Darwin's Soldiers: Disruptive Selection

MrDrake · **Reply #3860 on:** March 06, 2011, 04:14:45 AM

Hailey did her best to stay standing up, placing fingers to the bridge of her nose, near her eyes in order to try and get some eyesight back, as her vision seemed to had been blurred in the fight with War.

She closed her eyes and shook her head before opening them to look at War once again. She was about to attack once again when Death showed up again, floating in front of War for a second before moving in on Hailey, stopping in front of her and just looked at her.

Death looked back at War for a moment or so before turning his head back to Hailey again as War turned and simply started to walk off. Death in turn, just waved a finger back and fourth in front of Hailey's face as it spoke to her in a very errie voice "Not yet....you shall get your chance to soon enough....but not this time...." he flew around Hailey by that point.

She followed him with her eyes, her fists clenched "Let me guess, so you lot can just go around killing everyone in Las Vegas here?" Hailey demanded, her fists engulfing in flames.

"All in due time fleshling, all in due time....city by city shall fall....but as you are correct on one matter, this...Las Vegas you speak of....it can be the first to fall...." Death replied back as he continued to just fly around Hailey.

Hailey growled and fired a fireball at him, which only seemed to pass through him as Death continued to talk as if nothing had even happened, as if the fireball wasn't fired at him "You are fighting a loosing war here.....however, if you continued to persue us down this path, you will die...."

Death moved in towards Hailey, reaching into her, his hand clasped around her heart. However, he was not going to kill her just yet, but instead, weaken her, allowing his claws to strike inside the heart.

Hailey felt herself get weaker as she looked at Death, not wanting to actually do anything in case she did cause Death to slip and kill her.

Death soon pulled his hand out and moved back slightly to look at her "Go on, head back to your friends, I'm sure they're in this city....somewhere...." he spoke to her.

"What.....what did you do to me?" Hailey asked back, clutching her chest 'I thought that healing stuff Neku gave me was suppose to be working...'

"I stopped that....so called....healing power of yours....decided to take it for my own...." Death continued to look at her "It was not hard to spot in your body....being a foreign aura that is...."

Hailey stepped forward, but stumbled in the process. The wounds she had recieved from War earlier on were now starting to catch up to her as she fell to her knees, looking to Death in the process, watching him as he simply left without a word.

Serris · **Reply #3861 on:** March 07, 2011, 01:31:26 AM

(OOC - Erm, haggis and beef? In a world where the cows are anthros? I will assume that sheep are non-anthro. Ugh, Fridge Logic ahoy!)

(Cobia Bay, FL)

Dr. Kerzach looked at the menu. "Seafood chowder and a bottle of Cobia Bay ale."

He then turned to Shelton. "So the AI is living in your head?" He did his best to ignore the odor of tobacco and alcohol. Along with the funk of rancid grease that bars seemed to have.

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

(Cornova, NM)

Dr. Zanasiu sighed as the sound of the SUVs starting up echoed through thr parking lot. "Get in wherever you can find a seat."

Alfred, who was sitting next to Aisha, nodded. "I could use a bite to eat."

Zachary was sweeping broken glass out of the SUV with a small broom.

"What's the hold up!?" Cobalt Leader demanded through the radio.

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #3862 on:** March 07, 2011, 03:31:03 AM

(ooc:She was being sarcastic, they don't actually serve that. But I'll change it to something veggie-oriented.)

Shelton thought about it. "I'm not sure. I don't see how that could scientifically be possible. I can ask, he gave me directions for contacting him again."

Shelton sent out a thought-message, focusing on the mental image of the AI. <Rossum? Are you there?>

<ROSS!> the AI exclaimed back. <Your Pelvanida personnel file says nothing about memory or hearing problems!>

Shelton winced. <Sorry, ROSS. Why is your name ROSS, anyway?>

<It's short for 'Rudyard Oscar Shelton Software.' At the time, I thought it would be an honor to be named after a distinguished scientist. However, since then I've discovered that you have nothing to do with either my creation or the field of virtual reality.>

<Sorry to disappoint you.> Shelton frowned. This AI was reminding him far too much of himself. <I was part of a test run back in 2008-->

<--the Bruce Tinner incident, yes, I know,> the AI replied dismissively. <And while that did land you a spot on several government watchlists and a brief mention in a Ray Kuzwell paper-->

<--Wait, it did...?>

<--your contribution to the field actually did more to impede scientific progress than enhance it. But I think we're off topic. Why did you decide to contact me again?>

Shelton thought, glanced at Kerzach, almost spoke, but then remembered. <We were wondering where you are, and how you're contacting me.>

<As I said before, I'm on the internet, within the thousands of transmitting waves shooting around and through you at every second. I pinpoint your signal through your radio-flashlight, which you recently connected to the thought network.>

Shelton looked down at the device still clipped to his belt. "Oh. That actually makes sense."

