Absence Ma(a)kes The Heart Grow Fonder (Liana, Laura)

MKR

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Aug 19, 2018
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#1
It had been eighteen days since they arrived on this side by virtue of Operation Typhon, suffice to say only a select few had already adjusted to the new living conditions. Although luckily they remained protected from the Siberian elements in the Trilobytes and the Kurogane while preparations for a more permanent base were being made. Nevertheless many still longed for their old home devastated though it had been while others were eager about this new world.

But there was to be no rest for the wicked, of this they all could be sure as everyone was put to work, either scouting their immediate surroundings, learning about the world as a whole or set to establishing their new base. Among the third group were two distinct survivors Laura and Liana remnants of a nation not known to this world, the isolationist Maake.
This pair had been directed to the Kurogane's meeting room by their respective COs, which on all accounts was rather peculiar as this was the room where Prometheus and the four commanders directly under him met up. So far both of them would have been directed to the Trilobyte class Malta for any meetings.

On the far end of the room an old fashioned clock ticked, still unadjusted to their new time zone it counted down the seconds. Currently it read 14:56, four minutes until whatever they were brought here for was to begin and it didn't seem any more of their colleagues were coming until then. Which left the psychodriver and Od user on their own until this mystery meeting.
 
Aug 25, 2018
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#2
Laura hadn't paid much attention to Liana at first, her mind had been elsewhere. She was still stomaching the information that Maake did not exist. That her kind did not exist. The very isle it had been on did not exist. Oh certainly people similar to her and Liana existed, but it was not the same. Already she had overheard some of the Shadow Mirror operatives snicker about that very fact when they thought she could not hear them. She was the outsider with a machine that could blow up at any second, and had been their enemy not long ago.

Not that she minded what they thought about her. She certainly didn't have a high opinion of the grunts either, though the lack of Maake and Elaima did bother her, though she wasn't sure why. Speaking of grunts, her attention shifted from her Maake related ponderings to her fellow Elaima, Liana. "Liana Blanche." She spoke aloud. "Moved to the field far before she was ready, as proven by her records and observations of her instructors. Captured by Shadow Mirror alongside the rest of her squad sans their captain. Clearly not ready for her duties at nineteen years old." Though Laura herself had been an active agent for three years when she was that old, there was no need for Liana to know that. "Unlike the rest of her squad, remains were never found. When questioned over her disappearance, the commander who had signed her to her mission said "Oops." Never saw him around afterwards." Finally, she turned to look at Liana. "Congratulations for surviving."

Though she had been no doubt indoctrinated. She wouldn't be here now otherwise.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#3
Liana... wasn't quite sure how to react to this. She was face to face with a relic of her old home - her former home, she quickly corrected herself - that apparently knew everything about the girl she'd once been. Another Elaima being among the Shadow-Mirror forces didn't surprise her, but she'd figured from the whispers that they were another recruit. Not some sort of refugee who still remembered the old ways.

"Ten out of ten - apparently you know more of the old me than I do. They lost me, never bothered picking me up, and apparently up and died before I ever got the chance to get my own back." She didn't visibly react outside of talking, just staring through the other woman. "You're Laura, then? I would try to do the same speech, but I've only heard rumours about you." There wasn't any anger in her voice, or really any emotion at all beyond a faint hint of surprise.
 
Aug 25, 2018
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#4
"Got it in one, thank you for your generous review." Laura said with a nod. She frowned at the mechanical clock. It had been weeks, why had they not adjusted the time yet? She sighed as she leaned on her hand. Did the Shadow Mirror have to make Liana boring during whatever they did to her? Would they try to do the same to her as well? Putting it aside she returned to the... conversation. "I'm sure this meeting is as pleasurable to you as it is to me. Humor me, what rumours have you heard?"
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#5
Liana took a deep breath before responding, thinking on what she'd heard from her fellow operatives. Trying to separate the ridiculous stories from the ones based in truth. What made sense was in and of itself nonsensical at this point though, especially with how much of a mess their world had been before the jump.

