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59: The Beginning of the End
“Basil” Spiro said, surprising Basil who bumped into the mess of gunship parts. As Basil finally exited the maze that enveloped the hanger, he noticed Spiro looked slightly surprised or uneasy. Odd. Perhaps Spiro was just surprised by his change of appearance, his beard shaved off and his hair tied behind his head. “What’s going on?” “I just got back from speaking with Cicero and the Redcap Queen, they captured a criminal who claimed there was going to be a major attack on their capitol soon.
Read more…58: The Miami Fallout
Basil went from the pressurized room to the condo, condo to elevator, and elevator to lobby. Walking through, however, he was stopped by Elliot. “Hey man, now a good time to talk?” Basil shook his head. “Sorry, not really. Some people made very poor decisions, and now I need to run to the liquor store before my head explodes.” Elliot responded, curious but oddly enthusiastic. “Whoa, is that some sort of mob speak?
Read more…57: Unlikeliest of Allies
He walked through the door silently, checking corners as he passed. Everything was quiet, just as he planned, and he was now standing behind her while she sat at a table oblivious. “Impressive place you got here. Durable walls, your own crops, a defensible property line, and you’re far enough from the Redcaps that they won’t bother you while not being far enough they won’t keep the overt criminals in check.
Read more…56: Coastal Federation
Basil stepped out of the gunship, tired and bloody, but as soon as he turned to leave ACE spoke. “Basil, while we were busy, Gina from the coastal federation attempted to contact us. She is attempting to reform their organization and requested your presence.” Basil sighed, feeling even more exhausted at the suggestion. “Alright, ask them if tomorrow works or something.” “She is having a meeting in a couple hours, she specifically requested you be present because she wanted to thank you for saving their organization and wanted your official recognition of their new government.
Read more…55: The Third Elthrice Campaign Pt. 2
Spiro followed the Faceless Man as they were wordlessly ushered into a tent by those standing outside. Their prisoner, an oddly thin Orbital, looked bruised and bloody; pigments meant to hide his skin seemingly washed off his face and upper body - despite the rest of him seemingly still in disguise. Wet rags and bloody rags covered one table, although the room seemed cluttered with gadgets. They were undoubtedly Earth technology, though, many alien devices dedicated to specific purposes as opposed to the Elthrice technology that seemed to do everything at once while being integrated into a larger device or person.
Read more…54: The Third Elthrice Campaign Pt. 1
The first indication their introduction was about to go bad was a burst of transmissions between the ground and jets above; the second indication being that it stopped. “Heat management or durability?” ACE asked, using intentionally fast words. Before a response could be given, however, the jets fired upon them. He dropped the craft in altitude quickly, hoping the thrusting mechanisms could counteract the otherworldly G forces that were in effect as they had during the simulations.
Read more…53: California Sands
“Here we go” Basil said, stepping away while trying to untangle himself from wires. “And you’re sure it will work?” Spiro asked, questioning Basil’s confidence. “Well, one way to find out. Flip that switch and either it’ll work, or the whole city will go up in flames.” Basil replied in a joking manner. Spiro flipped the switch on the new UPS the two had just installed. Some RGB lights turned on and the city did not go up in flames.
Read more…52: A wolf in a Lamb's Clothes
“Is everything okay?” Basil asked, running into the Arkepello bar and drawing everyone’s attention. General Tobias looked at Basil, seemingly amused, and answered the question directed at Aurora. “Yes, I was just showing Aurora some maps, and she was hoping you could join us.” Basil breathed a sigh of relief, the adrenaline from Aurora’s text that read “At Arkepello Hotel. Please help.” leaving his system. Tobias continued “Come to think of it, Basil, you still know that Amigoso spy?
Read more…51: Recollections
Basil’s memories were disturbed by a vibration in his pocket. Basil with his scruffy beard entered his Arkepello hotel room, sitting across a table from Grey. Time had passed since their fight against the Elthrice, although this was the first time he’d stepped foot on Domum since that day. Since then, aside from a short radio conversation with Tobias, he hadn’t interacted with Domum again. Throughout the weeks, except for one impromptu outing, he mostly kept to himself; drinking and trying to forget what had happened - until Grey reached out, saying they needed to talk.
Read more…50: The Mountain
The last thing Lewis could remember was falling. The blizzard set in earlier than expected, and one wrong step had sent him plunging into the depths of a crevice hidden beneath the snow. His head throbbed and he could feel a great pain emanating from somewhere, but he couldn’t make out where the pain was coming from. He tried to feel around for his radio, but between the dark and his confusion he only managed to nudge a piece of gear.
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