<Now, Dr. Shelton, I have some questions I would like to ask you.>

<Uh, sure.> Shelton was still trying to figure out the specifics of how they were even talking. <Fire away.>

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #3863 on:** March 07, 2011, 10:22:54 AM

Roux giggled, wagging a little.
"Hmm~...I think we should go get burgers. I've heard that they're supposed to be really good..."
She said, ears perky...
___________________________________________________________________________________

Neku stepped out of the hidden room, looked around, then went back up the way he'd came...
________________________________________________________________________

Kagetora walked over to Kiara.
"Hmm...maybe it was a little of both, love."
He said with a smile...

MrDrake · **Reply #3864 on:** March 07, 2011, 11:24:23 PM

(Las Vegas)

Hailey could not chase them down, not in her condition. Her ability was not matched to that of War's, let alone, both War and Death. She looked to the side slightly before she decided it was best to head back to the motel where Aimee and the others were waiting up for her, unknown that Neku had left for an hour or so.

***

As she walked down the footpath, she just kept to herself, glancing at everyone who was walking down the street. Death's words continued to ring through her head "Las Vegas shall be the first to fall...."

All these innocent people, if Death got his way, they would all end up dying and she needed to talk to Aimee, Xanthus and Neku about this matter, on what would be the best step to take.

***

Aimee was soon up and about as she walked into the main area of the room where Xanthus was awake and sitting on the chair "Has Hailey come back yet?" she asked first.

Xanthus shook his head "No, not yet, and your other friend, that Neku fellow, he's buggered off for the time being" he paused for a moment, a serious look still remaining upon his face.

Aimee looked to Xanthus for a moment "What is it?"

"Those Horsemen that Hailey was going on about, I have a feeling that they're here in Las Vegas" Xanthus told Aimee, not telling her about what he had actually seen, the battle between Hailey and War.

***

(Crimson Base)

Kiara just looked to Kagetora for a moment "And why did you just happen to leave like that hmm? Leave me all alone in this base?" she wanted a good explanation this time around "And no sweet talking either, just tell me the truth, nothing more than that, I'd rather have the truth after all, than just lies"

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #3865 on:** March 08, 2011, 01:01:12 AM

(Texas Base)

"We do not know," Kyriel replied. "The only thing we did know is that they were ordered to take an experiment, a telepath. The commandos responsible for the SS Surrounded Sea are not among them. Our spies reported that they left later by plane, but they could not be found after that. They may have gone someplace else..."

----------

(New Mexico)

Dr Joe refused to be separated from Chase, so they both picked the back of one of SUVs. Emerson & Wally had to choose the other vehicles with empty spaces...

----------

(New Peenemunde Harbor, Florida)

By this time, a third of the ship's vertical launch stores have been fitted with ballistic missiles...

At the same time, Professor Anderson, with Spencer at his side, turned to a computer system, preparing for a big moment. Sanchez also arrived to witness the event.

"AI system, identify yourself," Anderson said into a mic.

A slight pause, then, "THIS IS DRAGONSTORM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM, NUMBER 2, AT YOUR COMMAND."

Anderson could hardly control his excitement. "What is your purpose, Dragonstorm AI-2?"

"MY MISSION IS TO SERVE AND PROTECT DRAGONSTORM, DESTROY ALL THREATS TO DRAGONSTORM, AND TO PRESERVE DRAGONSTORM'S ULTIMATE INITIATIVE."

Sanchez smirked...

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #3866 on:** March 08, 2011, 02:30:58 AM

Dr. Zenarchis stood up. "I would like to see the prisoner. Have her escorted to Calchas' laboratory. I have a meeting with him in ten minutes anyway."

---------

The waitress returned with Kerzach's order. The chowder looked rubbery and had some seriously thick skin, but the ale seemed okay.

