NationStates Jolt Archive

anna hugged back, and the feelings came back through again...like they always did. she shook and she cried incoherently.

Mavis was having his lunch as he was going through his files about which creature he should unleshed upon the students. How could he really push the students? 367 returned from wondering the school and had audio files on Lucus. After listening to them for a couple of times, something occured to him. If he was going to dispatch a Lynion or Fungi creature after the students, he would need to get rid of Lucus first. Without his knowledge, they would surely struggle.

'Get rid of Lucus and the match is going to be interesting,' thought Mavis as he listened to the audio files.

It then occured to him. He had the perfect setting and a plan. Mavis listened to the audio files again and again as another thing occured. Lucus was the weakest in the group and never considered important to the others. His eyes opened wider as a thought occured to him.

'Customised the Fungi Feeder so its immune to fire and bleach,' started Mavis as he opened his files. 'Capture Lucus, unleshed the creatures and finally dispatch the unquie demon,' laughed Mavis as he went into his office and started to meditate on his thoughts. 'Lucus will be used against the others and how they react to a fallen student will be interesting,'

Lucus

The relation between Anna and Mat seemed to be re-newing. However, not matter what he tried, he kept thinking about that woman that healed his wound. He wanted to forget her but there was something about her that he couldn't figure out. Nevertheless, he felt left out and started for his dorm. He had hope that the e-mail's on his PDA would take his mind off things. Lucus didn't mind what the others felt, but he felt he was being used for information. Grr...maybe there was a way to get even with them. His thoughts were constantly troubled by what he was hoping as each step he took, he prayed he could find something he could use to prove he was worthy.

'They wouldn't want me,' thought Lucus to himself. 'Lynion's are used once and then thrown aside. I thought it was a lie but it seems just as real. After lunch, I should go train my powers if I'm to survive the next engagement...' it then occured to Lucus he might have a way of getting back at the others for throwing him aside. 'I'm sure the professor won't mind if I purposed something,'

Ziyo rolled his eyes. Too sappy for him. It didn't help that if he had hugged most people, they would die merely from the reserves he usually kept.
"See you all at lunch." he said, converting and moving to the lunchroom

anna hugged back, and the feelings came back through again...like they always did. she shook and she cried incoherently.

Mathieu continued to hold her, shushing her, whispering comforting words in her ear as they stood together. His heart still hurt. To tell the truth, he couldn't stand it when a girl cried.

Mavis was having his lunch as he was going through his files about which creature he should unleshed upon the students. How could he really push the students? 367 returned from wondering the school and had audio files on Lucus. After listening to them for a couple of times, something occured to him. If he was going to dispatch a Lynion or Fungi creature after the students, he would need to get rid of Lucus first. Without his knowledge, they would surely struggle.

'Get rid of Lucus and the match is going to be interesting,' thought Mavis as he listened to the audio files.

It then occured to him. He had the perfect setting and a plan. Mavis listened to the audio files again and again as another thing occured. Lucus was the weakest in the group and never considered important to the others. His eyes opened wider as a thought occured to him.

'Customised the Fungi Feeder so its immune to fire and bleach,' started Mavis as he opened his files. 'Capture Lucus, unleshed the creatures and finally dispatch the unquie demon,' laughed Mavis as he went into his office and started to meditate on his thoughts. 'Lucus will be used against the others and how they react to a fallen student will be interesting,'

Lucus

The relation between Anna and Mat seemed to be re-newing. However, not matter what he tried, he kept thinking about that woman that healed his wound. He wanted to forget her but there was something about her that he couldn't figure out. Nevertheless, he felt left out and started for his dorm. He had hope that the e-mail's on his PDA would take his mind off things. Lucus didn't mind what the others felt, but he felt he was being used for information. Grr...maybe there was a way to get even with them. His thoughts were constantly troubled by what he was hoping as each step he took, he prayed he could find something he could use to prove he was worthy.

'They wouldn't want me,' thought Lucus to himself. 'Lynion's are used once and then thrown aside. I thought it was a lie but it seems just as real. After lunch, I should go train my powers if I'm to survive the next engagement...' it then occured to Lucus he might have a way of getting back at the others for throwing him aside. 'I'm sure the professor won't mind if I purposed something,'

Delphina had overheard the plan, and was making her way towards the dorms. Perhaps it wasn't her place, but she felt she had to do something. She found the dorm Lucus and Mathieu shared (ooc: I believe they shared back when this started) and knocked lightly on the door. She poked her head in, but averted her eyes in case.

"May I come in?" she asked, able to sense that Lucus was alone in the room.

ooc: her intentions are pure, btw...

Min blew out her breath forcefully as she watched the two of them have their moment. Not something for her.

"Don't you worry about my purpose, ladies and gentlemen," she said quietly. "The Galactic Federation's just gonna assign me to be Guardian of this sector, is all." She paused, pursing her lips in consideration. "Hmm... Guardian... I kinda like that name. Guess I'll use that as my handle," she said to no one in particular (just as well, since Mat and the new chick were still crying in each other's arms, and the human lightning bolt had just made his merry way to lunch). Sighing, she stepped past the two of them, pausing for a moment.

"You think your lives are hard, kids?" she asked sarcastically. "I was orphaned by an assault on my colony by an alien race. I watched them decapitate my father, for fighting against them, and mutilate my mother until she bled to death. They were going to kill me last, but for the fact that a squad of GF Space Marines busted in and blasted them to bits. I was taken to an orphanage, not really living -- just... existing. I was asked if I wanted the chance to avenge their deaths. I accepted." She leaned back from them, watching their reactions. "Ever since I was 6 Earth years old, I have been training to Space Marine standards, which kill 10% of all recruits. I have undergone the blood transfusion which gives me the ability to use this suit; my entire body flared like the sun from the inside out for the next week. I have never had a friend, never gone out with any boys, never had a life besides being a weapon, to be aimed where the Federation sends me!"

Her voice had become steadily louder; by the end, she was shouting. Her mouth snapped shut, and she blessed the visor which would hide her face from these ignorant fools. Oh, sure, they had had rough times, but at least they had had a life before their 'powers'. Hers had ended at the age of 4, the first memory of her entire life being that horrible scene... ever since, Min had been exactly what she said, another gun for the GF. Her own eyes watered, a tear slowly escaping and sliding down her right cheek; she resisted the temptation to wipe it, because she wouldn't reach it anyway through the helmet. Crying? She didn't cry. They still said that when they found her, she had her hand on an abandoned gun and was trying to shoot the marines with it (she didn't remember that). Basic training hadn't broken her, Officer School had come and gone, even the Chozo blood infusion had been endured. Why now?

Shaking her head, she turned and slowly walked towards the lunchroom; she knew, at least abstractly, that her eyes would be puffy and red, and she wished to prevent anyone from knowing.

Min blew out her breath forcefully as she watched the two of them have their moment. Not something for her.

"Don't you worry about my purpose, ladies and gentlemen," she said quietly. "The Galactic Federation's just gonna assign me to be Guardian of this sector, is all." She paused, pursing her lips in consideration. "Hmm... Guardian... I kinda like that name. Guess I'll use that as my handle," she said to no one in particular (just as well, since Mat and the new chick were still crying in each other's arms, and the human lightning bolt had just made his merry way to lunch). Sighing, she stepped past the two of them, pausing for a moment.

"You think your lives are hard, kids?" she asked sarcastically. "I was orphaned by an assault on my colony by an alien race. I watched them decapitate my father, for fighting against them, and mutilate my mother until she bled to death. They were going to kill me last, but for the fact that a squad of GF Space Marines busted in and blasted them to bits. I was taken to an orphanage, not really living -- just... existing. I was asked if I wanted the chance to avenge their deaths. I accepted." She leaned back from them, watching their reactions. "Ever since I was 6 Earth years old, I have been training to Space Marine standards, which kill 10% of all recruits. I have undergone the blood transfusion which gives me the ability to use this suit; my entire body flared like the sun from the inside out for the next week. I have never had a friend, never gone out with any boys, never had a life besides being a weapon, to be aimed where the Federation sends me!"

Her voice had become steadily louder; by the end, she was shouting. Her mouth snapped shut, and she blessed the visor which would hide her face from these ignorant fools. Oh, sure, they had had rough times, but at least they had had a life before their 'powers'. Hers had ended at the age of 4, the first memory of her entire life being that horrible scene... ever since, Min had been exactly what she said, another gun for the GF. Her own eyes watered, a tear slowly escaping and sliding down her right cheek; she resisted the temptation to wipe it, because she wouldn't reach it anyway through the helmet. Crying? She didn't cry. They still said that when they found her, she had her hand on an abandoned gun and was trying to shoot the marines with it (she didn't remember that). Basic training hadn't broken her, Officer School had come and gone, even the Chozo blood infusion had been endured. Why now?

Shaking her head, she turned and slowly walked towards the lunchroom; she knew, at least abstractly, that her eyes would be puffy and red, and she wished to prevent anyone from knowing.
ooc: mathieu is torn...which to console...

ic:

Mathieu watched as Min walked away. He could tell, even though her face was hidden, that she was crying. He felt like a spoiled brat. These two girls had gone through way more than him, and he still did his little bitching and complaining. That's it he decided, no longer will I complain while others suffer worse than I.

Ziyo reappeared. He had never really left. He just liked to watch people.
"And you think you're the only one with a tough life? I lost my parents early on, after my dad beat me for years. I had to find a way to get to college on my own, since most of my family were alcoholics. I finally got in, and then when I was helping with an experiment, it accidentally started before I could get clear, making me into what I am now. I've wanted to have friends, go out, simply give a high-five or something. But I couldn't, since I was a total anomaly in Kagetora. No one could survive the electrical pulses which come out of my body. Anyone who came into contact with my body, or almost anyone, died instantly. So I was locked up by the government, who ran tests on me, to create an army of people like me. At least they knew what they were doing with you."

Gods-if such self-pitying misery is a pissing contest among heroes, perhaps I should be a villain. Sareau thought, marveling at his own good fortune-the child of an Outer God whose appearance brought madness and death, he had always been surrounded by a family that loved him-his grandfather, his mother, even the stepfather who gave him his name.
The barbaric practices of the others' cultures repulsed him-his stepfather was Foreign Minister to the Grand Warlord Alliance, and had to interact with these brutes daily. He pitied the poor man, now...
Knowing Min had been raised by the Hitler Youth was hardly surprising, nor that Ziyo's people had tried to mass-produce him-several nations did the same. Anna's mention of her own family experimentation brought shivers to his spine.
Who would have thought being raised by an undead sorceror would result in being the best-adjusted individual in his class?

Mathieu continued to hold her, shushing her, whispering comforting words in her ear as they stood together. His heart still hurt. To tell the truth, he couldn't stand it when a girl cried.



Delphina had overheard the plan, and was making her way towards the dorms. Perhaps it wasn't her place, but she felt she had to do something. She found the dorm Lucus and Mathieu shared (ooc: I believe they shared back when this started) and knocked lightly on the door. She poked her head in, but averted her eyes in case.

"May I come in?" she asked, able to sense that Lucus was alone in the room.

ooc: her intentions are pure, btw...


Lucus was slightly caught off guard as he closed his PDA files and noticed Delphina was standing at the door.

"Hey," started Lucus. "That's ok. Can I do something for you?"

Lucus was slightly caught off guard as he closed his PDA files and noticed Delphina was standing at the door.

"Hey," started Lucus. "That's ok. Can I do something for you?"
"Well, I hope you don't find it intrusive of me," she said, smiling warmly. "I sensed something about you...a detached, removed feeling." She strode over and sat at Mathieu's desk. "I wanted to let you know that, you're not alone here. I'm more than an Ethics professor," she smiled, "I'm also here as a friend, to help you out," Delphina explained. "And I wanted you to know...that Professor Mavis seems to have something planned for you; please be careful on your next exercise...and, don't tell him I warned you." She took out a folded piece of paper and put it on the desk. "This is for Mathieu, make sure he reads it, okay?" She stopped talking, her hands folded in her lap as she waited, expectantly, for Lucus to say something.

'She's beautiful...' thought Lucus as he remembered something. 'Change the thought, change the thought!' thought Lucus as he listened to Delphina explain herself and what she wanted to talk about.

"I understand where your coming from Delphina," started Lucus. "Lynion's are seen as use once and then throw away and forget about them. I thought this was something with our enemies but over time, even my peers do it to me. I wasn't thanked for holding off Professor Maverick and the Feeder until they got hold of the bleach. The only thing they said thanks to was the information," explained Lucus as he sat down on his bed. "The only time I feel fine was at home. Lynion's need each other to survive in the world and it what makes us unique," finished Lucus. "Thanks for the offer. Are you worried about me in the next exercise?"

Josh looked up just in time to see Mathieu hug Anna.
Great...another thing that i don't want up there he thought.
"If you want to practice dodging projectiles just come ask ok?" said Josh, before continuing:" But please come AFTER lunch. i'm staving! I wonder if this place does pasta..." looking around and see more people go into self pitying almost made Josh sick.
enough with the crying though Josh, moving his hands in a circle, generating static energy in the air that slowly started making everyones hair stand on end.

OOC: Josh has mood swings. one minute he's nice the next he's setting your hair on fire. most likely caused by the fact he's almost insane.

Min blew out her breath forcefully as she watched the two of them have their moment. Not something for her.

"Don't you worry about my purpose, ladies and gentlemen," she said quietly. "The Galactic Federation's just gonna assign me to be Guardian of this sector, is all." She paused, pursing her lips in consideration. "Hmm... Guardian... I kinda like that name. Guess I'll use that as my handle," she said to no one in particular (just as well, since Mat and the new chick were still crying in each other's arms, and the human lightning bolt had just made his merry way to lunch). Sighing, she stepped past the two of them, pausing for a moment.

"You think your lives are hard, kids?" she asked sarcastically. "I was orphaned by an assault on my colony by an alien race. I watched them decapitate my father, for fighting against them, and mutilate my mother until she bled to death. They were going to kill me last, but for the fact that a squad of GF Space Marines busted in and blasted them to bits. I was taken to an orphanage, not really living -- just... existing. I was asked if I wanted the chance to avenge their deaths. I accepted." She leaned back from them, watching their reactions. "Ever since I was 6 Earth years old, I have been training to Space Marine standards, which kill 10% of all recruits. I have undergone the blood transfusion which gives me the ability to use this suit; my entire body flared like the sun from the inside out for the next week. I have never had a friend, never gone out with any boys, never had a life besides being a weapon, to be aimed where the Federation sends me!"

Her voice had become steadily louder; by the end, she was shouting. Her mouth snapped shut, and she blessed the visor which would hide her face from these ignorant fools. Oh, sure, they had had rough times, but at least they had had a life before their 'powers'. Hers had ended at the age of 4, the first memory of her entire life being that horrible scene... ever since, Min had been exactly what she said, another gun for the GF. Her own eyes watered, a tear slowly escaping and sliding down her right cheek; she resisted the temptation to wipe it, because she wouldn't reach it anyway through the helmet. Crying? She didn't cry. They still said that when they found her, she had her hand on an abandoned gun and was trying to shoot the marines with it (she didn't remember that). Basic training hadn't broken her, Officer School had come and gone, even the Chozo blood infusion had been endured. Why now?

Shaking her head, she turned and slowly walked towards the lunchroom; she knew, at least abstractly, that her eyes would be puffy and red, and she wished to prevent anyone from knowing.

Josh noticed Min walking out of the room.
god i cannot believe i am doing this he thought, before walking out after Min shouting: "HEY! Wait up!"

OOC: solved your problem FUS?

'She's beautiful...' thought Lucus as he remembered something. 'Change the thought, change the thought!' thought Lucus as he listened to Delphina explain herself and what she wanted to talk about.

"I understand where your coming from Delphina," started Lucus. "Lynion's are seen as use once and then throw away and forget about them. I thought this was something with our enemies but over time, even my peers do it to me. I wasn't thanked for holding off Professor Maverick and the Feeder until they got hold of the bleach. The only thing they said thanks to was the information," explained Lucus as he sat down on his bed. "The only time I feel fine was at home. Lynion's need each other to survive in the world and it what makes us unique," finished Lucus. "Thanks for the offer. Are you worried about me in the next exercise?"

Delphina smiled. She could sense his thoughts were directed towards her, and then quickly snuffed out.

"I'm sure your comrades didn't mean to sound unappreciative," Delphina said. "From what I know of their character, they do appreciate you...maybe they just have trouble voicing it." She smiled slowly, "I'm worried about all of you when you go in these dreadful exercises," she answered, "But, since Mavis seemed to single you out, I felt you deserved a heads up. Now, come on," Delphina said, "I'm sure everyone is on their way to lunch. You don't wanna stay cooped up here, do you?" she offered.

Josh noticed Min walking out of the room.
god i cannot believe i am doing this he thought, before walking out after Min shouting: "HEY! Wait up!"

OOC: solved your problem FUS?
ooc: lol, yeah. better that than making Mat a player

"That sounds fair enough," replied Lucus as he felt a little relax with her. "I'm sure they're thankful in some way. Even a simple thanks is alright for me," smiled Lucus as he stood up. "I talked to Professor Phoenix as I was heading back..." Lucus just thought about the funeral. "...and I talked to him about the exercises. I asked him why being brutal and realistic exercises. He stated that if you have the students copped up, doing theory, reading books and not taking the experience, you create a force that can be smash by simple moves. Its a common thing we do in Lynion," explained Lucus. "We feel that we can't allow the next generation be protected by their guardians as it makes the them lack in maturity. There is some things the parents do control but the kids are given a taste of the real world," finished Lucus. "Com'n, I'm hungery and I'm not going to sit around all day," smiled Lucus.

'Forget it Lucus, why would she be interested in you?' thought Lucus as he forget about her abilities to read minds.

Min found herself in a bind. She had removed her helmet to wipe away the moisture from her eyes, just as a voice came echoing up the hallway. Damn! she thought angrily as she sniffed her nose. It was disgusting to suck up the phlegm like that, but she had no choice. She considered putting her cover back on, but she knew that he was already nearly caught up, and he could only wonder why she would hide herself again.

Instead, she turned to him, and smiled, her vision still blurry. "Hi. I never got the chance to meet you. You'll have to pardon me... I've got bad allergies, and my eyes water and swell." She extended her hand automatically in the direction of his shapeless form, hoping that her foggy sight didn't make her try to shake hands with a trash can or something. "I'm Min."

"That sounds fair enough," replied Lucus as he felt a little relax with her. "I'm sure they're thankful in some way. Even a simple thanks is alright for me," smiled Lucus as he stood up. "I talked to Professor Phoenix as I was heading back..." Lucus just thought about the funeral. "...and I talked to him about the exercises. I asked him why being brutal and realistic exercises. He stated that if you have the students copped up, doing theory, reading books and not taking the experience, you create a force that can be smash by simple moves. Its a common thing we do in Lynion," explained Lucus. "We feel that we can't allow the next generation be protected by their guardians as it makes the them lack in maturity. There is some things the parents do control but the kids are given a taste of the real world," finished Lucus. "Com'n, I'm hungery and I'm not going to sit around all day," smiled Lucus.

'Forget it Lucus, why would she be interested in you?' thought Lucus as he forget about her abilities to read minds.
ooc: hrm, how far should this go? you know she's basically a nun, right?

ic:

Delphina smiled at his insistance. She wondered what the specific rules were with socializing with the students, but it was simply lunch, and they'd probably run into his friends anyway.

"Mon chevalier," she said, doing a playful, graceful bow as she got up to go with him. At the last second, as she dropped her guard, she caught that last thought. Oh, my. What should I do? she asked herself. She smiled, though, covering up her own thoughts.

OOC: Just let it stay as a student just knowing the nun better and nothing more.


IC:

"I don't think its right I should be eating with you miss," started Lucus as they stopped before the lunch room. "Its nothing personal, I just think I need some space to be with my thoughts,"

OOC: Just let it stay as a student just knowing the nun better and nothing more.


