Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 30, 2012 23:52:51 GMT -5
The main office had been a pain to fortify; holes were plugged, and then booby-trapped, the door was permanently closed and locked, any and all windows were boarded up, and the chair had been made into a series of watch towers. The ramping and rigging was crude, but, as Ulysses looked it over, he did think he had done good enough for now.
For now. He looked over the desk, and the other wall shelvings he had set up into crude housings and lean-tos. Why he had decide that he needed to set up an entire base was beyond him, but it was done. He just chalked it up to his paranoia. And then took comfort in the fact that it had rarely lead him wrong. He stood in the center, around the main clearing, and the simple HQ. It had taken a few days of gathering resources, a few more of setting it all up, and then even longer to convince his client it was in her best interests to remain near him.
He crossed across several bridges that he had built, mentally making note of any filing cabinets he hadn't used, and what he had used them for. Useful things, these filing cabinets. He'd actually managed to turn one of them into a series of crude shelters and barracks, cutting a hole into each floor, and attaching rope down the holes. He'd close the outer layers with duct tape, creating surprisingly large cells for any visitors. The bedding he'd scavenge for later, but it was a good set up. For what, he hadn't decided. Though the fact that one of his comrade's labs had been built into the floorboards of the place had helped finalize the location.
Maybe one of the others could be used for a prison of sorts.
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Post by Nikolai [39] on Mar 31, 2012 0:01:29 GMT -5
"Dis is nice." Came a vaguely impressed, deep Russian rumble- From behind Ulysses. Nikolai was leaned somewhat casually against the wall, his brows furrowed. His thumbs were hooked in his waistband and one leg crossed the other. His head, as always, was proudly held high, but there was a slight look of hard anger in his eyes, also as always.
"I vould have helped you fortify it, had you asked." He pushed off the wall and walked a little closer to Ulysses. "Is good to see you Bratyshka. Though I vonder vhy you brought an outsider to dis place. She cannot enter vhile ve discuss. Especially no Racketeers. She vould sell us out for nichego." He unhooked his thumbs from his waistband only to cross his arms. The red on his eyepatch was as bright as ever, though his usual coat seemed to be missing.
"Now, my comrade, vhat did you summon me for?" The Russian brute looked at the wall and squinted; It was an old habit, one that stemmed from his left eye's ability to see souls, even through walls. With the patch on, he could see nothing, but his mannerisms remained. "Dis place is too often infiltrated by machines. I prefer the rafters in the trainhouse itself."
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 31, 2012 0:12:29 GMT -5
Ulysses hadn't heard the Russian come in, but when he spoke, Ulysses turned to face the ragdoll. He saluted briefly, before listening. As the Russian spoke, he once again returned to peaceful mode.
"Though I vonder vhy you brought an outsider to dis place. She cannot enter vhile ve discuss. Especially no Racketeers. She vould sell us out for nichego" Ulysses normally would have agreed, but with a quick signaling, he explained.
She's the one this thing attacked. She needs the protection. He didn't like it, but he would honor it. And he thanked Nikolai for getting straight to the point. A quick motioning explained it. This thing was nasty, from what he could tell. Big, lanky, and very, very stealthy. Liked to pray on fear, and wore an ugly hat.
This one might not be a machine, but he's going to be hunted like one. And you're good with machines, to say the least.
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Post by Nikolai [39] on Mar 31, 2012 0:22:01 GMT -5
As Nikolai listened, his optic narrowed. Upon mention of the ugly hat, it shot open again. An odd look crossed his face, something like confusion and realization combined. "Give me more physical information. What kind of veapon are ve talking about here." Nikolai said, somewhat harshly.
His hand curled around the hilt of his knife at his belt- He was rigid at attention now, no more messing around. He had a very bad feeling. He hoped very much that he was wrong. This time he really did check their surroundings- He pulled his eyepatch down and let his eye roam around the environment. Nothing- Just Ulysses and his Racketeer ward. He left the eyepatch off, though, dimmed his optic to it's lowest setting to keep from distracting Ulysses.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 31, 2012 0:27:14 GMT -5
Ulysses noticed the change, and motioned for the bigger ragdoll to follow him further away. Once out of earshot, preferably on the highest shelf in the room, he signaled again. From the shelf, they could overlook the entire room, with it's ramshackle buildings. He hadn't reached for his knife, but was ready.
She said a scythe. And the number 16. Ulysses could tell Nikolai knew this freak. And if Nikolai was getting anxious, that did not bode well. He put a hand on the big Russian's shoulder, as a sign of friendship.
He's supposed to be a smart one. But a coward. Doesn't like clocks.