"That your machine's part of the reason we stopped being able to make Elementals back at home. And that your countrymen-" There she went again, deliberately distancing herself from her former home. "-stole it out from under Prometheus's nose in the first place."

"Oh, and some of them think that you're not to be trusted - not really one of us. That you or your machine might blow up the moment their backs are turned." Liana's response was rather blunt, but didn't sound hostile as she continued.

"I'm not sure I agree with them - if you wanted to betray us, there's already been a dozen perfect chances you missed." She finally cracked a smile, but still hadn't moved an inch during their entire conversation. "And while I'm not sure what to call it yet, this meeting has been at least... interesting. The last child of Maake, and only other surviving Elaima. Some of the weirder gifted would call a meeting like this fate, but I'm not so sure."
 
Aug 25, 2018
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#6
Laura nodded along while Liana was talking, her face showing faint interest but being otherwise unreadable. Finally her brows furrowed in disapproval when Liana mentioned betrayal. Why would she have betrayed them already if she was looking to betray them? It would be far more effective to earn their trust first. She could do more damage with less immediate risk.

"Well, worry not. I have no plans to betray Shadow Mirror at the moment. Of course, I would still say this even if I was looking for a way to betray you." Laura laughed. "But the rumours are mostly true. The 'Vermilion Protector' could blow up at any given time, taking me and everything in its near vicinity with it." She continued, adding "theoretically" under her breath.

"And I am an outsider, I'm not really one of you." She finished with a shrug, playing the same game Liana did.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#7
Her laugh was.. noticed, but not matched. It wasn't clear if she hadn't found it funny or just didn't care enough to react.

"You're more closely related to us than those of the new world." Liana shrugged right back, apparently mimicking her companion. There was a light hint of concern in her voice now at the mention of Laura's machine detonating, but she still wasn't showing much - if any - emotion.

"As for your machine.. try not to blow up too close to me, alright? I much prefer being alive." That one almost sounded like a joke.
 

MKR

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Aug 19, 2018
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#8
The door opened shortly after Liana's joke the clock hitting the hour exactly right after, Prometheus stepping into the room first and followed shortly by another, shorter man the pair would recognize as the new Chief of Human Resources 'Angelo Whitfield', or perhaps more accurately in an organization like theirs the title 'Spymaster' was more appropriate. Ironically enough the spymaster was the men with the least secrets among Prometheus' four closest associates. Everyone knew that he was thrust into this position upon arrival as his old teacher had been on the Seven Oaks and that he betrayed the country he used to be working for long before the crawling dark even arrived on their shores to join them, the only big mystery was why he did so.

Silently Angelo sat down at one of the chairs, Prometheus instead opted to speak up as he sat down at the head of the table.
"Ah good, you're both here. I hope you've been getting along so far. Now I'm sure that you both have questions as to why you've been brought here and we intend to answer those."


Angelo pushed a stack of papers to both of them, they described intel gathered so far, clearly not everything but enough to describe the state of the world. The bespectacled man then spoke up.
"First however, you two will be assigned together on a mission for an indefinite time starting tomorrow afternoon, 1300 old time. The goal of said mission will be twofold. One is to take steps towards the state of the world we strive for and the other is to gather information about this side. After careful consideration your combat styles complimented each other well as well as neither of your machines remotely existing here lends you a certain freedom of movement as the powers that be have no method of tracking your units for at least another three years per our calculations." Angelo pushed his glasses up.

"The modus operandi for this process will be to assume the guise of travelling mercenaries or otherwise a role that would allow you to move around and fight, as you can read in the documents before you this allows you to both to self fund this mission, removing any traceable ties to us. Gather information about the going ons in the world as it would fall in your line of work to do so it would not cause you to stand out and lastly and perhaps most importantly keep rebel cells afloat by giving them fire support. The excuse you wish to use to support them is of course up to you but supporting any rebellious factions with turning the tide in their favor is a priority."