IC:

"I don't think its right I should be eating with you miss," started Lucus as they stopped before the lunch room. "Its nothing personal, I just think I need some space to be with my thoughts,"
ooc: aww, can't it be like a schoolyard crush? everyone else is hooking up, lol

ic:

"And you can't really do that with a telepath, can you?" Delphina asked in a self-deprecating tone. "Have a good lunch then, be careful...and trust that your friends respect you," she added. She reached forward and ruffled his hair before leaning in to whisper, "Remember; don't ask a girl out to eat if you're gonna stand her up in the end," she straightened up and walked off, giggling to herself.

Ziyo had decided to finally go to the lunchroom, even though he didn't actually need to eat with all of the electricity in the station. He showed up as soon as Delphina left the room giggling.
Girls. I'll never understand them. he thought to himself.

OOC: Just give him time. Lucus is still getting over the deaths of his dad and siblings. We can let it develop later.

IC:

'Damn you Lucus,' thought Lucus to himself. 'You stood her up. She's a wonderful person and has interests in you, what the blazes did you do? Don't repeat this next time you meet her,' thought Lucus as he made the next thought able to be picked up by her. 'I'm sorry for standing you up. I'm not good with taking out girls. Maybe we can do something else next time,'

Lucus got something to eat and sat down by himself as he quietly ate his lunch. He only wanted some pasta and a pit of salad. Nothing serious and something bloody simple. Lucus took a gulp from his flask as Professor Maverick came into the room.

"May I join you?" Mavis asked as Lucus nodded his head.

"I don't mind sir," replied Lucus. "Careful with the thoughts, the mind reader is going to pass through here soon," explained Lucus as Mavis sat down and started to eat his sandwich.

"I've gone through the simulations and everything is prepared for the afternoon's class. It should be interesting and the reaction from the others is going to be interesting," explained Mavis. "If you pass, this can open a door to become a Vamperial Guardian. I've got a feeling the sign has called you?" finished Mavis as Lucus realised the marking on his left palm was the sign of a Vamperial Guardian in the making.

"Fair enough," replied Lucus. "Let's just see how the exercise go in the next lesson or whenever it is,"

OOC: Just give him time. Lucus is still getting over the deaths of his dad and siblings. We can let it develop later.

IC:

'Damn you Lucus,' thought Lucus to himself. 'You stood her up. She's a wonderful person and has interests in you, what the blazes did you do? Don't repeat this next time you meet her,' thought Lucus as he made the next thought able to be picked up by her. 'I'm sorry for standing you up. I'm not good with taking out girls. Maybe we can do something else next time,'

Lucus got something to eat and sat down by himself as he quietly ate his lunch. He only wanted some pasta and a pit of salad. Nothing serious and something bloody simple. Lucus took a gulp from his flask as Professor Maverick came into the room.

"May I join you?" Mavis asked as Lucus nodded his head.

"I don't mind sir," replied Lucus. "Careful with the thoughts, the mind reader is going to pass through here soon," explained Lucus as Mavis sat down and started to eat his sandwich.

"I've gone through the simulations and everything is prepared for the afternoon's class. It should be interesting and the reaction from the others is going to be interesting," explained Mavis. "If you pass, this can open a door to become a Vamperial Guardian. I've got a feeling the sign has called you?" finished Mavis as Lucus realised the marking on his left palm was the sign of a Vamperial Guardian in the making.

"Fair enough," replied Lucus. "Let's just see how the exercise go in the next lesson or whenever it is,"
ooc: ok, j/k

ic:

Delphina was down the hall when she caught Lucus' thoughts. She froze in midstride, turning to look back at the cafeteria. She'd been kidding with him, obviously, to lighten the mood. Perhaps...she'd said something wrong. And "Next time...?" Did he want to date her? Delphina pondered. Confused, she retreated to her quarters, deciding to meditate on what had just happened.

Anna got herself-and her thoughts, under some control. "I-I'm sorry, Mathieu, you shouldn't have had to deal with that." she said, "But I meant what I was trying to say-you must not walk around thinking you're somehow wrong, defective, or not as good as everyone else." She fumbled her handkerchief out and wiped her puffy eyes. "You're a Hero, that means something." she added, "It means you're going to put yourself between the Innocent, and the Evil, and it means you understand that there are evils out there-something most of the world forgets or ignores, because it is not convenient." She tapped Mathieu's chest, "Now, let's get something to eat."

Sareau entered the cafeteria, picking up a tray and indicating his preferences to the staff-pressed duck l'orange, green bean shoots, carrots, a baked potato with sour cream and bacon, and a Waldorf salad, with a fruit cup for dessert.
Say what you would about the League of Villains, they didn't skimp on the basics, and what was more basic than a rounded meal? The endless glass of milk, with a dollop of honey, would round out his meal.
The conversation buzzing about indicated Spring had come to Super High, with all it's attendant folly. Sareau fitted a loose hood over his head, then removed his mask and placed it on the table next to his plate. With practiced moves, he lifted his food up under the hood and chewed slowly...

Anna got herself-and her thoughts, under some control. "I-I'm sorry, Mathieu, you shouldn't have had to deal with that." she said, "But I meant what I was trying to say-you must not walk around thinking you're somehow wrong, defective, or not as good as everyone else." She fumbled her handkerchief out and wiped her puffy eyes. "You're a Hero, that means something." she added, "It means you're going to put yourself between the Innocent, and the Evil, and it means you understand that there are evils out there-something most of the world forgets or ignores, because it is not convenient." She tapped Mathieu's chest, "Now, let's get something to eat."
"No, it's okay," he told Anna, "I don't mind...we all need a shoulder to cry on," Mathieu amended. His arms fell awkwardly to his side. He didn't know what to do, not really. He fought the urge to hug her again. "Sure," Mathieu said instead, giving her shoulder an encouraging squeeze.

"My peers are expecting a mature Feeder to be present," started Lucus as he focused on his pasta and mixed it with his salad. "They know its weakness is fire and they're not going to expect anything else. They think its just you, a couple of Fungi and the Fungi Feeder,"

"I've got a simulation like none other," smiled Mavis as Lucus slowly started to eat his food. "This one..." Mavis suddenly stopped and looked at the trouble student. "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing I can't handle," replied Lucus as he ate his pasta. "I didn't expect life to get complicated," contiuned Lucus as he tried to stay clear of the real topic on his mind. "I'm still getting over the fact I've only got a sister left as my family,"

"I think I know where your going," replied Mavis as he finished his meal. "I had the same problems at your age. Best advice I've got for you," contiuned Mavis as he stood up. "Talk to the person it could affect. Some times talking to them will ease the pressure and alot of pressure will be taken off your shoulders," finished Mavis as he headed back to his office to meditate.

'Prepare's he's right,' thought Lucus to himself. 'I should do something about it instead of running away from it. I just need to figure out how to say it first,' finished Lucus as he finished his lunch and headed to the arena to do some exercises.

"One other thing, Lucas," Reardon broke in. "Always remember: there's more to you than what you've been squeezed out of. You can't change that. Your future, however, is much more open to the aura of your decisions. Were I you, I would concentrate on that.

"Which brings me to another point: as you will recall, there was a theory swooshed about in class that each proper team has five members. Well...we've got a paper due, and I thought that it would be well-scented if five of us could pool our resources, each taking the part of one member of the team--and that, perhaps, we could continue our blending past the dissipation of the assignment.

"Are you in the mix? Which one would you be?"

Min found herself in a bind. She had removed her helmet to wipe away the moisture from her eyes, just as a voice came echoing up the hallway. Damn! she thought angrily as she sniffed her nose. It was disgusting to suck up the phlegm like that, but she had no choice. She considered putting her cover back on, but she knew that he was already nearly caught up, and he could only wonder why she would hide herself again.

Instead, she turned to him, and smiled, her vision still blurry. "Hi. I never got the chance to meet you. You'll have to pardon me... I've got bad allergies, and my eyes water and swell." She extended her hand automatically in the direction of his shapeless form, hoping that her foggy sight didn't make her try to shake hands with a trash can or something. "I'm Min."


"Hi, I'm Joshua," replied Josh."Though if you call me that you better be ready to run." Almost instantly he regeted saying that.
Nice, lets just theaten her then, is that the plan? thought Josh, irritated with himself.
"Anyway, where you from? I'm from a planet called Terrva. Nice place, bit hot though," said josh, waiting for a reply.

OOC:YAH! going home today. be able to be online more then.

"I'm not doing the 5 page report," explained Lucus. "The professor allowed it to happen due to the deaths of my family recently," contiuned Lucus as he looked at Reardon. "There isn't a spot in the theoritic hero squad. I rather depend on myself for most things than depending on others. Now if you excuse me, I've got to do some exercises. There's another simulation after lunch," finished Lucus as he left to head towards the arena.

"Hi, I'm Joshua," replied Josh."Though if you call me that you better be ready to run." Almost instantly he regeted saying that.
Nice, lets just theaten her then, is that the plan? thought Josh, irritated with himself.
"Anyway, where you from? I'm from a planet called Terrva. Nice place, bit hot though," said josh, waiting for a reply.

OOC:YAH! going home today. be able to be online more then.

Despite her emotions, Min found herself laughing, the remaining tears sliding out of the corner of her eyes from the bounce, at his awkwardness. "Terrva," she said, preparing to slip on her helmet to gather all the information she could from the database. Something stopped her, though, and she instead raised her left arm to wipe her eyes with no small embarrassment. "Sorry," she added in a breathy and husky voice. "Yeah, I think I may have heard of it. Is it a beautiful place? It sounds like it." Flowery language. Make yourself more of a girly-girl, said the disgusted voice floating in her mind. Too late, now.

Despite her emotions, Min found herself laughing, the remaining tears sliding out of the corner of her eyes from the bounce, at his awkwardness. "Terrva," she said, preparing to slip on her helmet to gather all the information she could from the database. Something stopped her, though, and she instead raised her left arm to wipe her eyes with no small embarrassment. "Sorry," she added in a breathy and husky voice. "Yeah, I think I may have heard of it. Is it a beautiful place? It sounds like it." Flowery language. Make yourself more of a girly-girl, said the disgusted voice floating in her mind. Too late, now.

"It's OK. It's not that bad, though it has HUGE forests. My dad used to take me out for the weekend every two weeks, before.... Nevermind," Josh changed the subject before the memory, and the anger that came with it, came back. Then he noticed that Min's visor was flashing.
"Going into a database? You can try but i doubt you would find anything," said Josh matter-of-factly.

Mavis had left his office as he walked through the hallways of the school. He pass by the arena and noticed Lucus was doing some exercise's and 367 was producing holograms for him to practice on. Mavis studied Lucus for a moment and felt something for a moment. He put it aside for the moment as he headed towards the teachers dorm. The hallways seemed empty as most of the students were in the lunch room eating. Then again, looks can be changed. Mavis finally found the dorm he was looking for.

'She's a mind reader and would've pick this up by now,' thought Mavis to himself as he knocked on the door. 'She needs to be warn if something happens,'

"Delphina, its Professor Maverick, I'm wondering if I can have a minute of your time," asked Mavis as he removed his slouch hat and button by his cloak.

Mavis had left his office as he walked through the hallways of the school. He pass by the arena and noticed Lucus was doing some exercise's and 367 was producing holograms for him to practice on. Mavis studied Lucus for a moment and felt something for a moment. He put it aside for the moment as he headed towards the teachers dorm. The hallways seemed empty as most of the students were in the lunch room eating. Then again, looks can be changed. Mavis finally found the dorm he was looking for.

'She's a mind reader and would've pick this up by now,' thought Mavis to himself as he knocked on the door. 'She needs to be warn if something happens,'

"Delphina, its Professor Maverick, I'm wondering if I can have a minute of your time," asked Mavis as he removed his slouch hat and button by his cloak.
Delphina had been meditating, and slowly opened her eyes, bringing herself back to consciousness as she snuffed out the incense and made the sign of the cross before standing up and heading towards the door.

"Professor Maverick," she addressed him, "Pardon me, I was meditating." She smiled warmly, "How can I help?"

"You can call me Mavis," replied Mavis. "That's ok. Meditation is a great way to ease yourself and clear our minds," smiled Mavis. "Frankly, that's not why I'm here and before I say anything else, I'm actting on a concern nothing more and nothing less. I don't tend to get in the way of what you do as you tend not to get in the way of what I do," stated Mavis as he felt at ease. "I have a feeling there was something going on between you and...Lucus. This isn't my place to judge anything because it isn't my business, however, I've being concerned about Lucus lately. There's something you should know about him," contiuned Mavis. "I don't want this to change your view but...how do I put this? Err..." Mavis suddenly stopped in his words. "I want you to know that Lucus isn't going to explain how he knows so much about the Fungi. This also explains why he thinks his peers are letting down. Do you understand where I'm coming from?" asked Mavis as he stood at the doorway.

"You can call me Mavis," replied Mavis. "That's ok. Meditation is a great way to ease yourself and clear our minds," smiled Mavis. "Frankly, that's not why I'm here and before I say anything else, I'm actting on a concern nothing more and nothing less. I don't tend to get in the way of what you do as you tend not to get in the way of what I do," stated Mavis as he felt at ease. "I have a feeling there was something going on between you and...Lucus. This isn't my place to judge anything because it isn't my business, however, I've being concerned about Lucus lately. There's something you should know about him," contiuned Mavis. "I don't want this to change your view but...how do I put this? Err..." Mavis suddenly stopped in his words. "I want you to know that Lucus isn't going to explain how he knows so much about the Fungi. This also explains why he thinks his peers are letting down. Do you understand where I'm coming from?" asked Mavis as he stood at the doorway.
"I sensed something was amiss," Delphina said, clutching the small cross hanging around her neck. "He puts on a strong front, but, I have a feeling he's much more sensitive than he lets on." She was a bit hesitant to address the first part, but as she was the only telepath..."I may have given him a bit more attention, of late, but it's because I feel he's in more need of it right now."

"He's in need of someone to talk too and thoughtful," replied Mavis. "I feel his peers don't accept him. Lucus was bold, game and didn't worry about the sake of his safety when he engage myself and the Feeder during the last simulation. I don't understand Humans sometimes, maybe its just me," explained Mavis as he listened to Delphina voice repeat itself inside of his head. "He's thankful for you taking notice of him even though he won't say it. Lucus isn't used to talking to girls and he may do something he hasn't done in awhile," contiuned Mavis. "I'm not sure how to explain the next part. I'm not in the position of informing you what happened, I'll just make it simple. Lucus was considered a war hero during the Fungi War and the crew were thankful for being there and accepted him. I think that's where he gets the idea he isn't accepted by his peers. I don't know what happened that day. All I know, he saved several medical frigates from being destroyed and thousands of wounded," finished Mavis.

"He's in need of someone to talk too and thoughtful," replied Mavis. "I feel his peers don't accept him. Lucus was bold, game and didn't worry about the sake of his safety when he engage myself and the Feeder during the last simulation. I don't understand Humans sometimes, maybe its just me," explained Mavis as he listened to Delphina voice repeat itself inside of his head. "He's thankful for you taking notice of him even though he won't say it. Lucus isn't used to talking to girls and he may do something he hasn't done in awhile," contiuned Mavis. "I'm not sure how to explain the next part. I'm not in the position of informing you what happened, I'll just make it simple. Lucus was considered a war hero during the Fungi War and the crew were thankful for being there and accepted him. I think that's where he gets the idea he isn't accepted by his peers. I don't know what happened that day. All I know, he saved several medical frigates from being destroyed and thousands of wounded," finished Mavis.
"Oh, he's a gallant one, for sure then," Delphina smiled a bit, imagining Lucus accomplishing such an act. "I'd like to be there for all the students to talk to, and if Lucus needs some extra attention...a confidant, I can do that," she offered. "What might he do?" she asked, wondering if, with Mavis' words, that Lucus did have feelings for her.

ooc: about time for another ethics class?

"Lucus isn't an attention seeker unlike the others such as Min. He'll just keep it to himself and maybe share it with you," stated Mavis. "I know there's something between you two but its my position to say a word about it. I think with him around, somehow, you just know everything is going to be alright," smiled Mavis. "What might he do? Lucus will do what he thinks is right. Just give him some time and he'll become more open," finished Mavis as he looked at his watch. "Speaking of time, I've got another class starting. Another simulation for the students. You can come along if you wish, just let our plan go ahead. I can give you my word that Lucus won't come to any harm...unless an idoit blows up the room," joked Mavis as he started to leave.

OOC: why is everyone looking at me?

"Lucus isn't an attention seeker unlike the others such as Min. He'll just keep it to himself and maybe share it with you," stated Mavis. "I know there's something between you two but its my position to say a word about it. I think with him around, somehow, you just know everything is going to be alright," smiled Mavis. "What might he do? Lucus will do what he thinks is right. Just give him some time and he'll become more open," finished Mavis as he looked at his watch. "Speaking of time, I've got another class starting. Another simulation for the students. You can come along if you wish, just let our plan go ahead. I can give you my word that Lucus won't come to any harm...unless an idoit blows up the room," joked Mavis as he started to leave.
"Well, I'd love to attend, but I have to prepare for my own classes. I'm going to have them read parts from the Crito by Plato," Delphina explained. "I assure you, I have no untoward intentions for Lucus. I just feel he needs someone to talk to now." She followed him out, "As long as the children are safe, I can rest easy. If you'd try and herd some of the villians to my class, I'd greatly appreciate it," she said.

"I can only promise I'll do my best to keep them safe," stated Mavis. "However, I'm not sure how the students are going to deal with this one. If things get ugly, 367 and I will disable the powers ability," smiled Mavis as they walked. "I must get to my class before I'm late,"

"I can only promise I'll do my best to keep them safe," stated Mavis. "However, I'm not sure how the students are going to deal with this one. If things get ugly, 367 and I will disable the powers ability," smiled Mavis as they walked. "I must get to my class before I'm late,"
"All right, well, I'll pray for everyone's safety, then," Delphina said letting him get along to class. "Remind them about my class afterwards," she called out, deciding to prepare in her classroom.

"Sure thing," shouted back Mavis as he headed to the arena.

'I hope Lucus doesn't do something he'll regret later,' thought Mavis to himself. The class was starting after lunch and he had to prepare himself.

Sareau studied his laptop, reading over some archaeological tidbits as he ate. The school had excellent Internet connections, and the League of Villains, at least, did not monitor it's student bodies' activities.
On the island of Santorini, an ancient library had been unearthed, revealing maps of the ancient world, and a visit by the ancient King Minos to the Pharoah Nephren-Ka was in the process of being translated by the renowned Prof. Milos Skorzeni.
Nephren-Ka...Sareau considered. The Black Pharoah, who used the Shining Trapezehedron to delve the Gulf between Worlds and forge an Empire that spanned dimensions, if the stories were true.
Little was known of Nephren-Ka-his reign was as buried and forgotten as Akhsenaton's. While Akhsenaton's monuments were torn down and used as filler to be reassembled by later scholars, the bulk of what was known of Akhsenaton was discovered in the tomb of his successor, Tutankhamen.
The bulk of the knowledge about Nephren-Ka stemmed from the cult worshiping him and it's most notorious priestess, Queen Nitocris, who supposedly danced naked before the Shining Trapezehedron in Neprhen-Ka's private chambers, secret rooms said to be beneath the Sphinx according to certain Hellenic contemporaries.
Minos was one of the mightiest kings of the Orbus Terrarum, commanding a navy that allowed the Minoans to stand among the Persians and Egyptians as equals. If he had visited Nephren-Ka, there might-just might-be a clue to the Shining Trapezehedron, and the power it contained. Sareau thought it likely-was not Minos' son the fabled Minotaur?
He pondered, reading celebrity gossip as he did so. The temptation to visit Istanbul, the offices of Prof. Skorzeni, gnawed away within his skull.
He noted his next class was another session of Prof. Maverick's Power Harnessing...well, perhaps his presence wasn't strictly required at the school...

