From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Tue Aug 12 23:02:20 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:02:20 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Fic: Brothers of The Blood - Mark OF Cain 16 (Original) Please Feedback Message-ID: Brothers Of The Blood - Mark Of Cain Chapter 16 [prevous chapters http://www.squidge.org/peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=37198 ] "Commander." Domani shouldered his hard muscled body between Dalton and Adric, making himself a flesh and blood shield. "This man's readings are not completely human." "Not human?" "That is correct. At least, not by our standards." Dalton stepped impatiently around Domani and locked his chilled gaze on Adric. "What do you mean not human, Domani?" "It is hard to explain. I sense a basic humanity," Domani said slowly. "But there is something alien merged into his genetic coding." He tilted his head, frowning. "I am... uncertain, but I believe I am sensing a...a neutralizing effect." "Ian, can you confirm?" Ian frowned, staring hard into Adric's grim face. "I be na' getting any unusual read off him. But he's wearing one of those bloody vests, so...." Ian crooked his brow, his hand resting on his empty holster. "'Tis a neutralizing field, you say, Domani? A personal shield, mayhap?" Domani shook his head. "Negative. It is like nothing I have encountered before." Adric held up his hand, halting their speculations. "Don't let's get excited. I thought Nicki would have told you about the neutrite," he said, turning to the woman. "Guess you haven't, have you?" She ducked her head, picking at her nails. "It never came up." "Well, it's come up, now," Dalton tilted his chin up, staring down his finely chiseled, aristocratic nose from heavy-lidded eyes. "Mysteries make me nervous, Adric. Why don't you enlighten me about this field of yours?" Adric grimaced, rubbing his limp arm. "Nothing for you to worry about, actually. It's simply the result of some trouble I had during the evac that last day over Veegus." "What kind of trouble?" Adric's amber gaze shifted away. "If you'll remember, the computer was threatening an imminent shut down in life support. We were forced to abandon the ship while the autos implemented repairs to the damaged areas." "I remember," Paris said. "It was...quite hair raising." Adric nodded, smiling sadly. "Yeah, you thought so, but from my angle it looked like the evacuation was going off like a page out of the textbook. Everything was happening as it should have. "Even so, I didn't want to leave anything to chance. I personally wanted to make sure everyone got off safely. For that reason, I was the last one to leave." He tipped his chin down onto his chest. "I supervised the launchings. Each and every one went off without any trouble. At least, nothing showed up in the preliminaries. Anyway, once everyone was off-loaded, I ejected feeling pretty damn confident." "And something went off on your shuttle?" Paris asked. "No. At least, not at first. The launch went smoothly enough. I had no problem. Once my shuttle cleared the Venture, it locked onto a suitable planet away from the Veegus home world, which according to the scanners was going up like a massive ball of fire, and I settled down to wait out the trip." He shuddered caught up in his memories. "The trouble started right after I entered my touchdown planet's stratosphere. There must have been something undetectable in the atmosphere. I don't know. The shuttle controls froze up. Wouldn't respond to command." Adric's face went deathly pale and he swallowed convulsively. "I crashed on that damn planet." "Evac shuttles are designed to withstand an upper atmosphere crash," Paris said. "Yeah," Adric's voice dripped with sarcasm. "But unfortunately the crash system failed, too. The shields didn't activate." He shuddered, swallowing with difficulty. "The ship smashed up a bit. I, on the other hand, smashed up quite a lot." "Yet you survived?" Dalton lifted a dubious brow. "Seems unlikely without the buffer to cushion the impact." "It was touch and go," Adric said. "The impact was impressive." Nykita dropped her hand onto Adric's shoulder. "When Adric was found, I understand his body was mangled pretty badly. At first glance, the rescue team thought he was dead. But once they pulled him from the wreckage, the doctors managed to find a spark of life remaining." "This is getting a little hard to buy," Paris said nervously. Nykita sneered, her eyes glittering with temper. "Believe what you want. I really couldn't care less. What matters is Adric is here. Proof positive he indeed survived." "Is that what matters?" Dalton asked. "I have to wonder how all this ties into the neutralizing field." Nykita glared at him. "The inhabitants of the planet were advanced. Far advanced compared to our standards. And they had an amazing respect for life. They absolutely refused to relinquish Adric to the comfort of death. They labored over his broken body for months. Forced him to cling to his life when his body would have succumbed. They even went so far as to put him in stasis when things looked past redemption." Distrust dimmed Dalton's clear eyes. "That doesn't explain the curious readings." "You want the gruesome details?" Nykita's fingers tightened on Adric's shoulder and she ground her teeth noisily. "Very well, then. The surgeons were working on a man who had been jelified. Every bone in his body was splintered. He was mangled beyond recognition." Her lids dropped over her eyes, shielding her thoughts from them. "Adric survived, but it was a miracle. Pure and simple. Nothing else explains it." Adric shook his head, staring at his hands. "I rather thought it closer to the work of the devil." "The readings." "Dal, there's something you have to understand," Adric said softly. "I'd say there's quite a lot I need to understand," Dalton challenged. "But say your piece. The rest will come." "These people. They didn't mean any harm in what they did. I'm certain of it. Their only concern was to keep me alive." His eyes lifted, meeting Dalton's, then shifted away again. "Judes, they should have let me die." A creeping horror took hold in the pit of Dalton's stomach. He moved swiftly to Adric's side, kneeling on one knee. "Just exactly what did they do to you?" he asked, staring deeply into the other man's glassy gaze. Adric offered him a weak smile. "They were losing me, Dal. My body had exhausted itself in the healing process. I couldn't even maintain my own bodily functions." "Sounds messy," Paris muttered. Adric moaned deep in his throat, like a wounded animal. "It was the most dehumanizing thing I've ever experienced. If they'd been human, or even had human morals, they would have extinguished my life. It would have been the merciful thing." "But they did not." "No, Dal, they didn't. They followed their own culture. Did the only thing left them to do that would honor their beliefs." "Which was?" Adric shuddered, swallowing hard. "They grafted neutrite into my DNA." "And?" "And the neutrite changed my cell structure. Mutated me." Dalton's jaw jerked spasmodically. "Mutated?" "But it did work," Adric continued. "I got stronger every day. I survived. And I became something not myself. God in His mercy, I wish they'd let me go naturally." Dalton jerked to his feet and backed away several paces, putting space between them. "Domani. What the devil is neutrite? What type of mutation are we dealing with here?" "I have no information." "Nothing?" "I am sorry, Commander." Dalton nodded. "If I'm understanding you right, Adric, you spent several months on a planet you have yet to name and were treated with an altering element of which we have no previous knowledge. That's what you're saying, yes?" "Sounds a bit vague, doesn't it?" Adric admitted. "Hell, it's vague to me too, and I lived through it." He paused, staring at his hands. "I know how it must come across, Dal, but I am telling you the truth." Dalton wanted to believe what Adric was saying. Wanted it so bad he could taste it on his tongue. Just as he wanted to take this man's word on faith, but his past would not allow it. Groaning as if his doubts were tearing and ripping his very soul apart, Dalton strode back to Adric. "Make me believe, Adric. Explain it to me so I can believe." "What more can I tell you?" Adric demanded desperately. "The only thing I know is the neutrite is a synthetic, living organism. It is almost metallic by nature. A living metal, if you like." "Not very well, actually." "No more than I do." Adric sighed. "Understand, Dal. The neutrite has a unique ability to unite with organic tissue. In my case, it was seeded throughout my body. It bonded with my DNA and restructured my bone and musculature from the basic life unit up." Dalton shook his head. "It all sounds a little too alien. A little too inhuman." "He be a bloody gestalt," Ian said, backing away. "Put away your superstition, Ian," Dalton snapped. "This is neither the time nor the place." "But he's right, Dal. That's what it amounts to." Adric spoke softly, despondently. "I am human, but not human. Machine, but not machine. "They made me into a hybrid, meshing me with metal and circuitry when all else failed, until I sometimes forget what it means to be truly human. "I'm a freak of nature thanks to their meddling. But, I am still alive. I am still man enough to fight for the rights of mankind. I can still feel the need to free men, real men, from the grasp of the Coalition." end part 16 come on guys, give me a comment? Just a word to let me know if this is making any sense -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080813/d5bccb25/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Fri Aug 15 21:18:03 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:18:03 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] The Slave 5 (XFiles) Krycek Message-ID: The Slave 5 Author: PEJA Email: makebelievearchive at gmail.com Author's websites: http://peja1956.livejournal.com and http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/search.php?action=recent Fandom: XFiles Pairing: Krycek/ Portrayed by: (optional)Nicholas Lea Category: Rating: FRAO Status: Spoilers: Series/Sequel: Brief Summary: a beginning of understanding Warnings: BDSM, torture. Really dark nastiness happening Notes/acknowledgments: General thanks to all of you folks who are requesting short fics and improvs in the various fandoms. You're keeping the words flowing. Disclaimers: Archive: Yes, but ask first, include the complete story and provide a URL to the archive Forwarding to other lists: Okay, but keep my name and headers attached. A heads up would be nice as well. Previous chapters can be read at http://www.squidge.org/peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=38817&warning=FRAO Skinner studied the man kneeling in front of him for a moment then said, "Long time no see Krycek." The assassin turned slave tilted his head slightly, "Sir?" "Come on, Krycek. Cut the games. You're in custody now. My custody. Time to come clean. Maybe cut a deal." "You...yours?" he stared in wonder at the older man, hearing only that he was owned. Owned meant safe, even if he was used and hurt. He was safe in the knowing that he could learn what did and did not bring the punishments. "You will keep...me? Here?" "Fuck yes, you will stay here," Skinner snarled. "If I have to cuff you to the balcony again and hang you over the damn rail you will stay here." Krycek suppressed the shudder of anxiety his words stirred inside and bowed low, touching his forehead to the toe of Skinner's shoe. "Do with this thrall as you wish, sir." A dark and dangerous chuckle whispered through the room. "He really is playing this up big." "I don't think its a game, Mulder," a woman's voice responded. "According to the files sent over with him from the raided compound, he's been quite effectively brainwashed." "Scully, don't tell me you're buying into his scam.." Panic swirled around his head at the sound of the differet voices. He closed his eyes agaist a rush of tears and his lips moved in a soft whisper "Designation entertainment thrall. Lot number 5920-27. Expendable." He clutched at his master's pants hem, desperately needing reassureance and whispered, "Designation entertainment thrall. Lot number 5920-27. Expendable." The slight tug drew Skinner's attention. "What?" he demanded, hunkering down to Krycek's level. "What did you say?" The hard glare threatened a dire fate if he failed to answer. "D-D-Designation entertainment thrall." He said, his voice cracking with the tears he held at bay. "L-l-l-Lot number 5920-27." He swallowed hard as his master's brows drew together in a furious scowl. "Ex--Expendable." A tear escaped his lashes, skidding down his pale cheek. "I..." He swiped at the damp trail, ducking his head. "Sorry...Sorry...Sorry." "What the hell is that?" Skinner growled, frowning when Krycek began to almost vibrate with terror. "Designation....?" "This thrall," the frightened man whispered. "Designation entertainment thrall. Lot