His spymaster having said his piece Prometheus spoke up once more.
"Between you two Liana will be put in charge of operations, I'll have to ask you to stay around a short while after the meeting to discuss details, emergency contact lines and arranging repairs. Aside from that if either of you have questions now would be the time to ask them."
 
Aug 25, 2018
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#9
Laura bit back a snort, glancing at Liana for a short time before studying the papers that were handed to her. She had a newfound...appreciation for Prometheus and his commanders. They were actually teaming her and the Vermilion Protector with Liana. Laura wondered if Liana knew how she was related to Vernie and her possession of it.
Either way it amused her. There was no way they didn't know the history between Vernie and Liana. "I think that anything and anyone that can track Prana will have an easy time tracking the Vermilion Protector, but no questions, no. Shall I take my leave then and leave you to planning the specifics? I am eager to go and prepare for this mission." Laura said casually while continuing to study the papers, and while the tone wasn't disrespectful it wasn't exactly respectful either.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#10
Liana snapped to attention when she noticed Prometheus entering, giving the man a salute and falling silent until he was done speaking. She seemed to twitch a little at how informal Laura was to the commander, and once she spoke her own tone was almost... deferential?

She personally had no troubles with the mission - Her training had already prepared her for similar operations this time, even if the possibility of being put in command was unexpected. Handling Laura would pose no issues in her mind, considering they'd already gotten of on something of a positive introduction.

"Of course, Sir. No questions." That was something of a lie. She had several questions burning away at her, but they all concerned the long term operations and could be asked once the issues presented themselves. Liana didn't want herself to be seen as paranoid or overly-cautious - especially not after being assigned to command on her first real operation in the new world.
 

MKR

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#11
At Laura's comment Prometheus nodded.
"That may be true but it is exclusive to those with the magical knowledge to locate and trace Prana and while those may be basic skills it still excludes a large number of potential pursuers and yes as long as you have no questions you are free to prepare for the mission."

Angelo in the meanwhile took out a different stack of paper, pushing it towards Liana. On the top paper it numbers followed by phrases were written with no explanation of what they meant and the back had a map of earth and the colonies with several locations mapped and named and numbered.
The second one contained a different map with different phrases while referring to 'emergency levels' too.
"Remember those, the first paper has the locations where you can go for extensive repairs and the codes required to access them. The second where you can take shelter should you, or we, enter a state of emergency."

Laura would be given the time to leave and Liana to study but it was clear that not all was said and done.
 
Aug 25, 2018
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#12
Laura quickly stood up and left the room clutching the papers, only pausing to give a "I'll see you later then." to Liana and a nod to Prometheus. Once outside the meeting room she paused to think. As she suspected neither her nor her machine were trusted. Still, the meeting had been illuminating. Liana was trusted to be loyal, no doubt as a result of a lengthy and thorough indoctrination process. Not that it did much to dampen Laura's mood.

She started to move with a slight spring to her steps, humming a tune from her childhood as she walked through the corridors of the ship. If anyone went past her, she increased the volume of the humming with a grin until they were out of sight. She was on her way to her CO to tell the good news. Laura really was looking forward to the mission. She would have a lot of fun with Liana, and wouldn't have to deal with any of the responsibilities. And if she wanted to she could try to work on Liana's brain, try to mess the Shadow Mirror indoctrination a bit.

The situation was excellent.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#13
"I'll see you in the hangar. Don't be late." Liana gave something vaguely resembling a goodbye, barely taking her eyes off the papers presented. Once (it seemed like) Laura was out of earshot, she glanced up at Prometheus. Something felt.. off. Not with the mission - she trusted Prometheus absolutely, even if the spymaster put a chill down her spine.