Anna studied a map of the school while she ate. Part of this, was to become more familiar with the layout, and part of it, was to find the room she expected she would eventually visit-especially with Professor Maverick's style of "Power Harnessing".

maintenance...manufacturing...where's the morgue?

The professor wouldn't, she was certain, give them much of a 'break' until someone died-and from the hints Lucus dropped, the Fungus-feeder might not be so easy to overcome in death as mere Radiation poisoning or Ebola Zaire had been-in both those instances, she'd "awakened" several times only to die again shortly after-but long enough to remember each time, and how rotten she'd felt as her systems re-cycled through failure until she succumbed, and the strange power that seemed to reverse necrosis took over again.

Medical, Human...Medical, Xenobiological...Medical, Supernatural... still no "Medical, Morgue" or "Mortuary Services".

After re-checking her schedule, she chose a very light lunch indeed-unsatisfying, but tomato soup, apple juice, and vitamin pills don't make quite the same mess that one's bowels letting go with a hearty meal after death does. After all, urine washes out a lot quicker, and nobody likes to handle shitty drawers.

Mavis found Lucus doing his exericses as he stopped him. He looked at the arena wall and pulled out a piece of chalk that stood out. This was the last class he had and then he would be doing as a simulation. It was the usual deal. Do three simulations with the students and then focus on their weaknesses. The first one reveal how they depended on each other and then the second was about team work being used. However, how would the group react if one of their own was turned against them? How would the team work? Would it fail? Would it succeed? Nevertheless, after this, it was going to be exercises that the students were going to use for the End of Semister Exam. However, today was the End of Term Exams. Not one student thought about this.

'End of Term Exam,' was written on the wall.

'Last simulation until the First Semisiter Exam. Exercises and simulations will be focusing on key points. All simulations have provided evidence to the exerice's and request topics can be granted,' was the last part on the wall.

Anna put down the map, sighed heavily. This is going to hurt. She stopped at the dorm on the way, and picked through a few of her personal possessions to see if there was something she could use.

She stopped for a moment, and set up a few figurines next to her bed. A sugary snack she placed for The Trickster, next to a tablet of rat-poison. Give me cunning.

she drew a line across her palm with the blade of an iron knife. She dribbled the blood a little bit, and laid the knife before the figurine of The Warrior. Give me courage, give me strength.

For the Lady of Storms, she poured salt into a cup of water, and drank it, Give me Fury, give me the Ruthlessness of the storm.

The last figurine was hurled at her by her nephews when she rose after being burned at the stake. For Hel, she clipped some of her hair, and fingernails. she also gave some blood, I expect I'll be seeing you soon enough, let me die well.

She meditated a bit, then, she gathered up a few items that might be useful-the knife, a box of matches, a small tool-set, and a crowbar.

So equipped, she headed for the Arena.

The Hagia Sophia had been a repository of ancient lore for some time, and had gotten the name "Place of Long Shadows" somewhat more recently. It was a favored haunt of scholars and schemers, and it's hallowed halls were no stranger to intrigue.
The chambers holding Prof. Skorzeni's offices were useless, save for documents which indicated the exact file numbers of the Minoan scrolls. Sareau smiled beneath his mask-the Professor feared to unroll the scrolls due to their age and storage in sealed urns-the environmental changes might prove disastrous to papyrus or animal hides, but Sareau was certain the environmental controls of the Super High Station could supply ideal conditions. Knowing there were no copies other than the ones he intended to seize was heartening-there would be no race to the prize, if prize there be.
He allowed himself to phase through the floors, to the subbasements were his objective was stored...

Mavis looked at Lucus and smiled as Lucus sat down on the steps while they waited for the others to arrive. Mavis smiled at a thought as he returned to 367 standing in battle mode. He looked at the arena for a moment. It was large enough and he only really required a small space to pull off the Term 1 Exam. The students would find themselves in the hallway of the Lynion Palace surrounded by statues, thick walls and paintings of past Queens and Kings. However, the only clue it would be in Lynion would be the statues, the statues that were going to come alive and engage the students should they make a sound. Lucus would need to be take care of first and also test the students ability to kill or save their own. The very last statue would be of Lucus but it would be Lucus for real.

Vamp would be a hard suspect to remove since he abosrbed the Master Spirit in 1942 and he has incredibly powers. When the fight is about to start, Lucus would wake up and intervine on Vamp's behalf alongside with the Imperial Guardians of Lynion and with Woff by his side. They need to find a way to do it quietly without waking the guards. Vamp would flee and lure the game ones to him and those they follow him will be attacked by the Black Imperial Guardians and Vamp himself.

Mavis had thought enough and pulled up a blackboard with red words written on it. He smiled at it and nodded his head as Lucus started to read it.

It said:

Briefing:

Their leadership has refused to take noticed of American treaties and purposal. This will be a threat to the free world and its up to a small squad to assassinate their High King. Once the High King has being taken care of, the squad needs to tortue and capture the other King and make him submit to the ideas and the purposal's of the American way. You'll be dropped into the palace hallways. Once you have completed your exam, report back to base. Down the hallway is the Chambers and the High King should be inside. Check the sector and find the King and do your job.

Advice: Stealth can be a key ability in this mission. Don't underestimate their numbers.

Target:

High King (name unknown) - Age: 125 - Kill
King (name unknown) - Age: 20 - Needs to be alive

Reinforcements:

None

Enemy Numbers:

30 at the most

Testing:

Team Work
Stealth
Tactic's
Resources
Brains
Capabilites
Reactions
Hearts

Lucus nodded his head as he understood what needs to be done.

'Concentracte on the upcoming exam. Your the only hero in this mission Lucus,' he thought to himself. 'Your not a hero. Your the only Lynion and this can make you become an Imperial Guardian,'

Ziyo had decided to eat a small lunch. A sandwich and a pop. He still could use some more energy reserves. Checking the time, the next class was about to start.
"Oh yay. Another sim..." he said converting

Anna put down the map, sighed heavily. This is going to hurt. She stopped at the dorm on the way, and picked through a few of her personal possessions to see if there was something she could use.

She stopped for a moment, and set up a few figurines next to her bed. A sugary snack she placed for The Trickster, next to a tablet of rat-poison. Give me cunning.

she drew a line across her palm with the blade of an iron knife. She dribbled the blood a little bit, and laid the knife before the figurine of The Warrior. Give me courage, give me strength.

For the Lady of Storms, she poured salt into a cup of water, and drank it, Give me Fury, give me the Ruthlessness of the storm.

The last figurine was hurled at her by her nephews when she rose after being burned at the stake. For Hel, she clipped some of her hair, and fingernails. she also gave some blood, I expect I'll be seeing you soon enough, let me die well.

She meditated a bit, then, she gathered up a few items that might be useful-the knife, a box of matches, a small tool-set, and a crowbar.

So equipped, she headed for the Arena.
Mathieu ran into Anna on their way...not completely a coincidence, but, that was to be saved for later discussion. He absentmindedly fiddled with the rosary hanging around his neck.

"Are you ready?" he asked, knowing that she probably was.

When they read over the briefing, he looked thoughtful.

"I can incapacite people, I think," he offered. "Sorta like a Taser," he explained. "I just need to control the amount of energy, is all. I could use that so we can capture the King without killing him...as for this High King, any ideas?"

Anna read the breifing. Then, she said, "I'm going to fail the exam." She was looking straight at Mathieu when she said it, "I'm not a spy, nor an assassin, nor an 'instrument of foreign policy'." She said the last part coldly, "I will Not commit an act of war."
she turned, and she walked back to the door of the Arena.

Having dined after Lucas, the fool, refused his proposal, Reardon returned for his end-of-term exam. As he entered, Anna, who was leaving, passed by him.

"Hmmm," he said after she had gone, "that strong-winded an assignment, eh?"

Then he went in and read the prospectus...and laughed.

"This is cornier than a cow's--."

He left the statement unfinished and just smiled.

"Death and torture," he said finally, "what a perfect way to let the others get to know my scent."

"WHAT?! Another sim? And an exam too....."said Josh, having had his lunch and rushed back to the arena, almost running over Anna. Noticing that she was trying to get past, he first put up a shield at the door then turned to Anna and said:" Where are you going?"

She turned and looked at Josh. "It may be a sim, but the intention is clear enough-I will not torture someone, I will not kill without a damn good reason, and I will Not be someone's political pawn-this is a mission for a government, to assassinate someone because they've the wrong views? Overthrow a government because it is inconvenient? Those are things that are, as they say in some places, 'outside the scope of my duties.' I refuse." she planted her feet, and crossed her arms, and added, "The whole scenario is a matter of killing 'because you want to', not 'because it must be done'-and torture? brainwashing? NO." she shook her head, "No. I will not be a part of it, and I'll take the failing grade for refusing-there are some things one simply does not do-and murder, torture? those are among those things-especially Torture, especially Political torture. I've been tortured, I know what it feels like and I refuse."

After listening to Anna, Josh went deep into himself, thinking.

"What should i do"
You should let her go
Or you could get her to turn around
"She wouldn't listen. And she's WAY smarter then i am"
So?
What are you going to do?

When he came out of himself, Josh was a different person. The stubbonness had left his eyes, replaced with understanding, and for a moment, caring.
"OK then, go," said Josh, stepping aside.

She turned and looked at Josh. "It may be a sim, but the intention is clear enough-I will not torture someone, I will not kill without a damn good reason, and I will Not be someone's political pawn-this is a mission for a government, to assassinate someone because they've the wrong views? Overthrow a government because it is inconvenient? Those are things that are, as they say in some places, 'outside the scope of my duties.' I refuse." she planted her feet, and crossed her arms, and added, "The whole scenario is a matter of killing 'because you want to', not 'because it must be done'-and torture? brainwashing? NO." she shook her head, "No. I will not be a part of it, and I'll take the failing grade for refusing-there are some things one simply does not do-and murder, torture? those are among those things-especially Torture, especially Political torture. I've been tortured, I know what it feels like and I refuse."
Mathieu was torn between staying for the class and going after her. He finally turned on his heel, catching Anna and Josh's conversation. He listened as he approached cautiously. He understood what he meant; it didn't seem very ethical to try and make someone conform to someone else's ideals.

"Hey," he said, to get their attention, "I think the same thing...but, we'll get in trouble, right?" he thought a moment. "I know, let's talk to Professor Davis (Delphina). She's the ethics professor, after all."

Anna tilted her head, and felt a little spark of warmth-Mathieu and Josh, at least, seemed to understand...

"If we get into trouble...well, that's consequences." she said, "Consequences are part of living. I'm sure storming out of class on my first day over a point of morality isn't going to win me any favours from the Professor," she nodded at the board, "I guess I'll have to cope with the consequences later." she reached for the door, "I hope this doesn't kill your grades, guys."

[ooc: I'm off to work now, won't be back for several hours.]

ooc: see my post in the ooc thread

ic:

"Right," Mathieu said, clutching his rosary. "Let's go to Davis' classroom, then."

"Grades? I only came here to run away. getting good grades will be a bonus," said Josh.
"You lead Mathieu."

"Don't make this into an ethical argument." The helmeted Min joined them, her voice completely devoid of emotion. Never again. "You have been given a mission, and you will perform it. Such is the way. If no one else will perform wholeheartedly, then I will personally and individually execute these orders."

The Guardian candidate watched them coldly, awaiting further debate.

"Don't make this into an ethical argument." The helmeted Min joined them, her voice completely devoid of emotion. Never again. "You have been given a mission, and you will perform it. Such is the way. If no one else will perform wholeheartedly, then I will personally and individually execute these orders."

The Guardian candidate watched them coldly, awaiting further debate.
"What is of greater concern?" countered Mathieu, "Erring in the ways of man; or erring in the Way of the Warrior?" he concluded, turning to lead them towards Professor Davis' classroom.

"Don't make this into an ethical argument." The helmeted Min joined them, her voice completely devoid of emotion. Never again. "You have been given a mission, and you will perform it. Such is the way. If no one else will perform wholeheartedly, then I will personally and individually execute these orders."

The Guardian candidate watched them coldly, awaiting further debate.

"Says the trained killer," said Josh just as coldly."Some of us are just kids who happen to have powers. And a few of us know what waits for people on the other side," continued Josh, looking at Anna." As for me...I've had enough killing in my life." with that Josh followed Mathieu out the door.

OOC: like i said, Josh has mood swings.

OOC: Lol, here comes another cold heart

IC:
Reappearing, Ziyo had heard everything said.
"You guys don't get it do you? I won't go into how the Empowered are essentially government tools wherever there is a government, but for Christ's sake, this is a simulation. You aren't killing anybody, and Anna, I'll personally do the torture. You can stay elsewhere while I do what is necessary."

Mavis was suddenly enraged. Anna had failed the subject and so had Mathieu. Then again, the next part would be interesting. As the students were about to leave, the doors suddenly closed in front of them. Mavis closed the others as he stopped the students in their tracks.

"Right, I have 30 minutes of your time and that's it for the rest of the term," started Mavis. "I have one last simulation before the exercie's start and specific areas are studied more before the very last exam. Now, I can leave the tortue bit out if its a problem and you only have to capture the king," stated Mavis as the objectives changed to capturing the king. "Joshua, Mathieu and Anna, your living in a corrupted world and nobody can denie that. The three of you have failed the unit," Mavis clicked his fingers again and opened the doors. "I hope you know what your doing as it affects the others in this simulation. If the three of you are going to be like that, then the class is dismissed. What happens to the other students in terms of passing or failing will be thought about," concluded Mavis. "Class dismiss before I change my mind,"

Lucus couldn't believe what had happened.

'Why do they have to be self-centred?' thought Lucus as he started for the next class while avoiding an enraged Professor Maverick. 'Its not like its actually going to happen and its crap how it affects everyone else. These trio are total jerks,' Lucus had made his way to one of the doors when a thought occured to him. 'Anna has Mathieu on a lead and Josh is just the following dog at her feet. I really hate those bastards,'

Sareau found the catacombs of the Hagia Sophia soothing-the darkness and dry cold comforted him as well as supplied him adequate cover to slip into as the guards wandered by, muttering in Turkish about their wives and families.
He was in the archives, sliding the sealed urns into his duffle by the beam of his penlight, when he heard the noise-a slick, soft, sliding sound.
Securing the duffle and tying it to his back, he slipped into the shadows and ventured forth for a look at the situation.
The guards were dead-punctured repeatedly by spears of ice. This does not bode well Sareau thought, I didn't want this sort of publicity, but at least I've a pasty to take the heat--best be on my way.
Then he saw the other intruder-he was young, perhaps sixteen, with a lanky track star's build, certain of his movements betraying a teen awkwardness, but still swift.
His white hair was worn in a short pixie-cut, and he was clean-shaven save for a soul patch, his features lean and angular. His skin was light blue and he hurled an ice spear at Sareau...
Who caught it by suspending space, and shook it to so much snow. "That's not going to work." Sareau replied, remembering to drop his voice a full octave and loan it an odd waver to further disguise himself. "Why don't we go about our business, and pretend we didn't see each other?"

OOC: So first he changes objective, then in the next sentence ends the class? WTF?

IC:
Rolling his eyes, Ziyo converted, thinking.
If Anna hadn't said anything, then Mathieu and Josh wouldn't have left. Now I can add to the list of reasons why I find humanity repulsive.
Then he had an idea, which he decided might be interesting to present to Professor Mavis.
"Hey, I have an idea." He said reforming

"What idea is that?" asked Professor Maverick.


OOC: Its just how he works and he's had enough of those three anyway.

"Same thing, and it would require the staff to participate, but a slightly twisted version, that's not a simulation."

"I presume you mean a teacher vs student face off?" questioned Mavis.

"Sort of. Or just some of the class against it other members of the class, but instead some of our members take the place of who would be part of the sim."

Kagetora;14382124']"Sort of. Or just some of the class against it other members of the class, but instead some of our members take the place of who would be part of the sim."

Min fixed the small figure with an unblinking stare, or rather, unshifting visor. If the ones who couldn't take orders didn't want to play ball, so be it, but she was not going to be denied any sort of training she could get.

"A skirmish would not go amiss," she said in agreement. "I think that such would allow the expulsion of pent-up emotions from some individuals." Min cast a meaningful glance towards the conscientious objectors. "Perhaps those who do not wish to participate in mission ordered by their leader would rather be on the other side. I propose that we do this mission, but they replace the Kings' guards. Or bolster them, anyway."

"That's not quite what I meant, but that works too." said Ziyo shrugging

"I'm in!" said Josh, taking off his jacket and tieing it around his waist.
"Let's see: shields, yes. Orbs, yes. Nuclear explosions, no.," muttered Josh, before he had an idea.
"Professor? Just to mix things up, can you place objects that increase our powers. For example, an energy tank fot Min and Thyrium for me," surgested Josh.

Mavis was suddenly enraged. Anna had failed the subject and so had Mathieu. Then again, the next part would be interesting. As the students were about to leave, the doors suddenly closed in front of them. Mavis closed the others as he stopped the students in their tracks.

"Right, I have 30 minutes of your time and that's it for the rest of the term," started Mavis. "I have one last simulation before the exercie's start and specific areas are studied more before the very last exam. Now, I can leave the tortue bit out if its a problem and you only have to capture the king," stated Mavis as the objectives changed to capturing the king. "Joshua, Mathieu and Anna, your living in a corrupted world and nobody can denie that. The three of you have failed the unit," Mavis clicked his fingers again and opened the doors. "I hope you know what your doing as it affects the others in this simulation. If the three of you are going to be like that, then the class is dismissed. What happens to the other students in terms of passing or failing will be thought about," concluded Mavis. "Class dismiss before I change my mind,"

Lucus couldn't believe what had happened.

'Why do they have to be self-centred?' thought Lucus as he started for the next class while avoiding an enraged Professor Maverick. 'Its not like its actually going to happen and its crap how it affects everyone else. These trio are total jerks,' Lucus had made his way to one of the doors when a thought occured to him. 'Anna has Mathieu on a lead and Josh is just the following dog at her feet. I really hate those bastards,'
"Anna made a point," MAthieu answered. He clutched his cross for comfort, "Even if it's just simulation, it's doing something I find morally objectionidle," he continued. "Maybe I am more of a follower than a leader, but that's my own choice." He turned to Min. Mathieu had liked her in the beginning. "I never said I sold my soul to any leader," he said slowly, trying to muster his thoughts together, "And no Knight who is just can be fallen by one who is not," he concluded.

"I might have another simulation for another day," stated Mavis. "For now, Professor Davis is expecting you to attend her class," with that finished, Mavis headed back to his office.

He turned to Min. Mathieu had liked her in the beginning. "I never said I sold my soul to any leader," he said slowly, trying to muster his thoughts together, "And no Knight who is just can be fallen by one who is not," he concluded.

"And you forget your Earth history, Mathieu," Min said in reply. "A good knight is nothing but a servant -- no, not even that. A knight is nothing but a very well-trained, very skilled extension of his king's military purposes, whether those be defending the fiefdom or destroying his enemies. Your fantastical image of the brave knight, defending truth and honor -- a fallacy. Those knights are nothing but vigilantes, what the Japanese once called -- " she looked it up, database flashing madly in front of her eyes, "-- Ronin; disgraced former shells of what they once were, either selling their swords to the highest bidder or defending whatever perverted sense of justice they believe is right."