number 5920-27. Expendable" "Krycek, what the fuck are you talking about?" Mulder demanded, advancing on the kneeling man with fists curled. "Designation entertainment thrall. Lot number 5920-27. Expendable." Krycek pointed to his chest. "This thrall." "Sir," Scully spoke softly. "That's what the nurse registered as his name on his charts." "What..?' Skinner asked, uncertainly. "What are you saying?" "According to what I've pieced togther, the rest of the people taken in the raid are giving similiar responses when asked their names. Sir, these people, including Krycek, have been subjected to some horrific trauma, both physical and emotional. They have been dehumanized." "Are you tryin to tell us that Krycek could be reduced to...To that?" Mulder waved a contemptuous hand at the thrall. "He's playing us." He lashed out, back-handing the man across the face with enough power to send him reeling to the floor. Shaking his head against the darkness, Krycek scrambled back onto his knees, his head bowed. Blood from a ruptered lip fell in a mockery of tears onto his chest. Mulder swung again catching Krycek on the side of his head. He went down again, and this time when he tried to get back to his knees, his arms and legs splayed, working against him. He flopped about, finally rolling over onto his back, staring at his attacker with unfocused eyes. end this part -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080815/d17c55ed/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Sat Aug 16 08:49:04 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:49:04 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Fic: Brothers of the Blood - mark OfCain 18 Message-ID: Previous chapters http://www.squidge.org/peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=37198&warning=FRM CHAPTER EIGHTEEN "Leaving how?" Arissa demanded, defiantly resting her fists on her hips. "Our ship is a pile of rubble out in that damn yellow forest." "And how am I knowing that, lass? I just know I be leaving with the boss, 'tis all." "Oh, that sounds perfectly logical." "Arissa." Dalton jerked the incensed woman into his arms, restraining her against his muscular length. Wrapping a steel-hard arm around her squirming waist, he tipped her chin with a gentle, prodding finger, forcing her to meet his calm gaze. "I will get you home." Arissa stilled in his arms, her eyes searching his warm gaze. The anxiety drained out of her small features in a rush and she cocked her head to the side, giving him a tiny, quivering smile. "If you say so, Dal, I believe it." "I say so." He shifted her around, keeping her pressed tight against his side, then his attention shifted back toward Adric and his eyes grew hard. "I am correct assuming you have not been properly introduced to my people?" Adric glanced from one of them to the next, wondering what game Dalton was playing this time. "Don't reckon I have." An elusive smile whispered over Dalton's lips. "Then allow me." His arm tightened possessively around the woman he held against his side. "This little spitfire is Arissa Storm. Her name seems strangely fitting. It's like living in the eye of a storm when she's around." The woman punched his arm playfully. Dalton, his eyes warm and twinkling, looked at her and arched his brow slightly. "She is also the best markswoman you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting. She can handle any weapon ever made, modern or ancient, and I might add, with a most deadly accuracy. "Arissa 'twas trained in the art of assassination by the best man in the business," Ian grumbled, a curious glare in his jade eyes. "That's the truth, Adric," Paris added. "She inherited the title by killing her teacher when he tried to back-shoot Dal in a little backwater saloon controlled by an assassin's guild. And Dalton won her fair and square in that card cut. He had every right to take her back to the ship." "You into keeping slaves now, Dal?" Adric asked softly. Dalton scowled. "Arissa was free from the moment I took possession of her." Intrigued, Adric studied the woman, looking for the first time beyond her diminutive size. And saw the hungry danger radiating from her coal black eyes. She held a beast of prey cloaked behind a sweet and sassy manner. "I should very much like to hear more about this card cutting someday." "Yessenia Manitu," Dalton said dryly, pointing out the woman nestled in Ian's protective embrace. "A government trained weapons expert. She trained for the Coalition Security Force before defecting to my command with Ian. Now she works with me, devising our weaponry. I must say, the lady has an incredible talent for concocting new methods of destruction." Adric's blunt thumb caressed the deforming scar on his gaunt cheek. "And a strong aversion to my disfigurement, I am told." Yessenia frowned. "Ian, you didn't." He shrugged, ducking his chin on her shoulder. "Hey, I be trying to distract a man I thought was about to kill me. I would have said anything that might stall the inevitable." "My fault, I suppose. I shall have to guard my tongue and not offer you fuel that might come back to haunt me." Yessenia sighed, meeting Adric's hurt gaze. "I did feel uncomfortable with your imperfection at first," she admitted, offering him a consoling smile. "It was a shock." "I don't mean to cause fear or displeasure," Adric said, glancing at Dalton. "I wear the scar to keep fresh in my mind an act of colossal stupidity." He smiled sadly. "It is my mark of Cain." "You needn't explain your reasons," Yessenia assured him. "The scar no longer disturbs me. It's your decision whether you keep it or not." Adric admired the subtle strength encompassing the red-head. Even in quiet repose, she was still coiled, ready to spring at the first scent of danger. As he watched, her green eyes flashed brilliantly alive with mischief and she returned his minute inspection. Her bold appraisal brought a gentle smile to his lips. "I trust I am not found lacking, madam." "By no means," she answered innocently. Yeah, she was a woman of equal danger to the other. Both radiated a quality of deadly force. He would not like being on the receiving end of either woman's anger. Even without their men, these two made up a danger not easily defeated. Dalton cleared his throat, drawing Adric from his private thoughts. "You know our pilot, Ian Horizon, and Paris, so that only leaves Domani." He nodded toward the silent man at his side. "You might consider him our science expert." "I thought that was your field of expertise?" "I am not nearly as qualified in the sciences as Domani. He actually knows the field in a number of categories. And what he can't tell you off the top of his head, he can access. There's no computer he can't break." "Making him a perfect foil for you, I suppose. You've chosen your people well." "I chose no one, Adric. We travel together, but each one of us joined with the knowledge that we were a free agents committing to work to among the whole until such time as it is safe for us to separate. Each of us have voluntarily made a lifetime commitment to stay together because it suits us to work as a team, not because we must." "You're saying your crew are free to leave you if they decide too?" "I am saying these are my people, but only in a very limited way. They travel with me. Fight at my side when it is necessary, but they are not led by me. Rather, they let me lead. My people are not sheep. They do not follow me mindlessly." He smiled distantly. "We're simply going in the same direction. Our numbers are our protection. And in that order, we have all pledged to maintain the ranks for as long as we need each other." "And do you intend to keep me black-balled from your little community?" Ian tangled his fingers in Yessenia's bright hair. "Speaking for myself, I be knowing how each of the others will react in danger. And they know how I'm likely to react to their reactions. None of us have to worry if one or another will fail to protect our back because we know just how much the rest are willing to give, or not give, under any given set of circumstances." His glare stabbed into Adric. "You, we do na' know. Why should we be adding an unknown quality like you into a mix that works so well for us already?" "Maybe because you need us?" Nykita said, her hands kneading the knots out of Adric's bunched shoulders. Dalton crossed his arms over his chest and leaned lazily back against the diagnostic bed. "Well now, maybe we do need Adric, but then again, maybe we don't. Things change fast in our world. A need of one minute may well become a liability in the next." The slow, dangerous smile crept over his lips. "Tell me, haurride. What do you want to happen?" Adric met his eyes. "You came here looking for me, Dal. Not the other way around." Dalton tilted his head in a slight nod. "That's true enough." "Listen, Dalton, I'd be relieved to know you didn't come solely to kill me." Adric snapped, the tight rein he had on his temper growing thin. "I rather thought you'd come with some other plan in mind. Or is that really why you came? Did you always intend to assassinate me?" Dalton's crystalline eyes narrowed dangerously."I hope I'm not following you?" "You and I never did live well together. Do you hate me enough to want me dead? Is that what brought you here?" Dalton lifted his shoulders. "That was not our first option." "Well, then..." "But it was our second, and I reserve the right to keep my options open for the time," Dalton added. "You've been out of contact for a long time. Men change, and we both know you've been fooled before." "Perhaps, but not this time." "That may well be true, but Ian has been with me a long time now. When he says you were planning to sell us, I've got to admit, I give his words the credit he's earned." Dalton rubbed his fingertips over the cupped fingers of his left hand slowly, thoughtfully. "It gives me reason for doubt, if nothing else. Combine that with the life you've been living and well...." he shrugged, his doubts hanging in the air between them. "I said it before," Adric said, dejected. "Rumors can be used to fit a purpose. Okay, I've lived through some changes, but I'm still the man I was before the accident. I've retained the same goals, the same dreams." He scanned their dubious faces, settling on Dalton. "God's breath, man. Do you actually think I intended to betray you?" "Perhaps." Dalton's eyes were flat, demanding a sign of faith if he were to give his trust. "Judes, you must know the truth. Look, Dal. I just want your help." "Is that what you want, Adric? Help?" "You know it is." "I thought I knew, now I am not so sure." Adric searched his mind, frantic to get past the impenetrable barrier Dalton had erected, desperate to rebuild the guarded trust they'd once known. God help them all if there was no way back. Without Dalton, Adric's dreams of freedom were destined to die. And with the death of the dream, would come the death of those few, brave souls who existed to give it reality. "Listen," he tried a new approach, "I've heard my share of stories about you. Many mentioned some kind of miracle computer your supposed to have acquired. Do you actually have it? More importantly, do you think it might have come through the crash?" Dalton smirked, catching Domani's eyes. "Oh, I expect the... computer has survived intact." "Well, there's your proof, hey?" Adric declared, moving excitedly forward in the chair. "Use the damn thing to access my network. Sift through my system. If your computer can do half the things I've heard it can, it'll be able to discover the truth." His hopeful stare probed Dalton's gaze. "If you can't trust a machine, what can you trust, or who?" "I trust no one, Adric. No one and nothing," Dalton assured him. "But you are correct. The... computer can trace through your network. If there is even a hint of treachery, it will be found, no matter how well concealed it might be." "Commander," Domani said. "His systems are being scanned at this time. Have been since shortly after our arrival on base. It is standard procedure." "Ah yes, and you're always one to follow procedures." Dalton quirked his brow. "So, has anything shown up?" "Negative, Commander. Up to now everything we have been told seems accurate, but I have only made a very superficial examination of the available data. I require time to sift through all the information contained in the database." "At the moment all we have is time," Dalton's face was devoid of emotion as he turned back to Adric. "I repeat, haurride. What exactly do you have in mind in regard to us?" Adric leaned forward over his knee. "Okay, here it is. I have a large force willing to follow me. Admittedly, we've been hurt here today. Seriously hurt. But the injuries are minor." He paused, frowning thoughtfully. "How did that come about anyway, Nicki. The attack, I mean. Have the prisoners been questioned?" "We were infiltrated," Nykita said. "One of our people was an agent. She brought them in." Adric grimaced, disappointment dulling his amber gaze. "Then they can break our