiers in highly stressful combat situations, though slightly more pronounced. Analysis suggests that the condition could be maintained in excess of an hour. Further estimation impossible, as too many unknown variables exist."
An hour - good. More than I need... I hope...
"Two- His visor does not have the ability to 'blot out... so no light gets in,' however it does possess a filter for intense solar radiation during EVA's. When coupled with certain night-vision and radiation filters, this may significantly dim and alter the composition of the lights."
That's the general idea...
"Extrapolating- Due to the unknown nature of the alien beings surrounding him, it is impossible to predict their reactions should Maelstrom be severed from their control. Per the provisions of security protocol 1,087 section 38, subsection 12, an action which would place him at such risk can only be performed by this VI if two users authorized in this protocol agree. Authorized users are Shala'Bekk vas Neema and Eric Lysander."
We're savin' your master, not launchin' a nuke...! Agggh, damn twinkle box has a point...
"Awaiting commands," finished Emily.
"Okay, stand by," Eric tapped his earpiece. "Shala? Shala, are you there? Come in - need a big favor from you. Maelstrom's lil' Tinkerbell's been chattin' with me. Been lining up ways to snap him out of his trance and I need... secondary confirmation."
"Unless you want something new from this place, I suggest we let Maelstrom do his thing." Artacus commanded over the comms. "If things go south, I'll take care of it."
"So far we have stunning or blinding him as options," Eric acknowledged the turian. "What do you recommend?"
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Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Apr 18, 2014 19:20:06 GMT -6
"Shala? Shala, are you there?"
Lysander's voice broke through her terror and she clung to it like a lifeline back to a ship. She was so relieved she barely heard whatever else he had to say, but "Maelstrom" made its way through.
"Maelstrom, what about him, what's wrong?" she asked, turning to head out of the Valiant. "Just let me know where you are!"
She finished her turn and then registered the Keeper--no, not a Keeper, this one was armed and pointing its weapons at Lysander.
"Whatever is wrong with Maelstrom, perhaps that should wait," she said as she pulled her shotgun and aimed it at the...whatever it was.
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