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Post by Nikolai [39] on Mar 31, 2012 0:31:23 GMT -5
"Tall, lanky. Joints creak vhen he moves dem. Bright, red eyes, machine, but no lids. Face torn open, permanent smile, and stitched up in places. Clawed hands." Nikolai rolled out automatically. His optic was wider than before, laced with... Panic. There was a moment of silence in which Nikolai mastered himself. He gave a great, heaving sigh, and rubbed his face. He gave Ulysses a haunted look and then pulled his eyepatch back up.
"... Tell your client you cannot help her." He said flatly, somberly, turning his back to Ulysses and clasping his hands behind him, shoulders hunched. A myriad of emotions were rocketing through Nikolai's mind. How could it be? He'd been dead... Years. Years upon years. Back before Nikolai had had to retrofit his eye.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 31, 2012 0:41:00 GMT -5
"Tall, lanky. Joints creak vhen he moves dem. Bright, red eyes, machine, but no lids. Face torn open, permanent smile, and stitched up in places. Clawed hands."
Hunch confirmed; Nikolai knew this guy. Every twitch, every motion, every sigh confirmed it. And it didn't spell well. Nikolai was indeed nervous. That meant trouble, and that was trouble for him; trouble he didn't want.
"... Tell your client you cannot help her." The response was only half a surprise, but Ulysses still had to blink, before shaking his head. No. He wouldn't abandon her. Not for his reputation. Not for his pride.
Not for his sense of right. he was partly surprised that it was coming into play now of all times, but he wasn't going to stop it. He had agreed on this contract, and he would see it through. If he was victorious, then he would be payed. If not. . .Then he would at least go down with a purpose. That thought alone gave him a thrill, albeit a small one. It actually pricked his normal blaze and depression, made him feel younger. Like he had been someone else, someone much, much more powerful, and if only he could reclaim that. . .
No. She may be racketeer, but she paid. Ansd I don't abandon my clients.
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Post by Nikolai [39] on Mar 31, 2012 0:47:02 GMT -5
"Paid or not, you cannot do dis." Nikolai growled, strain showing in his voice. "Dis person is... Dis person will... You cannot. Tell your client you can. Not. Help her." The Russian brute turned back to face Ulysses, a wild look in his whole optic. He was dangerously close to losing control- It showed.
"You vill never find dis person. You vill not see him coming. You vill never see him. You vill turn your back and she-" He jabbed a finger towards where Florin was standing for emphasis "Vill be dead. You vill turn back around and you vill still not see him. Only her. Only vhat he leaves behind of her." There was an edge of pain to his voice, as if he were talking about another 'her'- Someone long gone. He fell silent for a second, then repeated his opening statement. "Tell your client you cannot help her."
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 31, 2012 0:54:12 GMT -5
. "Dis person is... Dis person will... You cannot. Tell your client you can. Not. Help her."
Ulysses was calm, oddly calm, as he listened, and shook his head again. No.
"You vill never find dis person. You vill not see him coming. You vill never see him. You vill turn your back and she-Vill be dead. You vill turn back around and you vill still not see him. Only her. Only vhat he leaves behind of her."
Ulysses wasn't intimidated. No matter what Nikolai said, he wouldn't be scared. Monsters like this fed on that, and he wouldn't give it any food. His soul was as hard to move as his mind. He shook his head at Nikolai again, this time, patting his shoulder firmly.
No. The only thing Ulysses had ever feared in his existence was the first time he'd woken up. No Ragdoll scared him. No machine did. He didn't know why, they just didn't. He calmly signaled Nikolai again.
You don't need to help, Nikolai. But I WILL see it through.
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Post by Nikolai [39] on Mar 31, 2012 1:06:31 GMT -5
"He KILLED MY FAMILY, Ulysses!" Nikolai roared, slamming his knife into it's hilt into the wall. "And I killed him. I do not know how or vhy he is alive again, but you will not find him. He vas a demon before I beheaded him. I beheaded him. I vatched his body burn. Dis... Dis thing, vhatever it is, you cannot kill it- You cannot even find it!!" Nikolai's voice never dipped below an angry bellow throughout his entire tirade. Never had Nikolai ever been so very terribly enraged in Ulysses' presence.
He stood there for a few moments, panting, wrestling with himself. He could not leave his brother to undertake this challenge alone. But... Could he kill someone he had once also called brother? Again? Could he even watch it? Nikolai closed his optic and took a deep breath, calming his breathing.