She tilted her head to punctuate the conclusion. "Perhaps you simply maintain naivete because of your lack of experience, and for that matter, years of existence. The world isn't a fairy tale, Mathieu," she ended harshly. "There is no happily ever after, no knight in shining armor, no noble leadership which has the best interests of all in mind. There are soldiers who do what they are told to do, irregardless of their origin -- even if the Galactic Federation is the one of the most extreme examples, even neutral and peaceful nations have a drilled military. There are governments which try to appeal to the most people possible, but they are never able to satisfy the entire populace, simply because utopia is impossible -- a lyceum, the perfect world as envisioned in your mind, is the closest you'll come. And there is no happy ending, just ceasefires, time to check your ammo and rebuild your defenses."

She looked around. "I know that you all think I exaggerate, that I am a product of the system, that I am what you would have become, if you weren't better than that. Look around you, fools; even if you are capable of rising above the violence and barbarism, 99.9-repeating percent of the galaxy isn't. So, do you think that none of these conditions apply to you? That you're better than civilization? How can you, then -- in all good conscience, anyway -- deign to serve the common man? You're better than society. You don't believe that killing is moral. Well, that is unfortunate, because there exist elements in this world and others that will step on your lack of conviction and destroy you. Keep up your eternally optimistic view of the universe, though -- I'm sure that it'll make you feel good as you take your final breath, whether at the mercy of an empowered madman or a squad of soldiers with their guns leveled at your head."

"I must question your statement about militaries," said Josh." The ICO Fleet is for the most part like any over military force. But the Battlestars are a different matter. They tend to work alone, seperated from the military. It's not uncommon for a Battlestar to disappear for months and come back, shot to hell, and ask for a mission. That is what makes the Battlestars so damn scary: You may have all the intel in the universe but you can't predict a Battlestars movements through systems. In a sense, maybe the ICO set itself up for the Pirate Wars..." Joshs voice trailed off, thinking back to the stories that his granddad would tell him. Dipping his head so that the others couldn't see his face through his hair, he started walking to their next class.

"But you said yourself, and the GF Registry can confirm it; the Terrvan ICO Fleet is a standard military," Min said to his back. "What did I say? You think you've found a counterexample, but you haven't; yes, the Battlestars operate independently, but is there still not a standard, government-run military? I don't care if there's a single soldier, a military organization is a military organization -- that man or woman does what he or she is told."

"And you forget your Earth history, Mathieu," Min said in reply. "A good knight is nothing but a servant -- no, not even that. A knight is nothing but a very well-trained, very skilled extension of his king's military purposes, whether those be defending the fiefdom or destroying his enemies. Your fantastical image of the brave knight, defending truth and honor -- a fallacy. Those knights are nothing but vigilantes, what the Japanese once called -- " she looked it up, database flashing madly in front of her eyes, "-- Ronin; disgraced former shells of what they once were, either selling their swords to the highest bidder or defending whatever perverted sense of justice they believe is right."

She tilted her head to punctuate the conclusion. "Perhaps you simply maintain naivete because of your lack of experience, and for that matter, years of existence. The world isn't a fairy tale, Mathieu," she ended harshly. "There is no happily ever after, no knight in shining armor, no noble leadership which has the best interests of all in mind. There are soldiers who do what they are told to do, irregardless of their origin -- even if the Galactic Federation is the one of the most extreme examples, even neutral and peaceful nations have a drilled military. There are governments which try to appeal to the most people possible, but they are never able to satisfy the entire populace, simply because utopia is impossible -- a lyceum, the perfect world as envisioned in your mind, is the closest you'll come. And there is no happy ending, just ceasefires, time to check your ammo and rebuild your defenses."

She looked around. "I know that you all think I exaggerate, that I am a product of the system, that I am what you would have become, if you weren't better than that. Look around you, fools; even if you are capable of rising above the violence and barbarism, 99.9-repeating percent of the galaxy isn't. So, do you think that none of these conditions apply to you? That you're better than civilization? How can you, then -- in all good conscience, anyway -- deign to serve the common man? You're better than society. You don't believe that killing is moral. Well, that is unfortunate, because there exist elements in this world and others that will step on your lack of conviction and destroy you. Keep up your eternally optimistic view of the universe, though -- I'm sure that it'll make you feel good as you take your final breath, whether at the mercy of an empowered madman or a squad of soldiers with their guns leveled at your head."
"I'm not a soldier," Mathieu said, "And I don't plan to be one, so why should I take orders from someone not in command over me...or learn about following orders." He sighed, "It's you who don't remember history. Too many atrocities have been commited because soldiers said they were only following orders. That which is just is just, irregardless. And a patriot must be ready to defend his nation from it's government...if necessary." With that, he left, seeking out Davis' classroom.


Delphina looked up as Mathieu and his menagerie walked into her classroom.

"Oh, hello," she said, placing photocopies on each desk. "I'm not quite ready...you're a bit early."

"Well, we kinda left on bad terms," Mathieu muttered.

"I see..." Delphina said, sensing the bad vibes in the air-without use of her abilities. "Well, I'm going to go over The Crito by Plato, does anyone know it?" she asked, deciding to learn the particulars at another time.

Lucus didn't wanted to get into fight nor did he feel there was a need for the blame game to start. He came in when he heard Delphina talking to Mathieu. Lucus wasn't going to start blaming people, he just didn't wanted to start a fight.

'I think everyone is a bit on edge today,' thought Lucus to himself as he sat down and looked at the paper.

"Is The Crito by Plato a form of poetry?" asked Lucus as he never heard of this before.

Lucus didn't wanted to get into fight nor did he feel there was a need for the blame game to start. He came in when he heard Delphina talking to Mathieu. Lucus wasn't going to start blaming people, he just didn't wanted to start a fight.

'I think everyone is a bit on edge today,' thought Lucus to himself as he sat down and looked at the paper.

"Is The Crito by Plato a form of poetry?" asked Lucus as he never heard of this before.
"Ah, hello Mr. Lucus," Delphina smiled, passing him a copy. "No, the Crito is a discussion between Crito, a wealthy student of Socrates, and the philosopher Socrates, on his impending death," she explained. "In it, they discuss the nature of death and obedience."

The blue man looked at Sareau, his head tilted to one side. "Yeah, no sense collecting bruises I don't need-you ain't after the Scarab Jewels, are you?"
"No, not in the slightest." Sareau extended a hand. "Let me wish you the best."
"Thanks," the young thief offered a firm, dry hand. "I'm Cameron-Cameron Makhent."
"I am Sareau." came the hoarse reply, as Sareau slid casually into the interstices of Reality, emerging in his rooms at the dorm.
Makhent looked about as his odd encounter faded from view. "Strange guy-wonder if he's going to be a regular in the biz?"
For his part, Sareau checked his watch, and his schedule. The urns would have to wait-blowing off Prof. Maverick's class was one thing, but Prof. Davis's ethics had recently been added to his schedule, and he didn't want to miss his first day...

"Sounds interesting," replied Lucus as he felt a bit embrassed as he tried not to let his emotions get in the way. "Obedience?" whispered Lucus to himself. "Must be about obeying the course of death,"

"Ah, hello Mr. Lucus," Delphina smiled, passing him a copy. "No, the Crito is a discussion between Crito, a wealthy student of Socrates, and the philosopher Socrates, on his impending death," she explained. "In it, they discuss the nature of death and obedience."

"I especially find the Laws to be of great importance," Min chimed in. "A person should not be free to choose whether a law -- or task expected of them by their leaders -- is to be obeyed. Doing so makes it... not a law. Some people could stand to learn that bit of reality," she said, her eyes lidded under her helmet as she filled her voice with pointedness.

Poking his head around the door, Josh said:"Am i late? Cause if i am, i'm sorry, i got lost." With that Josh walked in and asked:"so, whats this class about?"

"Sounds interesting," replied Lucus as he felt a bit embrassed as he tried not to let his emotions get in the way. "Obedience?" whispered Lucus to himself. "Must be about obeying the course of death,"
"Well, let's read Plato's work (http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/crito.html) and see what conclusions we can find." Delphina smiled, setting up a seat near the student's desks and sitting down. "I have always thought you happy in the calmness of your temperament; but never did I see the like of the easy, cheerful way in which you bear this calamity." she began to read. "You see, for the crime of corrupting the youth of Athens, Socrates has been condemned to death. Crito is trying to reason that, since Socrates did nothing, he should try and escape. Let's continue reading..."

ooc: i do plan on discussing parts of the Crito, btw...

"A person should be free to decide if they go ahead with the task," replied Lucus. "Sometimes you need to break the laws in order to uphold the law. Sure it may sound stupid, but it worked," pointed out Lucus as he tried to avoid the memories of the Fungi War.

'Min is so full of herself,' thought Lucus to himself as he read through the papers. 'She's gonna do something stupid and regret it soon enough,'

"A person should be free to decide if they go ahead with the task," replied Lucus. "Sometimes you need to break the laws in order to uphold the law."

"Sorry, ma'am," Min said to Delphina, before turning to the cocky little prick (OOC: Totally IC). "Uphold the law? Did you even think before you spew your self-righteous nonsense? I know what you're getting at, that there's a right thing to do, and THAT is the true law." She leaned towards him. "I've been to nearly a hundred worlds, kid, even if just in passing, but I haven't seen a God, Flying Spaghetti Monster, or any higher being or power that said the way the world worked yet. I can not abide idiots who think that a double standard is acceptable. Law is law. Period. End of sentence. You may be saving a life if you go against your oppressive government, but you are violating the social contract of civilization. You don't deserve to live in a civilized society, if you can't follow the rules. One nation's cleansing is another nation's genocide; one government's war is another's massacre. There is no blanket definition that you can apply, despite how hard you're trying."

"I congulate you on your travels to hundreds of worlds," stated Lucus sarcasticly. "What makes you the surpreme being in this school?" demanded Lucus as he felt rage flowing through his veins. "I don't give a living crap about if I'm not worthy of being in a civilized society if I break the freakin rules! Society is breaking apart every day because people want to change it. They want to brain wash us into thinking what's 'right' and whats 'wrong'," contiuned Lucus as he kept his cool. "Min, you don't what's it like to be a kid and then have everything taken away from you. Some of us are different from you and you intend to make us see it from your view because you don't like it. Some times you need to break the laws in order to complete the job," finished Lucus.

"But we wouldn't be human if we all had the same ideals," said Josh, sitting down by himself."If we had the same ideals, well then we wouldn't have any conflects, any wars. But we would be boring! And if we were boring, what wuold there be to live for?"

"Very good discussion, all of you," Delphina encouraged their minds to think. "Let's try this passage; Tell me, then, whether I am right in saying that some opinions, and the opinions of some men only, are to be valued, and other opinions, and the opinions of other men, are not to be valued. I ask you whether I was right in maintaining this? Continue on from there..."

ooc: does everyone have the link? http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/crito.html

OOC: i can't find that passage....

OOC: i can't find that passage....
ooc: last sentence of the large paragraph of plato, after the large paragraph by crito.

OOC:Thanks found it

"I think that that paragraph, and that statement, referes to Plato's opinion that some people are more wise then others and that the wise ones are the ones you should listen to," said Josh

"I think that that paragraph, and that statement, referes to Plato's opinion that some people are more wise then others and that the wise ones are the ones you should listen to," said Josh
"A very good analysis," Delphina praises Josh. "Now, how about this? And if he disobeys and disregards the opinion and approval of the one, and regards the opinion of the many who have no understanding, will he not suffer evil? What's Crito's response? And is this a correct response?"

ooc: in the conversation below the paragraph 10 or more lines down...

"A very good analysis," Delphina praises Josh. "Now, how about this? And if he disobeys and disregards the opinion and approval of the one, and regards the opinion of the many who have no understanding, will he not suffer evil? What's Crito's response? And is this a correct response?"

ooc: in the conversation below the paragraph 10 or more lines down...

"Crito replies: 'Certainly he will'. And logicly he would incounter some form of trouble if he only listened to the unwise, but i have an counterquestion: what if the man listened to both of the paties, the wise and unwise? The man could decide which path to follow or he could ignore both opinions and find his own,' said Josh, thinking:Oh god i'm turning into a politition

"I think that that paragraph, and that statement, referes to Plato's opinion that some people are more wise then others and that the wise ones are the ones you should listen to," said Josh

Chuckling lightly as she listened to his answer, and then,

"Crito replies: 'Certainly he will'. And logicly he would incounter some form of trouble if he only listened to the unwise, but i have an counterquestion: what if the man listened to both of the paties, the wise and unwise? The man could decide which path to follow or he could ignore both opinions and find his own,' said Josh, thinking:Oh god i'm turning into a politition

"So, if I may ask," Min said to the professor, "While it is obviously the choice of the individual to listen to the uneducated masses -- or, say, the myths and fairy tales of your culture -- or, to heed the words of the wise one who knows how the world functions, what does the person in question stand to lose if they refuse to listen to the enlightened one? Ignorance is bliss, it is said, so couldn't it be argued that maintaining a fantasy world, where everyone gets along and no one is ever told what to do, as a film over one's eyes will inevitably lead to some form of disaster?"

Chuckling lightly as she listened to his answer, and then,



"So, if I may ask," Min said to the professor, "While it is obviously the choice of the individual to listen to the uneducated masses -- or, say, the myths and fairy tales of your culture -- or, to heed the words of the wise one who knows how the world functions, what does the person in question stand to lose if they refuse to listen to the enlightened one? Ignorance is bliss, it is said, so couldn't it be argued that maintaining a fantasy world, where everyone gets along and no one is ever told what to do, as a film over one's eyes will inevitably lead to some form of disaster?"
"A very good point," Delphina said, pondering her next move. "But what about this?" she asked.

"
Soc. And if he disobeys and disregards the opinion and approval of the one, and regards the opinion of the many who have no understanding, will he not suffer evil?

Cr. Certainly he will."

"Well?"

OOC: that has already been hasnt it?

OOC: that has already been hasnt it?
ooc: crap, yes...that's what i get for typing one-handed while eating. ok, disregard and i'll find a better passage to review.

"Goodness, Min-I'm convinced left to your own devices, you'd have a police state in whatever sector receives your guardianship." Sareau was in his seat, book open to Prof. Davis's reading. "There are times when the Law is wrong, and it's strict adherents are the best argument for the anarchists.
"I am reminded of the Lord Dunsany, who wrote of a tower where archers stood ready to puncture any foreign element which might seek to change their laws, which were bad laws, but not for outsiders to interfere in." He paged back and reread rapidly.
"Socrates was making a stand-and an important one-only by forcing bad laws to their ultimate end can people be moved to change them. Governments, like everything else, are not perfect. To insist upon blind adherence to an imperfect system is to make the first steps to your downfall.
"Slavery was once the law of the land-the US Supreme Court made several rulings upholding it. Under Min's system, we should capture and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those brave souls who fled slavery as well as the individuals who aided them in that fight, because they were breaking the law.
"Laws are not perfect, nor inviolate-bad laws have been challenged and will continue to be challenged, and only a handful of mindless martinets will mourn their overthrow."

"Min," Delphina says, "I think you'll like this passage," she says as she clears her throat. "And was that our agreement with you?" the law would say, "or were you to abide by the sentence of the State?" And if I were to express astonishment at their saying this, the law would probably add: "Answer, Socrates, instead of opening your eyes: you are in the habit of asking and answering questions. Tell us what complaint you have to make against us which justifies you in attempting to destroy us and the State? In the first place did we not bring you into existence? Your father married your mother by our aid and begat you. Say whether you have any objection to urge against those of us who regulate marriage?" None, I should reply. "Or against those of us who regulate the system of nurture and education of children in which you were trained? Were not the laws, who have the charge of this, right in commanding your father to train you in music and gymnastic?" Right, I should reply. "Well, then, since you were brought into the world and nurtured and educated by us, can you deny in the first place that you are our child and slave, as your fathers were before you? And if this is true you are not on equal terms with us; nor can you think that you have a right to do to us what we are doing to you. Would you have any right to strike or revile or do any other evil to a father or to your master, if you had one, when you have been struck or reviled by him, or received some other evil at his hands?- you would not say this? And because we think right to destroy you, do you think that you have any right to destroy us in return, and your country as far as in you lies? And will you, O professor of true virtue, say that you are justified in this? Has a philosopher like you failed to discover that our country is more to be valued and higher and holier far than mother or father or any ancestor, and more to be regarded in the eyes of the gods and of men of understanding? also to be soothed, and gently and reverently entreated when angry, even more than a father, and if not persuaded, obeyed? And when we are punished by her, whether with imprisonment or stripes, the punishment is to be endured in silence; and if she leads us to wounds or death in battle, thither we follow as is right; neither may anyone yield or retreat or leave his rank, but whether in battle or in a court of law, or in any other place, he must do what his city and his country order him; or he must change their view of what is just: and if he may do no violence to his father or mother, much less may he do violence to his country." What answer shall we make to this, Crito? Do the laws speak truly, or do they not?

"Goodness, Min-I'm convinced left to your own devices, you'd have a police state in whatever sector receives your guardanship." Sareau was in his seat, book open to Prof. Davis's reading. "There are times when the Law is wrong, and it's strict adherents are the best argument for the anarchists.
"I am reminded of the Lord Dunsany, who wrote of a tower where archers stood ready to puncture any foreign element which might seek to change their laws, which were bad laws, but not for outsiders to interfere in." He paged back and reread rapidly.
"Socrates was making a stand-and an important one-only by forcing bad laws to their ultimate end can people be moved to change them. Governments, like everything else, are not perfect. To insist upon blind adherence to an imperfect system is to make the first steps to your downfall.
"Slavery was once the law of the land-the US Supreme Court made several rulings upholding it. Under Min's system, we should capture and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those brave souls who fled slavery as well as the individuals who aided them in that fight, because they were breaking the law.
"Laws are not perfect, nor inviolate-bad laws have been challenged and will continue to be challenged, and only a handful of mindless martinets will mourn their overthrow."


"Yeah! An ICO example is the Pirate world, Serenity. By the time the Pirate Wars were coming to a close the ICO fleet was a jump away from Serenity. When they got there, they found the planet so heavily defended that even 8 Battlestars working in tantam couldn't break through the defenisve line. In the end the ICO learned where the pirates had come from: ex miners, deserters, people who disagreed with the government.They feld, and found Serenity. and they were willing to defend their freedom with their lives. They challenged the laws and ways of the people and won," said Josh, who personaly thought that the pirates were the winners in that war.

"Laws are passed by men-and are as silly or as wise, as far-sighted or blind, as the men who pass them. While I cannot comment on the Pirate War, I can bring forth the example of Prohibition,, in the US-a law impossible to enforce that was overturned in short order-and it was part of the Constitution." Sareau offered.
"Many people have made just stands against unjust laws, and we do remember them for it. Socrates, Archimedes (who fought off the Romans and committed suicide rather than live under the Pax Roma), and Spartacus. Name one of their accusers, who defended the law."

"The Romans,"said Josh."And Archimedes didn't kill himself, he got killed by a shoilder who got anrgy at him for not listening."

"Claudius Glabor," Delphina answered Sareau, "But...that isn't part of the discussion," she smiled. "Any other views?"

"He was executed for refusal to comply." Sareau amended. "There is no more obvious a form of suicide-the Romans would have spared him for his genius, history of public indecency or not.
"As far as Claudius Glabor, is known for anything other than being the villain of the piece? I certainly do not recall the name."

"He was executed for refusal to comply." Sareau amended. "There is no more obvious a form of suicide-the Romans would have spared him for his genius, history of public indecency or not.
"As far as Claudius Glabor, is known for anything other than being the villain of the piece? I certainly do not recall the name."
"He was the first sent to defeat Spartacus, but he was defeated." She explained. "Spartacus was defeated in two battles, one in Silarus led by Crassus," she said, "That's where he died. His retreating forces were routed by Pompey, who recieved the glory of the success." She sighed, "This is detracting from the lesson, however."

"Not really, Professor-it is the point of the lesson." Sareau's mask hid any emotion, but his tone was passionate. "These men who defied the law-these are who we idolize and revere-their oppressors are forgotten or remembered only as oppressors.
"History has made them heroes in death, when in life they were villains."

