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39: Westward Investigation
“Alright, you think you can give Cicero a manual of arms here?” Basil asked, putting a random Redcap soldier on the spot. General Edwards nodded, and the soldier gave Cicero a detailed overview of the rifle before clearing, shouldering, and dry firing it. “Not fully automatic?” Cicero asked. “No” Basil replied. “Ammunition is our bottleneck so far, if the Elthrice do invade we need to make every shot count. I’ve already burnt a fake identity by purchasing bulk depleted Uranium rounds, and your soldiers haven’t been trained on full auto.
Read more…38: The Stars be not My Destination
Basil and Grey worked on reassembling the pieces of the salvaged Elthrice craft they had just examined. Although many parts like the propulsion mechanisms were well outside of the two’s capability to disassemble, those that had been accessible had been the obsession of the two for weeks as each part was disassembled, observed by ACE, and then reassembled. “Where would I even go?” Grey asked Basil, a little bit of annoyance present in her voice.
Read more…37: Diplomatic Promises
Cicero took a swig of beer. “With everything that has gone on the Redcap Queen does not currently hold you in high regard, but I believe she will agree. Although our best means of convincing her would be to bring Grey before her to explain the Elthrice, and why setting up such a defense against them would be imperative. May I bring her before the court?” Cicero spoke in the same business-like demeanor as he had all night, retaining his diplomatic but almost cold tone regardless of whether he was discussing rebuilding or personal topics.
Read more…36: The Lizard People
“Why is the demon here?” The Wizard asked, seeing Grey upon entering the salvaged Elthrice ship. Basil realized that using the Elthrice craft for transport was a bad idea. Not only did he just reintroduce Grey to her former captors and the killers of her group, but he’d also introduced her former captors to the last surviving member of the raiding aliens that wrought destruction on their capital. Even though Grey did not participate in the attack, she was certainly not popular among the Lizard King’s people.
Read more…35: Negotiations
Basil stepped out of the jet and towards the Redcap’s keep, keeping a close eye on the soldiers surrounding the building. They were certainly watching him, but they all looked apathetic and tired, at least externally. His radio conversation with Cicero a few minutes prior also carried the same tone. Cicero hadn’t expressed any anger or said anything would be unsafe, but he had also acted as if they weren’t moments away from shooting each other 24 hours ago.
Read more…34: Hello Jarvis
Basil’s earpiece buzzed. “Where are you going to put the craft?” Grey asked, still inside it. “I’m on an island, an independent nation that split away from the Redcaps called Arkepello, formerly known as Arkepello County.” Grey asked for clarification. “And you’re sure that they will let you keep it there? If you’re worried about the Redcaps soldiers, then what will stop these people from trying to take it or destroy it?
Read more…32: Orbital
Basil felt blood rushing to his head; he wasn’t dead apparently, at least not yet. He opened his eyes to a spinning dark and dusky sky, Lizard King stepping away. He coughed and felt warm blood draining away from his mouth, the same warmth that emanated from his chest. He could tell he didn’t have long, doubly so as the Lizard King turned back after hearing the cough. There was one thing he had to do, and he had to do it quickly.
Read more…33: Sport of Sovereign Chairs
With a look of panic Cicero rushed over and began to check the girl for wounds. Basil, trying to remember the steps of triaging, checked her pulse. Slow, but still beating. Next, he checked for breathing, which she appeared to be doing. She was stable, at least she appeared stable, but how badly was she hurt? He began to check her for wounds as well, and though she was covered in blood, the only blood that appeared to be hers was a small amount on her forehead from some sort of impact.
Read more…31: Abyss Slumbers
Basil stood? Sat? Lay? He wasn’t sure. He was in what appeared to be a sphere of light. Or perhaps it was not a sphere of light, but an absence of the great abyss he had seen once before. The abyss surrounded him, a crushing weight, but he remained unmoved. This time, however, there were voices. A cacophony cried out, deafening but imperceivable. They were speaking as Grey did. The abyss moved.
Read more…30: Last Confrontation
The four approached the nearest ship, a foreboding open door leading into a dark, empty unknown. As they entered Spiro began methodically moving from corner to corner as Basil and Cicero lagged slightly. “Nobody’s home” Spiro whispered, though Basil jumped when he heard Spiro speak, momentarily pointing his rifle at him. “Whoah” Spiro said in an oddly calm voice, face momentarily illuminated by Basil’s weapon light. Spiro quickly motioned for Cicero and Casio to guard the door, and after a few moments of silence Spiro asked “Are you alright?
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