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Post by Blindside Tex on Nov 28, 2018 15:07:39 GMT -5
Melani followed behind Hugo - her head turning as she watched the false door close. She looked to Agatha, Jules, and now a man introduced as Peter. She smiled weakly “Nice to meet you” she then moved over and sat down on a plush chair, she crossed her legs and listened as they talked.
“He might be my blood, but he is not my father.” She shook her head “if he thinks he can waltz in and expect me to obey his every command simply because he is my ‘father’ then he has a rude surprise coming for him... eventually. I’ll play his little game, but he’ll be playing mine too” she finally sighed. “He said that I was a sick baby so they put me in my chamber, so they wouldn’t sick. Not long after - the vault was breached and they had to run. To save me he locked it back up... apparently.” She chuckled then. “Except when I hacked into the mainframe I managed to grab a few files of code. The vaults - once they are opened - cannot be closed.” She shook her head.
“He had to have escaped a different way, not through the vault doors as he says. Either way, he has all these robots and technology. He could have come back, but he didn’t. I am no fool - I see my work in his hands, he used me.” She chuckled. “I let him believe that I was convinced. Though - he said my sister and mother were dead.... Agatha - you were going to tell me something about my sister?” She questioned.
Suddenly Jules was shocked. Melani looked to the bracelet - she grit her teeth. “Damnit” she sighed. “If they were smart - they could easily turn that into a GPS tracker and maintain all of the mages...” She shook her head. “They have a remote that sends out a signal - to shock her... clearly...” She knelt down and observed the bracelet. “I did not apply that to the bracelet, they must have...” She helped them steady Jules.
“I can create something to lessen the voltage, but if I stop it all together - the lack of vitals would tell them. As far as getting the entire band off - I need a special metal. Inside that bracelet is a tiny bit of metal called Halogen, it naturally lets off a unique electromagnet wave. When I initially made it - I received a special stone, Jekyl didn’t know the name, but today I’d say it was a stone made of magic, perhaps someone from the vault. So it radiated a very unique frequency, that the Halogen nullified. If I could get my hands on Halogen’s opposing metal - something that essentially would counterbalance the Halogen. But I have no idea what that metal would be...”
“For now... I can reprogram the bracelet, I just have to write the software to do it. It’ll make those episodes, if they choose to do it again, to be less painful... Do you have a computer?” She questioned.
Agatha perked up and nodded. “Yes, we have one, in that room.” She pointed to a door, to her office.
“Okay, grab her and take her in with me. I’ll need to hook her bracelet up to a wire” she spoke and then dashed to the room. She looked about - there were pictures on the walls, a desk with a computer, a few closed boxes. She rummaged around until she found what she needed. She yanked a wire from the back of a lamp and split it easily, she popped the side of the computer’s casing and wired it in easily.
Within minutes she was on a black and green screen - writing swiftly. The screen became covered in code - like a different language.
“Lay her down, maybe on some chairs. I’ll need to access her bracelet.” She pulled out her small flat head. She leaned over as Jules was placed down. She opened up the bracelet and swiftly wired in the connection. The computer flickered slightly - and then she turned back to the screen.
“Whoever wrote this..” She chuckled - the inner code of the bracelet appeared. “By-passing the fire wall, security code....” She typed swiftly. Then a few key strokes - “Here..” She muttered to herself. She deleted an entire line and then rewrote it. Then a few more lines... She hit the enter button and the screen loaded.
The electric shock decreased swiftly. The code sent out an error message to the initial receiver - “Energy Source Low” which would cause them to turn it off. Meanwhile - as long as the bracelet received the specific code - the bracelet would return false vitals, one they would expect. As the signal was turned off - the vitals would slowly decrease to then reveal her true vitals. She was typing all of this now - a quick formula and statement... Done.
She turned and then took the wire out and closed the bracelet. “There... it’ll sting, like a bad itch, I can’t get it to completely stop, but I recoded their statement - the voltage is decreased. If I change it all completely - they could figure it out...” She relaxed. This sort of thing - she adored, and this was the first time she had to act fast - think fast - work fast - it was exciting for her.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Nov 28, 2018 17:24:41 GMT -5
Agatha looked to her brother, “Help me move her.” She nodded as she scooped her arms under Jules whom was limp from the electricity coursing through her body. Peter rushed over and grabbed her legs as they followed Melani into the back room with the computer. Agatha lay Jules across a sofa chair, her legs were propped over the arm on one side her body was pushed up by the other arm. Jules had tears rolling over her cheeks. “I’ve never seen them do this to any of the mages before...” She narrowed her brows and shook her head. “I’ve been smuggling mages from Voxstein for a year now...but they’ve never gone this far.”
“She’s different though.” Peter pipped up, “The others Mr. Foxtran and the Baron could care less if they go missing, they all but assume that the mage is dead.” He shrugged slightly, “They will hunt for the mage but if they can’t find them, they don’t go through this effort because they have Jules, she can make up for 100 or more mages in the power that she produces...” He sighed softly.
Agatha crossed her arms as she looked back to Melani as she worked, her jaw was loose as she watched this woman create a code off the top of her head with ease. It was incredible to watch, she had to sit for hours to create a code that worked on the first try, Melani wrote it like it was her first language, flawlessly.
Agatha walked over to a small machine next to the computer. She scooped black grounds into it and pressed a button. “A metal to counteract Halogen...” She spoke as she watched the coffee pour into her mug. She tapped the edge of the mug as she thought intently. “So that’s what is inside the bracelets?” She questioned as she lifted the hot cup of coffee and leaned against the desk, her eyes peering down at Melani. “I’ve never been able to look at one before, with the exception of it being on the Mage’s arm, when they explode the entire thing is gone, it burns to ashes.” She shook her head then. “Have you ever heard of the stone Zen?” She questioned then. “Most of the rich smelt it down into a powder and smoke it or inject it, or whatever the hell they feel like doing to get high. That’s about the most magical stone I’ve ever seen. It’s incredibly rare though...”
“The mines that pull up Zen are heavily guarded by the government too.” Peter chimed in.
**
“When we get to the outside, what will we do?” Jules sat on a plush couch a bag of chips in her hands, she glanced to Nicholas. “What do you think you will do?”
Nicholas chuckled before he took a drink of his beer. “I don’t know, how do we even know there will be a world when we get out of here? Who says that the stupid scientists got the timing right? I mean...what does your dad think? Has he said anything to you?”
Jules tucked her brows together slightly and shook her head, “No, he’s been so busy mixing the chemicals to keep the vaccines rolling out...he’s working all hours of the day and...” She sighed softly. “I miss him...”
Nicholas dropped his eyes slightly, “Why don’t you go see him in the lab?” He smiled then. “Come on.” He stood up and offered her a hand.
Jules smiled as she stood up. She followed him toward the medical wing of the vault. Everyone around them had a job to do, they had working days and off days. It was a well functioning city. “Thanks Nicholas.” She smiled as she slipped into the labs.
Adam, Jules’ father looked up from behind his desk, he was typing away in his computer. “Jules my dear.” He stood and walked over to her. He pulled her into a tight embrace. “How are you feeling honey?” He questioned as he released her.
“Good, a little tired, but good.” She smiled as she looked to him. “How are you father?”
He smiled as he stepped back to his desk. “Following orders, as always.” He winked to her. “Just a few more years to freedom huh? Your mother would have been so proud to see you....you look just like her, Jules.”
Jules’ eyes lowered and swelled with tears slightly, “Father...I...” She looked away from him. Her mother had died eight years ago, she’d fallen ill and the sickness took her overnight. It was a horrible thing that progressed rapidly, they’d quarantined her from the entire vault.
Adam looked to his daughter a long moment. “Come over here, maybe if you help me mix some of this I can get off early, huh?” He offered a weak smile.
Jules nodded and stepped to her father. She pulled on gloves and goggles as well as a lab coat. Soon enough she was mixing chemicals at his side. “So...why does everyone get a different dose father?” She asked curiously. “Why is mine so much compared to everyone else?”
Adam took in a breath, he gave a weak smile to his daughter again, “Because you’re special dear.” He kissed the top of her head. “You’ll see one day...just how special you are.”