screens. I would have thought it impossible." His shoulders slumped in defeat. "It gets harder to tell who I can trust all the time." "Yes," Dalton said, watching the battle-scarred man guardedly. "And in the game we're playing any mistake can end with someone dying." "You think I could ever forget that?" Adric snarled. "My God, man, consider the destruction we've suffered here today. How could I forget?" "Knowing you, I think you will find a way," Dalton said. Adric sucked in a ragged breath, forcing his temper back into line. "All right. I made a bad judgement call, brought a traitor into the fold." His eyes caught Ian. "And another in the tests I chose for your man." "You always had a nasty habit of giving your trust to easily. Of giving your hand to whoever came to you with a sad story. Your damn lucky you still have that hand, Adric." "And you were always quick to name my short comings, weren't you?" "If you say so." Adric stared at the unresponsive man then shook his head. "Ah, this is hopeless," he muttered under his breath. "Listen, Dal. I have got to get my people relocated. Then, I'm going to have to rebuild my forces, and I need to do it fast." "So?" "So that damn war we fought was a bust. Oh, we hurt them, but the Coalition is regaining its power by leaps and bounds. I can't hold them at bay alone. If either one of us is going to have a moment's peace, we have to discourage them pursuing us. Otherwise we'll be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives. They won't stop until we're eliminated, unless we stop them first." "That sounds about right." "They have to be stopped, Dalton." "Perhaps." "I'd hoped you would want to take up the fight. That you would be willing to help me like before." "For the common good?" "Yes, dammit. For our common good, as it were." Dalton laughed harshly, pacing restlessly around the sickbay. Nothing was going the way he'd planned. He'd lost control somewhere during the last few hours. Reality had taken a back seat to the impossible. For it was quite impossible for a man who had taken two direct shots in the chest at close range to be walking and talking like a living, breathing man. Adric should, by all common knowledge, be dead. Neutrite be damned. Only he wasn't dead. No, he was very much alive, and trying to forge the alliance Dalton had wanted when he'd decided to come to Euzkadi. How had things gotten so scrambled? How had the tables been so completely turned around? And to make matters worse, one of Ian's demons out of hell had taken up a sledge hammer in his head, making it difficult for him to think coherently. He rubbed his throbbing temples, trying to disregard the blinding pain. "You want to join forces? To form an alliance?" "It's the only way we're going to survive. Together we...." "Under whose command, Adric." Dalton's words were deceptively soft and dangerous. "What?" "Who do you expect will command this little alliance you want so badly? You? Your track record leaves a great deal to be desired. My people may not be willing to take a chance with you." "Glad you finally mentioned that, boss," Arissa said, circling Adric in a slow, measured way. "You know, you talk and talk in circles, you and the boss. You making plans and him rejecting them. That's all fine and good, but I start getting worried when you make plans involving my life as if I'd already agreed to fall in with you. I don't remember agreeing to anything and that makes this planning of yours just not very polite." "Asking you to join me is what I've been doing for the last hour and a half," Adric grumbled. "So, how about it? You've heard my past, know what to expect from me. Will any of you join me? Will you join me, Dal?" Dalton sighed tiredly, "I don't know. If I do, I won't relinquish command to you. I can't trust you to remember the dangers to the rest of us. You've already made too many mistakes." Mistakes?" "Don't play games. You've made enough blunders today to kill us all several times over. This catastrophe of an attack, as a point of fact, was the result of a mammoth lack of judgement, don't you agree?" Adric shrugged. "You're doing just fine evaluating my abilities. Why don't you tell me why I'm making these mistakes?" Dalton quirked his brow, smirking. "Don't like it when the shoe's on the other foot? Well that's too bad." Hestared deeply into Adric's haunted eyes. "I am basing my thoughts on an assumption, so you may correct me if I am wrong." "What assumptions are you working under?" Nykita asked. "From your rather sketchy description of this neutrite, I assume it boosts the strength and endurance of its victims. That is correct, yes?" "Adric is not a victim," Nykita snarled. "Still, your deductions are correct. His strength is doubled and his endurance is elevated, although we have no real idea by how much. It's a relative thing." "Relative to whom?" Dalton asked. "Surely not to the people working with you, Adric. You have always expected your people to match you, but that's not possible now. What you might be able to accomplish without raising a sweat, they can't do at all. You've evolved beyond the ordinary man. You're no longer merely human. In accepting your mutations, perhaps you've neglected your peoples limitations." "What are you getting at?" Dalton paused, picking his words with care. "You don't have to use the ordinary caution of the rest of us." He smiled, arctic cold. "And what you don't use, you lose. I'm afraid you may have lost much of your humanity to the machine that saved your life." Adric met his stare without flinching. "Perhaps what I've become reminds you of yourself? Maybe you don't think there's room enough for two like you in the universe." Dalton laughed heartily, but his eyes remained flat and harsh. "Exactly my point, haurride." Adric leaned back in his chair, watching Dalton through shuttered lids. "My friend, we must find a way through this mess. I can't let this end without giving the alliance a chance." "It's not your decision, Adric. Not this time." "No. It's not." Adric sighed, shifting forward. "But between us, we make up the worst threat the Coalition and their allies have encountered to date. We can bring them to their knees if we can come to some sort of agreement. We both know that. And so do they." Dalton yawned. "I've heard all this before. I'm still waiting for a good reason." Adric studied the mercenaries for a moment. "Okay. I don't know how good it is, but if it means your cooperation, I'll follow your commands. I'm willing to give it a try, at least. Then, if it doesn't work out, we'll have done what we could." Paris leaned an elbow on the counter. "Adric is making sense. I don't see we've got much choice, either. We need to get off Euzkadi just as much as he does." He cocked his brow. "Don't know about you, but I've got some serious doubts even we can sprout wings and fly away. And it seems to me, with his connections he might be able to solve our problems without to much strain. It sure as hell won't hurt us to give him a chance." "Have you forgotten that this compound has recently come under attack, Paris?" Dalton wanted to know. "I suspect his connections may be quite severely curtailed." "Not so badly as you might expect, Dal. I have kept my bounty hunter persona separate from this compound. The bounty hunter has just as much sway as he ever had." "If that be true, I'll be agreeing with Paris on this one, much as it pains me," Ian grumbled. "Our ship be a wreck. We be needing to repair it or find a new one. Either way we're going to be needing an intermediary. We be having to trust someone." "You trust him?" Ian shrugged. "You knew the man from before, boss. I be thinking I don't have that basis. And since I can na' get a proper read off him, I admit to be floundering a bit on what to make of him, so I'll just leave off making a decision for the time. Besides, whether I be trusting him or not will na' make a damn bit of difference to the way you feel." He tapped his chest and his schoolboy grin danced swiftly over his lips. "But as for me. Well, I'll be giving him the benefit of the doubt since there still be some questions about the facts. I reckon it will na' take long to uncover his true colors once he's merged with the squad." Dalton pursed his lips, considering the words of his people. He knew they were right. They did need a way off the planet and they needed it now. Adric was perhaps the safest choice available. He had to be given a chance. "I will make you a deal." "A deal?" "A temporary alliance, if you will." "I'm listening." "We both understand each others immediate needs?" He folded his arms over his chest. "You help us acquire the ship we need. In return, I'll help get your people away. If the trial period is a success, we can speak of something more permanent." "That's what you're offering?" "That's it." Disappointment dulled Adric's amber eyes. "It will have to be acceptable then, won't it?" Dalton smiled, but his eyes remained lifeless. "Since it is my first and only offer, I'm afraid so. You agree to my terms?" Adric did not hesitate. "I agree. Your hand on it?" "Still giving your hand at the slightest inclination?" Dalton said drily, clasping his hands behind his back. "When the time comes to depart, we will meet again and renegotiate. Until then, we are allied. Let's hope neither one of us is left with regrets." Adric coughed and slide his hand back onto the armrest. "No more than we already do, hm?" Dalton snorted. "Quite. One more thing, though. Be aware, if I find you have betrayed me, I shall find a way to eliminate you, whether you human or machine." Adric blandly returned Dalton's hot, bitter stare. "And I'll do the same for you." Dalton gave a short laugh. "I wouldn't have it any other way." end part 18 -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080816/fa46556a/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Sat Aug 16 22:56:04 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:56:04 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Fic: Black and Blue Heart (Primeval) Nick Cutter/Sephen Hart Message-ID: Black and Blue Heart by PEJA makebelievearchive at gmail.com Author's websites: http://www.squidge.org/peja/cgi-bin/viewuser.php?uid=1 Fandom: Primeval (New series that started this week on AmericaBBC here in Austin) Pairing: Nick Cutter/Stephen Hart Portrayed by: Douglas Henshall/James Murray (I've included the rest of the series cast at the end) Category: slash Rating: FRAO Status: complete Spoilers: for "Series 1 Episode 1" Series/Sequel: HAHAHA...what do you think I am...a glutton for punishment? Brief Summary: Nick discovers that his wife may still be alive. What does this mean for the relationship between him and Stephen. this is all cannon accept for the Nick/Stephen that's all in my dreams Warnings: would the warning that PEJA is writing again be pertinent? Notes/acknowledgments: Writing this to introduce a new list General thanks to all of you folks who are requesting short fics and improvs in the various fandoms. You're keeping the words flowing. Disclaimers: Archive: Yes, but ask first, include the complete story and provide a URL to the archive Forwarding to other lists: Okay, but keep my name and headers attached. A heads up would be nice as well. Naked as the day he was born, Stephen Hart grimaced at his mirror image, his haunted gaze tracing the dark bruises tattooed over over half his body. "Oh man," he grumbled, twisting around so he could examine the large patch of blue-black on his left shoulder with gentle fingers, wondering what part of the day's abuses caused that particularly nasty bit of damage. "No doubt about it. I am going to be black and blue forever." "Good thing you look good in black and blue." Stephen twisted just a bit more, enough to locate his boss and lover, Nick Cutter leaning idly with his hip against the door frame. "Yuckity yuck. Very funny.....Been there long, have you?" "Long enough to have some rather inspiring, lascivious thoughts cross my mind." Nick sauntered across the room to stand behind Stephen. "Your arse is damn appealing in that shade of bruise." His arms wrapped around the younger man and he bent to drop a kiss on the crook of Stephen's neck, careful to find an unbruised bit of skin. "You're a bleeding laugh riot tonight, are't ya?" Stephen slipped out of his embrace, grabbing a large bath towel and wrapping it around his nudity. Arching a sandy brow, Nick crossed his arms over his chest. "Problem?" "Why does there have to be a problem?" Stephen grumbled, heading for the bed he shared with the great man. "Why can't I just be tired and leave it at that. I fought a freaking dino today and damn near lost. Do ye kean that? Might be I'm bleeding freaked out by that, you think?" "Oh, aye," Nick was upon him in an instant, turning him onto his back and framing his face with his hands as he loomed above. him. "I ken that right and proper, I do. Bloody hell,twas me the creature was intent on devouring before you crashed into it with the bleeding car. You saved my life." Stephen's grim expression