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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:06 pm
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 1:21 pm
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:45 pm
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:11 pm
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:31 pm
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:05 pm
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:16 pm
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Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:16 pm
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((Quoted just to get your attention. Sorry it's been so long... I was burnt out. ))
Genesis cocked his head to the side as the man started to speak, "Robots are no myth, sir. Have you never encountered one of my kind? They're everywhere nowadays, always patrolling the Fields... and most are hostile." He explained, completely ignoring the part about this being a dream, "You are extremely lucky if you have not yet battled one. Even with extraordinary talents, little Scarlet's life was almost lost by the attack of my sister..." His voice quieted and a hint of shame crawled into his expression, "So...were you in the simulation before?"
• • •
Raowan froze. He was captivated by the girl's power, by her presence. Even without a sixth sense, it was obvious to anyone just how wrong her existence felt. She simply returned the stare, her lips forming around unspoken words. The guardian read them by watching; "I want to be free." "No...it can't be. She couldn't have... Not without the..." Raowan trailed off absentmindedly. He tore his eyes away from the impossibility long enough to think, then soundlessly spoke one word back to her, "Alena?" She was gone.
• • •
The sounds of war raged on around her, the scents of blood and smoke tainted the air, death hung heavy upon the morning's arrival. Her whole body ached, mainly as an after-effect of the mental sync with her machine. It was probably dead by now, half of herself now gone along with it. Layla remained in the shelter of a truck, further from the battleground. More bodies were set down beside her as the medics worked to patch up their allies, desperate to save at least a few lives. Her eyes were shut tightly, and her hands were held protectively around her crystal pendant. She was in that halfway-conscious state; aware enough to understand her surroundings, yet not enough to interact. Layla thought of her homeland, then back to the time when factions were not separate, until her mind finally settled on her memories of Aerilo. She mentally scoffed, 'How ironic it is that the good one died, while the arrogant one lives on...' She thought bitterly, 'I hope you're happy to see me get slapped with karma. I refused to believe you in life, and now I want nothing more than to believe.
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Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:04 pm
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Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:43 am
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Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:52 pm
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:52 pm
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"Essentially, you're correct." Raowan nodded once, then gazed to the sky blankly, "...This world is fake, Virgil. It's a virtual reality containing most of earth's inhabitants, while their real bodies lay dormant in reality. It was created as a quick solution to the chaos which consumed society after a terrible war. I am one of the original Administrators; I specialized in the Caretakers, in their programming and design." The man paused as he realized an open window was above them. The scenery around them flickered, then changed to an empty field. He resumed speaking almost immediately, "What we know as Corrupted are, in reality, members of a resistance against the simulation. They have discovered ways to not only enter this world, but also exploit the tools of moderation that Guardians possess. And they are using those tools to rip this whole place apart, to destroy the simulation and all of the lives trapped within it. Thus began the implementation of Caretakers, as I realized the problem was growing and that we would be unable to keep up." "Outside of the simulation is a wasteland, and within the few habitable areas are sections of the resistance. To our knowledge, there are eight in this division of the world. This simulation is not the only, either; every previous country has at least one, all joint to the others with an internet-type connection. And I am certain there are resistances for each simulation worldwide, however these eight are the only ones concerning us." Raowan took a moment to catch his breath, then continued. "The factions each seem to have different governing styles, and all have alliances and rivalries with others around them. Some are more advanced, some are more separate from alliances, some don't even have militant forces, but... all have the goal to destroy the simulation. We have incredible defenses in the real world, too, but against the capabilities of some of the factions, our technology is not enough. So, to enhance our ability to defend, we began some biological experimentation. And I believe that woman we saw was the virtual equivalent of one of them..."
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:51 pm
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Devon fell on his hands and knees, panting. Deep cuts and a bullet wound reached up his arms, along with a few burns on his back. The whole battlefield was wreathed in flames and smoke, making visibility low and breathing difficult. Everywhere he turned, there were more bodies and more destruction. His comrades were dying for nothing... Two Westerners helped him stand, then led him off in a clearer direction. Screams cried out, guns were fired, more explosions erupted in the distance. Devon wanted to keep fighting, to battle to the end, but his own body had given up. The medics led him to the camp of three unharmed vehicles, setting him down in the back of one before starting treatment. He winced as the rubbing alcohol burned at his open injuries. There were others in this same truck, but most noticeable was Layla. She was sprawled beside him, halfway coated in bandages. Devon was tempted to say something to her, but the pain of his own wounds quickly overrode that desire. As they finished up bandaging his arms, the truck's engine suddenly revved to life. There was shouting outside, mostly incomprehensible over the machine's roar, except for one; "We have to go, NOW!" That was enough to send him into panic. Devon sat up fast, eyes wide as he glanced from one person to the next, "We're l-leaving? No, we can't! There are others still out there...!" His cries were struggled as they restrained him, as the vehicle began to drive away. "They're our friends, our family! We can't just leave them to die!" But his words were in vain. They just continued to retreat, every survivor sullen and silent.
Layla turned her head to face him and spoke softly, "They would want this, Devon. They would want for you and everyone here to keep living on. Their sacrifice shouldn't be for nothing." She reassured him, then looked back toward the roof above, "It would only be a waste if we tried to stop the inevitable." She shut her eyes and thought of her faction, trying to imagine what she would do when she got back. She had let her machine die without her; she was a traitor to her own creation. That was a major taboo in their culture. Layla sighed heavily, "I almost wish I didn't have to return... My people will no doubt shun me when I do." "Why's that?" Devon asked, puzzled. "In Northern society, it's considered treason to allow one's mech to die without oneself. I know it sounds shallow, but a pilot's bond with his or her machine symbolizes their loyalty to the faction. To let it be destroyed while the pilot escapes is to betray the whole faction... I have lost my honor."
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 3:04 pm
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 5:57 pm
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