**
Agatha tucked a blanket in around Jules as she slept, she sighed softly as she looked at the red skin near the bracelet, lines ran up Jules’ arm from the electricity that had coursed through her body. “That was really incredible how you wrote that code.” She chuckled as she finished off her coffee. “So...before things got a bit interesting there, you were asking a question.” She offered a gentle smile. “I was going to tell you something about your sister.” She nodded then, “What Victor told you is a lie. From what I have been able to figure out the experiment that was conducted upon those in vault 302, it was done on one person that entered vault 301.”
Agatha crossed her arms, she glanced to the door that left the room. She stepped to it and closed the door, “Hugo doesn't even know this.” She spoke and raised a brow. “Your mother was the original to receive the injections that were given to those in vault 302. She was the first mage. Your mother gave birth to two children, you were the first...when your father conducted blood tests on you he found that you were not a mage, that is when he decided to use you for...other things...” She glanced to the computer, “Your mother had a second child her name is Caroline, she was born a mage, he keeps her in Voxstein....”
Agatha took in a breath, her brows tucked together, she’d done quite a bit of digging to get this information. “The experiment was taken a step further in vault 302, the children of mages were injected with high does of the serum that vault-tech created...that is what Jules is...many of the children rejected the serum, most died, but Jules accepted it and they increased her dosage at alarming rates until the day that they unlocked the vault. That is why she has so much power within her...” Agatha shifted slightly, “I know that is a lot to digest.” She watched Melani her eyes moved to Jules, “She’s the key to getting your sister back from your father.” Agatha nodded. “Jules is the key we need to stop this nonsense.” Agatha then bit her lip. “If you don’t get back to your father.” She looked at her gauntlet that looked much like the one that Melani wore. “I can escort you back, you can tell him you hung out with me.” She smiled, “He likes me, or even Hugo...but...he’ll send guards after you if you aren’t back soon, hm?”
**
Jules began to wake several hours later, her eyes fluttered open, a glow surrounded her iris as she sat up slowly. She took in a shaken breath as she held her hand to her head. She blinked a few times before she stood. She staggered slightly and caught herself on the wall.
“Whoah there.” Agatha came to her side. “Slow down there, Jules.” She wrapped her arm around her and smiled as she brought her into the small kitchen area. “Have a seat, we are about to eat breakfast. You were out all night.” Agatha placed her hand on Jules’ back. “How are you feeling?” She questioned.
Jules took in a breath. “We need to stop them...” She looked up to Agatha, “How do we stop him?”
Agatha sat down across from her and pushed a bowl of cereal her way. “We will.” She nodded. “I’m meeting Melani for an outing shortly, her father requested that I escort her. I want you to come along...but first.” She tilted her head slightly, “We need to change you a bit, so you can blend in, the guards are looking for you Jules as well as several hunters of Victor’s. He’s even asked me to look out for you.”
Jules lowered her eyes. “Okay.” She spoke as she finished up her cereal. “What do we do?” Jules questioned.
Agatha smiled as she stood up and led Jules into the other room. She sat her down in a chair and pulled a pair of scissors. Agatha worked quickly as she trimmed through Jules’ long hair. Soon enough she had a short pixie cut that was brushed forward. Agatha fitted her into a pair of black pants with knee high boots. She fitted a corset around her waist and then she placed a jacket over the top. She then fit a pair of goggles upon Jules’ head. “Ah...” Agatha brought over a pistol and holstered it to her thigh and a dagger to her other thigh. “There you are.” She grinned. “You look like quite the hunter now.”
Jules glanced to herself in the mirror, Agatha had given her another glove so her gauntlet didn't look as off balance. She nodded and smile. “Okay.” She spoke as they headed from the home. They moved through the streets quickly.
Agatha pointed to a bar, “Wait there for us, okay?” She spoke as she walked off toward the base of Victor’s home.
Jules watched as Agatha walked off. She let out a long breath as she walked over and sat down at the bar. “Hey there good lookin’, what can I get ya?” The barkeep asked with a grin on his lips.
“Just a seltzer.” Jules smiled to him. Jules took the glass and leaned against the bar as she took a sip of it. She could feel eyes on her. She glanced over and caught the eyes of a man that was intently staring at her. Jules looked away and glanced to the time. How long would it take Agatha?
“What’s your name?” The man stood next to her at the bar now.
Jules took another drink of her seltzer, “Lilly.” She replied as she looked to him.
“Lilly.” He repeated back to her. “Hm.” He set a flyer down in front of her. “You look an awful lot like this girl.” He raised a brow. “But her name isn’t Lilly.” He shrugged. He smelled of liquor.
“If I was her, do you think I would be in a bar, like this?” She questioned as she watched him.
The man chuckled, “Maybe.” He set his hand on the counter, he held a knife in his hand, it was pointed at her. “Let’s take a walk outside, Mage.” His voice lowered slightly.
Jules felt the tip of the knife against her back. She took in a breath and walked forward as she was told. He pushed her around into the back alley before he shoved her forward. “You have this wrong.” Jules spun as she stared to him, she could feel a bit of blood trickle from the small prick he’d made in her back.
The man tilted his head and chuckled, “I really don’t think I do, and if I do, so what.” He smirked. “Victor doesn’t care how many I have to kill so long as if find that mage on the paper.” He licked his lips as he stepped forward. He gripped onto her wrist and tugged at her gauntlet. The gears within the gauntlet clicked as he forced it off. “Ahhhh, look what we have here.” He wrapped his hand around her neck and slammed her against the wall. “A mage.” He narrowed his brows. “You’re coming with me girl.”
Jules allowed him to pull her forward. She closed her eyes a moment before she spun around, her hand pulled her dagger from her thigh and she stabbed forward with it. The man caught her wrist and shoved her back into the wall easily overpowering her. Jules groaned as she fought against his tight grip. She brought her knee up into his groin and slipped forward. She rushed through the alley. “Agatha!!” She cried into the gauntlet. “Agatha help!” She glanced over her shoulder as she man barreled after her.
Jules found herself cornered the man slammed into her shoving her face into the side of an old brick building. Jules groaned as he spun her, he once more gripped around her neck. “I’d kill you if you weren’t worth so much alive.” He snarled. Jules moved swiftly, she grasped her pistol and pulled the trigger. Though he smacked her hand away, the shot fired into the sky. He slammed her arm several more times until she finally dropped the pistol. “You’re a feisty one, eh?” He chuckled as he clipped cuffs over her wrists. “Let’s go.” He turned and shoved her forward.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Dec 2, 2018 20:26:46 GMT -5
Melani looked to Agatha with a soft expression - as Agatha revealed the truth about her mother and sister. Something within her told her to feel sadness, but the reality is she didn’t. She never met them, never knew them. If she didn’t know what the word mother and sister meant - then what Agatha told her would truly mean nothing to her. The only thing that she felt was anger - that someone could use them, especially people considered family to him. Victor… he would do anything for power.
“I see…” she thought for a long moment. “I wish I could understand, but I can’t. I have no family. The only thing I want to do is stop Victor from hurting people, that is all that matters…. But thank you, for telling me. I am sure one day I’ll understand and appreciate it. Maybe I can save them too - and I can have some kind of family, perhaps. Right now - the only person I know is Jules, and right now, to me, she is the most important person to me.” She stood then and sighed softly.
“You are right though, if I want to continue to play Victor - I must return home. “I’ll get Hugo to escort me home.” She turned then and left the room. Her steps lead her to Hugo - who was drinking from his flask.
“Hello darling, a swig?” He questioned and handed her the flask.
Melani took the flask and took two long swigs and then grimaced as she swallowed it down. “Will you take me home?” She questioned. “My father things I am at the Iron Wolf, he told me explicitly not to come here…”
“You need proper cover, hm?” He grinned and then snatched his flask back. “Alright, come on” Hugo then grasped her arm, tucking her arm around his own - and lead her to the door. The door emerged them out the back exit, to which they strolled down the street.
“Victor expects me to find Jules” Hugo looked to her and then back to the road. It was easily a 10 minute walk to the huge sky mansion in the air.
“Oh…What do you intent on doing?” She questioned.
“I hope you guys move fast enough, honestly. But if Victor loses hope in me, he will hire others to do the job as well. I will need to prove to him that I have a lead.” He sighed then, taking another swig.
“Then I suppose we will have to move fast..” She smiled.