softened as he cupped Nick's face with a gentle hand. "You can't be sure of that." "Ye think not?" Stephen sighed. "I think we're running out of time. Helen..." "Helen has nothing to do with us, Stephen. You said it yourself. She didn't come back. I...wasn't important enough." "And you? I overheard Claudia debriefing Captain Ryan, Nick. He said you refused to come back until he announced he would na leave you there." Tears well in his eyes. "Tell me, Nick, if that damn grunt had na been determined to stay on the other side of the rift with you, would you nay have stayed as well? Would ye nay have left me behind while you chase after the elusive Helen?" "I would have found a way back, Stephen. I swear, I would have come home to you." he sighed raggedly, dropping his head until his forehead rested on Stephen's. "I...I just need to know... why? Why I wasn't enough. I need to know why I couldn't hold her love." "Because you want her back?" Stephen murmured brokenly. "Love her." "Lord, do look the fool to you." Nick rasped. "I want to know so I don't make the same mistake with you, idiot. Because I love you. You, do you ken? I love you." Stephen met his gaze, tracing his lower lip with his thumb. "And I love you too." Nick chuckled. "so why are we talking." He claimed Stephen's lips with a gentle kiss, asking for permission and getting it as the younger man wrapped his arms around his back and drew him down more firmly over his bruised but lusting body PRIMEVAL CAST Ben Miller - James Lester Lucy Brown - Claudia Brown Andrew Lee Potts - Connor Temple Hannah Spearritt - Abby Maitland James Murray - Stephen Hart Douglas Henshall - Nick Cutter Juliet Aubrey - Helen Cutter -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080817/746801f2/attachment.html From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Sun Aug 17 16:28:15 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:28:15 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Bothers of the Blood - Mark Of Cain 19 Message-ID: CHAPTER NINETEEN "Tis settled, then?" Ian said, his glance tracing from Dalton to Adric and back again. "We'll all be playing friendly for the interim?" His winged brow shot up, inviting their answer. Both men remained stubbornly silent and unresponsive. "Okay, make that hostile allies. That be doable, all things considered, that's better than nothing. So-o, the next question is, where do we start?" "By repairing the Hellequin," Paris said. "The Hellequin is a wreck," Arissa scoffed. "She was disintegrating before we got to Euzkadi. After the crash, she's nothing but a useless pile of junk." "That ship has to be repaired," Paris remained adamant. "She's our best bet once we're back in flight." "Sure and this be getting to be a bloody habit, but damned if I'm na' going to have to say it again," Ian grumbled, thrusting his hands into the tight pockets of his jeans. "Paris be right, Arissa love. 'Twould be damn hard to duplicate all the adaptations we've worked into Hellequin. You can be backing me up any time, Dal." Dalton fingered the silver filigree trim that had come loose at his cuff. After a moment, he nodded. "Unless our equipment can be installed in another ship without seriously limiting its usefulness," he said slowly, "the Hellequin must be recommissioned." "But, surely..." "Hear me, Arissa. When we relieved the Coalition of our stardrive, we acquired the sole working model along with the only viable set of plans. Fortunately for us, the designer died during our raid, leaving us with a drive no one can duplicate. Unfortunately, if memory serves me, it can not be removed from Hellequin without major readjustments. Which means the drive may not survive a recomissioning." "And the teleport," Paris said. "Don't forget the teleport." "Absolutely. The modifications to the ship that were required before the teleport could be installed were nothing to scoff at. Transferring just those two adaptations alone would be tantamount to assembling a ship from the shell in." "I concur," Domani said. "Assuming the equipment is currently operational and the ship can be reconditioned." "Let's do it, then," Adric said, slapping his thigh. "Nicki, contact Planet Security. Tell them the bounty hunter will be taking over any investigation concerning the downed ship. They'll kick up the usual protest, but the hunter has clout. We'll get the cooperation we need so long as we're right and the Coalition hasn't figured the bounty hunter and the leader of alpha base are one and the same?" "According to reports still coming in the link was not uncovered," Nykita assured him. "The bounty hunter should still weld his power." "That's settled then. We'll need an assessment of the damage done before we attempt to bring the ship back to the compound, so I'll dispatch a work crew to the crash site immediately we're done here. Once we know the worst, Dalton, I'll see to it you get a full report. Nicki, I want you to coordinate the repairs with him." "With St Moritz?" She shook her head. "I don't think..." "I wouldn't be surprised if Dalton had some intriguing thoughts on what he wants done with the ship, once she's torn down, " Adric interrupted firmly. "In the spirit of our alliance, he must have the full cooperation of our techs." Her lips thinned rebelliously, but she ground her teeth and nodded. "All right. I'll do it. On one condition." "Conditions again," Adric muttered. "Yes, my dear." She knelt on one knee at his side. "Conditions again. You've been on your feet for quite long enough. I won't make a fuss if you return to the mediunits." "I have too much to do." "Or barring that, go to your cabin for a lie down," she continued, ignoring his protests. "Let the vest do what it was designed to do." "I am healing just fine." "Admit it or not, your strength is teetering on the edge. As your attending doctor, I insist you do what I ask. I won't be held responsible for your health unless you do." Adric pursed his lips, running his fingers over his recently shaved chin. "How long before our personnel are ready to began the evacuation?" "Another few hours. We don't have an immediate need to run, so we're salvaging as much as possible." She tugged at his hands, gently urging his obedience. "You have time to rest, and you do need the rest. Once we get to the retreat, we're going to need you at your best." "I must admit to being a little tired," Adric said, letting her entice him to his feet. "So, if rest is the order of the day?" "It is." Keeping a tight grip on Nykita's wrist, he guided her away from the others. At the door, he paused. "Nykita," he said, watching Dalton closely. "When you get a spare minute, I want you to come to my quarters." "Is there a problem?" "No. Well probably, but it's nothing you can't fix. My arm's gone dead. Cold as a cryogenic lover. I'm afraid the circuits may have overloaded." He hesitated, seeing an angry scowl mar Dalton's lean features, almost as if the man had heard Adric's whispered complaint. But that was impossible. No one's hearing was that good. Was it? "Come to my cabin when you can, Nicki. And don't mention any of this to Dal. He sure as hell isn't going to want a cripple on his ship." "I'll be done here in a few minutes," she told him. "You get to your cabin and wait for me. And Adric, do it this time." He nodded and stepped through the door before he suddenly turned back into the room. His amber glance moved over the mercenaries, finally settling on Dalton. "You really are welcome here, haurride." "Am I?" "Of course you are. We've always been a rather nasty combination. Now we have the opportunity to work together again, we're going to win once and for all. I know we can make this arrangement work. For all of us." "If you say so," Dalton said. A slow, knowing smile traced his full lips. "Take care of that arm, though. Your of no use without it." Adric glanced at his left arm, frowning. "Nothing to concern yourself about." "I concern myself with anything that might endanger my companions," Dalton said ominously. "And anyone." end part 19 -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080817/c6abf2ce/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Mon Aug 18 10:57:02 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:57:02 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Fic: Brothers of the blood - Mark Of Cain 20 Message-ID: Brothers of the blood -mark of cain previous chapters http://www.squidge.org/peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=37198&warning=FRM CHAPTER TWENTY Listening to the haunting strains of Gustav Mahler's Symphony #9, Dalton admitted to himself that he had slipped into a dark, moody silence. And he didn't like it. Finding Adric should have rewarded him with the pleasure of success. Not left him in this state of morbid depression the black music so aptly mirrored. But after twenty-four months of hunting the elusive Adric Falcone, with the all-consuming search finally over, Dalton was left with a bleak void in his life. A void that had to be filled. Giving himself a vigorous mental shake, Dalton forced his thoughts back from the black abyss threatening to devour his sanity. He was made of harsher stuff than this. After all, he was the sole and final heir to the line of a renowned rebel leader, trained from birth in the brutal ways of the warrior. It was not in his nature to blithely succumb to the normal emotions of men. And just who the hell did he think he was fooling? Heaving a despondent sigh, he dropped his violently aching head against the back of the overly stuffed chair and glanced at the shadowed form of a man sitting quietly in the darkened corn er of the room. "Domani." "Can I assist you, Commander?" Dalton's eyes, sensitive even in the dim light, drifted closed. "Have you completed your scan of Adric's computer activity?" "You requested it." "And?" "Is that a question?" Dalton opened one eye, glaring grumpily. "Don't get cute. You know what I want." His eyelid dropped shut again. "I have run several programs in an attempt to locate any hidden discrepancies," Domani said, moving to Dalton's side. "Quit reaching for praise. I know you're thorough. Get to the point." "The point is, I have found absolutely no proof that Adric Falcone is involved in any betrayal. Quite the contrary, in fact. What I have found substantiates everything he told us. I must determine he has told the truth. And that he had no real intention of betraying our force." "You're saying he is not a traitor?" Dalton whispered hoarsely, draping his arm over his eyes to shut out the glaring light. "If I'd succeeded in killing him, it would not have been justified." "It seems that way." Dalton lifted his heavy head and glared at the man, wondering if Domani was being deliberately irritating. The idea was ludicrous. Domani did not operate that way. Besides, he was incapable of deliberate baiting. Wasn't he? "Did you find any lies cloaked in the truth?" Dalton demanded, massaging his throbbing temples. "Anything at all?" "Negative, Commander. And I scanned for biological discrepancies during the negotiations, but found no evidence that Adric might be lying. I can only conclude he believes he is telling the truth." "And yet I know there is a lie in the story. Something, I don't know what, does not mesh with the facts as I know them. Bloody hell, I'm overlooking something. I know it. If I could only put my finger on what." "It is possible your beliefs are incorrect, Commander." "Bloody hell if I'm wrong." Dalton jerked to his feet, pacing the small confines of the room. "There is most definitely a puzzle here. I know it. And I know I have the key locked away in my head." He slammed his clenched fist against his thigh. "Judes, what have I failed to consider?" Domani's silver eyes glinted as they followed Dalton's frantic pacing, but he held his thoughts to himself. "How about the woman?" Dalton asked, jerking to a stop in front of his man. "This Nykita? What do we know about her?" "I have nothing to report." "Nothing?" Dalton snapped, wincing as pained stars spiraled behind his eyes. "Why not? You've accessed the central computers of the Coalition. As a matter of fact, you've broken into hundreds of different systems. So why is this one stopping you? Is Adric's system superior to you?" "Do not be insulting, Commander," Domani said coolly. "I have simply not been able to find record of her origins yet. I am still investigating." "Not able....Ah, Judes." He flung his tightly muscled form into a curved chair, tensing as it automatically conformed to his body. "All right. Keep searching. Only don't take too long. I need those answers. Quickly." Brooding, Dalton fell silent and his thoughts turned to the base evacuation. On the flyer, coming across, he'd taken the seat closest to the cockpit because it gave him an unobstructed view of the pilot, a man calling himself Del, and his co-pilot. His chosen seat also put him close enough to hear all but the quietist, whispered comments. And suspicious man that he was, Dalton had listened with rapt attention, keeping his harsh