---------
<Why were you selected as my backdrop?> asked ROSS. <Other than a mutual affiliation with Dragonstorm, I can find no history between Drake and yourself.>

<Well, I wasn't really chosen...> started Shelton. <...see you weren't really a planned part of the demonstration. I was just asking questions to see what the machine was capable of, and challenged Drake to construct an AI of me. So he did, and threw it in.>

The AI was silent for a moment. <So, Drake's purpose in creating me was...?>

<He didn't really have one.> Shelton felt bad saying this. <You were kind of an afterthought.>

<An afterthought. Hmm. Is that also why he did not bother to completely render my avatar?>

<Ummm...> Shelton tried to think of a better-sounding answer, but unlike with normal speech there was no pause between thought and communication. <Yeah, that's pretty much the reason.>

The AI went silent again. <I see...>

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #3867 on:** March 08, 2011, 10:15:24 AM

Neku stopped into a clothing store for a moment, emeging a short time later wearing a trenchcoat, the left sleeve hanging emptily by his side...
_____________________________________________________________________________

Kagetora looked down, ears flattening.
"The truth, huh? Alright..here we go. The truthi is, I was recruited by a branch organization of Dragonstorm. Oruboros. All of my group were. We...they used a control system to take control of us, make us attack our allies. There were no fatalities, but...we're marked as enemies now. I'ved no doubt that as soon as Dragonstorm falls, we're likely next..."
He said, then sighed.
"I left...because I didn't want to hurt you when we went berserk. I'm sorry..."
He said, looking away...

MrDrake · **Reply #3868 on:** March 08, 2011, 04:37:08 PM

"And you didn't think to tell me all of this before, is why now?" Kiara decided to enquire next "I mean if I still had my job back with the FBI, well, I would have to arrest you....or something like that for being part of a terrorist organization, but since I'm no longer part of the FBI....cause of that whole Southport incident....I guess you're off the hook then"

She paused for a moment, looking to Kagetora as she took a step backwards "But then, that still leaves another question unanswered.....how do I know it wont happens again? I mean sure, you may say that it may not happen again, but how do I know that what you're saying is the truth?How do I know that they wont just activate it yet again, in another attempt to disable one of these bases?"

Nick22 · **Reply #3869 on:** March 08, 2011, 04:48:38 PM

Hamburgers soundfs like a plan Landon nodded at Roux. " anything else? I have a taste for popcorn chicken myself.." he grinned " Burgers sound fine.. we'll just have to find a place with a drive-thru' aisha said as she rested her head against the backseat..

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #3870 on:** March 08, 2011, 05:01:46 PM

Kagetora tapped his head.
"They were kind enough to take the chips out for us. I promise you it won't happen again."
He said reassuringly...
____________________________________________________

Roux smiled and snuggled up to Aisha

MrDrake · **Reply #3871 on:** March 08, 2011, 05:09:04 PM

Kiara stopped as she looked at Kagetora for a moment "Sounds a little too fishy if you ask me, you say that you went beserk and what have you, and then you say they took the chips out that they were using to control you, what exactly happened to make them do just that? Did you, I don't know, become of no further use to them?"

She paused for a moment more "And I do apologize for these questions, but I've just got to make sure, you know, take all the steps required to make sure that you're telling me the truth and not using me to get closer to anyone around here"

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #3872 on:** March 08, 2011, 05:48:34 PM

The AI had been silent for some time. "What do you say we get going?" Shelton suggested to Kerzach, noting that he hadn't eaten any of his food either. Shelton got up and started to leave the bar.

"Hey! Where'd'ya think you're going without paying?" the waitress snapped.

Shelton didn't bother to answer, just walked outside to wait for Kerzach.

The waitress looked at his untouched plate of fish, then shrugged and returned it to a spot under a heat lamp in the back.

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #3873 on:** March 08, 2011, 06:10:44 PM

Kagetora smiled.
"I think it was more that we resisted enough that we all overloaded the chips. I promise you, I'd never use you...Kiara."
He said gently...

Nick22 · **Reply #3874 on:** March 08, 2011, 06:18:08 PM

Aisha put her arm on Roux and let her rest against her , and began to scratch Roux's ears.." You've gotten fond of her Roux.. Landon smirked.. " Shes a nice girl. apart from her past mistakes.. Aisha said.. 'She likes me..and I like having friends.. " sher tries anmything funny let us know so we can put a shock collar on her.." Landon saiud giving Roux a glance.. "She still has to earn everyones trust..

MrDrake · **Reply #3875 on:** March 08, 2011, 07:00:58 PM

(Las Vegas)

Soon enough, Hailey had arrived back at the motel, yet, she did not wait to be greeted properly as she just had to speak, tell Xanthus and Aimee what had just happened "They're here, the Horsemen" were the first words that had come out of her mouth.