Hugo let out a chuckle and nodded. Soon enough they came to the tower. “I’ll walk you up, act drunk” he wrapped his arm around her, as if to hold her up as they walked.
They went up the elevator and emerged, to which Victor was just rounding the corner. “Ah Hugo - just the man I want to see”
“Ah, let me get Melani to her room, if you don’t mind. She’s a little…”
Melani stumbled slightly, her grip on his bicep. “I think I’m gunna-“
Hugo quickly scooped her up as Melani made a gagging sound, as if she were to throw up. Hugo ran down the hallway and into her room.
Victor stood chuckling slightly. “First time at the bars….” He laughed and then walked away.
Melani slipped from Hugo’s arms the moment the door closed. Hugo let out a chuckle and he crossed his arms. “Good acting there” he grinned.
“Thank you” she reached forward and snagged his flask from his front pocket and finished It off. “I will see you tomorrow, right?”
“Of course, m’lady” Hugo bowed and then stuck his head out the door, and snuck away.
***
Morning came with a knock to her door, Agatha entered. She wore a maids dress, her hair was pinned up, a completely different look than she saw last night. “Good morning Sunshine” she smiled, breakfast in her hands.
“Victor wants me to give you a tour of the city” she set the breakfast down. “Do I need to dress you to?” She chuckled.
“No…” Melani rolled out of bed and made her way to the closet. She changed swiftly and made her way to the breakfast. “Thank you” she smiled and took a bite of her toast. “This is actually the first time I’ve had food. The entire while I was in the vault - I had a liquid diet, shakes. Water and some powder. This is nice - flavor” she chuckled and dipped the bread in her cheesy grits. “I’ve read about food, but it was just a concept to me, not a reality” she shook her head. “A few months ago I’d call anyone crazy if they told me I’d be out here - doing all this… so really… thank you. It is nice to be out of my cell, and living.”
Agatha lowered her gaze slightly and then nodded. “Yeah…” she whispered and then cleared her throat. “Okay, once you’re done… we’ll go out. We are meeting up with the others - Peter thinks he has a plan for the Zen..”
Not long as the two were walking down the street. Agatha had changed into more street appropriate attire, and Melani walked next to her. “So Peter thinks you can get access into the mines, but if you’ll have to fake an invention. Something we know Victor would want, it might not even be a fake though. You might have to really invent it. We figure out what Victor wants, you write up the blueprints, and say you want to get the Zen yourself, as an exploration of this new world. That will give you the access…” she glanced to Melani.
Suddenly Agatha’s wrist pad went off - Jules was calling for her. There was a gun shot - not far. “Lets go!” Agatha’s map turned on - there was a pinging, Jule’s location. They both ran down the street until they rounded the corner into the alley way. Agatha reached for her pocket and pulled out a gun. Melani glanced up and swiftly climbed a built in ladder to the roof. She ran along the rooftop until Agatha confronted the man.
“Let her go” Agatha cocked the gun. The man turned is head and before he could even speak - he was suddenly thrown to the ground. Melani had jumped off the roof and landed directly on him, her knees pressing into his chest as he was thrown down. Knocked out cold.
“Call Hugo” Melani reached for the mans wrist-pad and yanked it off his wrist. She didn’t get off this man. Agatha scrambled forward and helped Jules up, Agatha reached into her pocket and pulled out a key and undid her cuffs.
“He was recording everything - since your first encounter.” Melani clicked around and then shook her head. “The pad will do a backup in 10 minutes, it will be uploaded onto the backup server…” she quickly accessed the backend and was typing. The man began to stir - his hand reached forward and grasped Melani’s, he grit his teeth and practically growled. He reached up with his foot and pressed it on Melani’s chest and kicked her back. She flew and hit the brick wall, the air knocked from her lungs. She hit the ground, her palms scraped as she held her self up, trying to catch her breath. His wrist pad hit the ground, the front glass cracking…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Dec 3, 2018 11:18:26 GMT -5
Jules struggled against the man. “Let me go.” She snapped at him, “You’re making a huge mistake!”
“Am I?” He stopped and spun her toward him, his eyes bore into hers. “Because that bracelet on your wrist tells me I’m not making a mistake at all.” He roughly pulled her along. “Just wait, Mr. Foxtran will deal with you accordingly.” He chuckled.
“Please don’t…” Jules pulled back, causing him to stop again. “You don’t understand…” She whispered, her eyes welled with tears. “You don’t know what they will do to me…what’s been done…”
The man was quiet, his hand gripped onto her elbow, he stared into her teary eyes before a gruff laugh came over his lips. “Doesn’t matter to me mage, you have a mark on you, you’re wanted by Mr. Foxtran. The amount of money he is offering for you to be brought before him….” He shook his head, “I won’t have to work anymore.” He grinned then as he pulled her forward. “So what happens to you, isn’t my problem.”
Jules pulled back roughly again, fighting against him. “You don’t understand.” She pleaded.
It was then that Agatha rounded the corner. She was pulled in front of him his arm wrapped around her. “Agatha. You want the money all for yourself don’t you?” He aimed his pistol back at her and a snicker escaped his lips.
The next thing Jules knew she was knocked from his arms and her face pressed against the bricks of the street. She let out a breath as she felt someone tug on her, her eyes found Agatha’s. “Thank you.” She breathed as she looked to Melani whom was clicking away on the glass screen of the wrist pad. She stood to her feet and brushed a bit of dirt off of her front just as the man began to stir. Jules rushed forward as he staggered to his feet. He aimed his pistol directly at Melani. The sound of the gun firing echoed through the streets, but the bullet didn’t hit Melani. Jules was in front of her. Jules grit her teeth as blood pooled from the wound, the shot had hit her side, if she hadn’t moved quick enough, it would have landed directly between Melani’s eyes.
Jules rushed forward and gripped the pistol. “You want to be free?” She questioned her chest shook. “Really….free?” She asked, her eyes glowed slightly as she stared at him.
The man growled and pressed the pistol to the side of her head. His eyes stared into hers. “You’re a mage, and I’ll be taking you to Mr. Foxtran, then I’ll be free.” He grinned. “Isn’t that right, Agatha?”
Agatha stood with her pistol aimed at the man. “You’re going to let her go, Dimitri.” She spoke.
Footsteps echoed down the alley as Dimitri turned. Jules moved quickly, she gripped his dagger from his hip and sliced it into his abdomen. The man groaned in pain, his pistol clattered to the ground. He spun and slammed Jules against the wall. He pulled the dagger from his abdomen as he held her, choking her. Jules brought her knee into him as she felt the blade slice against her shoulder. She shoved him off of her and they fell to the streets. Jules landed with him on top of her, his hand gripped around her throat tightly, her face was cherry red as she fought for air. A shot rang out then. Blood splattered across Jules’ face. Her eyes stared up to the man as he slumped to the side a bullet hole between his eyes.
Agatha rushed forward and she lifted Dimitri from Jules before she lifted Jules up. Her eyes tracked to the gun that shot the man. Hugo stood with a smirk on his lips. He holstered his pistol and stepped over to Melani. He offered her his hand and he lifted the broken wrist piece from the ground. “We should get you to a computer, hm?” He glanced to Agatha. “Come on.” He took off down the alleyway.
Jules leaned against Agatha, her hand over her abdomen, her fingers were covered in blood. “Ags…” She breathed. “Slow…down…”
Agatha had her arm wrapped around Jules, “I can’t, I’ve got you.” She spoke quickly as she nearly lifted her from the ground to keep her moving forward.
They dodged through the city and soon enough they came to an old warehouse on the edge of town. Broken windows, boarded up doorways. The metal was old and rusted. It was from before the collapse. Hugo stepped to a door and pulled a key from his pocket. He unlocked it and nodded as he held the door open for the others. He slipped inside and relocked the door. “This way.” He quickly rushed down a hallway to a different section of the warehouse. They reached a door which he unlocked. On the other side of the door was his home. The floors were done in oak, a beautiful granite countertop stood in the kitchen with shiny appliances. He motioned for them to follow him. “Melani.” He tossed her the wrist-pad. “My computer should be able to break into that.” He put in his password on the computer and then he picked up his decorative items off of the nearby coffee table. His eyes looked to Jules, her skin had become pale, her eyes fluttered. “Lay her here, Agatha.”