glance glued to the two men's tight lips while he read their softest words and in that covert eves-dropping, learned the fate of the Coalition prisoners. The callous execution still shocked and sickened him. Knowing Nykita had given the order sent a fresh rush of anxiety through him. Dalton sprang to his feet, the tight rein on his temper snapping. "Domani, I need that information. What do you know about the woman?" "Nothing." "Nothing?" His eyes shot blazing sparks. "Nothing? What the hell do you mean, nothing?" Domani shrugged, undaunted. "I have been unable to locate any mention whatsoever on the subject. Not in any system." "No mention at all?" Dalton demanded skeptically. "None, Commander. And I even went so far as to access the Coalition sub-computers. There is nothing. No record of birth. No school records. Not even any medicals. There is nothing available on her." "Nothing?" Dalton repeated softly, the implications spiraling through his mind at light speed. "It is as if she never existed." "That's impossible." "Impossible," Domani agreed. "But a fact just the same. If there has ever been any record of her life, it must have been removed, or destroyed." He paused, frowning. "Still, I should have found evidence of tampering." "And you found none?" He shook his head. "Commander, I can not give you any logical explanation. According to my findings this woman does not exist, and never has." A soft whistle parted Dalton's lips. "Domani, is it possible the woman is a machine designed to gain control of Adric, and through him, us?" Domani shook his head. "Negative, Commander. She is a biological entity. Remember, I ran a bioscan on both Adric and her. And before you ask, nothing foreign has been introduced into her basic humanoid make-up." "Now, isn't that interesting?" Dalton said, dark thoughts dancing in his imagination. Nykita controlled the time they spent here. She was in charge of their needs while they remained on the base. Worse, she controlled the repairs to the ship once it was retrieved, if it was in any shape to be repaired. It might mean nothing, but if she was not what she pretended to be, Dalton and his people could find themselves over their heads in trouble. And there wasn't a damn thing they could do about it. Nothing, other than wait and see what her next move might be. Dalton squeezed his finely chiseled nose. "Answer a question in probabilities, Domani. If this woman is indeed our enemy, where does that leave Adric in the scheme of things? Is he being used against us? Or are we being used to get to him?" "I can not answer without further data. Factual data, not suppositions, Commander." Dalton slammed his fist into the table. "All we have is conjecture." His hands convulsed into white knuckled fists as he struggled for control. "Damn. Damn. Damn. Every time I ask a question, the answer brings more questions. More doubts. This blasted mystery is growing. Snowballing too fast for me to get a firm grip on it. If I don't solve the dilemma we're immersed in, we may very well finish this out very dead." Growling deep in his chest, he flopped down into the chair. "Domani, keep scanning the movements of both Adric and his lady." His aching head fell back and he closed his eyes, massaging his thrumming temples. "Report anything that could remotely constitute a danger to any of us." "As you say." "Still don't trust them, boss?" Ian asked, leaning his shoulder against the doorjamb, his arms folded over his chest. Dalton peeked at him through half closed eyes. "I trust myself. Only myself." "I suppose someone has to," Arissa told him, crossing the room to curl lazily out on his bed. Dalton drew himself up in the chair with a small, humorless smile. "Ah," he said softly. "Well then, I am never disappointed, am I?" "I don't know," she returned just as softly. "Are you?" Dalton lips curved into a beguiling smile that warmed the chill in his eyes before he turned his attention to Ian. "How long have you been listening?" Ian slumped down on the sofa, stretching his long legs out before him. "Enough to be knowing you have your hackles up about Adric's lady love." Yessenia secured the door, then sauntered across the room. She dropped down beside Ian and ran a concerned glance over Dalton. "You must be dangerously distracted." "Must I?" "We wouldn't have gotten in here without you noticing if you were alert. For you to let us stand around unobserved, you'd have to be distracted by some major problem." "Yes, there is that. So I suppose I must be. Distracted, I mean." "Be ye caring to share the worry?" Ian asked. Dalton crossed his legs at the ankle, watching them over steepled fingers. "You probably know as much as I do." "I'm thinking ye might tell us anyway." Dalton shrugged. "Something isn't ringing true. I am overlooking some forgotten, but vital bit of information. When I uncover the lie, I'll be half way to discovering who our enemy is in this camp." "If there be an enemy and not just a shadow from the past," Ian said. Fire ignited in Dalton's crystal eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?" Ian exchanged a quick look with the women before he met Dalton's hostile glare. "Look, boss, we've been thinking things havena' been right between you and Paris for a couple weeks. We all figured there be some trouble between you since the two of you took the shuttle to meet with that arms dealer. Something neither of you be willing to talk about. Now that do be your choice as a rule, but na' when it threatens to endanger the rest of us." Dalton's lips curled into a sneer. "What went on aboard the shuttle remains strictly between Paris and myself. It has no bearing on what is happening here." "Maybe so," Ian said, "But then again, maybe not. Hell and have you considered that Paris might be the cause of your distress?" "Paris? In what way?" "We be noticing the tension when you be together in the same room," Ian said simply. "And we haven't seen anything threatening on the base," Yessenia added, snuggling into Ian's protective embrace. "Not since the attack by the Coalition. That, and the test thing we had to get hashed out." "Unless you include those damn accidents," Arissa continued. "Accidents?" "Yeah. Seems a shuttle exploded on the trip over. Adric's got some people looking into the reason for the blast." "Anyone vital lost?" "Just the flight crew and a couple security men. The ship was transporting prisoners. Seems there was a mix-up in the passenger list, though, 'cause one of the people on board that ship was supposed to be the spy." "The agent escaped, then?" "The accident? Yeah. Guess her guards were late getting her on board. Missed the flight and had to take a later shuttle. Adric finally got a break on that one." "You said accidents, in the plural?" "Right. There were a few mishaps during the loading process. And a couple techs and a medical were killed when a lift collapsed. We're disregarding those accidents since in an evacuation, blunders tend to happen. People don't want to be left behind. They get careless." "On the whole," Ian finished, "things be looking fairly normal." "Normal?" Dalton's brow lifted questioningly. "You think I am overly concerned because of a disagreement with Paris? You, perhaps, consider that normal, too?" "Not under usual circumstances, no," Arissa said. "But these aren't usual circumstances, are they?" "Aren't they?" "You've been under a considerable strain this last couple of days, Dal." "Have I?" "Hell and you've just completed a quest that has filled two years of your life. 'Tis thinking we were, that things might look a wee bit strange to you right now." "Is that what you were thinking, Ian?" Ian nodded, tangling his long fingers in Yessenia's flaming hair. "Taken together with the trouble between Paris and you and the way things be going? Aye, that be what I'm thinking." Dalton scowled. "I'll handle Paris when the time comes. For now, though, he will wait." "You sure about that, be ye?" Ian asked. Dalton pinned him with a harsh glare. "You would like to tell me something else?" "Guess I would." Ian twirled a brilliant tress around his index finger. "Look, Paris has been spending a lot of time in close quarters with Adric. Word around the base is he be thinking about leaving us if we do na' accept Adric on the ship. Seems he be thinking on joining up with his first commander." "Is that right?" Dalton drawled. "It's not a far stretch," Yessenia said, "the way things have been going with you two." "Sure and we wouldna' have brought this to you," Ian said, "but we figured you had the right to know which way the winds were blowing. After all, you once told me he was of more value to you than I am." Dalton chuckled, nodding. "Yes. I did, didn't I?" His laughter died as quickly as it had been born. "I shall consider what you've said. It would be a great pity if Paris were to die with Adric." Arissa sat up, suddenly alert. "You're thinking about assassinating Adric again?" "I never stopped considering it," Dalton said, watching her through hooded lids. "If there is any doubt whatsoever about Adric's true loyalties in my mind when the time comes to leave, Adric will die. And if Paris opts to stay with him, he'll join Adric all right. In death." "Hell and you're being a bit drastic, I'm thinking." "And I disagree. The survival of the team is all-important. Nothing and no one shall be considered before that." "Ah come on, though. 'Tis Paris we be talking about. Be serious." Dalton's eyes were hard, uncompromising. "I am serious, Ian. Deadly serious. Like Adric before him, Paris is threatening to become a loose thread. One with too much knowledge about us." "Paris is our friend, Dal," Yessenia said softly. "He'd never betray us?" "Not willingly, perhaps," Dalton admitted. "Except he has always been our weakest link. If he falls out with Adric, he can easily become dangerous." "Dangerous how?" "He could well be the route to our destruction if he were to stumble into the hands of an enemy." "I be seeing your meaning, but I still do na' hold with killing him outright," Ian said, wrapping his arm around Yessenia's shoulder. "There must be some way we can take him with us whether he likes it or na'." Dalton scowled. "Don't worry about it. I'll see he leaves with us when the time comes." A bright smile flashed over Ian's tight lips. "Sure and you're going to kidnap him, mayhap?" "If it comes to that." Dalton closed his eyes, waving a dismissing hand in their direction. "Just let me worry about it." "You okay, Dal?" Arissa asked. Was he okay? Hell, the throbbing in Dalton's head was making it hard to concentrate on anything. He wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep for a year. Unfortunately, he couldn't afford to appear weak before his crew. Not now. Too much depended on his being in top form. Now and always, there was no time. "Fine," he answered, but his eyes remained closed against the glaring, dim light. "I just don't want to continue with this conversation. Later maybe. But not now." The angry hiss of an injector at his neck snapped his eyes open. "What was it?" Domani shrugged, replacing the injector to its slot in the medikit. "Nothing to get upset about, Commander. The serum will simply ease your distress. It will not dull your mind." Dalton grunted his displeasure, but the pressure was already losing its hold. The dull ache slipped from one gentle step to the next. His clotted muscles relaxed as the pain eased. He rubbed the back of his neck and the ghost of a smile whispered over his face, almost to quick to notice, as he experienced relief for the first time since the massacre. "Drink this, Dal," Arissa said, setting a steaming cup of Earl Grey on the table next to him. She drifted gracefully to the floor at his feet, laying her small hand on his knee and propped her chin on her fist. "You really do look terrible. Have you managed any sleep since we got here?" "I am as well as can be expected, considering we've taken a walk through hell." He took a deep swallow from the cup then dropped his hand on her head and caressed her hair much like he would a favored cat. "I'll be fine once we're back to the security of the stars." The loud buzz of the intercom cut through the room, ending their conversation. "Dalton." Adric's voice filtered in the air. "I need a word with you." end part 20 anyone reading this. Be nice to hear fromya -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080818/cde2f91e/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Wed Aug 20 13:08:36 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:08:36 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Anyone watching Primeval & new list Message-ID: has anyone been watching the BBC show, Primeval? Its amazing, and oh so very slashable..or hetable, if that's the way ya swing . Anyway, I'm hoping some folks are fixing on the show. wanna chat about it, wanna write it? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PrimevalFantasies -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080820/8172a35e/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Wed Aug 20 20:02:43 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:02:43 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Fic: Brothers Of The Blood 21 Message-ID: Previous chapters here http://www.squidge.org/peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=37198&warning=FRM Brothers Of The Blood - mark OF Cain chapter 21 Adric stepped into the dimly lit room and his dark, amber eyes swept over them. He nodded, acknowledging them silently, then shuffled across the floor to take the seat Dalton had vacated for him. Standing over the newly arrived man, Dalton folded his arms and ran a slumberous glance across him. "What can we do for you, Adric?" Adric looked up, grinning. "I wanted to bring you the news that your ship's been recovered. She's in hanger deck 314 awaiting your inspection." Ian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "How be she looking, then? 'Tis there a wee chance of getting her back into space? And what of the arboretum? How much damage be there to the plants and animals?" "I won't lie to you. The ship's a mess, and no doubt about it." "The arboretum, Adric? Be it destroyed?" "Not at all. It looks to be in pretty good shape. Under the circumstances. The plants will need some care, mind. And you say there were animals? The techs didn't mention finding any. There's nothing dangerous to this planet's ecosystem among them, I hope?" "Sure and their all pretty tame. I've managed to clear up any infectious contagions" "Good. Okay, give me a list of what we're looking for and I'll get a team out to locate them for you." Ian grinned. "I'd be appreciating that." "I'm frankly amazed any of you were able to walk away from that crash. You must be a magician in the flight module." Ian laughed, tossing his head back in delight. "It be nice of you to notice. See, boss, Adric doesna' think I'm so easily replaced." "Adric is looking to recruit you out from under my nose," Dalton said, his lips twitching as he suppressed his own laughter. "And he didn't ride the ship down with the rest of us." "Besides, we all know it was Domani's contribution that got us to the surface alive." Yessenia elbowed him in the ribs playfully. "Be serious for once in your life." "Serious?" Ian gripped his chest, choking. "'Tis a mortal wound you deal me." "With the greatest of pleasure," Yessenia assured him, punching him again. "Enough already," Ian shifted and his arms went around her, binding her arms to her sides. "Sure and I can be taking a hint as well as anybody." Adric watched them, wondering at the strange mix of deadly serious and disarmingly childish play that bubbled from them. He wasn't sure he'd ever be able to anticipate their reactions. "Adric?" Ian said, frowning curiously. "What say you?" "Hm? What did you say?" "I be asking if the Hellequin can na' be made spaceworthy," Ian said tightly. "Be we indefinitely planetbound?" "The ship has possibilities. We've pretty much decided she can be recommissioned, but it'll take a lot of time and a lot more work." Ian rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. "Well then, let us na' waste any critical time, what say?" Dalton nodded. "Recommendations?" "You'll be correcting me if I'm wrong, Domani," Ian said. "But I be thinking we should concentrate our first efforts on Yama. Once we get the super back online, it can do a complete diagnostic and keep us informed as to the systems demanding the most urgent attention." "Your reasoning is sound." Adric leaned forward, frowning. "Wouldn't your miracle computer be able to do the job without the delay?" Dalton directed an irritated glare at him. "You still don't get it, do you, Adric? Domani is our computer. And I assure you there is no miracle in his development. He is quite simply the end result of years of work done by a computer genius in need of a top grade security droid with unlimited capabilities." "You?" Dalton accepted the recognition with a slightly mocking nod. "I developed Domani, yes. More important, I endowed him with the most sophisticated artificial intelligence known." He laughed shortly, bitterly. "I sometimes wonder if he is not more human than I am." Adric blew a monotone whistle through his teeth, staring at Domani with new interest. "An android." "Not quite. Domani is a plasmoid. He is more a blending of human and computer genetics." Adric shook his head. "Incredible. I'd considered Domani might be an alien, what with his silver eyes and the unusually iridescent shade of his skin, but his being created in a laboratory had never entered my mind." "That was the idea." "You succeeded admirably. Domani passes for a humanoid quite well." He paused thoughtfully, then lifted his brow. "It's agreed, then? Repairing the super is to be the first order of business?" "It would be prudent." "Right. I'll have men put on it straight away. I assume the super-computer was damaged in the crash?" Arissa laughed tightly. "Not hardly. Yama went below power before we reached the planet. We completed the jump from hyper on a hope and a prayer." Adric's jaw dropped. His eyes darted from one to the next, coming to rest on Dalton. "Dear God, haurride, no one takes a ship out without knowing the computer will stand up to the journey, barring the occasional emergency." Dalton's deep laughter filled the room. "The Hellequin has a few problem areas. It is to be expected. After all, it isn't easy for a wanted man to acquire a ship. We make due." "A few problem areas?" Adric sputtered. "Dalton, the ship had a defective controller. You really are insane." The commander's crystalline eyes hardened. "You may have something there," he said, completely serious. "Yes indeed, you might very well be right." "We're all crazy to just be involved in our line of work," Arissa said. "Risk is what it's all about. It gets to be habit." Dalton smiled, nodding once. "Quite." Adric flicked her a grateful glance, knowing she had again saved his fumble. He'd have to guard his tongue more closely. He'd worked too hard to get this far. And even now, Dalton could easily decide to throw him over. But not this time, thanks to the woman's quick interception. Drawing a relieved breath, Adric crossed his arms over his chest and slouched in the chair, considering his new allies through hooded eyes. "You know, if your super is becoming hazardous, we could put in a new bank for you." "Why would you be wanting to do that?" Ian demanded, jerking up stiffly. Adric's eyes narrowed. He'd heard something in the young pilot's voice. Something akin to fear. "We have to tear the computer down anyway to do a proper rebuild. It might be easier to lay in a whole new super." "And be having to adjust to a new system?" Ian waved his hands in front of him as if warding off a blow. "Not in my lifetime. Thanks, but no thanks. I do na' think so." "You are fond of your current super. I understand...." "Na' in a dream. I can na' stand the infernal thing, if you want to be knowing the truth. Yama drives me to commit murder, however, I do know what he be up to." Yessenia smiled, patting Ian's hand indulgently. "Our dear pilot thinks Yama is playing mind games on the crew." "I do na' think it. I know it. That damn infernal computer delights in driving me crazy. We be his own personal supply of lab animals and he be constantly testing our reaction to one thing or another," Ian said, warming to his subject. "Besides, any computer that can think, can lie." "Does that include Domani?" Arissa asked. Ian stared at the plasmoid and a slow grin replaced the thin slash of his lips. "I'm thinking Domani is different. He likes us." "You are paranoid, old friend," Arissa sighed. "And another thing," Ian continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Consider the name the computer goes by. Yama. Do ye be knowing who Yama was?" "We know," Arissa said tightly. "According to ancient Hindu mythology, Yama be the judge of the dead. The lord of the infernal regions. Do ye get it?" His brows lifted dramatically. "'Tis sounding like a description of the devil to me. Pure evil." Boredom tightened Dalton's grim features. "It sounds more like superstition. Yama is a computer. A machine, not the personification of some obscure deity from an even more obscure religion." "That be na' quite right, boss," Ian disagreed. "Yama be an annoyance, too. One I'd be more than happy to do without." He leaned his chin on his fist and sighed. "However, he is also our greatest asset in repairing the Hellequin. And that supersedes any frivolous personal notions on my part." The hardness faded from Dalton's eyes and he chuckled. "I'm glad to hear that, because..." "Ah, do na' say it, Dal." "Because I want you to take over the supervision of the super's repairs." "Did I na' ask ye na' to say that?" Ian grumbled. "I thought you'd appreciate the assignment more than not. Furthermore, from this moment on, I want one or more of you on duty aboard the Hellequin. We will observe all stages of the repairs." "Sounds like a lot of fun," Arissa said. "We're not here to have fun," Dalton told her firmly. "Beyond that, no one knows the ship the way we do." Arissa stood, stretching to pop her tired muscles. "In that case, I guess I'll take a walk down to the landing bay with you, Ian. I'm curious to see how bad the ship came out anyway. How about it, Yessenia? You and Domani up to checking the damage?" "Nothing else doing," Yessenia said, shrugging. "Unless you have any special instructions regarding the refit, Dal?" "I've already given Domani detailed instructions. He knows what's to be done, and in what order of priority. Once Yama is operational, he'll download his instructions into Yama and get back to his own, more pressing duties." "Later then, Dal." Arissa slipped her hand through Domani's arm. "Walk with me, handsome," she said, tossing a wicked, teasing grin over her shoulder at Dalton. end part 21 -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080820/be276164/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Thu Aug 21 11:02:43 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:02:43 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Brothers Of The Blood - Mark Of Cain 22 Message-ID: CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO As the door closed behind them, Dalton's dark laughter rose, coming slowly at first, then growing to fill the room. "Something amuses you?" Adric asked, eyeing him warily. "Oh yes, indeed." Still chuckling, Dalton dropped into a lazy sprawl across the sofa. Shifting his hips slightly, he pillowed his dark head on his arms and stared thoughtfully at the ceiling. "I often find those three quite amusing. Especially when they're trying to be subtle. Don't you?" Adric shifted uneasily in the chair, massaging his left leg. "I haven't found much worth laughing about in a very long time, my cold, calculating friend." "A pity, that." Dalton swung his legs to the floor and sat up. Leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, he closed the space between them. "Life is much too short to succumb too melancholy. You and I, we're Roman candles, burning out too damn fast to waste a moment on regrets and might-have-beens." "How do you arrive at that?" "We command, Adric. And for that reason alone, we don't meet the criteria of normal men. We've got too many lives depending on our much vaunted leadership. If we show weakness, even for a second, someone will be there to steal our power. We have to be more than the average man or we're no more than dead men." "I know what you're saying," Adric assured him. "Be that as it may, all this does begin to pall, don't you think?" "Explain?" Adric shrugged. "Ah, I know you were born into this rebellion, but I was recruited. I came into it with my head full of dreams of glory and regaining the freedom of a past century. But there isn't any magic, just killing." He sighed, shaking his head. "Hell, maybe I've just gotten too damn old for all this cloak and dagger crap, Dal. Shit, I am old. Old, and damn tired of all the endless fighting." "You and I were old from the cradle, Adric. Death and destruction were the toys given to us as babes in the cradle. They are all destiny had in store for us. It is all we'll ever have from our lives, but being alive is better than the alternative." "Perhaps. Perhaps not," Adric said dully. "I gotta tell you, old friend, the blazing fires that burned in my soul have wasted away into cooling embers. I don't sleep well anymore, Dal. When I'm laying there in the dark, I find myself wishing for a little cottage where I can find peace in my final years." A disgusted sneer twisted Dalton's lips. "You make a practice of talking like a dead man, don't you? I trust you realize if you stop running and live in that cottage, that's exactly what you're going to be." His hard eyes bore into Adric, probing deep into the slightly older man's soul. "That life was never meant for the likes of us." "Don't worry. I'm not ready to commit suicide." Adric smiled sadly. "Not yet." Dalton continued to study the man for a long moment before he