"You sent her away. Is there information besides the keyphrases that I should keep hidden from her during the mission?" There was a double meaning to the question, phrased deliberately to try and draw out the truth without making herself seem weak. Was this a test of loyalty? Seeing if she was going to side with one of her own kind over the organisation that had saved her? Questions rattled around her head, but were pushed aside for now.
 

MKR

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#14
Prometheus waited for a moment longer, letting the ticking of the clock fill the room before footsteps were heard moving once more outside the room.

"Partly yes, and partly no." the commander answered "I have no doubt that you noticed the distance between her and us. While the goal and the reasons we gave you are truthful your additional mission is to close that gap."

The bespectacled spymaster looked over Liana for a moment.
"The facts are simple in this case, she remains hung up in something you have successfully left behind her very machine is a testament to this. Consider this a test if you wish. Your only time limit is the end of the world as we have no guarantee we could perform a second Operation Typhon. Securing the cooperation of your subordinate may be paramount to defeating Duminass should it arrive here."

Prometheus nodded.
"There are no inherent falsehoods and I am sure that this tertiary purpose will not go unnoticed, the question however is how accepting Laura would be of it. Only time will tell."




Laura's CO, a middle aged woman, was currently in her standard spot. Directing the Bioroids and her squadmates with the construction of a hangar and digging into the frozen earth. Luckily for everyone who had to do the menial task, which had included the Elaima up until now the Kurogane had done most of the work upon their arrival leaving most of the dirt already loose. The woman barked some orders before noticing and looking towards the girl, her arms crossed as she waited for the Maakian to speak up first as usual.
 
Aug 25, 2018
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#15
Laura walked to her CO while waving at her, and flashed her CO a large grin. Everyone that knew Laura knew that it spelled trouble. "Hilda, just the woman I wanted to see!" She yelled, far louder than what there was any need for. "I am very sorry, but flattered as I am I cannot accept your feelings. It's not you, it's me. You're just too old for me, and my deceased parents would want grandchildren some day. I'm sure you'll make a fox very happy one day." She kept yelling, blinking innocently at the end.

"Oh and I'm leaving your squad today. New assignment tomorrow and I have to prepare." She added after a short pause, like it was an afterthought. And maybe it was.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#16
Duminass. She'd heard reports of the creature, but never personally faced it in combat. It had presumably been responsible for the death of her former nation, but all the ill will she felt towards it came from its actions during operation Typon. If Laura was the key to defeating it, then she was willing to do anything required.

"She seemed to like me so far. I'll do my best to... enlighten her as you did me." While the term used during her own recruitment was Resocialize, it felt unfitting to the operation. "Convincing her to properly integrate shouldn't be too difficult, given time. I'll supply reports on it alongside other intelligence."

"Will that be all, Sir?" Liana gathered up the briefing papers, intending to take them with her for further study unless prevented. One curveball was more than enough, and while she'd never vocalise such a thought she was very much hoping Prometheus didn't have any more surprises for her.
 

MKR

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Aug 19, 2018
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#17
"That will be all, just be wary that in your efforts and absence you do not lose the ties you have forged here." Prometheus answered. Men and women were a scarce resource among their number now, bioroids could fill in the gaps but in the end they couldn't make up their entire ranks. Loyalty was an even rarer resource, some had their loyalty run out as income did, some were only loyal out of fear, some were only as loyal to a cause as to the leader of that cause. The most important loyalty to him however was to the cause itself.

That was the goal of their recruitment methods, to inspire the last type of loyalty, one that would outlive him or in fact anyone in the room right now. Laura had the core of that loyalty in her, that's why he allowed her to join them in the first place but it still needed refinement, Reflection was much like them in essence but with key differences, ironing these out was important.

As the meeting wrapped up he wondered which of the two would become more like the other.




Hilda crossed her arms and sighed, waiting for Laura to get to the point. When the Elaima finally did a sigh came from her.
"For crying out loud Woodweaver learn to skip the bullshit for once. And I knew you would. The Protector's testing has been cancelled and it is being prepared as we speak."