Agatha nodded and she carefully lay Jules on the table. She pulled her knife from her pocket and she sliced away the clothing from Jules’ hip. She ripped it back. Jules tried to put pressure, the world was spinning around her, a few incoherent words escaped over her lips. “Shh, Jules, relax.” Agatha spoke as she turned her eyes to Hugo. He came back into the room with a metal box full of medical supplies.
“The bullet is still in there, isn’t it?” Hugo questioned as he pulled out a pair of forceps.
Agatha nodded, “If it wasn’t, Melani wouldn’t be sitting in that chair.” She glanced over her shoulder to Melani a moment before she looked back to Jules.
Hugo gave a nod as he poured a solution over the metal grips. “Alright Jules, this isn’t going to feel very good.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “We have to get that bullet out.” He nodded.
Jules’ breathing was quick, tears were rolling over her cheeks. “O…okay…” She trembled as she spoke.
“Hold her, Agatha.” Hugo spoke, his jaw tight. He reached into his pocket and he took a long drink from his flask before he moved to Jules’ side. He nodded to Agatha whom was holding Jules’ wrists above her head. Hugo placed his hand on her side and he took in a deep breath before he inserted the forceps into the wound. Jules screamed in pain as he began to search around in the wound for the bullet. Hugo grit his teeth. “Quiet her down.” He spoke as he focused on the wound. Agatha quickly shoved a bloody towel in Jules’ mouth, muffling her cries.
Hugo sighed heavily as he continued to search. “Damnit.” He groaned as he pulled a small piece out. “It shattered…it must have hit bone…” He bit his lip as he pulled a few more things from the box. He held a scalpel in his hand. Hugo took in a breath before he pulled the scalpel over Jules’ abdomen. She squirmed as she fought against Agatha’s hold on her.
“Shh…” Agatha stared into her eyes. “I know, I know it hurts.” She whispered. “Breathe Jules.” She spoke softly. “Just breathe.”
Hugo began plucking out pieces of the bullet as blood spilled from the wound. He grit his teeth as he watched Jules fall limp. “Help me over here, Agatha.”
“Hugo…I…” Agatha moved to his side. “Who taught you this?” She questioned softly.
“My father.” Hugo replied as he continued to work on the wound. “Grab me the bottle from that kit, it has a yellow liquid in it.” He spoke as he pulled another piece of shrapnel from her side. Agatha opened up the bottle and stood next to him. “Pour it in the wound to help clear some of the debris.” Agatha nodded as she poured the liquid over the wound. Jules’ breathing increased and her muscles tensed. Hugo brushed sweat from his brow, his hands were covered in Jules’ blood. He bit his lip as he searched through the wound. It took over an hour before he closed up the wound. Jules’ skin was pale as a blank piece of paper. Hugo sat on his knees next to her his eyes looked over her.
“Did you get it all?” Agatha asked softly.
“I think so.” Hugo replied.
“Daddy?” A small voice came from the doorway.
Hugo took in a quick breath, “Susie…” He turned as he wiped the blood from his hands. “Honey, you can’t be in here.” He shuffled to her quickly.
“Daddy who are those people?” The little girl asked, she had dark long wavy hair and the same hazel eyes that he had. “What were you doing to that lady?” She questioned as she looked to the blood on his arms and hands.
“Honey, come on.” Hugo ushered her away.
Agatha stood her eyes stared to the doorway a long moment before she looked to Jules. She let out a long breath before she looked to Melani. “You got the backup to stop right?” She asked softly.
Jules groaned slightly, her breathing was shallow. Her hand slipped over her freshly packaged wound. “Ags…” She whispered weakly. “Ags...is…Mel…okay?” She choked out. “Is…everyone…okay?”
Agatha gave a weak smile to Melani before she turned to Jules. “She’s okay.” She moved to her side and held her hand. “You took the bullet, remember?” She let out a soft chuckle. “You saved her.” She nodded.
Jules’ eyes slipped shut once again. She let out a long breath as her hand began to glow that was over the wound. Jules winced as the bracelet turned red fighting against her magic.
Agatha let out a breath. “I have to get Peter.” She spoke quickly. “Keep an eye on her, Melani.” She bit her lip slightly before she rushed from the room.
The glowing disappeared from Jules’ hand and she lay staring at the ceiling. Her eyes fluttered slightly. “Mel…you’re okay…” She had a soft smile on her lips. Jules winced as she sat herself up, she slipped from the table and fell to her knees. She took in quick breaths as her vision spun. She slowly made her way to her feet. She held her hand against the wall for support, her other hand held her side. “So we need to figure out a plan to get this Zen…right?” Jules sat down on the couch. Her eyes stared to the blood soaked towels on the table. Her eyes fluttered slightly. “Something…Mr. Foxtran would want….” She nodded to herself. "What if it was a location device?" She leaned her head back. "He wants to find me, but he can't...if only he'd had a device to find me already in place." She let out a soft laugh.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Dec 3, 2018 19:02:18 GMT -5
Melani lifted her head from her fall - to stare directly forward into the barrel of a gun. She sucked in a breath - knowing that her end was soon. The loud shot fired - but nothing happened. Instead she was shaded, a dark shadow cast over her - something blocked the attack. Melani gasped to see Jules standing before her - absorbing the shot. “No-“ she whimpered.
The next moments happened fast, despite the wound - Jules lunged forward. Melani stood and went to run forward- but another shot rang. The enemy fell to the ground in a thudding motion, and Hugo was sipping on his flask before the man’s head hit concrete.
Melani caught the wrist pad - which Hugo tossed to her. “I know she is hurt but we have to hurry” she glanced over to see Jules’ blood soaked into her clothes and dripping downward. She bit her lip and then followed swiftly. They entered the warehouse and made it to the homey room inside.
Melani shifted over to the computer and wired it up quickly. She only had 2 minutes to stop the upload. She clattered away at the keyboard, cursing slightly under her breath. Right before her time was up - she completed it. She sifted through the files and sighed.
“He contacted one person - Brandon Keys, right before he found Jules. Saying that he had a lead…” she bit her lip slightly. “So.. we’ll have to keep an eye out for him… I’m going to reroute his messaging to my pad, encrypted, and then destroy his. If he receives a message - I can read and reply and it will fake a location and his IP…” she typed away.
She winced slightly as she heard the whimpering of Jules, the sound of her pain as Hugo dug out the bullets… She finished up and then stood just as the little girl walked in. Melani looked to Hugo and then shifted past them as they cleaned Jules up. She entered the next room with Susie and she knelt down.
“Hi Susie…” Melani knelt and held her hand out. “I’m Melani”
Susie edged forward and shook her hand with two fingers. “What… is daddy doing?” She questioned.
“Your father… is saving her life. She was hurt… your dad - is a hero.” Melani smiled and lead Susie over to the living room couch. “Our friend got hurt and he found her, saved her, we’d go to the hospital but she has no money, you see?” She pat next to her.
“Let’s watch some cartoons huh, we can let the heroes be heroes” she smiled and flicked on the remote of the TV. An old TV slowly turned on, the screen warming up. There was an old VCR tape in, some old bugs bunny cartoon. Melani chuckled slightly with the girl, who pretended to chew on a carrot and say ‘ahh what’s up doc’
Soon enough the girl slumped over and fell asleep, curled up with the couch blanket and pillow. Melani slowly stood up and snuck back to the main room - right as Jules stumbled from the table. Melani rushed forward and grasped Jules’ arms, helping her up.
“I am okay…yes.. thank you” she smiled and then she moved over to sit down on the second couch they had, the living room still a room over - away from Susie.
“Zen… yes.” She sat down and thought for a moment. “No… I don’t want to make something that he would use against us, no. Something that would give him the upper hand with the economy, perhaps, win the people over. If something happens and I lose whatever this is - and he gets ahold of it.. I don’t want it to be something he can use to win…” she thought for a moment and bit her lip slightly.
“We have the ability to Purify water, but natural lakes and such are still poison, which leads to fish you can’t eat. What if I invent something that can cleanse an entire lake, then you can produce another source of food that you can rely on…” she glanced up and paused.