"Not really, Professor-it is the point of the lesson." Sareau's mask hid any emotion, but his tone was passionate. "These men who defied the law-these are who we idolize and revere-their oppressors are forgotten or remembered only as oppressors.
"History has made them heroes in death, when in life they were villains."
"I stand corrected," she smiled. "Tell me...do you know of heroe's who are now considered villians...? If so, why? If not, why not?"

Anna was silent through most of the discussion. "He accepted the consequences of his disobedience." she said quietly, "To refuse to comply with the sentence would have invalidated his work teaching, it would have been morally bankrupt to do something, then refuse to face the consequences would have undermined his prior effort-he would have become a hypocrite, and he would have BEEN corrupting the youth of Athens."

"Gilles de Rais." Sareau answered. "Jean d'Arc's lieutenant, helped the French to victory and was burned at the stake for witchcraft. It's very likely the only reason he confessed was so that a portion of his massive estate would pass to his heirs instead of being divided between the king and the Church."

Anna was silent through most of the discussion. "He accepted the consequences of his disobedience." she said quietly, "To refuse to comply with the sentence would have invalidated his work teaching, it would have been morally bankrupt to do something, then refuse to face the consequences would have undermined his prior effort-he would have become a hypocrite, and he would have BEEN corrupting the youth of Athens."
"Ah, see? Excellent point," Delphina passed her a Hershey's Kiss. She also handed one to Min, Josh and Sareau. "Now, is it always immoral to refuse the State then? Or only if that conflicts with your own morals? Is there one true morality? Or is it subjective?"

Anna was silent through most of the discussion. "He accepted the consequences of his disobedience." she said quietly, "To refuse to comply with the sentence would have invalidated his work teaching, it would have been morally bankrupt to do something, then refuse to face the consequences would have undermined his prior effort-he would have become a hypocrite, and he would have BEEN corrupting the youth of Athens."

"It would be like me nuking something and then pointing the finger at the Pirates: it wouldn't be right," said Josh, who hadn't noticed that Anna was rigth behind him.

OOC: not intending to godmod

"Gilles de Rais." Sareau answered. "Jean d'Arc's lieutenant, helped the French to victory and was burned at the stake for witchcraft. It's very likely the only reason he confessed was so that a portion of his massive estate would pass to his heirs instead of being divided between the king and the Church."
"Excellent point," Delphina said. "And what of Joan herself? Wasn't she similarly treated as a villian by her contemporaries...only to be canonized later?"

"Excellent point," Delphina said. "And what of Joan herself? Wasn't she similarly treated as a villian by her contemporaries...only to be canonized later?"

"to the French she was a heroine. To the English she would of seem to be some form of demon or witch: almost every battle she fought in the French won," said Josh."The reason she was convicted of witchcraft was because the English were scared of her. Kinda like the ICO and me...."

"So everything is perceptual," Min said boredly. "As I said, what one considers a police state is another's law-abiding world, since obedience of the law and the absence of personal freedoms are not one and the same." The last bit wasn't relevant, but she felt the need to say it.

"Centuries later, when two women received a vision from her in the 1800s." Sareau replied. "This caused her historical figure to be heavily revamped. However, it is rare for one vilified to be redeemed. I always felt King John got the fuzzy end of the lollipop from History, as he was making the best of a bad situation.
"Santa Ana was the greatest president Mexico ever had, but all anyone remembers is the Alamo. Lorenzo di Medici is fairly heroic for all his ruthlessness, as is Barbarossa. Certainly, many of the Russian czars were consummate monsters, but history recalls them more fondly than the communists who reigned after."

"The winner writes the history books," Min said quietly. And the laws. The reason why it is so crucial to maintain law and order, lest another bloody war occur and millions die to make a new government and history lessons.

"Ah, see? Excellent point," Delphina passed her a Hershey's Kiss. She also handed one to Min, Josh and Sareau. "Now, is it always immoral to refuse the State then? Or only if that conflicts with your own morals? Is there one true morality? Or is it subjective?"

"I believe the answer to that question lies somewhere between-it is neither entirely up to the individual, nor is entirely up to the state." Anna said. "If there WERE a single, objective, standard of morality, and humans could grasp it, they would, I believe, still violate it-else, why bother with free will?"

"The winner writes the history books," Min said quietly. And the laws. The reason why it is so crucial to maintain law and order, lest another bloody war occur and millions die to make a new government and history lessons.
"History is not written by the victors, but by the survivors." Sareau replied. "Certain of the sources are unreliable-Anna Comnena is heavily biased, for example, as are numerous scholars who edited the facts to suit their patrons. Shakespeare's MacBeth was an old enemy of the Queen's family, so was cast as a villain, for example."

"I believe the answer to that question lies somewhere between-it is neither entirely up to the individual, nor is entirely up to the state." Anna said. "If there WERE a single, objective, standard of morality, and humans could grasp it, they would, I believe, still violate it-else, why bother with free will?"

"Thats what i said before: If we humans were not inderpenate of eachother, we would be a bunch of boring potato farmers," said Josh, who was starting to get annoyed with Mins atitude and wondering how much energy it would take to melt her Power Suit.

"And if no one maintained order, the world -- the galaxy, for that matter, although few here would be affected -- would be in a constant state of war and anarchy. No one wins," she ended. "I would much rather have a 'boring' galaxy where nothing ever happens than one where millions die every hour, thanks."

"And if no one maintained order, the world -- the galaxy, for that matter, although few here would be affected -- would be in a constant state of war and anarchy. No one wins," she ended. "I would much rather have a 'boring' galaxy where nothing ever happens than one where millions die every hour, thanks."
"Ever been to a place without human encroachment?" Delphina asked. "Nature balances itself...without someone maintaining order. So, is the flaw a natural event, or a human one?"

"And if no one maintained order, the world -- the galaxy, for that matter, although few here would be affected -- would be in a constant state of war and anarchy. No one wins," she ended. "I would much rather have a 'boring' galaxy where nothing ever happens than one where millions die every hour, thanks."

"The world and the galaxy are in a constant state of war and anarchy." Sareau informed Min. "As we speak, a million petty squabbles erupt across a billion systems. Some areas are less affected than others, but all are affected. How long did the Kree-Skrull war tear across the cosmos, shaping politics, being declared a truce, a ceasefire, a tie-before the Skrull tricked the Shi'ar into destroying the Kree?
"There are always going to be those who disagree, and simply exterminating the dissidents is not an answer. Ideas do not die with the mind that thinks them."

Josh had a reply but chose to keep quiet because his irritation was getting rather high, so high that the white parts of his hair was turning a rather nice shade of blonde. To take his mind off of it he recited his favorite line from the book of Fallen Gods in his mind: And so Auron took his sword and stuck down the Goddess of Light, Minervia, ending her reign of chaos and fear.

OOC: name is not a stab at your character TGLT. Its based off of the optional boss in Crisis Core.

"Ever been to a place without human encroachment?" Delphina asked. "Nature balances itself...without someone maintaining order. So, is the flaw a natural event, or a human one?"

"Irrelevant." Sareau answered. "The question requires acceptance that humanity is not part of the natural order, a flawed premise which negates the question."

Anna looked over at Min, "Min's philosophical ground is based on a crisis mentality-she'd fit in pretty well with a lot of my relatives, she believes what she has been told without question, and her belief is reinforced by the threats she faces on a regular basis." She shifted her position, "This isn't an entirely wrong position-her beliefs are reinforced by the conditions she sees regularly-she has the right moral structure for the job she must do."

She stood up, "If the world you know is war, then following orders and recognizing military discipline is the only 'good'-you must accept your orders and assume that they were given with the best objectives...but if you aren't, if that is not the world you live in, those reactions have counterproductive outcomes that cripple your ability to deal with where and when you are."

She hopped up on her desk, and dangled her legs over the side. "Professor Maverick flunked Mathieu, Josh, and I, and made a rather deep fuss when we walked out of his chosen simulation." she eyed the others in the room, "He did so in a flustered and emotional state of mind-you could tell that, because he was nearly incoherent-first bargaining, then flaming in anger, with hardly a breath between." She sighed, "Thus reminding me of my Father, which is why I didn't say anything when he let the doors go. Of the three, I deserved the failing grade-because I chose to refuse to participate, and made the decision. I spoke out, and others followed me, but it is ultimately MY action, and my responsibility-I don't have enough time or enough class work here to do other than fail that class-one day isn't much time, and I walked in the second part of it...but the others?"
she shook her head, "When 'Leadership' is rash, and can't handle challenges, it ends up looking weak, and foolish, no matter how much material strength it has. Back on the original topic, one could analyze the decision to accept the punishment as an act of patriotism-to refuse, would show an already weakened Athens to be crumbling from within, at a time when it could ill afford to look weak in the eyes of raiders-and raiders there were, My own people among them."

She looked at the others, "Sometimes, you sacrifice. Aristotle's sacrifice strengthened Athens more than his survival-in-exile would have. This was clearly important to him-not in his words, but in his actions."

"Ever been to a place without human encroachment?" Delphina asked. "Nature balances itself...without someone maintaining order. So, is the flaw a natural event, or a human one?"

"Transcendentalists failed, ma'am," Min said in response, "because humanity is, to be perfectly honest, a pest, a common parasite. We jump from planet to planet -- well, for you, continent to continent -- leeching all resources we can, and when those are gone, we leave the weak and unwilling behind, which in turn teach their children the glories of the desolate landscape. It's Plato's Allegory of the Caves -- being locked in the world as they see it, these same people are shocked by modern electronics, or massive skyscrapers. Then, there's no way for them to explain this to their relatives or friends, how to explain these massive towers of shiny rocks or these magic boxes which play music -- no offense to these cultures, of course.

"But I digress. You argue that places where humans have not been are peaceful, and I agree. Unfortunately, we are in a unique situation where, as of right now, we couldn't even relocate to one of these isolated places without a car, a GPS, maybe some music... a large Colony Ship... No, where humans exist, strife is bound to occur. The best we can do is reduce its power."

"Transcendentalists failed, ma'am," Min said in response, "because humanity is, to be perfectly honest, a pest, a common parasite. We jump from planet to planet -- well, for you, continent to continent -- leeching all resources we can, and when those are gone, we leave the weak and unwilling behind, which in turn teach their children the glories of the desolate landscape. It's Plato's Allegory of the Caves -- being locked in the world as they see it, these same people are shocked by modern electronics, or massive skyscrapers. Then, there's no way for them to explain this to their relatives or friends, how to explain these massive towers of shiny rocks or these magic boxes which play music -- no offense to these cultures, of course.

"But I digress. You argue that places where humans have not been are peaceful, and I agree. Unfortunately, we are in a unique situation where, as of right now, we couldn't even relocate to one of these isolated places without a car, a GPS, maybe some music... a large Colony Ship... No, where humans exist, strife is bound to occur. The best we can do is reduce its power."

Anna inclined her head, "How do you reduce the power of strife, though?" she slid off the desk, and stepped between Josh and Min, "Bigger gun? Better armour? it ratchets up, and stresses have to go somewhere, don't they?" she turned around, looking at the others, "It's a boiler, with a valve-if you hold the steam in as the pressure climbs, and don't let the pressure off, it explodes violently and you don't have a system anymore...isn't that right?" she asked, looking straight at Min, "you could maybe compel a world as primitive as earth to your version of peace for a while, but you end up with a mess, don't you? instead of killing one, maybe two really BAD people, you end up having to kill thousands of people, even millions, who've been influenced by that one or two bad actors-because they have pressures, and those pressures have built beyond the point where threats, or even death, can contain them."

"All things in Nature are opportunists." Sareau rebutted. "Human technology just allows them to exploit existing resources better-the same is true of any intelligent species. Your comment is racist, even if it is self-depricating.
"The spread of humanity has spread wars even as it has ended them, and they are not the only species to wage war, even on Earth. (OOC:Chimps do it also)
"Older races use them as catspaws, younger races play on their better natures. The best and worst of humanity are often found in the same individual. To vilify an entire species based on the decisions of a few is foolish, even if it is the society itself that encourages such rashness."

Anna looked over at Min, "Min's philosophical ground is based on a crisis mentality-she'd fit in pretty well with a lot of my relatives, she believes what she has been told without question, and her belief is reinforced by the threats she faces on a regular basis." She shifted her position, "This isn't an entirely wrong position-her beliefs are reinforced by the conditions she sees regularly-she has the right moral structure for the job she must do."

She stood up, "If the world you know is war, then following orders and recognizing military discipline is the only 'good'-you must accept your orders and assume that they were given with the best objectives...but if you aren't, if that is not the world you live in, those reactions have counterproductive outcomes that cripple your ability to deal with where and when you are."

She hopped up on her desk, and dangled her legs over the side. "Professor Maverick flunked Mathieu, Josh, and I, and made a rather deep fuss when we walked out of his chosen simulation." she eyed the others in the room, "He did so in a flustered and emotional state of mind-you could tell that, because he was nearly incoherent-first bargaining, then flaming in anger, with hardly a breath between." She sighed, "Thus reminding me of my Father, which is why I didn't say anything when he let the doors go. Of the three, I deserved the failing grade-because I chose to refuse to participate, and made the decision. I spoke out, and others followed me, but it is ultimately MY action, and my responsibility-I don't have enough time or enough class work here to do other than fail that class-one day isn't much time, and I walked in the second part of it...but the others?"
she shook her head, "When 'Leadership' is rash, and can't handle challenges, it ends up looking weak, and foolish, no matter how much material strength it has. Back on the original topic, one could analyze the decision to accept the punishment as an act of patriotism-to refuse, would show an already weakened Athens to be crumbling from within, at a time when it could ill afford to look weak in the eyes of raiders-and raiders there were, My own people among them."

She looked at the others, "Sometimes, you sacrifice. Aristotle's sacrifice strengthened Athens more than his survival-in-exile would have. This was clearly important to him-not in his words, but in his actions."

"No. It may have been your actions, but it was our choice for me and Mathieu to follow," said Josh spinning in his chair to face Anna."Normally i wouldn't have followed. But my mood, and my mindset, changes as fast as my hair colour." Almost to prove his point, Josh's white strecks turned from yellow to aqua and then stopped on a dark green. spinning back to the rest of the class he continued:" People say i'm insane, but lets see them have the ability to manipulate the raw energies of the universe and not be driven to some form of insanity. You want a question of eithics? Heres one: If you were in my position, in a cell designed to keep you in, experimented on 24/7, would you ponce on the first chance of escape, even if it meant killing people to do so?"

Anna inclined her head, "How do you reduce the power of strife, though?" she slid off the desk, and stepped between Josh and Min, "Bigger gun? Better armour? it ratchets up, and stresses have to go somewhere, don't they?" she turned around, looking at the others, "It's a boiler, with a valve-if you hold the steam in as the pressure climbs, and don't let the pressure off, it explodes violently and you don't have a system anymore...isn't that right?" she asked, looking straight at Min, "you could maybe compel a world as primitive as earth to your version of peace for a while, but you end up with a mess, don't you? instead of killing one, maybe two really BAD people, you end up having to kill thousands of people, even millions, who've been influenced by that one or two bad actors-because they have pressures, and those pressures have built beyond the point where threats, or even death, can contain them."

"Ah, I see where the problem arises," Min said with a revelation. "When I said strife, I meant in regards to the nature scene which the professor so neatly envisioned. 'Strife', in this case, means the upsetting of balance -- or so I meant to say. A man would step all over the grass, dig his tires into the roots, maybe get a fire using a lot of the indigenous wood. At no point did I mean strife, at least not necessarily, to be used as it was.

"No. It may have been your actions, but it was our choice for me and Mathieu to follow," said Josh spinning in his chair to face Anna."Normally i wouldn't have followed. But my mood, and my mindset, changes as fast as my hair colour." Almost to prove his point, Josh's white strecks turned from yellow to aqua and then stopped on a dark green. spinning back to the rest of the class he continued:" People say i'm insane, but lets see them have the ability to manipulate the raw energies of the universe and not be driven to some form of insanity. You want a question of eithics? Heres one: If you were in my position, in a cell designed to keep you in, experimented on 24/7, would you ponce on the first chance of escape, even if it meant killing people to do so?"

"I spent two years being killed on nearly a daily basis-I'm sure the scientists learned all sorts of useful things from that." Anna reminded him, "I suppose if the opportunity to escape had come along, I'd have done so, and damn the consequences to anyone else." she shivered, a montage of agonies flushed through her mind, "I didn't, you did, and I think you may have kept more sanity than you let on." she added.

"Ah, I see where the problem arises," Min said with a revelation. "When I said strife, I meant in regards to the nature scene which the professor so neatly envisioned. 'Strife', in this case, means the upsetting of balance -- or so I meant to say. A man would step all over the grass, dig his tires into the roots, maybe get a fire using a lot of the indigenous wood. At no point did I mean strife, at least not necessarily, to be used as it was.
"And when a bear claws a tree to mark his territory, that isn't upsetting the balance? Or when a predator hunts and kills, Nature is not adversely affected? When a forest is not cleared of deadwood so a fire erupts, destroying acres of land, that is well and good for Nature?" Sareau already pictured Min five years into her guardianship picking out lampshades while the few survivors scrambled for roots and berries. "I think you've arbitrarily made your decision without facts and leap to any extreme to justify it, now.
"If humanity is indeed the cancer you claim it is, why are so many heroes aliens fleeing their homeworlds and becoming protectors of this cancer?"

"Because, as smart as humanity deems itself to be," Min answered simply, "almost every member of it fails to see this impact. Why do you think this planet is experiencing a pollutant emissions problem? Overfilled landfills? 'Global warming' from 'greenhouse gases'? Humanity doesn't know better. Deny it all you want, that won't make it go away. Myself, I've accepted the fact, and moved on; even the nastiest bacterial infection you've ever seen is the struggle for a simple cluster of microbes to survive. Are humans any different? I highly doubt that those same people who I mentioned before, raised in a world devoid of humanity's greatest feats, will appreciate the beauty of, say, a man-made bay, if there happens to be a massive pit of garbage sitting next to it. I am a Guardian, because I am a human; and, like it or not, I'm going to be responsible for humanity's current state in the survival of the fittest, because the fittest on this planet can't confront the sort of weaponry an interstellar race bent on destruction can wield."

"I might have kept all of it," said Josh."the insane act might just be my way of dealing with all the pain, anger ect." after he finished his hair started changing colour stopping on a a interesting shade of marron.

'I'm so thankful the Lynion's don't require Human Guardians,' thought Lucus to himself as he felt left out of the conversation once again. 'Min seems to be a Nazi of some kind and doesn't give a crap about us. Ha! One day, the Lynion Kingdom will grow and then it'll be a match for the Humans. Just like the Humans say and think: Use the Lynion's once and then throw them away,' thought Lucus to himself. 'I would've enjoyed taking Min down in the simulation. Damnit! I would've gotten it on camera and let it repeat itself over and over. I can't wait when I'm a Vamperial Guardian,' finished Lucus as he hoped Professor Davis would contiune on with the subject.

"Min, how come you didn't answer Sareau's last question?" Lucus questioned Min.

"Because, as smart as humanity deems itself to be," Min answered simply, "almost every member of it fails to see this impact. Why do you think this planet is experiencing a pollutant emissions problem? Overfilled landfills? 'Global warming' from 'greenhouse gases'? Humanity doesn't know better. Deny it all you want, that won't make it go away. Myself, I've accepted the fact, and moved on; even the nastiest bacterial infection you've ever seen is the struggle for a simple cluster of microbes to survive. Are humans any different? I highly doubt that those same people who I mentioned before, raised in a world devoid of humanity's greatest feats, will appreciate the beauty of, say, a man-made bay, if there happens to be a massive pit of garbage sitting next to it. I am a Guardian, because I am a human; and, like it or not, I'm going to be responsible for humanity's current state in the survival of the fittest, because the fittest on this planet can't confront the sort of weaponry an interstellar race bent on destruction can wield."
"Compare the state of the world now as it was a mere century ago." Sareau stated. "There is more wilderness in the continental US, advances in technology are reducing these same emissions you deride, despite the vast majority of them being caused by volcanic activity rather than technology, and you have set yourself up as our Great White Hope to solve a problem taking care of itself.
"At least be honest enough to admit you don't give a fig for humanity-your concern is that we all become happy little drones lockstepped in Der Raumreich and don't upset your applecart. And, like every tyrant before you, you may enjoy a measure of success, but there are those who will depose you-The Tree of Liberty must be watered periodically with the blood of tyrants and patriots, but only the tyrants resent the cost."