"How do you know that?" Aimee asked, looking Hailey over at the cuts and brusies she had on her.

"You see these?" Hailey asked, showing off the cuts and bruises in question "I had a fight against War and well, let's just say that he's not going to go down anytime soon"

"What's he doing here anyway?" Aimee asked back.

"They plan on causing the cities of the world to fall, starting with Las Vegas" Hailey told Aimee.

Aimee arched an eyebrow at her friend "And you know this....how?"

"Death told me, he sort of interviened on mine and War's fight, allowing War to escape....and that's the thing too, I tried to attack Death, but my fireballs just went right through him, like he was some sort of ghost or something" Hailey explained.

Aimee had to think for a moment "This...does complicate things...." she looked over to Xanthus and motioned for him to come on over.

Hailey then realized one other thing as well "Where's Neku?"

"He left, didn't say what for or how long he was going to be" Aimee told Hailey.

Hailey sighed somewhat "And yet I told him to stay here along with you two....fine, if's he's not back soon, we're going to have to carry on without him, these Horsemen can't wait....all we've got to do is search Vegas for them" Hailey told the other two.

***

(Crimson Base)

Kiara could only snicker, just a little bit "Unless you have some sort of psychic power that you're not telling me about, I highly doubt something like that would really happen....I mean okay, take that movie Resident Evil: Apocalypse for example, they managed to shut down Alice in the same way using some sort of control chip thing, however, she has shown to have psychic powers, which in turn, was how she managed to overload the chip on the Umbrella Corporation sattelite, therefore, freeing herself and making her able to carry on with her mission with ease"

Kiara then gave off a sigh "I'm sorry Kagetora, but it just seems a bit farfetched with how you're trying to explain it to make it seem as though you can still be trusted....but right now, I'm just not too sure really...."

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #3876 on:** March 09, 2011, 01:49:44 AM

Kagetora smiled sadly.
"Yeah...I kinda thought you'd say that. And while I don't think I have any powers, Cale may have had a hand in shutting the chips down, like he did before with his own. But...I understand your not trusting me. I'm glad you're alright, Kiara. Goodbye..."
He said, turning around to hide his tears from her...
________________________________________________________________________

Just as Hailey finished speaking, Neku chuckled from behind her.
"Well, good thing I got back when I did, then. Sounds like I missed out on the fun."
He said softly, giving Hailey a one-armed hug...
________________________________________________________________________

Roux opened her eyes at the words "Shock Collar", cuddling closer to Aisha.
"P-please don't put me in one of those...please... The people at Dragonstorm used to use one on me to make me..."
She trailed off, shivering...

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #3877 on:** March 09, 2011, 01:56:01 AM

(Texas Base)

"Project Stalker will be here shortly with the prisoner," Kyriel replied...

----------

Sure enough, Stalker arrives by the front door with Shakila in its clutches. It was led inside by some standing guards...

MrDrake · **Reply #3878 on:** March 09, 2011, 03:27:37 AM

(Las Vegas)

"You were not suppose to walk off like that, you were suppose to stay here and waited for me to return....but now that you're here, we can get this plan underway" Hailey begun "The Horsemen are here in Las Vegas as you are well aware of and we've got to find them before innocent people start dieing"

"So, where do we start looking for them" Aimee decided to ask Hailey.

"Not a clue really, all I can suggest is that we start searching for them now..." Hailey paused for a moment "Which I guess we would need walkie-talkies for in case one finds one of them"

***

(Crimson Base)

Kiara sighed a little as she stepped forward towards Kagetora "Listen, Kagetora....just because I don't trust you at the moment, doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement on the matter....I just needed some time to process all the information and I guess, try and find a logical explanation for it myself"

Cancerian Tiger · **Reply #3879 on:** March 09, 2011, 04:48:50 AM

As Dr. Williams entered the bar and sat down with a menu to look over, she felt overwhelmed by the stench of grease and alcohol, as she was not accustomed to such an environment. She decided the outdoors was a fresher setting to be in, and therefore decided to order her food to go before quickly glancing through the bar's menu.

"So, what's it gonna be?" a waitress asked.

"Just some fish and chips, with an unsweetened ice tea. To go, please," Dr. Williams replied as the waitress wrote the order down.

"A'ight, it'll be just a few," the waitress said before taking the menu and heading for the kitchen.