“I um..” She tilted her head. “You didn’t have to do that… you know. Jump in front of the bullet. You don’t… even know me… “ she shook her head. “Thank you, I am in our debt even more so now” she smiled and nodded. “I will draw up the plans for this cleanser… you should get some rest… Meanwhile - we could still have someone on our toes. Brandon is out there - he’ll find Dimitri… all we have to hope is that he won’t find us” she stood then and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Thank you…again” she spoke and then stood to find paper and pen…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Dec 3, 2018 20:18:41 GMT -5
Jules watched Melani as she spoke, a soft chuckle came over her lips. “I may not know you Melani, and you may not know me, but...you also chose to save me.” She nodded to herself, “I wouldn’t just stand by idly and allow someone to die, especially if it was because of me. It would have been my fault you know? If you got shot...that would have been because of me.”
Jules shifted slightly, thinking of Melani’s plan. “It would be amazing to have fresh fish from the lakes, safe food. Nothing is safe, even the air we breathe can be dangerous in places outside of the cities. I’m sure you are the one who designed the purification systems.” She smiled weakly. Jules took in a breath, she looked down to her bloody clothes and the dried blood on her hand. “I must thank Hugo.” She stood from the couch. “I’ll let you work...and get changed...out of these clothes.” She watched Melani a moment before she slipped from the room.
Hugo perked up, a smile on his lips. “Jules, you shouldn’t be walking around.” He stood from the couch. He’d washed the blood from his arms and hands. He glanced to Susie whom was still curled up on the couch. “Um...” He took in a breath. “How are you walking around?” He questioned.
“She healed herself.” Agatha walked into the room, Peter following behind her. “At least, I think that’s what she did.” She set down a heavy bag on the table. “The guards are all over the streets Hugo, I managed to move Dimitri’s body to a dumpster, hopefully that buys us time.”
Hugo pursed his lips slightly. “How did you heal yourself?” He questioned his eyes staring to Jules.
“I....” Jules shook her head slightly.
“Come here.” Hugo walked into another room. “My wife was about your size.” He spoke, his voice soft. “She um...” He let out a breath.
Jules lowered her eyes, “I’m sorry, Hugo.”
Hugo looked to her, his brows tucked together. “Hm.” He watched her for a long moment. “Can you truly be sorry for something that one of your kind did?” He questioned as he watched her. “A group of mages that escaped the vault came to Aeradenn, they killed everyone in their path. They were so full of rage...” He shook his head. “How can I trust you?” He questioned. “When we take that thing off...” He looked to the bracelet. “How do I know that the power will not corrupt you like it did those three mages?”
Jules bit her lip slightly, she shook her head. “You don’t know that.” She looked up to him, she took in a slow breath. “But, I can promise you that I am nothing like them.” Her eyes stayed on his.
Hugo watched her a long moment and nodded, “I hope so.” He spoke before he pulled open a closet. “Um...anything you like...the bathroom is in there...” He pointed before he slipped from the room.
Jules stood before the dresser, her eyes looked over the clothing inside. She ran her fingertips over the clothing. His wife had good taste in clothing. She then began to wonder what his wife had been like. What her name had been. She let out a long breath as her eyes fell upon a photo. It was Hugo with a beautiful woman that held a young baby in her arms. The smiles upon their faces. She held the frame in her hands as she stared to the picture.
A hand reached in front of her and carefully took the picture from her hands. “Her name was Reyna.” Hugo spoke softly. “I didn’t get to say goodbye.” He set the picture down.
“Did this happen 5 years ago?” Jules asked, her voice soft. She watched Hugo nod. Jules looked away and let out a long breath. “I’m sorry Hugo...you...looked so happy...”
Hugo sucked in a deep breath. “Yes. Now I have Susie to fight for.” He gave a weak smile.
Jules nodded, “I’m sorry Hugo.” She looked away from him then.
Hugo stepped forward and pulled a few things from the dresser. “I think you’d look good in these.” He gave a soft smile.
Jules took the clothing, “Thank you Hugo.” She nodded and stepped into the bathroom. Jules pulled off her sticky bloody clothing. She took in a deep breath as she pulled off some of the gauze. She stared to her side in the mirror. Her brows drew together as she looked to the bright pink scar that had formed. She had healed herself. Her jaw was loose as she ran her fingertip over it. “Oh....wow...” She looked to the bracelet. How? That was the question. How had she overpowered the bracelet like that.
Jules stepped into the shower and turned on the water. It ran red from her body as the blood was washed away, steam rose tow
ard the ceiling of the bathroom as she leaned her forehead against the wall.
**
“What...are you working on?” Susie’s small voice asked as she slipped into the room with Melani. She climbed onto a chair next to her and leaned in close looking over the papers and the sketches that Melani had begun to draw.
“Susie honey.” Hugo stepped forward. “I’m sorry, Melani.” He spoke as he lifted her up onto his hip. Susie was 7 years old. She was small though, like her mother had been.
Agatha chuckled as she looked to the little girl, “She’s curious, like her father.” She smiled as she cleaned up the bloody towels and packed away the instruments.
Peter sat down on the couch. “I know where to get the Zen.” He spoke, a smile on his lips. “There is a mine in the city of Luxe. It holds the largest mine in the area. There has to be some Zen that is left untapped there. We should be able to get enough for whatever you need to do with that bracelet.” He nodded. “I know several other mages that would love to help us as well.”
Agatha smiled as she watched her brother, “When do you have to return to Voxstein?” She questioned.
“Tomorrow, so they don’t suspect…” He nodded his eyes moved then to the doorway as Jules stepped into the room, he’d stopped speaking mid sentence.
Jules stood in jeans that were faded and worn. She wore a harness that held a pistol on each thigh. She had on a red undershirt with a black jacket on over it. Across her chest was a strap that held her dagger. She looked to Peter whom was staring at her. “Um…” She looked away from him. “Melani…” She stepped forward. “How are the plans coming?” She questioned. She stepped over to her, she could still feel Peter’s eyes on her.
Agatha threw a book at Peter, smacking him in the side of his head. “She can see you, you know?” She questioned and chuckled. “How’s your side?”
Jules took in a breath. “It’s…healed…” She spoke and took in a breath. “I overpowered the bracelet…” She looked to the bracelet upon her wrist. She then shifted slightly, “So, the plan?” She questioned.
It was then that Melani’s wrist screen began to chime. A message from Brandon popped up on the screen. Good, I’m glad you got a lead, brother. I will meet you at the Iron Wolf in 30. We can discuss the direction you would like to take. We will get that mage, I have a higher bid than Mr. Foxtran. The Baron wants that mage too. So maybe we can make them fight over her, get the sweetest deal. Let me know.
Jules looked to the glow on Melani’s arm. “Is that the other hunter?” She questioned curiously.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Dec 4, 2018 16:56:11 GMT -5
“See, then I’d be inventing something that in the end would help the people...” She smiled and then made her way to the dining table. She laid out paper that Hugo plucked for her and began to sketch a drawing out. On the side of the paper she scribbled out a long series of math - chemistry and so on. There were several arrows pointing from the equation to the unit. At first she started with the design of it from the outside, and then she drew about 10 more views where she dissected the insides. It wasn’t anything pretty, a box to represent a condenser, a triangle with outputs for a filter. She would pretty up the design as she confirmed it.
An hour had passed and she had a very simple mock prototype of the concept, but she would need to actually put one together, she would need a sample of water, she had to build this. Couldn’t quite fake it. She was deep in thought when Susie sat down across from her.
“Oh, Susie” she smiled and set the pencil down, she needed a break - her hand was cramping up. All down the side of her hand was graphite dust, from her hand moving over the drawing. Her eyes looked up to Hugo and she smirked. “Put her down Hugo, let her see. This is science, art - who knows, maybe Susie will be the next inventor of the year”
Hugo thought for a long moment and then sighed, he sat her back down on the chair. “You can’t shield her forever, plus.. this is good stuff, huh Susie?”
Susie sat back down and moved so she was sitting in the chair on her knees, and leaning over the drawing. “Yeah this is cool - whats.... That?” She pointed to a part of the drawing.
“Here, I’ll walk you through it. This is a real cool idea, and maybe you’ll help me build it, hm?” She smiled. “So that’s the intake - water will come up through here and travel through... here, into this box device that will filter it” Melani smiled and then continued, she dumbed it down to a level where she might understand. Susie beamed and asked a million questions - but it was actually helpful. Thinking about it in that level caused Melani to go back and rewrite her equation, she missed easy simple things - somethings that were so basic to her that she almost forgot.