nodded. "That would be very reassuring if I was certain you meant it." Adric lifted a dejected shoulder. "Maybe that's why I said it." His sad smile flickered again. "You know, when I realized you'd finally come, I was delighted. Now, I'm not so sure you should have made the trip." A curious frown marred Dalton's brow. "What's happened to change your mind?" "I'm wondering if it was the smart thing for you. I suspect you are being forced into a situation you have no taste for. I've got to ask myself if you're accepting our alliance because of the pressure your friends put on you to agree." Dalton slumped back against the sofa and steepled his long, graceful fingers, watching Adric for a moment. "I don't make any decisions under duress, Adric. If I'd seen a better option of getting off this infernal planet, I'd have taken it." His lips curled into a mocking half-smile. "You really don't credit the man I am, do you?" "I remember more than you think, perhaps." "You think so?" "As I recall, you were always a very contrary man, but also a man who was often correct. You were a careful man, whereas I tended to lean toward the impulsive." Adric traced his scar thoughtfully. "Admittedly though, I do think of you fondly, and maybe with a little distortion." Dalton laughed heartily. "Maybe with a lot of distortion." Adric grinned, and for the first time there was a touch of the old Adric in his amber eyes. "That might well be the case." The sparkle dimmed as suddenly as it appeared. "I tell you, Dal, sitting here talking like we did in the old days brings back a lot." "Pretty unpleasant for you, I bet." "Not as unpleasant as the accident." "That must have been mighty traumatic." Adric swallowed hard, nodding. "I have never been so scared in my life as when I realized the ship was out of control. I hope to God I never know that kind of terror again." "Adric...." "After the crash, when I came around, I couldn't move. But, I could sure as hell feel. It was torture, Dal. Pure and simple hell. I didn't know a man could hurt so bad and still survive." "Adric...." "Just breathing was like having a thousand knives dicing through my skin. I actually prayed for death, but the old gods must not have been in a merciful frame of mind." He groaned softly in his throat. "I couldn't will myself to die, and I couldn't pass out. I thought I'd lose my mind from the pain." "Adric. Don't." Dalton jerked swiftly to his feet and moved away. When he turned back his brilliant gaze was chilled, unapproachable. "Why are you telling me this?" "Maybe I'm a selfish man. Maybe I want to win my way back into your faith. Maybe to do that, you have to understand what has happened to change me." Adric laughed bitterly. "And maybe I find I need to spend time with the people I knew before my life crumbled." Dalton's black scowl silenced him. "So, that's why you've been locked away in private conference with Paris? Is that what you expect me to believe?" "You know why Paris has sought me out." "Oh yes, Adric." Dalton hissed, his words dangerously soft. "I'm afraid I do. Paris has developed a strong fear of me. A fear I've not taken time to rectify." His anger burned, darkening his eyes to a deep, glittering sapphire. "Don't try to use that fear for your own ends. I warn you, it will not be well received if you do." "That's what you think I'm trying to do?" "I hope you're not that stupid. I really do." "Paris doesn't trust you, Dalton. He seems to think you were going to jettison him out an airlock." "Yes, well it seemed like the thing to do at the time." "Have you really become that ruthless?" A cruel glint brightened Dalton's eyes. "I didn't jettison him, did I?" "But you would have?" He shrugged a lazy shoulder. "It was a matter of survival. We'd tossed everything that wasn't welded down, but we were still short of reaching escape velocity. The computer reported we had to lose only one hundred seventy pounds. Paris weighs just over one seventy-five. Under the circumstances, I felt he was expendable." "Paris didn't see it that way, I take it." "I don't suppose he did. He's not the self-sacrificing kind. I, on the other hand, saw no reason for both of us to die. Not when the sacrifice of one would guarantee the survival of the other." "And you're no more selfless than Paris." Dalton shrugged again. "I considered the consequences and decided I had more to contribute to the group. If I had to do it over, I would change nothing." "How's he come to still be counted among the living?" "Ah, Paris always was lucky. He struck the mother lode on that day. While I was trying to convince him round to my way of thinking...." "With a gun in your hand?" "You do what you have to do," Dalton said. "Anyway, while I was trying to find him and convince him to step into the evac tube, I stumbled over the sabotage. It was easier and quicker to correct the damage than it was to find my elusive companion, so I corrected the damage. End of story, Paris survived." Adric snorted, shaking his head. "Your skin always did come first." A look of pure innocence covered Dalton's face. "Would you fault me for that?" "That's a damn frightening confession, Dal," Adric said carefully. "Can you possibly be as heartless as you portray yourself?" Dalton's lips lifted in a half-smile. "I advise you never have to find out." The intercom bleeped, blaring a summons for Adric's immediate attention and interrupting whatever response Adric might have made. end part 22 -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080821/7f1a1fd4/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Tue Aug 26 07:19:45 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:19:45 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Fic: Brothers Of The Blood 23 Message-ID: CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE Adric glanced at Dalton and shrugged, then moving stiffly, made his way to the wall-mounted intercom and thumbed the call button. "Adric here." "Adric, it's Nykita." Tension carried in her voice, raising gooseflesh on Adric's arms. "I'm in the detention cells. There's been an accident down here." "Explain." "The guards just finished their rounds. Adric, I'm afraid they found the spy dead in her cell." "Ah Judes," Adric growled deep in his throat. "How did she die?" "That might be better left unsaid until you can get down here. But Adric, there is something you should know," her words dragged, hesitant and unsure. "You can speak freely, Nicki." "This is an open channel. I wasn't certain...." "Nicki, say what's on your mind." "Very well. The spy. It was Sinda. The woman you brought in last month." Adric's forehead thumped softly against the wall. He'd never have suspected Sinda. Not for a minute. "Okay. Understood. I'm on my way." Pushing away from the wall, Adric met Dalton's icily prohibitive stare. "It doesn't get any easier to take, does it, my friend? All the death and destruction. It doesn't ever get any better?" "Not from where I'm standing," Dalton said, his hand gentle on Adric's arm. "Not at all." Startled by the other man's comforting touch, Adric searched Dalton's guarded gaze again and for a mere heartbeat saw some foreign, flickering emotion he daren't put a name to within the depths of that familiar, chilled stare. And then it was gone. Imagined? "Your woman said this Sinda had only been with you a month. How much access does a new recruit have, as a rule?" Dalton wanted to know. "Very little, actually. I don't usually allow anyone past the first level without undisputable proof of their loyalty. In fact, nobody gets access to anything that might be passed on to hostiles except on a need to know basis. You, on the other hand, were a different case entirely, but then we have a past, don't we?" "One would think so." Dalton frowned, smoothing his fingers in a slow, petting fashion. "Adric, this woman went through a great deal of trouble to infiltrate your operation. Why do you think she would call in her troops and reveal herself unless she had hard evidence?" "I don't know," he said, shaking his head. "Our faces are pretty well known, though. Maybe she recognized me, or you, or one of your squad, and panicked." He sucked in a shaky breath and scrubbed his hand across his mouth. "I really have to check out this mess. Want to lend a hand?" "For old time's sake?" Dalton chuckled grimly. "I wouldn't miss it." * * * * * * * * There were no security guards to be seen patrolling the dismal hall that lead to the detention cells, Dalton noticed, and no scanners either, for that matter. In fact, there were no security devices at all. Just Adric, who trudged silently at his side, and Adric's so very mysterious lady without a past waiting for them before the open door of a dimly lit cell. The perfect setting for suicide. Or possibly murder? Stepping into the cramped and dingy room, Dalton cast a dispassionate glance over the skin torn, blood-saturated body that lie slumped half off, half on the soiled cot. She must have been a strikingly lovely woman in life. But not now. Not with her short-cropped blonde hair stained a gruesome rusty brown. Semi-crusted blood trailed from her mouth and wound in thick twin rivers from her ears. And a single red teardrop pooled near her right eye. The bizarre death, he imagined, was the result of a massive hemorrhage. Not a very pretty way to end it at all. No, this was most decidedly not the way an attractive young woman would chose for a self-imposed death. "What the devil happened here, Nicki?" Adric demanded, drawing Dalton's shuttered glance by jerking a brown woolen blanket over the grisly sight. "Who was in charge of her questioning?" "She wasn't tortured to death during interrogation, if that's that's what you're getting at, Adric," Nykita told him softly. "I know because she hadn't been questioned yet." Adric pivoted slowly around on the balls of his feet. "No?" "No. You see, I'd wanted to be at her questioning myself, but I hadn't had time to arrange it." "Why would you want to do that?" "Guilt, I guess," she said, shrugging. "Our screening process involves a lot more than your loyalty tests, Adric. I monitor the initiates heart rate, core temperature and any number of bodily responses during the primary interrogations. But she never flagged red. Somehow she was able to slip the bios and that bothers me. Bothers me a lot. "Bearing that in mind, I thought her questioning was important enough to warrant personal attention and you've had too much to contend with already. That made it my duty to find out how they were beating our screening process." Her shoulders lifted in a defeated shrug. "Now, I guess we'll never know." "No, now we will never know," Dalton said with a tight grimace, his hands convulsing into white-knuckled fists. "A pity, but we are left with nothing but a bloody mess." "It is that," Nykita agreed. "An ugly, bloody mess. And it's also a waste, her dying without answering a single question" "Nothing can be done about that," Adric said through a tired sigh. "But this sure as hell doesn't fall under the category of death by natural causes, does it?" "That would be highly unlikely, I must admit," Nykita said. "Well then, have you had an opportunity to form an opinion on how she did die?" She tapped her forefinger against her lips. "Near as I can tell without a full autopsy, she was carrying a suicide cap." "Suicide? You must be kidding." Adric's harsh fingers bit into her arm, making her flinch away from him. "I assure you, I am not." "How could she have gotten a death pill past the body check? Or wasn't she even scanned before she was incarcerated? Dammit, Nicki, was she given even the most cursory of searches?" "Security was not at fault." "Really? Well, who in the hell was then? How did Sinda get that capsule past the scans?" "I made a preliminary examination of the body while I was waiting for you to get down here." Nykita hesitated, chewing on her thumbnail. "Go on." "She met his angry stare. "There was massive corrosion of the inner mouth area. I found several broken and jagged teeth. Little more than shells, actually." "And what does that tell us?" "I think she might have concealed the poison inside those hollowed out teeth." A curious frown wrinkled Adric's high forehead. "That would have been rather dangerous, wouldn't it?" Nykita shook her head. "Not in this case, Adric. There are certain safeguards built into this type of cap. The bite has to be executed in a way that can only be deliberately made. There's no way to break the sealant by accident." Dalton arched his brow slightly. "You seem to know a great deal about it." "It's standard knowledge in the medical fields, St Moritz," she drawled, her voice dripping honey. "Adric, there is one more thing. The poison had to be incredibly fast-acting. We had a guard checking her cell every twenty minutes. If she had been discovered in the death throes, perhaps we might have saved her. Or at least taken a memory scan. As it stands now, we've got nothing. Aside from another senseless death." Dalton shook his head. "Oh, I don't know how senseless it was." "What's