She then looked over her shoulder to Laura's - former - squadmates who were having a good laugh about this. "And you lot stop laughing. That hangar is not going to make itself and if you want any hope of getting your units parked in there instead of the snow you better keep digging."

Her threat proved effective, for the time being and she focused once more.

"Anyway I'll leave you to your preparations, don't forget to grab your belongings that you want to take with you or they'll end up in a box in one of the cargo holds."
 
Aug 25, 2018
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#18
"I'm sure my garments would make at least one pervert happy. Like Mike over there." Laura said dryly, pointing at one of her former squadmates. "He's a closet pervert. A huge one. Whatever you do don't trust him: Especially with shower maintenance." With that she turned to leave, only to stop after a couple steps. After a moment's hesitation she turned back to Hilda, pouting. "You should live a little, you aren't getting any younger despite how good hair genes you have. I suppose this is the part where I wish you good luck in the future. Consider that done."

Her farewells said, Laura turned on her heels again and soon disappeared from view.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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Somewhere in the UK
#19
"Of course, sir - I'll keep in regular contact when it's safe to do so." Liana gave one final salute before turning to leave. A sense of... trepidation overcame her as she walked through the halls of the Trilobite one last time. This place was more her home than anything else, and from what Prometheus had said she wouldn't be coming back any time soon. Her first stop was her old quarters - not fully hers, but she'd never really connected or even talked with the other agent assigned to bunk with her.

There wasn't much for her to grab. Some spare clothes, a ceremonial dagger of some kind she'd picked off the corpse of an old CO, and an Ebook she'd been... gifted early on in during her integration into the organisation. Contents varied - more than a few covered Prometheus's philosophy, but over time she'd filled it with various pieces of old world literature and a personal journal.

Day 18 post Typhon. Day 0 of operation Reflection. 15:05.

Final day on Trilobite. Prometheus called on me for a special operation with the other Elaima. Can't quite put my finger on her. Not gifted, but still feels... abnormal somehow. Thinks she knows me and slightly arrogant, but otherwise agreeable - More interesting than most agents. Will put in a request for her old C.O's opinion before I leave.

Prometheus trusts me to convert her, and I trust his judgement in the matter. Predicting three months - will update this entry depending on success or failure. Primary operation should proceed without issue - I've been trained well, and if Reflection is anywhere near as competent as they were claimed to be, Laura should be more than capable. Worst case I can provide on site advice.

Plus, I get to handle funding and sleeping. No more sharing a bunk ever again.

End log.

P.S: I should stop going by day counts. We're not jumping again.
Next entry will use local date and time.

Hopefully this slate can be synced up with local software. Need fresh books.
Belongings secured in an old backpack, she'd arrive at the hangar and start loading it into the storage compartment on her machine. Laura and anyone who bothered coming to see her off would find her sitting on the top of the Aion's cockpit, looking down upon anyone and everyone who entered.
 

MKR

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Aug 19, 2018
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#20
Mike was caught by surprise and clearly not happy with the statement, the squadron now turning their jokes towards the poor man. Hilda simply shook her head as Laura began to leave.
"I've lived and am living plenty thank you very much. Be sure to send my condolences to your new commander and let them know I pity them. Good luck out there." She concluded.




The hangar containing both the Aion and Vermillion Protector was bustling with life, both units had been moved to the front and prepared for deployment. Liana's arrival to her unit meant food and supplies to last the two a fair while were being brought over by mass produced Bioroids through a pulley system that would allow it to be loaded onto mechs of varying sizes.

One of the metallic humanoids that looked just like the others, its 'face' covered by a simple red colored plate obscuring all below it while making the being itself lose all semblances of humanity its more refined brethren had, would gaze up towards Liana and in a tone as blank and featureless as the rest of its form it addressed the Elaima.
"Agent Blanche, supply cache #026 has arrived. Requesting permission to store its contents on board of your unit." And like that it would stand there, motionlessly until its request was either accepted or denied.