“So, your dad is going to help me get all this stuff so I can build it, are you in for the challenge to help me build it?” Melani smiled.
Susie stood then and clasped her hands by her waist and nodded. “Yeah” she then turned as Hugo walked in, she rushed over and tugged on his hand and began to rattle all the things she learned - and what she planned on doing.
Hugo stepped over to Melani and sighed. “You want to involve her?” He questioned and sighed deeply.
“Hugo, she is your daughter, if you like it or not - she is involved. At least in this way... she is doing something that makes her happy. She told me how you go away for a long time, and the neighbor lady - Valory takes care of her. This way... she feels like she is apart of something, apart of you.” Melani glanced to Susie, who had her own paper out and was sketching.
Hugo sighed and shook his head. “If she is happy...”
“You do all of this for her, I know it.” She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Help me here and I’ll make it worth your while...”
Hugo looked to her and then to his daughter, to his warehouse of a home. He could provide Susie with a real home... he could stop hunting and do something else, like farming... “Alright...” He replied and then glanced to Melani as her wrist - pad chimed.
Melani lifted her arm and then sucked in a breath. “Yeah, it’s him. He doesn’t suspect our friend is well... Seems the Baron wants you first, which means I can’t control or get word on any forces... We’ll need to be on high alert. He wants to meet at the Iron Wolf in 30... what's the plan?”
Hugo crossed his arms “If we don't dispose of him then we leave ourselves out for his fury. But we can’t take him out, not in the Iron Wolf..”
“I could reply, tell him we are tailing Jules some where else and then...” She thought for a moment. “But what if he knows that his friend is dead, replying would give us away..” She shook her head.
“Alright. We need to get the Zen. Here is what I’ll do.. I can write some code to leave crumb trails, but in the wrong place. Lead the people astray. I can have your ID checked in some where... are there any companies that do escorts?”
Agatha stepped into the room and nodded. “Yeah, many of them...”
“I could have her ID checked in with them, a fake purchase to get an escort to a different city, then a few hours later or however - I can fake some purchases. So essentially they’ll go sniffing away to another city, buy us time...” She lifted a brow.
Agatha thought for a second and then nodded. “That’s the best route. Dimitri is gone, his friend may or may not know this, but if we confront him we risk being found, or set up. If they’re after her then creating a diversion is the best bet...”
“Okay... I’ll work on that now, then after I need to go to my father and get passes to the Mine...” She lifted a brow. “Agatha, will you assist me there, and Hugo and Jules can stay here?” She questioned.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Dec 4, 2018 18:07:30 GMT -5
Jules crossed her arms as she listened to everyone shoot ideas back and forth. She pulled her brows together and shook her head. “What if a diversion doesn’t work?” She muttered softly.
Agatha looked to her friend and gave a soft smile, she stepped over and placed a hand on her shoulder. “It will. Believe me, I’ve done this more than you realize.” She then glanced to Melani. “Come on.” She nodded, “Let’s go get those passes hm?”
Jules let out a breath as she watched the two exit the home. She paced slightly. “I'm going to get you all killed.” She glanced to Hugo.
Hugo was filling his flask from is bar. He chuckled slightly. “Jules, you couldn’t get us all killed if you tried.” He winked to her before he tossed back a shot. “Come here.” He poured a few bottles into a metal shaker. He shook it and then poured it into a glass. “Drink this.” He held the glass of pink liquid toward her.
Jules stepped to him and let out a breath. “I don’t understand why I am so important to them.” She took the glass and took a sip. Her face scrunched slightly.
Hugo chuckled, “Here.” He poured something else into it and stirred it. “Try that.”
Jules took a sip, this time her face didn’t scrunch. It was a sweet smooth drink. Peter shifted in his seat, he glanced up to Jules and let out a long breath. “Jules, you are like the nova bomb.” He spoke as he stood. “The power that you hold is equivalent to what the nova bomb was before the collapse.” He watched her a moment as she took another drink from her glass. “That bomb was so important to those that were our leaders, they would have killed for it, just as they will kill to find you. Without you Mr. Foxtran isn’t as powerful. He doesn’t have you to power some of the weapons that he needs you to power. There are things that your magic can power that the magic of 100 mages can’t even touch.” Peter let out a breath, he stepped to her and cupped her cheek. “You can’t give up.” He searched her eyes. “There will be hunters that chase you, the Baron will throw his government soldiers after you, but...if you give up, we have no future. The future remains what life is now. You don’t want that Jules. I know it....you don’t want to go back to the tower...especially not now, and...” He sighed and took a step away from her, his arms crossed. “I can’t get you out of the jail when they lock you up. If they catch you, we’ve lost.” He looked to his wrist and bit his lip. “I have an airship to catch, Jules.” He glanced to Hugo for a moment and then to her. He pulled her into a tight embrace. “Just, don’t give up, okay?” He released her and he turned and stepped from the home.
Jules stood still for a long moment. Her eyes trailed to where he’d left. Susie giggled from where she sat, “He likes you.” She continued to giggle.
“Susie.” Hugo spoke, though he had a smirk on his lips.
“What daddy?” Susie questioned she giggled again.
“How does lunch sound?” Hugo chuckled as he stepped into the kitchen. “What do you like, Jules?”
Jules sipped on her drink. She sat down at the dining room table and looked over the few documents that Melani had drawn out. “I’m not really hungry thank you.” She took another drink.
“Hm.” Hugo raised a brow. “Is it fear?” He asked.
Jules looked to him she stood and walked to him. “Fear?” She questioned, she let out a breath and finished her drink. Her body felt warm, her cheeks were pink. “No. I don’t think fear quite covers it. Fear isn’t it at all.” She shook her head. “Everyone is counting on me.” She scoffed slightly, “Me.” She laughed then, though tears welled in her eyes. “What if I fail? What if I’m not the mage everyone thinks I am? What if I can’t do the things that Agatha thinks I can? What if I can’t stop this?” She spoke quickly, tears began to roll down her cheeks.
Hugo set down the spoon he was using to stir the soup on the stove. He stepped forward. “Jules.” He reached forward and pulled her into a hug. He rest his head on top of hers and allowed her to cry into his chest. He didn’t speak. His eyes moved to Susie as she stepped over, she hugged Jules from the side her arms wrapping around her hips. Hugo let out a soft chuckle as he remained there. He let Jules cry until her tears dried up. He stepped back and brushed a few away. “I know it’s a lot.” He nodded, “I do.” He looked to his daughter whom still hugged herself to Jules. He stirred the soup on the stove. “You are that mage, Jules. I can see it in your eyes.”
Jules brushed a few tears away and sniffled. She took in a few quick breaths. Her hand rested on Susie’s shoulders. “How can you be so sure?” She questioned softly.
Hugo chuckled as he spooned the soup into three bowls. “I can’t.” He smirked to her he took a swig from his flask. “But, I choose to be. I believe in Agatha.” He handed a bowl to her and Susie. He then stepped over to the dining room table. The three sat down at the table and began to eat their soup. Jules didn’t ask any more questions as she ate. Her mind was racing. Thinking of the events that had happened since Agatha gave her that ticket. Her life was completely different and it hadn’t even been a week.
**
“Agatha. Hey!” A man walked out of the Iron Wolf as Melani and Agatha walked toward the Foxtran tower home.
Agatha moved her eyes to the man, her hand moved to her pistol. “Can I help you? I’m not sure that I know you.”
“Brandon.” He held his hand out a smile on his lips. He glanced to Melani. “You must be Mr. Foxtran’s daughter.” He licked his lips slightly.
“Brandon.” Agatha raised a brow. “How do you know me? What do you need? Miss Foxtran and I are on a strict schedule. You understand?”
The man wore a top hat with goggles on it. He had a tight fitting black jacket with golden buttons on the front. His entire left arm looked to be mechanical and had leather straps that attached to his shoulder and chest. He had a pistol on his hip and a leather mask that hung around his neck. He looked sinister. “The Baron gave your name. You’re a well known hunter, a second hand to Mr. Foxtran. Does he have you searching for the mage?” He questioned, his eyes glanced to Melani and stayed on her for a long moment.