"Because, as smart as humanity deems itself to be," Min answered simply, "almost every member of it fails to see this impact. Why do you think this planet is experiencing a pollutant emissions problem? Overfilled landfills? 'Global warming' from 'greenhouse gases'? Humanity doesn't know better. Deny it all you want, that won't make it go away. Myself, I've accepted the fact, and moved on; even the nastiest bacterial infection you've ever seen is the struggle for a simple cluster of microbes to survive. Are humans any different? I highly doubt that those same people who I mentioned before, raised in a world devoid of humanity's greatest feats, will appreciate the beauty of, say, a man-made bay, if there happens to be a massive pit of garbage sitting next to it. I am a Guardian, because I am a human; and, like it or not, I'm going to be responsible for humanity's current state in the survival of the fittest, because the fittest on this planet can't confront the sort of weaponry an interstellar race bent on destruction can wield."
ooc: tglt, do you really believe in social darwinism

ic:

"The fittest may be the most likely to survive, but that does not mean they have more right to live than others," Mathieu retorted. "John Stuart Mill said One person with a belief is equal to a force of 99 who have only interests."

"Well that's true about the right to live, but unfortunately, no actually has a right to live. We're all just cosmic accidents, and the only reason we have "rights" is because the actions that would deny these rights weren't beneficial to the improvement of your race. As for your quote, please give an example, because it could mean just about anything, most of which are simply not true."

Josh was listening to the conversation but did not join in. What Anna said troubled him.
Being killed every day for 2 years. at least she got breaks in between experiments, if your can call death a break though Josh before a montage of images flashed through his mind. Needles, Uranium, screams of pain and finally a nuclear explosion.
Don't think about it thought Josh, shaking his head before tugging at his hair
Man, i need to wash my hair.

Kagetora;14384852']"Well that's true about the right to live, but unfortunately, no actually has a right to live. We're all just cosmic accidents, and the only reason we have "rights" is because the actions that would deny these rights weren't beneficial to the improvement of your race. As for your quote, please give an example, because it could mean just about anything, most of which are simply not true."
"Think of a person who believes he must do a thing...and a person who merely has interests that would be affected. Now, the second person may not try as hard...may give up first, because an interest may not cost more than his life...or something he holds more valuable. A person with a belief...will die for that belief, will struggle against all odds for that belief," Delphina explained. She further said, "And how do you know we're cosmic accidents? A majority of people do not think that...they believe in a higher power." As if to iterate her point, her rosary caught the light of the classroom and winked.

"OK. So if the 99 are individuals, I wholeheartedly agree with you, as long as they all have equal abilities. But if the 99 are working together, they must be either severely mentally or physically impaired if they can't beat a single person. And for cosmic accidents, I think the fact that most of us are here kinda disproves the idea of gods. People with abilities are in all probability the ancient's gods. As for more modern gods, I mean come on! If there really was a god, you'd find religions that spring up in isolated planets unless the god or gods is really stupid, or they all exist." said Ziyo, rolling his eyes. He'd had this arguement before. It never went anywhere.

"HEY! Religion isn't that bad," said Josh, slightly offended." Its just that some religions make more sense then others."

Hating to ask, knowing it would just prolong an argument, Ziyo asked anyway.
"What religion are you? If it's not a religion on Earth, please explain."

Kagetora;14385741']Hating to ask, knowing it would just prolong an argument, Ziyo asked anyway.
"What religion are you? If it's not a religion on Earth, please explain."

"It would take me a LOONNNGG time to explain The Church of Fallen Gods fully but heres the short version: Goddess of Light rules over all, some of the Gods rebel, Goddess trys to kill them, Auron, the rebels leader, kills said Goddess of Light, gets cast out by the Goddess of Light's children, Auron creates humans as a little revenge, then the rebels fuse themselves with a force of nature to hide from the Goddess's children, who want their heads, rebels are worshiped by humans," said Josh, who had never had to explain his religion before.

Kagetora;14385716']"OK. So if the 99 are individuals, I wholeheartedly agree with you, as long as they all have equal abilities. But if the 99 are working together, they must be either severely mentally or physically impaired if they can't beat a single person. And for cosmic accidents, I think the fact that most of us are here kinda disproves the idea of gods. People with abilities are in all probability the ancient's gods. As for more modern gods, I mean come on! If there really was a god, you'd find religions that spring up in isolated planets unless the god or gods is really stupid, or they all exist." said Ziyo, rolling his eyes. He'd had this arguement before. It never went anywhere.
"A man, no matter his abilities, is not a god," Delphina said stifly. She turned to the others, "I want you all to know that...your gifts give you abilities others don't have, but it doesn't make you better."

"It would take me a LOONNNGG time to explain The Church of Fallen Gods fully but heres the short version: Goddess of Light rules over all, some of the Gods rebel, Goddess trys to kill them, Auron, the rebels leader, kills said Goddess of Light, gets cast out by the Goddess of Light's children, Auron creates humans as a little revenge, then the rebels fuse themselves with a force of nature to hide from the Goddess's children, who want their heads, rebels are worshiped by humans," said Josh, who had never had to explain his religion before.

"Ok, sounds a little like the Norse gods. But the point is, why aren't you a different religion? Why not Christianity? Muslim? Hindu? Buddhist?"

"A man, no matter his abilities, is not a god," Delphina said stifly. She turned to the others, "I want you all to know that...your gifts give you abilities others don't have, but it doesn't make you better."
I thought I just emphasized I don't believe in any gods. he thought before responding.
"Not quite. He is physically better, not necessarily morally or intellectually. But I mean, go back to say 1,000 bc, and you see someone like me flaunting how you can shoot electricity. What do you think they are? I would think they would be a god, not a human."

Kagetora;14385793']"Ok, sounds a little like the Norse gods. But the point is, why aren't you a different religion? Why not Christianity? Muslim? Hindu? Buddhist?"


I thought I just emphasized I don't believe in any gods. he thought before responding.
"Not quite. He is physically better, not necessarily morally or intellectually. But I mean, go back to say 1,000 bc, and you see someone like me flaunting how you can shoot electricity. What do you think they are? I would think they would be a god, not a human."
"I can do nothing of the sort," Delphina said, "Perhaps you mean Mathieu over there...but in that context, you are correct. However, the way you spoke, you made it seem as if you feel superior to others."

"I meant imagine going back to 1,000 BC, not literally." slightly offset, but then remembering that there actually were time-travelers. "But yes. I am superior, physically to most, intellectually to some, and morally to a few. Around here, I expect that I'm actually near the bottom. But, that doesn't mean I'm a bad person. The reason I came here was due to an accidental discharge of energy that killed a train full of people and I wanted to make sure I never did that again."

'Interesting how we're suddenly talking about gods,' thought Lucus to himself as he took notes about the subject.

Kagetora;14385848']"I meant imagine going back to 1,000 BC, not literally." slightly offset, but then remembering that there actually were time-travelers. "But yes. I am superior, physically to most, intellectually to some, and morally to a few. Around here, I expect that I'm actually near the bottom. But, that doesn't mean I'm a bad person. The reason I came here was due to an accidental discharge of energy that killed a train full of people and I wanted to make sure I never did that again."
"That's kinda the reason I'm here, too," Mathieu said. "My powers were chaotic, and I didn't know how to control them."

"Would you have come here if the discharge hadn't happened?" Delphina asked.

'Interesting how we're suddenly talking about gods,' thought Lucus to himself as he took notes about the subject.
"Hey, um..." Mathieu whispered to Lucus, "Are you religious?"

"Why am i not in a different religion? ummm.... Because i grew up with The Church. Its the only religion i know," said Josh, who was feeling uneasy about being questioned about his religion.

"Would you have come here if the discharge hadn't happened?" Delphina asked.

"Probably not. I probably would have only come if I accidentally killed someone."

"Yeah, I'm Christian," whsipered back Lucus to Mathieu. "By the way, Professor Davis left a note in your dorm,"

"Why am i not in a different religion? ummm.... Because i grew up with The Church. Its the only religion i know," said Josh, who was feeling uneasy about being questioned about his religion.

"Exactly. You have been brainwashed to follow what the church says. If you were raised elsewhere, you would be a different religion, with no logical backing on why you support that religion." said Ziyo. That was one of the main reasons why he had become atheist.

"Brainwashed? Umm, i'm what you would call a casual follower: i will go to service every once in a while but aside from that the Church dosn't have that much to do with my life. There are people who won't have power in their house because of what the Book of Fallen gods says," said Josh, with a look on his face that screamed,"The topic is closed now".

Kagetora;14385891']"Probably not. I probably would have only come if I accidentally killed someone."

"So, had the train incident not occurred, you would not have shown up until someone died, correct?" Delphina asked.

"Yeah, I'm Christian," whsipered back Lucus to Mathieu. "By the way, Professor Davis left a note in your dorm,"

"Oh really?" Mathieu asked. "Thanks...um, she told you?"

"Alright, since you're obviously not comfortable with this subject, I'll leave you with one quote. I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours. That was Stephen Roberts."

"So, had the train incident not occurred, you would not have shown up until someone died, correct?" Delphina asked.

"Correct. And only if they died on accident."

"Yeah, its the only decent and the only religion that explains everything," whispered Lucus to Mathieu as he thought about what he just said and picked his words carefully. "She just wanted you to make sure you got the message,"

"Yeah, its the only decent and the only religion that explains everything," whispered Lucus to Mathieu as he thought about what he just said and picked his words carefully. "She just wanted you to make sure you got the message,"
"I'm Christian too," Mathieu showed his rosary. "Thanks for telling me. You're a real mate."

"No worries," whispered back Lucus as he tried to stay focus on the subject. "She only wanted you to know the message or letter was waiting for you,"

"Religion, belief, faith-these are very important things to the believers." Sareau stated. "The gods in my family don't even acknowledge their worshipers, but the worship seems to make the believers happy, so they don't step on it. There are others, however, who twist their worshipers this way and that, use them as pawns and catspaws...while I take a dim view of such treatment of belief and faith, it is fairly common, even when carried out more by a corrupt priest than the god itself."

"No worries," whispered back Lucus as he tried to stay focus on the subject. "She only wanted you to know the message or letter was waiting for you,"
"Lucus?" Delphina asked, "Are you paying attention?"

"Yes miss," replied back Lucus as he kept his attention on the teacher while keeping his mind on the subject.

"Yes miss," replied back Lucus as he kept his attention on the teacher while keeping his mind on the subject.
"All right well..." Delphina smiled at Lucus before she glanced up at the wall. "Oh, posh. We're out of time...I certainly enjoyed today's discussion," she stood up, glancing from student to student, "I hope you did as well. Next topic, we'll be discussing character traits. So please read up in your texts and we'll evolve the discussion from there." She smiled again, passing out candies to everyone, "Have a good day, you're dismissed." As Delphina turned to start tidying her desk, she wheeled around, "For those who left Professor Maverick's class...I'll discuss it with him, okay?"

Lucus smiled a little and took down what he had to do for homework. He was going to keep up with his homework and take notes along the way. After they were dismiss, Lucus left quietly and headed back to his dorm to rid of his books.

'I should talk to Delphina later,' thought Lucus to himself as he wondered back to his dorm.

Lucus smiled a little and took down what he had to do for homework. He was going to keep up with his homework and take notes along the way. After they were dismiss, Lucus left quietly and headed back to his dorm to rid of his books.

'I should talk to Delphina later,' thought Lucus to himself as he wondered back to his dorm.
"Hey..." Mathieu said, catching up to Lucus. "Interesting class, huh?" He smiled and looked around to see if it was safe before asking, "Hey...do you know anything about...girls?"

"Interesting class...?" muttered Lucus as he thought about the professor for a moment before blinking a couple of times. "Sorry, my mind was wondering again. What do I know about girls?" started Lucus as he tried to avoid anything. "I...err...to be honest, I only know a few things about them. Why do you ask?"

"Interesting class...?" muttered Lucus as he thought about the professor for a moment before blinking a couple of times. "Sorry, my mind was wondering again. What do I know about girls?" started Lucus as he tried to avoid anything. "I...err...to be honest, I only know a few things about them. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I've been hanging out with Anna a bit...and she seems nice," Mathieu looked around again. "But, I dunno what to do...is there a girl here you like?" he pondered.

"I...I notice you were hanging out with Anna and I think you made a good choice," started Lucus as they deaded back to their dorm. "There's no rules when it comes to liking something. Its just like being a gunner. You do what your heart tells you what to do and you take the risks you need to complete the task," explained Lucus as he tried to keep his mind clear. "I like someone but I feel they don't like me back,"

"I...I notice you were hanging out with Anna and I think you made a good choice," started Lucus as they deaded back to their dorm. "There's no rules when it comes to liking something. Its just like being a gunner. You do what your heart tells you what to do and you take the risks you need to complete the task," explained Lucus as he tried to keep his mind clear. "I like someone but I feel they don't like me back,"
Mathieu opened the door and they went in. He closed the door all the way and sat down.

"Really? Who is it?" He asked. "Not that crazy Min...is it?" he asked, slightly disgusted at the thought.

"Min is too headstrong," started Lucus. "She is more focused on the job, has no emotions, has little to do with her team mates and thinks she is the top dog around here because she's a freakin' guardian of some kind," reacted Lucus. "I rather be fighting the Fungi again than dating her so your answer is no. Here's the letter D...Delphina...want to give you," stated Lucus as he handed Mathieu the letter. His mind was suddenly focused on Delphina and he wanted it to be focused on the conversation. "Damnit," muttered Lucus to himself.

"Min is too headstrong," started Lucus. "She is more focused on the job, has no emotions, has little to do with her team mates and thinks she is the top dog around here because she's a freakin' guardian of some kind," reacted Lucus. "I rather be fighting the Fungi again than dating her so your answer is no. Here's the letter D...Delphina...want to give you," stated Lucus as he handed Mathieu the letter. His mind was suddenly focused on Delphina and he wanted it to be focused on the conversation. "Damnit," muttered Lucus to himself.
"Thanks," Mathieu opened the letter with his knife, noticing that it was a letter to take care in expressing his gratitude to Lucus, and to watch out for his friend. He noticed Lucus' stutter and had a curious thought. He decided to do something...

"Hey, look on the envelope," he said, showing the letter. "Professor Davis wrote her first name..." he smiled, "Her handwriting's all girly...and the paper smells like perfume, see?" he held out the envelope.

ooc: he's not showing the letter, just the envelope, fyi.

"Of course its girly," replied Lucus. "She's a girl and...why would she write her first name on the envelope?" started Lucus as he tried to resist himself as he sniffed gently but shakes his head slightly. "Wh...why are you doing this to me?"

"Of course its girly," replied Lucus. "She's a girl and...why would she write her first name on the envelope?" started Lucus as he tried to resist himself as he sniffed gently but shakes his head slightly. "Wh...why are you doing this to me?"
"Doing what?" Mathieu asked. "I just thought it was weird she'd be so girly for a teacher, y'know?" He frowned, "If it's not Min...there aren't that many girls here," he commented.

"Your quizzing me over the fact that D...D...Delphina message to you!" Lucus took a breather and realised something. "You're trapping me aren't you?" asked Lucus. "Is this what you were taught? Trap your victim in a corner? You may find it odd in your culture, but in Lynion culture, its a natural thing to happen,"

"Your quizzing me over the fact that D...D...Delphina message to you!" Lucus took a breather and realised something. "You're trapping me aren't you?" asked Lucus. "Is this what you were taught? Trap your victim in a corner? You may find it odd in your culture, but in Lynion culture, its a natural thing to happen,"
"Dude, I'm just kidding," Mathieu put the note down. "I wasn't trying to trap you or anything. Lynion culture seems messed up if people do that to each other..." he commented. "Sorry, I don't mean to knock your country or nothing. I was just messing, sorry. I just wanted to know what girl you liked...you don't like Anna too, do you?" Mathieu asked, suddenly worried.

"Blazes! I said it wrong," replied Lucus. "I don't like Anna, what I meant to say about our culture: its alright to like someone that's older or younger than yourself...I'll tell you who I like but you need to promise me you won't say a blasted a word about to anyone got it?" stated Lucus as he felt slightly relaxed.

"Well...it looks like they managed to raise a bigger stink than I ever could," Reardon said as he left the arena. He had a good mind to leave them all a gift that keeps on giving--they had, after all, spoiled his fun in the simulation--but thought better of it. Denial of a reward did not, in and of itself, rise to the level necessitating the hot breath of retribution.

So he left and headed back for his dorms. Once there, he would try to find his team and put together his little paper. It would be interesting--which was more than he could puff out about things so far.

"Blazes! I said it wrong," replied Lucus. "I don't like Anna, what I meant to say about our culture: its alright to like someone that's older or younger than yourself...I'll tell you who I like but you need to promise me you won't say a blasted a word about to anyone got it?" stated Lucus as he felt slightly relaxed.
"Y-yeah, of course," Mathieu said. "I mean, I promise." He smiles, "We're mates after all, right?"

mates=friend

"I have trust issues on personal topics Mathieu," replied Lucus. "We're mates." smiled Lucus as he was having difficultly doing the next part. "I really like D...D....De...Delphina..." and with that, he blushed slightly. "Like I said before, you might find it strange liking a much older person like the situation I'm in but, there's no big deal in our culture. We see there's nothing wrong with it,"

"I have trust issues on personal topics Mathieu," replied Lucus. "We're mates." smiled Lucus as he was having difficultly doing the next part. "I really like D...D....De...Delphina..." and with that, he blushed slightly. "Like I said before, you might find it strange liking a much older person like the situation I'm in but, there's no big deal in our culture. We see there's nothing wrong with it,"
"Oh, that's understandable," MAthieu said about his trust issues. As for the rest, he nearly fell out of his chair, "Really?!" he almost yelled, covering his mouth in shock. "I mean, really?" he asked in a lower tone. "Well, she doesn't act a lot like a teacher," he reasoned, looking over and smiling, "And she's like...super-pretty." Mathieu smiled, "Careful on a date. She'll know what you're thinking," he chuckled.

"Yeah I do," blushed Lucus as he searched for his pillow. "I like her but I feel she won't like me back...gosh!" Lucus felt at ease. "I know she's beautiful but I like her personality more. Looks can change easily but your personality is what makes you, you," stated Lucus as he listened to the last part. "I know she's a mind reader because she found out I liked her by reading my mind and I feel I should tell her but I don't want to get her into trouble with me," finished Lucus as he laughed at the last part and threw his pillow across to Mathieu. Lucus looked across at his PDA and smiled. "Are you interested in a war story?"

"Yeah I do," blushed Lucus as he searched for his pillow. "I like her but I feel she won't like me back...gosh!" Lucus felt at ease. "I know she's beautiful but I like her personality more. Looks can change easily but your personality is what makes you, you," stated Lucus as he listened to the last part. "I know she's a mind reader because she found out I liked her by reading my mind and I feel I should tell her but I don't want to get her into trouble with me," finished Lucus as he laughed at the last part and threw his pillow across to Mathieu. Lucus looked across at his PDA and smiled. "Are you interested in a war story?"
"Sure," Mathieu said, lobbing the pillow back in retaliation.

ooc: how old is lucus?