in your mind, haurride?" "I've been thinking, if this was a suicide, which I am not entirely convinced it was, this woman chose death by her own hand instead of risking her secrets to questioning. And she chose a rather grisly death, at that. In my mind, her decision tells us something we should have suspected before." "Just exactly what do you think it tells us?" Dalton crooked his thick brow at Nykita's sarcasm, chuckling softly. "It tells us, woman, that perhaps the prisoner held knowledge of vital importance to our survival. Information she felt she could not risk under interrogation." "For instance?" "Well now, any answer I supply would be no more than supposition and I tend not to trust hunches." Dalton smiled darkly. "But under the circumstances, I'd hazard a guess." "What sort of guess?" His smile faded. "I suspect her purpose for being here goes deeper than the obvious. I also think it highly probable she may have been murdered and her death made to look like a not very convincing suicide." "Why ever would you think that?" He pinned Nykita with his harsh cobra's gaze. "Perhaps there is another traitor, a mole, on the base. Her death could well have been staged to protect an accomplice." Nykita's pale hand fluttered to her throat. "An accomplice wouldn't want to be identified." "I would expect not. Especially if this accomplice is active." "You're serious, aren't you? You really think there may still be a traitor active on the base." Nykita cast a look of despair at Adric. "Adric, he can't be right." "Let's hope I'm wrong then," Dalton said, crossing his arms over his chest. "But it does seem to the most likely answer, don't you think?" "You have to be wrong. If you are right we're not any safer here than we were on Alpha Base. But Lord help us, Adric, we'll have to work under the assumption he's right. We have to play it safe." "Play it like you see it, woman. I intend to." "Just exactly what do you intend to do?" she demanded. He gave an impartial shrug. "Survive. I intend to survive." end part 23 -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080826/0fe5d0e7/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Sun Aug 31 15:28:16 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:28:16 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Fic: Brothers Of The Blood 24 Message-ID: CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR Dalton sealed the access panel, giving it a slap with the calloused palm of his hand for good measure, then crawled slowly out from under the navigation console. Leaning tiredly back on his heels, he pressed his hands against heavy-lidded eyes and drew a deep, steadying breath. Apparently Ian had misplaced one of his mad demons, since one of the blasted things had taken up residence inside his head. And the most distressing thing about the whole matter was that his industrious demon swung a damn mean sledgehammer. Right against his throbbing temples. Grinding his teeth against the unwanted discomfort, Dalton pushed shakily to his feet. The small exertion created a barrage of stars that exploded behind pain-clouded eyes, starting off a violent display of fireworks that threatened to rock out his teeth. He groaned softly, and took an unsteady step forward. Another mistake. The demon gleefully added a staccato tap dance to his repertoire. Dalton's knees wobbled beneath his weight and he stumbled. Reaching out clumsily, he caught himself on the console, but the near fall jarred his aching head badly. Brilliant light splintered behind his eyes, sending lightning bolts of agony shooting through his temples. His already gaunt features tightened and he placed one foot in front of the other with exaggerated care, walking toward the intercom. Raising arms which felt more like lead than flesh, he activated the call button, opening the private link to Ian's quarters. "Ian, are you awake?" he demanded in a sharp, strained voice. "What? Yeah. Boss, is that you? Yeah, I'm awake." Ian's sleep roughened voice came back. "What you need?" Dalton's smile held dark malice, knowing he'd roused the pilot from a deep sleep. "I've finished the repairs." "Sure and you decided to call me and accept my profound congratulations?" Dalton leaned his drooping shoulder heavily against the wall, chuckling. "Get down here. We've got a test flight to make." "Now?" "Right now." "Have you informed Adric or do you be wanting me to make the report?" "This flight does not concern Adric," Dalton snapped, the tiny hairs tightening at the nape of his neck. "Just get the hell down here. And bring the rest of the crew with you. The original crew." "On me way." Rustling sounds filtered through the intercom before Dalton broke the communications link. Turning away from the intercom, Dalton rubbed the back of his neck, trying to massage out the gigantic knots that had formed there. It was no good. He needed rest. And he would rest, he promised himself. Later. Holding that sacred promise close to his heart, his wobbly legs carried him, just barely, down the curved slope to the lower deck and he slumped into the crash chaise directly in front of bridge control. His heavy weight activated the automatics and the chaise purred smoothly, conforming to and massaging the tense lines of his pain-enthralled body. "Yama, reduce bridge lights to twilight," he said, draping a black satin encased arm over his whitewashed face. The too bright lights dimmed instantly, giving Dalton some mild ease. Unable to stave off the demands of his body any longer, he succumbed to the one thing he could not defeat. His dry and gritty eyes drifted closed. But his vital rest was short-lived. Prompted by an even more desperate hunger to escape a danger he had yet to identify beyond doubt, his eyes snapped open after only fifteen minutes. He cast an apprehensive glance around the empty bridge, before settling back in the chaise. "Yama?" "Working." "Run a continuous scan of all systems once we are underway. Inform me immediately if you detect any sign of stress to the equipment. Any sign whatsoever." "Confirmed." "And pay special attention to the drive and weaponry sections." "Confirmed. Do you require anything else, Commander." "No. Yes. I... don't know. Let me think a minute." He knew he was not considering all the contingencies, but how could he when he was unable to concentrate on any one thing for more than small spurts of time? "Ah yes," he said finally. "Scan for any unidentified ships entering our sector. Use maximum range detectors." He stifled an exhausted yawn. "Something is about to happen. I feel it. And if I am right, it will hit us soon." "Sure and what kind of trouble be you expecting, Dal?" Not waiting for an answer, Ian moved to the flight module and automatically ran the system checks, preparing the ship for the unscheduled lift off. "'Tis funny." He tilted his head, listening to the gentle purring hum of the engines. "The drive... 'Tis powering up a wee bit fast, boss." Dalton cracked an eye open and smiled. "You think so?" A boyish grin lit Ian's handsome features. "Sure and you've been tinkering with the drive system again." "You are satisfied?" "Satisfied? She sounds like a new ship. Hell yes and I be satisfied." He paused suddenly, eyeing the man who led them. "You did do something, did ye na'? I be na' imagining the difference?" Swinging his legs to the floor, Dalton sat up slowly and walked to his place at the science station. "I've made some changes to the drive, yes," he said finally, forcing the words from between numbed lips. "Domani thought it would improve the time involved during warm-up, allowing us a faster lift off from a cold start. I am glad his assumptions have proven correct." "Speed is getting pretty important to you, isn't it?" Arissa complained, stepping from the lift. Dalton cut her an impassive glance. "As important as my life. And yours." Settling into the communications station at Dalton's right, Arissa considered his cryptic words. "Understood," she said softly before she turned to activate her chosen station. Yessenia, who had followed her in, took a seat at Operations. Her curious glance lingered on the empty seat on her left. "Where's Domani?" "He's assumed a station in Engineering during the test flight," Dalton said. "He wanted immediate access to the stardrive in case anything goes wrong." Paris,jerking a grey shirt closed over his deceptively wiry chest, stepped out of the lift and shot a menacing glare at Dalton. "It's the middle of the night, Dal." "I am aware of the time." "This couldn't wait until morning, I suppose?" "No, it couldn't wait. Take Domani's position at Operations. Arissa, route the engineering computer though your terminal. We won't be using communications if everything runs smoothly." Her fingers moved swiftly over the pressureboard. "It's done," she said, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "And I also opened a remote channel to Engineering. Domani can hear everything that's happening up here and report back from anywhere in the section." Ian looked up from the flight module, catching Dalton's heavy-lidded gaze. "All systems are green. It be a go on your command." Dalton shifted more comfortably into his seat. "Move us into launch position." Ian relayed the instructions to the flight computer. A slight quivering under their feet verified that the ship's automatics were positioning them on the launch pad. Following standard procedure, Arissa reached out her slender hand to open a link with the base. Dalton grabbed her wrist, halting her. "Leave off, Arissa. Don't bring them into it." "What's going on, Dal?" Arissa asked. "Why keep Adric in the dark?" "Good question." Yessenia turned her chair, searching out Dalton's stoney glare and frowned. "You look like hell. What have you been doing to yourself, Dal?" "What had to be done." "Have you gotten any sleep at all?" "That is none of your concern." "Sleep deprivation is...." "Not an issue. I assure you there will be time to rest once we're away from the planet for good. When I'm sure the ship is safe." He whirled around, pointing at Ian. "Take us up." Ian relayed the commands crisply. Yama responded smoothly, firing the engines. The stardrive sang as the computer fed power into the system. Ian leaned over his console. "Lift, you wee bucket of bolts. Lift," he murmured, tenderly caressing the glowing controls, tracing each of the computers actions with his slender fingers. The Hellequin rumbled under their feet, raising gently from the launch pad, like a great silver bird striving against gravity to reclaim its rightful place among the stars. "Dalton," Adric's worried voice came over the communications channel. "Dal, what the devil are you doing? Can you hear me, man? Dalton, acknowledge the base. Acknowledge you hear me, damn you." "Do not respond," Dalton hissed, preventing Arissa from opening a channel with the base. "Tell me why." "Obey me, Arissa." "This be ridiculous, boss," Ian tossed over his shoulder, automatically guiding the ship into a secondary orbit. He locked the ship into computer control, then spun the flight module around, facing Dalton. "'Tis time, I be thinking, you be spilling it. Tell us what we be getting into this time." Sighing tiredly, Dalton tipped his seat back and steepled his hands. "I expect we are about to be attacked." "What makes you think we're in danger?" Yessenia said sharply. Dalton smiled, but there was no warmth in his winter blue eyes. "There is a mole on that base, my dear. I can smell him, but I can not finger him, so I'm counting on our sudden departure not being in the game plan." "You're hoping to tip his hand, this traitor you suspect is there?" "Nothing so revealing, Yessenia. I just want some simple verification I am not imagining his presence." "Hey, we didna' mean any offense when we put that theory forward," Ian said quickly. "And none was taken, still a doubt once spoken will remain until tactile facts back up the reality. So, as it is my belief we won't be allowed to leave Euzkadi unmolested, we have left the planet. If we are attacked, I am vindicated of this supposed imagined threat. And you will have all the proof I can give without a flesh and blood body." end part 24 -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080831/037d8be8/attachment.htm From makebelievearchive at gmail.com Sun Aug 31 18:46:54 2008 From: makebelievearchive at gmail.com (makebelieve archive) Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:46:54 -0500 Subject: [Makebelieve] Flashpoint Fans - new list Message-ID: figured this show deserves som attention, so... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlashpointFantasies/ -- PEJA The wwomb archive http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us Need a plot bunny? http://community.livejournal.com/adoptaplotbunny/ ready to commit ten minutes a day to writing? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenMinutesWithTheMuse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.chez-vrolet.net/pipermail/makebelieve/attachments/20080831/da23960a/attachment.htm