Agatha moved to block his vision, she drew her brows together, “No, I am to keep his daughter safe and to introduce her to the world that we live in.” Her grip tightened on her pistol. “Good day, sir.” She wrapped her arm around Melani and led her forward.
“You won’t mind if I tag along then.” Brandon caught up, he chuckled. “Keeping Mr. Foxtran’s daughter safe, we are bound to run into trouble at some point. Maybe even the mage. Hm?”
Agatha grit her teeth, “The Foxtran estate is a high clearance area, you do not have access.” She stopped in her tracks and turned to him, they were standing in the middle of the street near the tower by then.
Brandon pulled out a card. “The Baron would have a word or two to say about that.” He smirked as he offered it forward.
Agatha took in a breath as she looked to the clearance. Her jaw tightened. “We can see what Mr. Foxtran has to say about you following us around.” Her voice was short, her eyes bore into him as she turned on her heel and marched toward the mansion with Melani, Brandon following behind them.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Dec 4, 2018 18:53:08 GMT -5
Melani looked to Jules as she entered the room. “We have to do something” she lowered her gaze and then turned with Agatha. They made their way out of the warehouse and down the road. It was then that they were interrupted by someone. Melani turned towards this man as they stopped him, she could tell right away that something wasn’t right. She tilted her head and pulled her brows together.
“Your card has access?” She questioned. “Can I see?” She reached her hand forward and plucked it from his finger tips. She flipped it over to read his name on it and then began walking forward as she observed it. Though in the palm of her hand was a small round magnet, she pressed it across the strip just before she handed it back to him. Though she was cunning and sly with this movement.
“If you insist...” She sighed and they approached the mansion. As they came to the elevator Melani pressed her badge to the reader, and then Agatha did. “Go on” she nodded.
Brandon chuckled and then scanned his badge. The light flashed red and a speaker voiced to them “Access Denied” Brandon pulled his brows together and scanned it again. “Access Denied”
Within seconds guards came rushing into the room. “This man insisted on following us and even said he had access, a liar at that. Please, take him to the cells, I’ll have my father tend to him” she turned then and got onto the elevator, Agatha followed. She watched as Brandon glared to her - his hands cuffed from behind.
Agatha turned and glanced to her “Did you know?” She questioned.
“No... I took a magnet to his strip” she lifted the magnet and then chuckled.
As they came to the top - Victor was already waiting. “Is everything okay? I saw the declined access...” He lead them to his office.
“Yeah. This man came up to us and threatened us, then he claimed he had access to the mansion and practically forced himself upon us. I was worried... but I am glad he was caught...” She took in a deep breath and let it go.
“I am glad you are safe...” Victor smiled and sat down in his chair. “Agatha, thank you for taking care of her - see that your duties are tended to” he waved her away.
Melani looked to Agatha and then back to Victor. “She has been very helpful, thank you for assigning her to me...”
Victor smiled and nodded “How are you liking life outside the vault?”
“It’s alright, better than being cramped, for sure. I’m catching up on all the social aspects, but actually... I can’t avoid my nature” she pulled out her blueprints. “I was talking with someone at the Cafe - water sources here can't be trusted, fish and such... This is a water cleanser, it will cure an entire body of water, like a lake... fresh fish...” She turned it for Victor to see.
Victor smiled and looked at it. “Wow... this would change a lot...” He smiled brightly. “When you were real young... you used to take things apart and put them back together, I knew right away that you’d be a wonderful engineer, inventor... you impress me. I figured you’d fall to the greeds of humanity, but no... you are here - still inventing” he chuckled. “I am proud”
“Well... it is comfortable for me, I enjoy it. Its all I know...” She lowered her eyes. “Drinking.. socializing... it’s weird, uncomfortable... but this” she pressed her hands on the blue prints. “This is my life” she smiled.
“So what do you need to make it?” He questioned.
“Well, Do you remember the wrist bands I made? They had a gem in it... I need something like it. Something that is a good absorber...” She thought for a second. “But I don’t know what's out there...”
“Ah... there might be something - there is a mutated gem - Zen. An output of the bombs, but it seems to be a great source of chemical power, five times stronger than coal...” He lifted a brow.
“Where can I get it?” She questioned.
“I have plenty, I could get as much as you need” Victor leaned back and crossed his legs.
“Hmm... is there any way I can cultivate it myself? I want to see it in its raw form, seeing its environment can tell me a lot about it..” She smiled. She knew that if she let him give it to her - he would manage every inch of it, she wouldn't be able to smuggle any of it without him knowing.
“Hmmm, curious of the world huh?” He smiled and then opened his filing cabinet. “Yes, I’ll get you a pass to the mines, not far from here. The excavators can take you down there” he signed a blue card and he slid it over. “I’m glad you are finding your place, heck. You’re going to make such a difference” he nodded. “Can I take Agatha? I trust her”
Victor smiled then “Anyone else?” He chuckled. “Take Hugo too - in case something happens, he is my best man” he signed two more cards. “I’ll have my private ship take you out, when do you wanna go?”
“Hm.. is tomorrow too early? I’m excited”
“Not at all...” Victor picked up his phone. “Anything for you my dear” he dialed the phone. “Arther, hello. This is Victor... I need you to take my daughter and her escorts to the mines tomorrow morning, are you free to do so?... yes... ah, not a problem. Very good. Tomorrow morning then...” He hung up. “All set up... “ he smiled. “Alright.... I need to get back to it...” He moved his hand to hers and held her hand for a second and then let go. For a moment - Melani was convinced that he actually had a heart, he seemed to actually want to please her...
Melani stood and nodded. “Good night” she stood then and walked out of the room and down the hallway. Agatha stood with her arms crossed, grinning. Melani handed her two cards and nodded. “Fabricate one more.. Do you know Arther?” Melani questioned softly.
Agatha chuckled “He's one of mine...” she took the two cards and nodded. “He’s never been so nice before... I wonder if guilt is eating him up” she grinned and then nodded. “I do have to work so...”
“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be in the library, working on the plans..” She shifted away and made her way to the huge library. She found herself in a plush seat with a lap desk, sketching on her paper. She had several books pulled down and open down.. until night had rolled over, and she fell asleep in her chair - head rolled to the side...
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Post by Blindside Tex on Dec 4, 2018 19:55:33 GMT -5
Jules paced a bit in the home, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she thought through the moments of the past few days. Her brows were tucked together tightly as she thought. “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor, Jules.” Hugo cleared his throat. “Why don’t you sit?” He had a glass of whiskey in his hand, the ice cubes jingled about within the crystal glass. “Relax maybe?”
Jules sighed heavily as she sat down heavily on the couch. “How can you be so relaxed?” She questioned and looked to him.
Hugo only smirked and raised his glass at her. “How else, love?” He chuckled. Susie was on the floor before the tv watching the old cartoons play on the worn out screen. He looked to his daughter and smiled. “Why don’t you go to bed? You look tired, hell, you were shot today.” He looked to Jules again. “You deserve some rest.”
Jules took in a breath, her hand held over where the gun shot was, it was still sore, but...she could only imagine how much pain she would be in if she hadn’t managed to heal herself like that. “I think I’ll clean the guns.” She gave a smile as she stood and left the room. Jules stepped into the back room. She stared to the coffee table a long moment, frozen in her tracks. Her own screams echoed in her mind. She bit her lip slightly before she moved to the workbench. She sat down and pulled the two pistols from her thighs. Jules began to take the guns apart, piece by piece.
Click. Click.
“Not like that.” Nicholas chuckled, he reached around Jules from behind, his hands over hers. “You have to be gentle, you have to remember which piece goes where. Look.” He carefully pulled the pistol apart laying each piece upon the table before her. “See?” He chuckled, “Now put it together.”
Jules fumbled with the pistol pieces clicking each one together clumsily. “I’m not sure...that this goes....here...?” She questioned and bit her lip.
Nicholas chuckled he reached around again, helping her. “Here.” He clicked the pieces back together. “What will you do if your gun jams and you’re alone Jules? The world is a dangerous place outside the vault.”
“What if it isn’t?” Jules questioned, her brow raised. “What if...the bombs didn’t destroy as much as they thought...what if civilization is still there and we’ve been living down here locked up...what then?”
Nicholas smiled to her as he sat down on the bench next to her. “Then we will take it a step at a time. Now. Again.” He nodded.