Walking down the hall Josh thought he heard Mathieu and Lucus talking, but couldn't make out words. He kept walking until he found his room. as he reached the door some thug grabbed his arm.
"I hope you can spare some cash," said the thug, pulling out a knife. Josh didn't even bother speaking. He just created a shield in fount of the thug and used it to send him flying.
"Anyone else who wants to try and mug me?" said Josh, spinning on the spot."No didn't think so."
With that Josh opened the door and stepped in. The first thing he noticed was that he didn't have a roommate.
Oh well. More space for me thought Josh. He then threw his carry bag onto his bed and unzipped his suitcases, checking that everything was there, before turning his attention to the case at the foot of his bed. Unlocking it, he opened it to see a black guitar. Pulling it out, he played a few notes before grabbing out a folder out and flicking it out to a page. carrying the guitar and folder he sat on his bed and started playing.

OOC: 16

IC:

"Remember the Fungi from the simulations?" asked Lucus as he caught the pillow. "Well, when I was born, the Vamperial Kingdom, the Imperial Australians and the Imperial Fungi were all allies. We formed VATO in order to defend ourselves since we were non-Human form. VATO stood for the Vamperial Alliance Treaty Organisation and the trio was a strong force. When I was 14, I was serving on the Royal Vamperial Aerial Naval Destroyer United," started Lucus.

"We were part of a convoy escort and I was being taught how to be a gunner. I would fire one of two 120mm cannons or a 110mm cannons. I forgot the size but it was beauty and at this time, my best friend Matt was being trained by the Vamperial Order to be a pilot of a destroyer," contiuned Lucus. "Anyhow, there was another 5 aerial destroyers and we were escorting 20 medical frigates filled with wounded from the Last Pirate War. We were meant to intercept another convoy and fly back to Lynion. Back then we had no idea we were going into a trap. The convoy was flying past an Imperial Fungi outpost," explained Lucus.

"We were the last to find out but an hour after the attack Lynscert Island, which is part of the Lynion Islands, was assaulted by the Imperial Fungi. As we were passing through Imperial Fungi air space, at the time we thought we were still allies, the convoy was ambushed. Our captain didn't wanted to return fire because we promised we never attack an ally," explained Lucus.

"We lost two medical frigates and we would lose more if I didn't knocked out the captain and the pilot. Matt was given command at the age of 15 and he piloted the destroyer across and I took over as the gunner of the AA systems. I was the only gunner returning fire and eventually the other destroyers returned fire on the Fungi. We were taking fire and Matt ordered the gunships to be deployed and engage the Fungi Air Force while the destroyers took out their navy," contiuned Lucus as he took a gulp from his flask.

"The fighting was becoming worse and we were out man, out gunned and we were in their air space. Matt ordered for support and eventually we were saved. We drifted about 15 kilometres off course due to the manovours and protecting the medical frigates, it was then our salvation came. We were battered and lost our engines and one of the destroyers had being shot down. Some of the crew lost hope but I decided to contiune the fight since we were gonna die," Lucus laughed a little as he shakes his head.

"Matt got onto the radio and called for reinforcements. By chance, his older brother was about an hours flight from our location and was returning home with the First Aerial Fleet. He was pissed off that our allies betrayed us and headed to our location. Matt's brother is the highest ranking commander in the Air Force and he showed up in the nick of time," smiled Lucus. "We eventually started to drift due to too much damaged to the engines and a flight of fighters were going to rip us to shreds. The doors were jammed, fires had broken out and it looked like we lost all hope. We lost our com links to other parts of the destroyers and we held on to our lives. I kept firing, Matt tried to get the engines online again and then it happened," Lucus suddenly stopped and took another gulp from his flask and held it close to his face.

"A barrage of flak suddenly came in front of us and the attackers were ripped apart. It was an Anti-Aircraft Swatter that arrived to save our skin. We laughed, we cheered and we hugged. Matt's brothers fleet took over and the aerial aircraft carrier towed us homewards while we attempted to repair what we could," smiled Lucus.

"The skrimish ended in Lynion favour even though we lost four destroyers and 6 medical frigates. I was placed on a charge and I appear to my Court Martial. We don't have lawyers but a well trained arbiter that listens to our stories and presents our case to the judges. I told him and the judges that if I didn't knocked out the captain and the pilot, we would've lost the entire convoy. The top judge looked at me and at the captain and decided nobody would lose their career. I was spared because I saved the bulk of the convoy and countless wounded soldiers. I was given the Heroism Cross along with Matt and the rest of the crew. I never found out what happened to the captain but I heard the pilot was spared," finished Lucus.


OOC: This is one story given by Lucus. I knocked it into paragraphs so its easier to read.

OOC: 16
<snip>


"Wow," Mathieu said. "So...you're friend back then was named Matt, too?" he smiled. "What're the odds of that?" He smiled broadly, "Hey, I'll support you with Delphina if you want..."

"That's really nice of you," replied Lucus as he took him on his offer. "He was actually Matthew, we preferred to call each other by our nicknames rather than our Christian Name," Lucus felt slightly more comfortable. "I should go and see Delphina," Lucus said as he stood up and headed to the door.

"That's really nice of you," replied Lucus as he took him on his offer. "He was actually Matthew, we preferred to call each other by our nicknames rather than our Christian Name," Lucus felt slightly more comfortable. "I should go and see Delphina," Lucus said as he stood up and headed to the door.
"Hey," Mathieu put a hand on his shoulder, "Watch your thoughts," he said, patting his shoulder as Lucus left the room.

"Thanks," called back Lucus as he headed towards Delphina quarters. He wasn't sure what he was going to say, but he was going to keep his mind clear, his thoughts calm and more importantly, he was going to be careful what he said. Lucus felt slightly lost when he arrived close to the classroom he had his last lesson in and looked inside to see where she was.

OOC: Where is she?

Walking down the hall Josh thought he heard Mathieu and Lucus talking, but couldn't make out words. He kept walking until he found his room. as he reached the door some thug grabbed his arm.
"I hope you can spare some cash," said the thug, pulling out a knife. Josh didn't even bother speaking. He just created a shield in fount of the thug and used it to send him flying.
"Anyone else who wants to try and mug me?" said Josh, spinning on the spot."No didn't think so."
With that Josh opened the door and stepped in. The first thing he noticed was that he didn't have a roommate.
Oh well. More space for me thought Josh. He then threw his carry bag onto his bed and unzipped his suitcases, checking that everything was there, before turning his attention to the case at the foot of his bed. Unlocking it, he opened it to see a black guitar. Pulling it out, he played a few notes before grabbing out a folder out and flicking it out to a page. carrying the guitar and folder he sat on his bed and started playing.

Ziyo was walking towards his dorm, openned the door, and flopped down on the bed. He heard something. At first he couldn't tell what it was, but then he could tell it was coming from the next room over.
Getting up, he wondered what it was coming from. Up til now it had been empty.
Knocking, he said
"Hey, watcha doing in there?"

OOC: First off, I did this because I've never had any IC happenings in the dorms, and for the sake of irony (Ziyoshiyua is the individual characters in Japanese for Joshua)

OOC: Really? The More Your Know.

Jumping at the knocking at his door, he got up and opened the door to see Ziyo standing at the door.
"Oh hey there. Just practising some guitar. Not annoying you is it?" said Josh.

"Nah, it's all cool. I play keyboard myself. I was just wondering where all the noise was coming from. This dorm used to be empty. So what are you playing?" he said.

"Not sure,' said Josh, grabbing the tabs.
"according to this, i'm playing the opening riff for One by metellica, though i think i need to tune my guitar a bit,"said Josh, playing a couple of cords, before turning the tuning pins.

"Thanks," called back Lucus as he headed towards Delphina quarters. He wasn't sure what he was going to say, but he was going to keep his mind clear, his thoughts calm and more importantly, he was going to be careful what he said. Lucus felt slightly lost when he arrived close to the classroom he had his last lesson in and looked inside to see where she was.

OOC: Where is she?
ooc: she's in her office, a door in the back of her classroom

ic:

Inside her office, Delphina was absentmindedly humming a tune as she went over the next lesson. She was also reviewing the previous lesson, and smiled a bit, remembering one of Lucus' comments. Stop it, Delphina Elisa Davis she chided herself.

Lucus cleared his mind and stopped all thoughts trafficing through his brain. He wanted to do this quietly and Lucus slipped into the classroom. Lucus was feeling slightly in pain as he allowed his thoughts to run free.

'She's going to know I'm here before I even knock on the door,' thought Lucus to himself as he gathered by all his courage and knocked on the door twice.

"Umm...Professor Davis, I...I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time," asked Lucus as he used his sand ability and closed the classroom door from where he stood and quickly pulled the sand back into his jar.

Lucus cleared his mind and stopped all thoughts trafficing through his brain. He wanted to do this quietly and Lucus slipped into the classroom. Lucus was feeling slightly in pain as he allowed his thoughts to run free.

'She's going to know I'm here before I even knock on the door,' thought Lucus to himself as he gathered by all his courage and knocked on the door twice.

"Umm...Professor Davis, I...I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time," asked Lucus as he used his sand ability and closed the classroom door from where he stood and quickly pulled the sand back into his jar.
ooc: i forgot that was his power, lol. sorry.

ic:

Delphina nearly jumped out of her seat when she heard the knocks. She'd been deep in thought, and hadn't even sensed someone was in the classroom. So out of it, she didn't even know who it was until she heard Lucus' voice. For a minute she hesitated, clutching her cross. What'll I do? she asked herself. With a determined 'humph' Delphina opened the door.

"Hello Lucus," she smiled nervously, "Of course you can," she ushered him in. Delphina pointed to a seat across from her own, "Have a seat," she offered as she took her own seat.

Lucus sat down at the sea she offered as he was very nervous in her presence. He silently took a deep breath, calm his nerves down for a moment and then looked at Delphina. This was going to be the hardest moment of his life...or so far in his life.

"I...I thought I should come by and aplogise for standing you up for lunch today," started Lucus as he thought it would be the best place to start. "I..." 'Lucus, get to the point, just don't rush it' he thought to himself. "I...didn't mean to do it to you. I sort of freaked out,"

'Just don't rush yourself Lucus or her,' he told himself in his mind over and over.

Sareau melted away to his room, his passing as unnoted as a small breeze.

His rooms were dark-villains were supposed to enjoy brooding with their solitary thoughts. Fortunately, a private cell was allowed so even the presence of a roommate could be escaped, and Sareau had a small well-lit table with a glass top and lamp beneath, it's walls lined with viewscreens.

"Seal the room." he ordered the automated system. "Give me the news feed, and adjust environment for protocol 17-B."

The hissing of the controls as they complied brought the temperature down and siphoned excess moisture from the air. As the room altered, Sareau replaced his silken gloves with thin rubber ones and placed a pair of padded forceps on the table. When the computer signaled it was done, he selected one urn and placed it on the table.

"Well, in for a penny, in for a pound." He breathed, exerting his power to carefully remove the seal, and lift the lid from his prize. The scroll was intact, and with extreme delicacy, he removed it and unrolled it on the table. "Triple encryption-private files-Sareau #0101101110-code access- 'Soylent Green is people'-voice recognition lock."

Having set the recording protocol, he instituted a final security check in the event another should access this file by speaking in Edomite. Slowly, he began to read aloud his translation...

While working out a difficult passage, his attention wandered to a viewscreen where he saw a blue-skinned, white-haired man shooting it out with the Istanbul police. The bland announcer spoke:"..while the man has yet to be identified, Turkish officials claim he is responsible for the theft at the Hagia Sophia earlier today..."

Damn. Sareau cursed to himself. "Suspend recording-install full security protocols-mark for edit later." He used great care to replace the urn and set it among the others, replacing the seal exactly as he had removed it.

"End seal."

Now, he had work to do...

Lucus sat down at the sea she offered as he was very nervous in her presence. He silently took a deep breath, calm his nerves down for a moment and then looked at Delphina. This was going to be the hardest moment of his life...or so far in his life.

"I...I thought I should come by and aplogise for standing you up for lunch today," started Lucus as he thought it would be the best place to start. "I..." 'Lucus, get to the point, just don't rush it' he thought to himself. "I...didn't mean to do it to you. I sort of freaked out,"

'Just don't rush yourself Lucus or her,' he told himself in his mind over and over.
"Aww, that's sweet of you," Delphina smiled. She wondered if he was serious, or knew she was kidding him. "Um, I feel kinda guilty for you feeling that," she explained. "I was kinda teasing you a bit...I didn't feel bad when you wanted to eat without me," Oh, jeez, this is sounding wrong. Delphina reached out her hand and touched his, "It was really sweet of you to do that, though," she smiled warmly.

"Not sure,' said Josh, grabbing the tabs.
"according to this, i'm playing the opening riff for One by metellica, though i think i need to tune my guitar a bit,"said Josh, playing a couple of cords, before turning the tuning pins.

"Hmm. I've got part of myself in a tuner in my room. I'll turn it on, just a sec." he said, closing his eyes and concentrating.
"There, go ahead and play something."

Josh shruged, then started playing the first few bars for Spanish Lady. to his surprise the guitar was almost perfectly tuned.
"Woh, thanks," said Josh.

Anna sat on her bed, with a quill pen and a pile of parchment. Her 'report' such as it was, had already been E-mailed. Regardless of the stated failing grade, the report was an assignment accepted, and therefore, must be done she'd written that near the header.

In it, she described the initial scenario, followed by an analysis of the situation as she'd experienced it, and finally a conclusion that the challenge was suitable for everyone-except Anna McCall, who, in her own words, "Had little to do that a householder's daughter back home would not have done when faced with cleaning away a fungus."

What she was writing, in ink, the hard way, was something more personal, and therefore, required a more personal touch.

The parchment-and-ink would also allow the recipient to destroy any trace of the message without leaving an electronic record, if he so chose.

"Professor Maverick

On the subject of the second exercise, which was aborted, I have a few comments as to YOUR conduct that I am certain you would prefer I did not bandy about in the corridors, as this might undermine your status with other students not directly involved in the incident.

To wit: You behaved like a child. Punishment for myself is expected-I rebelled and undermined your authority in a classroom environment. Punishment for Mat and Josh, could be explained as they ended up emulating my example-but only AFTER you lost control of the situation that YOU arranged.

For a substitute, this may be expected, for a Professor, this is simply a failure of leadership in front of outsiders, it was openly foolish, and your ranting simply made a bad situation worse. Min and a few of the others were willing to go along with your chosen simulation, you SHOULD have run the sim with them, and imparted whatever limited instruction you were intending to impart..to them. You MIGHT have been able to convince the others to follow your instructions, had you bothered to separate the instigator (myself) from them, and engaged them in rational discourse, instead of throwing a temper-tantrum.

Chronologically, I am over fifty years old. I have actually LIVED only sixteen of those years, and only four of them in the current era. Perhaps this is how adults in the modern world act, but I am given to believe not-when I was finally freed from the 'testing' ordered by the late Princepes Garret II, there was a dedicated effort to help me acclimatize to the twenty-first century, and while the fashions are more than passing strange, the fundamental rules of how a superior interacts with subordinates remained essentially the same.

I believe you have failed in the task set before YOU. That I was the pretext does not alter that assessment-Teachers have had difficult students in the past, and handled the challenge without losing their grip-you lost your grip, you did so in front of your pupils, and, by lashing out at the non-involved students with threats, you crippled your ability to provide them with useful instruction. This may not be a fatal error, but only you can correct what you have failed to do-and that failure's correction lies in suppressing your vanity and learning how to lead strangers as easily as you lead close associates.

I can not teach you this-I'm just a kid who talks to dead people and doesn't have the decency to lay down and stay dead. I would suggest you consider how you failed to handle the situation, how you COULD handle a similar situation, and how you might have avoided the awkward and embarrassing to yourself aspects.

I expect and accept that, with only a day left in the term, I would fail the class-that's almost a given, considering how far out of line your preparation was and how far the class itself had progressed prior to my arrival. However, as a person who is legally responsible for herself, And considered an adult in age if not in development, I can still firmly criticize your actions as a person assigned to provide instruction to others, Leadership, and Guidance.

Learn to deal with your personal demons, Professor, get your vanity under control, and stop being an irresponsible child, you are too old, too experienced, and too high in authority to act like the fool my Father was.

Anna McCall.

Anna carefully folded it three ways, and sealed it with wax, then, with the help of the station directory, she addressed the outside, and carried it to the Station's internal post, where she paid postage, and deposited the missive to be delivered by the system.

Josh shruged, then started playing the first few bars for Spanish Lady. to his surprise the guitar was almost perfectly tuned.
"Woh, thanks," said Josh.

"One of the few useful things I can do. What was it that you could do?"

<snip>
Taking up on Lucus' boldness, Mathieu left his dorm and searched for Anna's. Finally finding it. He took a breath and knocked on the door.

"Umm...Manipulate atomic energy. Why?" said Josh, who felt that his second ability was better left untold.

OOC: last post for the night. getting kick off the computer.

"That's cool. Energy-kinesis seems to be really common around this place. There's you, me, I think Mathieu, to name a few. Imagine what would happen if we all channeled it into one beam." he said.

Anna got back as Mathieu knocked on her door. "come on in." she said impishly, from behind him, "or turn around." She was smiling.

Anna got back as Mathieu knocked on her door. "come on in." she said impishly, from behind him, "or turn around." She was smiling.
Mathieu nearly jumped out of his skin, turning on his heel.

"Oh, hi," he smiled, "You just sorta popped up, didn't you?"

"Aww, that's sweet of you," Delphina smiled. She wondered if he was serious, or knew she was kidding him. "Um, I feel kinda guilty for you feeling that," she explained. "I was kinda teasing you a bit...I didn't feel bad when you wanted to eat without me," Oh, jeez, this is sounding wrong. Delphina reached out her hand and touched his, "It was really sweet of you to do that, though," she smiled warmly.

"I was praying I would get it right when I was meant to take you out for lunch," smiled Lucus as he got a grip on reality. "There's something I want to tell you before its too late," started Lucus as he felt his heart sank gently. "I was reading some news articles on a Lynion Website and I came across an article I prayed that I wouldn't see. Lynion is engage with another war in the region and they're calling back retired fighters such as Professor Maverick," started Lucus. "As we speak, Professor Maverick will be heading back into the military force. I'm not sure what's going to happen but I'm...scared that its going to lead to concrisption which is going to lead to teenagers with military experience being called up. If it happens, I'll be called up for service," Lucus shaked his head for a moment. "I want you too know...you mean something to me miss," finished Lucus.

'Would this be the last thing that she says to me?' thought Lucus to himself.

"I was praying I would get it right when I was meant to take you out for lunch," smiled Lucus as he got a grip on reality. "There's something I want to tell you before its too late," started Lucus as he felt his heart sank gently. "I was reading some news articles on a Lynion Website and I came across an article I prayed that I wouldn't see. Lynion is engage with another war in the region and they're calling back retired fighters such as Professor Maverick," started Lucus. "As we speak, Professor Maverick will be heading back into the military force. I'm not sure what's going to happen but I'm...scared that its going to lead to concrisption which is going to lead to teenagers with military experience being called up. If it happens, I'll be called up for service," Lucus shaked his head for a moment. "I want you too know...you mean something to me miss," finished Lucus.

'Would this be the last thing that she says to me?' thought Lucus to himself.
"Oh, you poor dear," Delphina said. She stood up and hugged him to her. "I pray you don't go off to war either," she tells him. Delphina hesitates when told the last part. "Mean something to you?" she asked, "In what way?" though she feared the answer.

Mathieu nearly jumped out of his skin, turning on his heel.

"Oh, hi," he smiled, "You just sorta popped up, didn't you?"

Anna laid one hand on his chest, and used her other hand to open the door behind him, "I was just...making trouble." she said, drawing him into the room just ahead of her. She felt a fire inside her she had never felt before, and it ran up her hand into her chest. "you know making trouble?" she asked, her expression smouldered with a desire she wasn't used to, and a confidence she wasn't accustomed to feeling. It felt good though.