"... vithout... me." He added finally. He pulled his knife out of the wall. "I am the only one who can find him. You vill not be able to find him vithout me, and so you vill not have to go vithout me. I vill not see any more of my brothers die." He considered for a moment. "And I vill be better intelligence than any report or contact you may have." He started for the door. The panic was gone. All that remained was cold, hard, overwhelming fury. It swirled within him like a dark vortex of hatred, and he opened the door so hard he cracked the frame.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 31, 2012 1:20:15 GMT -5
"He KILLED MY FAMILY, Ulysses! And I killed him. I do not know how or vhy he is alive again, but you will not find him. He vas a demon before I beheaded him. I beheaded him. I vatched his body burn. Dis... Dis thing, vhatever it is, you cannot kill it- You cannot even find it!!"
It was out. Ulysses blinked at the large Russian, now so angry. He let the big man burn out, before speaking, only to be cut off.
"... vithout... me. I am the only one who can find him. You vill not be able to find him vithout me, and so you vill not have to go vithout me. I vill not see any more of my brothers die. And I vill be better intelligence than any report or contact you may have."
Ulysses stepped up, and grabbed the shoulder of the big man. The grip was strong enough to stop Nikolai cold, and then he signaled again, this time angry.
ENOUGH, NIKOLAI. He stepped in front of him, and pointed to the filing cabinet. This is MY contract, and this is MY choice and fate. If he is as terrifying as you say he is, then he shall learn the one thing more terrifying than an immortal. He exited the door, and headed for Florin. A quick signaling confirmed it.
A soldier with nothing to lose.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Mar 31, 2012 1:32:15 GMT -5
Outside, Florin's head turned at the sound of the door being violently opened, just in time to see the two storm out. With a frustrated sigh, she walked towards Ulysses. " Took your time, didn't you, love? I do so hope something productive came out of that. I'd rather not be left alone in this place, if you please." Her voice had regained most of it's ladylike feel. Clearly, she had no idea what it was the two had discussed, but figured it was safe to assume she was somewhat involved. She already knew neither of these males were happy with the fact she was a Racketeer,that was a given, though she was certain that wasn't the only cause of their argument.
Oh well. Whatever it was, it was their problem for now. She had her own to deal with for the time.
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Post by Nikolai [39] on Mar 31, 2012 1:39:07 GMT -5
Unfortunately for the Racketeer, Nikolai's fury had not subsided with Ulysses' admonishment. If anything it had grown. He grabbed Florin by the shoulders and whirled her around to slam her against the wall, though not very hard, enough to be jarring. He was so angry it was almost possible to hear the whine of his servos as his teeth ground together. "Shut. Up." He snarled, voice so full of fury that it could have melted iron. He dropped her like a sack of bolts and stomped off.
"I am going off to scout." He grumped to Ulysses. He ran to the edge of the terminal and grabbed onto a hanging wire. With almost graceful movements he swung around the pillar of wood holding up the roof, then climbed the wire lithely and crept up onto the rafters, drifting into shadow. After a moment, a red spotlight and a faint 'click' washed red light along the ceiling. Nikolai ran off across the station, slipped out through a hole in the ceiling, and vanished. He would be back. He needed to clear his head or risk punching Florin's in.
This was different than Nikolai's norm- This would not be an easy journey, and he needed to prepare himself. Moreover, he was in favor of the idea that they let Florin be bait and then let his old enemy fall into their trap. If Florin was damaged in the process, he cared not. But Ulysses, for some reason, did. And so he would follow the other doll's lead on this. So long as his hunting brother followed his lead when it came to stalking and fighting their foe.
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Ulysses-Σ47
✱ LONE ✱
[P:0]
[sup]The Sellsword[/sup]
Posts: 68
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Post by Ulysses-Σ47 on Mar 31, 2012 8:17:52 GMT -5
Ulysses watched as the large Russian stalked out, and proceeded to threaten his client. He took a single step forward, this time more in warning to them both.
Play nice, Nikolai. Florin, shut up. Nikolai grumbled something about scouting, and then left in his usual manner; a form of Parkour, leaving the sellsword alone with his client. Ulysses, as per usual, had little to say to her, save for grabbing a fountain pen, and writing out a message. It was short and to the point.
I hope you're ready, Miss Florin. As of now, you're the bait. And the hunter will know what's going on.
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Florin
㋹ RACKETEERS ㋹
[P:0]
[i][color=F38080]Played by TheWhiteNinja[/color][/i]
Posts: 117
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Post by Florin on Mar 31, 2012 16:28:11 GMT -5
As tempted as Florin was to slap the larger male across the face, something held her back. This doll was big, angry, and intimidating. Best she not risk it. Besides, he released her and ran off before she could even react. She let out a soft 'hmph' as she watched him leave, and dusted herself off, fluffing up her fur a bit. "Well, whatever his problem is, he has no reason to take it out on me..."
She turned and read Ulysses' message, her eyes widening in surprise, then narrowing into slits as she looked up to face him. " What?! Bait?! Are you serious? No, nonono, absolutely not! This is NOT what I hired you for!"
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