“What are you two doing?” Adam leaned against the door panel, he had a glass in his hands he was drying it with a towel. “Teaching my daughter to shoot a gun, hm?” He questioned, “She’s going to be a doctor, she’ll study medicine, Nicholas.”
Nicholas looked to Adam and let out a breath, “And what if...that isn’t an option when we get out of here, sir?” He questioned softly.
Adam smiled and stepped forward. “Well then, I suppose she was a good teacher, doesn’t she? The son of our Vault Master, he was a MP in the military before the collapse.” He chuckled and gripped Nicholas’ shoulder gently. “I need Jules in the lab, Nic.” He gave a gentle smile before he turned and stepped from the room.
Jules lay with her head on the desk, her pistols freshly cleaned on the desk before her. Her hands had soot from cleaning the chambers. Susie stood in the doorway. “Daddy.” She whispered and ran to her father, she tugged on his jacket sleeve. “She’s asleep.” She held her hands up to her head like she was laying on a pillow.
Hugo chuckled and stood up. “Is she?” He questioned as he quietly stepped to the room. He held his fingers to his lips and walked in. He carefully adjusted Jules and pulled her to cradle in his arms. “Shhhh.” He soothed as her eyes fluttered, her head lulled against his shoulder. Hugo carried her into his bedroom. “Susie.” He whispered. Susie rushed forward and pulled the blankets down on the bed, she grinned up to him. Hugo smiled as he carefully set Jules on the bed, he pulled her boots from her feet and tucked her in gently. “Good night, Jules.” He spoke as he stepped from the bedroom.
Susie grinned up to him, “She needs that sleep, huh daddy?” She asked as she watched him.
“Yes honey, she does.” He ruffled her hair, “So do you.” He directed her into her bedroom. “Did you brush?” He asked.
Susie nodded quickly as she ran to her bed and jumped into it she pulled her blankets up quickly and looked to her father, “Story?” She asked with puppy dog eyes.
Hugo chuckled as he pulled an old tattered book from the shelf near her bed. “Of course, princess.” He sat down on the stool and began to read to her until her eyes slipped shut.
**
Agatha pushed the door open to the library, a soft smile curved up her lips. She stepped inside and found a pillow and a blanket. She carefully tucked Melani in, “Good night.” She whispered before she walked out into the hallway.
“Agatha.” Victor stood at the end of the hallway. “Come to my office please.”
Agatha took in a breath, she smiled as she followed Victor to his office. She bowed her head. “What may I do for you sir?” She questioned softly.
Victor cleared his throat, “Sit.” He pointed to a chair and watched as she moved and sat down across from him at the desk. “How is she adjusting?” He questioned. “Socially?” He watched Agatha closely.
“She’s only been around myself and Hugo, and a few locals. But, she seems to be doing well sir. Her idea for the water purification system is incredible. She has such a bright mind, she takes after you.” Agatha smiled.
Victor watched her, he smiled but it was a tight, almost forced smile. “I need you to do something for me.” He took in a breath. He slid a picture of Jules across the table to Agatha. “This mage.” He pointed to the image. “I want you to keep an eye out for her, Hugo hasn’t seemed to come up with any leads. The Baron has gotten his men involved in this. The man Bradon, from earlier.” He paused again his eyes watching Agatha. “He was sent by the Baron to retrieve the mage. Now, all of the mages are Foxtran Corporations responsibility. If we allow the Baron’s men to retrieve her...” He shook his head and let out a long breath. “The Baron will take things away from us. Understand?”
Agatha slowly nodded, “Of course sir.”
“You will find her.” He stared into her eyes, “Brandon spoke of a lead that another man named Dimitri had on the mage. I have hacked into that man’s database that was uploaded to the servers. Here is the information that I have found. She’s in the city. Maybe, you can draw her out? You’re friendly. Besides, my daughter may be able to help you find the mage.” He smiled then. “Do this and I’ll see to it that you only escort my daughter, you will be assigned to her, no more cleaning duties. Hm? Of course that will come with a huge raise as well, Agatha.”
Agatha nodded and stood as she took the documents. “Of course sir.” She bowed her head. “Thank you for the opportunity.” She stared into his eyes. His demeanor it was different. Why was he so different now with Melani back? She turned to leave.
“Oh, and Agatha.” He stood his hands resting on the table. “Do not fail me.” He stared to her that look that she was used to.
Agatha nodded, “Of course sir, when have I ever failed you?” She smiled as she slipped from the room. She looked to the documents and bit her lip. Agatha walked into the library and thumbed through the documents, she was sitting in a chair near Melani. There wasn’t much. Dimitri had snapped a few shots of Jules, but she was always alone. Thankfully. He marked the Iron Wolf with a red star. That’s where he’d found her. Agatha tucked her things away and sighed as she rubbed her face slightly. She glanced to Melani a moment her mind buzzing. She had to make it look like she was trying. But she also had to stop the Barons men. This, wouldn’t be easy. She stood and slipped from the room then.
**
“Rise and shine sleepy head.” Agatha walked into Melani’s room. She’d had one of the butler’s move Melani into her bed later in the night. She wore a blazer and a black shirt beneath it. She had a smile on her lips. “Ready to get that Zen?” She questioned as she opened up the blinds, the sun’s rays peeks into the room casting an orange glow over Melani’s bed.
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Post by Raven on Dec 10, 2018 13:50:16 GMT -5
Melani woke the next morning - surprised that she was in her bed. "How..?" she held her hand up to her head and then made her way out of the bed. The blue prints were sitting on her table - all of her notes etched all over it. She was close, she knew it. She rolled the blueprint up, now having transferred t an actual blue graphing page - the whole thing etched out. She slipped it away into her bag and slung it over her shoulder.
"I am ready, yes" she nodded as Agatha entered the room. She pulled her bag over her shoulders and smiled. "Food first..." she grinned "Do you they have those... Pancakes? I read about them before" she looked to Agatha as they walked from the room.
"Pancakes... yes, a classic" Agatha smirked and lead her to the kitchen. A Chef stood - waiting for them. Agatha perked up and smiled. "2 pancake stacks, chocolate chips and whip cream, of course" The chef nodded and was on it right away.
"I only ever had these luke-warm shakes for food. Over time it all tasted the same, like a bland cardboard flavor" she chuckled and took a seat at the breakfast bar. "So food to me..." she shook her head. "I could just eat all day every day, that'd be great" she smirked to Agatha.
Agatha tilted her head and then sat down next to her. "That's a crazy concept to me, I think. We had a lot of canned and dried foods, but flavor existed for us."
"It was just me and my robot, so no one to really cook the food. Oh man... now that I think of it - I have no idea how to cook" she covered her mouth slightly and glanced to the chef.
The tall man looked to her and laughed. "Come here" he waved her over with the spatula. For the next few minutes he showed her how to flip the pancakes, to get them to the perfect color.
"How do you know when to flip?" she questioned.
"Well, with it gets bubbles - then it's a little late, but still good. When you get the feeling of the heat, and do it enough.. you just know. The way the edges look..." he nodded. "Flip"
Melani flipped the pancake and then gasped. "It's so beautiful..."
"Just wait, I have a very secret sauce for the top" he dumped some strawberries into another pan and began to make up a strawberry sauce for the pancakes. Melani was like a little kid in this whole moment - the making of the pancakes, and the eating of them was even better. She asked the chef nearly a million questions.
"Listen, you want to learn to cook? I will teach you..." he smiled "But you have to help with the dishes, thats part of the deal"
"Deal.." Melani smiled then.
Agatha smirked "This one is for free huh? We have to get moving, but next time - for sure"
The Chef nodded "See you later" he spoke as he bit into his own pancake.
Agatha lead her down to the bottom of the tower. "So we are catching an air ship to the mines, the others will meet us at the port..." she nodded. "You have full access to mine the Zen, but we need to be careful. They say the dust from the Zen can cause.... things to happen"
"Like what?" Melani questioned as they walked through the streets.
"Anything from seeing things to getting real sick. Just depends..." she shrugged slightly. Her eyes fell upon Hugo, she smiled as they approached. "Are you ready?"
Hugo lifted his gaze and then nodded. "We need to stay alert, the bounty on Jules has grown, and they sent out a lot of alerts about it.. Speaking of, where is she?" he questioned and glanced around.
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