Anna laid one hand on his chest, and used her other hand to open the door behind him, "I was just...making trouble." she said, drawing him into the room just ahead of her. She felt a fire inside her she had never felt before, and it ran up her hand into her chest. "you know making trouble?" she asked, her expression smouldered with a desire she wasn't used to, and a confidence she wasn't accustomed to feeling. It felt good though.
"Well, I'm kindof a troublemaker, too," Mathieu said, his heart racing as she touched him. "I like trouble makers," he said. "Erm...um, well...y'know what I mean, right?"

"Well, I'm kindof a troublemaker, too," Mathieu said, his heart racing as she touched him. "I like trouble makers," he said. "Erm...um, well...y'know what I mean, right?"

She tilted her head, and licked her lips, "wanna make some trouble?" she asked invitingly, "cause, y'know, I do..." and she kicked the door closed behind her.

She tilted her head, and licked her lips, "wanna make some trouble?" she asked invitingly, "cause, y'know, I do..." and she kicked the door closed behind her.
ooc: note that he's never, ever been with a girl...and all previous experience was tainted after that Taser-kiss

ic:

"Um, what kind of, trouble...?" Mathieu asked, feeling a bit cornered. An arch of energy passed between his arms behind his back, and he bit down to control his powers. "I mean...touble's my middle name, y'know?"

Lucus

"Concrisption is usually the last call the Lynion's do," started Lucus as he hugged her gently back as he listened to her talk gently. "Your personality for making you, being a friend for your students and your beautiful," replied Lucus as he sensed rejection was in the air.


Professor Maverick

Mavis had found a letter addressed to him and thought he could do with a walk since he was returning back to active duty. He wrote a small note with a blue sticker to attach it to Anna's letter and so she could see it through the the enevelope. He eventually found Anna's dorm and noticed it was closed. He knocked on it three times and placed the letter on the foot of the door and left the school.

Students,

I understand some of you think I'm not capable of being the professor you need in training. Some of you think you failed but I looked back over the tasks that were going to be checked. I realised that nobody failed the simulation as the simulation was a joke. Each one of you had your reactions when Anna, Matheiu and Josh aborted the simulation. At first I was enraged because of what they did. However, over the next few moments I realised that everyone has brains and hearts. Sure some were ruthless (such as Min) but the trio left marked something. The trio past the test instead of failing because they were the only ones that used their brains and their hearts at the same time. Something rare in most super-Humans.

The only advice I can give you is that each one of you have emotions weather you enjoy it or not. Don't believe in fate, considence or horroscopes instead have faith in yourself and in the end, you'll be the person you want to be.

Also, can someone inform Min that she needs to stop being so reckless, stop believing she's the top dog and allow others to play as the leader.

I'm off to join Professor Phoenix's squad. I'll be based in Bunbury in Northam-York and the Port Town of Bunbury is currently under seige. I won't tell you when you'll see Phoenix again, but I doubt I'll be returning to the school.

Note: Droid 367 will be in the care of Lucus. I've also found some exercises the class to use as part of the subject. Each one has being made better than I could've done it.

I wish you luck

~ Professor Mavis J. Maverick

Lucus

"Concrisption is usually the last call the Lynion's do," started Lucus as he hugged her gently back as he listened to her talk gently. "Your personality for making you, being a friend for your students and your beautiful," replied Lucus as he sensed rejection was in the air.


"Oh, um...you think I'm beautiful?" she blushed and stepped back a bit. "And you like my personality...?" she said nervously. "Oh my..." her cheeks turned even darker red. She didn't know what to say. No one had ever told her something like that...not ever.

"I do like you miss," replied Lucus. "I hope I didn't say something wrong," said Lucus as he noticed how red her face was going.

"I do like you miss," replied Lucus. "I hope I didn't say something wrong," said Lucus as he noticed how red her face was going.
"No, nothing wrong," Delphina smiled. "I'm just not sure this is...appropriate," she said finally. "I'm really flattered you think of me so highly...no one's ever told me that."

"I presume when you your not sure about being appropriate," started Lucus as he looked at her. "You mean, your not sure its right to have a student-teacher relationship?" asked Lucus.

Anna leaned forward, "The kind that makes the old men nod and the matrons gossip." she whispered. She ran a hand down his chest, between his legs, "Lots of trouble." Her desires, her feelings, were ruling her now, and she didn't even notice the ozone smell.

She Wanted him, NOW. Her other hand reached back to cup his neck, and bring him in for a kiss...

And, of course, right about the moment-Energy has neither knowledge, nor concern for the desires of mortal people-or even serially-immortal people.

The last thing she heard when she was hit by the surge, was the Trickster's laughter, then, cold darkness. In the darkness, she relished the kiss.

[ooc: this is funnier. Super hero School, right? People LEARNING to cope with/control their powers. Anna's going to be dead for a few minutes. This CAN be edited away if you're not cool with it...Like any good comic book, Anna's not going to remember the following, but the audience can!]

The realm of the Dead is gloom, but it is not total darkness. "You're back early-and you found a boy you like, good." Hel stepped down. Anna knew it was Hel, she knew a lot more, at this moment, than she did in her body in Midgard.
"It was a kiss, how could-" Anna protested.
"Electricity. Your young man has a power over a force of nature, one that he hasn't entirely learned to control, especially when his desire to breed overcomes his good senses." Hel told her, then added, "You realize, he won't be here for you when his time there is finished."

Anna frowned, "Not here?"

"No! oh, dear, no... His destiny is elsewhere, though If I send you back to him, you could have several years together...if that is what both of you want." a crusted, decaying hand stretched out of the Death-Goddess's robes, and clutched Anna's shoulder, "You are both young, though-and his tastes may be as fickle as all men's."

Anna looked down, "Yes mother...how many more times before I can stay either here, or there?" she asked.

"You know, if I knew the correct answer to that, I wouldn't have to ask the Norns for advice." Hel told her, "but I do-and they won't tell me...what they do tell, is that the Final Battle is coming-as it has been for these last few tens of thousands of years, that they can't say for certain when, and that the Others have agents in Midgard, observing, manipulating, changing things...have you learned more of what I have given you?"

Anna shook her head, "no, Mother, I know, when I'm in Midgard, that I can converse with the dead, and that I die, but don't stay dead."

Hel nodded, and for a moment, her half-beautiful, half horrifying face showed. "Good, you should not learn too quickly, like Magritte did. I'm still dealing with her cast-offs and I won't tolerate another of my daughters making those mistakes."

"What of my Mortal mother?" Anna asked.

"I hear she's a big hit in my Uncle's hall, has a different warrior every night." Hel said grimly, "In a way, suitable punishment for being such a slut, but I'm told she likes the company of men who forget to duck...are you still set on this silly 'hero' business?"

Anna nodded, "I am. I want to help people." she said.

"Well...I'd ask you for dinner, but you're not staying, and I have a bunch of sailors due in soon, I tell you, these days, it's work-work-work..." Hel's dead hand gripped her shoulder, "try not to raise anyone unless you must, it disrupts equilibrium, and it isn't something to do lightly."

Anna felt an agonizing pain in her chest.

"I think he's calling you...better get back to your date." Hel told her, "Play safe, and if you make any granddaughters, name one for me!"

"I presume when you your not sure about being appropriate," started Lucus as he looked at her. "You mean, your not sure its right to have a student-teacher relationship?" asked Lucus.
"That's right..." Delphina said. "Also, I've dedicated myself to only one man," she clutched her cross. "I'm...not sure, not sure what to do..." she said. "I'm sorry."

"I...I didn't know," replied Lucus as he took a step back from her. "I know your Christian and I only wanted to express my feelings to you. I didn't know you had another person in your mind," finished Lucus.

Anna leaned forward, "The kind that makes the old men nod and the matrons gossip." she whispered. She ran a hand down his chest, between his legs, "Lots of trouble." Her desires, her feelings, were ruling her now, and she didn't even notice the ozone smell.

She Wanted him, NOW. Her other hand reached back to cup his neck, and bring him in for a kiss...

And, of course, right about the moment-Energy has neither knowledge, nor concern for the desires of mortal people-or even serially-immortal people.

The last thing she heard when she was hit by the surge, was the Trickster's laughter, then, cold darkness. In the darkness, she relished the kiss.

[ooc: this is funnier. Super hero School, right? People LEARNING to cope with/control their powers. Anna's going to be dead for a few minutes. This CAN be edited away if you're not cool with it...Like any good comic book, Anna's not going to remember the following, but the audience can!]

The realm of the Dead is gloom, but it is not total darkness. "You're back early-and you found a boy you like, good." Hel stepped down. Anna knew it was Hel, she knew a lot more, at this moment, than she did in her body in Midgard.
"It was a kiss, how could-" Anna protested.
"Electricity. Your young man has a power over a force of nature, one that he hasn't entirely learned to control, especially when his desire to breed overcomes his good senses." Hel told her, then added, "You realize, he won't be here for you when his time there is finished."

Anna frowned, "Not here?"

"No! oh, dear, no... His destiny is elsewhere, though If I send you back to him, you could have several years together...if that is what both of you want." a crusted, decaying hand stretched out of the Death-Goddess's robes, and clutched Anna's shoulder, "You are both young, though-and his tastes may be as fickle as all men's."

Anna looked down, "Yes mother...how many more times before I can stay either here, or there?" she asked.

"You know, if I knew the correct answer to that, I wouldn't have to ask the Norns for advice." Hel told her, "but I do-and they won't tell me...what they do tell, is that the Final Battle is coming-as it has been for these last few tens of thousands of years, that they can't say for certain when, and that the Others have agents in Midgard, observing, manipulating, changing things...have you learned more of what I have given you?"

Anna shook her head, "no, Mother, I know, when I'm in Midgard, that I can converse with the dead, and that I die, but don't stay dead."

Hel nodded, and for a moment, her half-beautiful, half horrifying face showed. "Good, you should not learn too quickly, like Magritte did. I'm still dealing with her cast-offs and I won't tolerate another of my daughters making those mistakes."

"What of my Mortal mother?" Anna asked.

"I hear she's a big hit in my Uncle's hall, has a different warrior every night." Hel said grimly, "In a way, suitable punishment for being such a slut, but I'm told she likes the company of men who forget to duck...are you still set on this silly 'hero' business?"

Anna nodded, "I am. I want to help people." she said.

"Well...I'd ask you for dinner, but you're not staying, and I have a bunch of sailors due in soon, I tell you, these days, it's work-work-work..." Hel's dead hand gripped her shoulder, "try not to raise anyone unless you must, it disrupts equilibrium, and it isn't something to do lightly."

Anna felt an agonizing pain in her chest.

"I think he's calling you...better get back to your date." Hel told her, "Play safe, and if you make any granddaughters, name one for me!"
"Anna, Anna?!" Mathieu called. Oh my God, I killed her. He held her in his arms as she lay on the ground. "Anna, please...!" he begged. I did it again, I did it again! And this time, she's...she's...!

ooc: OMG! MAthieu (and myself) didn't know he was capable of that, lol

"I...I didn't know," replied Lucus as he took a step back from her. "I know your Christian and I only wanted to express my feelings to you. I didn't know you had another person in your mind," finished Lucus.
Delphina held up the cross. "This is the man I meant," she smiled at his comment. "He's the only person I've ever opened my heart to," Delphina explained. "But...maybe He's telling me..." she pondered, wondering what the next move should be.

ooc: you're seducing a nun...you're sooo going to Hell :P

[ooc: I'm off to bed now. Small request-let the hilarity ensue-the best jokes are always the ones that would be horrifying in another context.]

"I'll be open to you," started Lucus as he knew they believe in the same God while be pulled out his cross. "I'm a Christian as well and I understand where your coming from as well. He's the only bloke I can trust with my secerts and all. I want you to know I only wanted to express myself and not do something I might regret later," finished Lucus as he tried to keep himself focused and not rush anything.


OOC: Crap!! Well, Lucus might go to hell with all the people he's killed in his military career.

Ada Kismessis is a small island port in the northwest Mediterranian. Once a mine, when it was played out, it was emptied and turned into a prison by an unscrupulous bureaucrat who found that a regular patrol sweeping through killing any who dared scrape at the walls kept order suitably enough.

The worst criminals of the Ottoman Empire were kept here, left to rot in the darkness, hoping the archaic pumps above did not fail and asphyxiate them. Periodic riots kept the population under control and men were killed over cigarette butts. Other than an indifferent daily rationing of bread and water, the prisoners were left to go mad in the bowels of the earth, forgotten by all.

The island was abandoned after WWII, the inhabitants scrounging by on cannibalism until even that food was exhausted. The place was empty when the Turkish government resumed authority, and converted the isle into a prison for the Empowered who emerged with the Atomic Age.

Deep in the bowels of Ada Kismessis, Cameron Makhent was in what amounted to a furnace-the temperature kept high enough to kill one who wasn't perpetually lowering it with the extreme exertion of his cryokinetic powers. He wasn't sure how long he'd last.

--Talk, dog:where are the jewels?--his jailer snarled in Turkish.--Perhaps if it gets warmer, you will learn the folly of rebellion...--

Despite his powers, it was getting hotter, and he was on the point of collapse. The screams barely registered in his ears-were they his own?-until the heat lowered inexplicably, and he allowed himself to fall to his knees, sweating and exhausted.

The door of his furnace opened, and a masked figure entered, extending a gloved hand. "Fancy meeting you here, friend."

Gasping, he took the offered hand and pulled himself upright. "You? Saved me?"

"Not yet-but soon. Let's go."

He stood, grim determination in his face. "Not until that fat bastard suffers..." he said, walking out the open door.

The sheer volume of corpses astounded him. Each guard lay on the floor, their faces locked in a rictus of terror. "They're all dead..."

"I have that effect on people." This simple statement brought his attention back to the lithe figure in it's dark suit. Power emanated from him, and Cameron found himself in awe. "Shall we?"

"One moment." he turned, and fired multiple ice spears into his tormentor. "We can go, now."

He took the extended hand, and Reality shifted...

"I'll be open to you," started Lucus as he knew they believe in the same God while be pulled out his cross. "I'm a Christian as well and I understand where your coming from as well. He's the only bloke I can trust with my secerts and all. I want you to know I only wanted to express myself and not do something I might regret later," finished Lucus as he tried to keep himself focused and not rush anything.


OOC: Crap!! Well, Lucus might go to hell with all the people he's killed in his military career.
Delphina turned from Lucus and recited, almost to herself, "I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had turned away, and was gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer." She seemed to ponder on this before turning back to him. "Maybe...I kept myself though...for the person who would see past my facade, and into my soul. The person meant for me," Delphina wondered. "Do you believe in fate?"

Interesting. I knew those little parts would be useful later. thought Ziyo as a part of his body rested on Mathieu's shoulder. It moved inside his body to his brain, where it transmitted some thoughts.
Need some help there?

Kagetora;14387362']Interesting. I knew those little parts would be useful later. thought Ziyo as a part of his body rested on Mathieu's shoulder. It moved inside his body to his brain, where it transmitted some thoughts.
Need some help there?
"Ack!" Mathieu said, still holding Anna's, erm...corpse. "Who-who's there?"

"I believe in the fate God has established for us," replied Lucus nervously as he felt he was starting to be more open to her. "Do you believe in fate?"

The electrokinetic. Do you need help there?

OOC: Do me a favor in a little bit and accidentally shock Ziyo

"I believe in the fate God has established for us," replied Lucus nervously as he felt he was starting to be more open to her. "Do you believe in fate?"

"Yes, I do," Delphina said, nervous and afraid of what that admittance might lead to. Her heart was racing.

Kagetora;14387374']The electrokinetic. Do you need help there?

OOC: Do me a favor in a little bit and accidentally shock Ziyo

"Ack! Help?! Um..." Suddenly, an arch of electricity passed over his body as his emotions took over again.

ooc: there you go...

The electric pulse moved into Ziyo, overflowing his reserves. It converted into who knows what.

OOC: I'll post more tomorrow, g'night

Kagetora;14387382']The electric pulse moved into Ziyo, overflowing his reserves. It converted into who knows what.

OOC: I'll post more tomorrow, g'night
ooc: ok, goodnight

ic:

"Hey, hey, you there?" Mathieu asked.

"Do you want to go down this path?" Lucus asked as he took her hand and squeezed it gently.

"Do you want to go down this path?" Lucus asked as he took her hand and squeezed it gently.
"I will never abandon my God," Delphina said, her free hand moving up towards her head, removing the pseudo-habit she wore. "But I will be my own woman, as well," she concluded. Her hand shook as the habit fell to the floor. "I'm...afraid."

"I don't want you to abandon God," replied Lucus as he watched her closely and then noticed the habit was falling to the ground. With quick reactions, he lowered himself and caught the habit in his hands. "I'm sorry if I've scared you or made you feel afraid...I've never being down this road to be honest. Here's your (insert)," Lucus opened his hand and gave her the thing she dropped by accident.



OOC: Was is a pseudo-habit??

"I don't want you to abandon God," replied Lucus as he watched her closely and then noticed the habit was falling to the ground. With quick reactions, he lowered himself and caught the habit in his hands. "I'm sorry if I've scared you or made you feel afraid...I've never being down this road to be honest. Here's your (insert)," Lucus opened his hand and gave her the thing she dropped by accident.



OOC: Was is a pseudo-habit??
ooc: she's not a real nun, just dresses nun-ish. so, it's a fake habit. her removal was a symbolic act of breaking her vow of chastity

OOC: Ahhh... this is going to be interesting.

OOC: Ahhh... this is going to be interesting.
ooc: well, not immediately, lol

ic:

Delphina took it, placing it on her desk.

"You're kind," she smiled, stepping forward and hugging him. "Thank you..."

Cameron spun and felt himself falling, when strong arms circled his shoulders and held him upright. "Careful-I'm used to teleporting, but in your condition..."

He looked up into that blank impassive mask. "No...no, I'm fine." he felt woozy, but the reassuring warmth pressed against him was reassuring. "I'll be on my feet soon."

He fell again, and a strong arm swept up under his knees and raised him gently, carried him to rest on a low divan. "Your ordeal has left you weak." his savior said, walking over to a bellcord and giving a sharp pull. "We'll get you some food, let you rest...then we'll talk."

"Where are we?"

"A castle, overlooking the small village of Csejthe." came the reply. "The government intends to turn it into a tourist attraction, but the Brotherhood will arrange for a mockup-this place is sacred.
"We'll be safe here."

"My stash! I'll..." he tried to sit up, but fell back again.

"We'll fetch it when you've rested."

"So...why did you save me?"

"I don't like the way governments treat the Empowered, and I intend to take steps. Possession of powers does not give them the right to act as they do, but no one will speak out." Sareau nodded to a monk who entered, curiousity on his face until he saw Sareau, and bowed, shivering. "Bring some food for my guest-broth and fruit for now, more when he requests it. I shall be leaving him here for now-treat him as you would me."

"Y-yes, it shall be so." the little monk stammered, bowing out the door.

"Nice-they all like that?"

"The Brotherhood is technically Papau's, but this is one of it's safehouses where I rule in his stead." Sareau answered. "The Brotherhood is a sacred trust-I would ask you not abuse it. It exists for a purpose far greater than our petty ambitions."

Makhent watched the man who saved him order the monk, his confident gait, his calm demeanor...the man intrigued him, and he was gaining interest with his strength. "So, what's the game plan?"

"Firstly, we shall put you on the mend and gather your belongings. I shall then reveal my plans and either accept you or send you safely away." Sareau checked his pocketwatch. "Now, however, I have other matters to attend to--please, enjoy my hospitality, and I shall return as soon as convenient to me-no more than a day, I promise."

He faded into nothingness, leaving Cameron to wait for the monk with his food...