Tag Archives: Eight-Seven

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #27

Rubin’s Trail Research Facility:

An intern rushed through the lab holding a silver metal sphere.  It was large enough for her cupped hands to barely grip its bottom quarter.  It was rather heavy for its size.  She had no idea what it was or what it could be used for, but she had an idea how to learn.

Deep groves formed strange linear patterns across what everyone considered its top.  The bottom was completely smooth except for a small circular grove.  This sphere had to be important.  It was found clutched and protected by another droid.

Tosca Shi was one of the dozens of select interns researching the Mech Fortress’ defeated droids.  The metal sphere was considered a droid though no one knew what it did.  It was impossible to unlock and never moved on its own.  The mystery baffled everyone.  And by now, everyone had moved on to other more profitable projects; except Tosca.

While the others quit, the puzzle of the “sphere droid” became an obsession for her.  She needed to know what it did.  It was important.  It had to be.  There were many replicas of the other droids, but there was only one sphere droid.

Her supervisors were a little concerned for her obsession but admired her zeal.  Many times breakthroughs came after years of stubborn focus.  It was a lesson only learned after going through such an experience personally.

Tosca desperately wanted that breakthrough and she had a crazy idea on how to get it.  After AD7 entered the facility, the other devices did more.  They moved a bit more, beeped a bit louder.  After working with intelligent robotics for so long, Tosca knew that things don’t just happen.

There had to be a connection.  It only made sense.  AD7 had made them and knew everything there was to know about them.  Something else in the Mech Fortress must have controlled them during the war.  She kept referring to a guide whose orders she followed.  Still, she was polite enough to tell them about their use.  Even with this distance, Doctor Yu felt it best to keep her away from the droids for now, just in case there was a reaction.

Usually, projects were tested by facility teams lead by a licensed researcher.  However, after working so long on the sphere droid project alone, Tosca claimed the whole project as hers.  The possibility of a breakthrough after her yearlong obsession drove her to speak directly with the head of the facility.

After the last of many security check points, she reached Dr. Yu as they were conducting another test with AD7.  They had taken her chain and spherical weight weapon from the museum and asked her to use it on a grouping of brick targets.  Once again, they were astonished.

AD7 was far stronger and faster than they ever thought.  She had perfect control of her swings.  She used the chain to swing the metal weights at the targets and hit them again and again shattering most targets on contact.  At times, the chain seemed to lengthen in her hands.  Even with all that was going on, AD7 looked as cool and calm as she did while explaining something to the researchers.

Doctor Yu saw the intern approaching and had a good idea what she wanted to say.  “Tosca,” she greeted with no surprise in her voice, “I was wondering when I’d see you.”  She looked at the strain in her face and then down at the sphere droid.  Confirmed of her suspicion, she turned back to AD7 as she obliterated another target, “Any breakthroughs?”

“No Ma’am,” she said bending over breathing heavily.  After the long jog she forgot how heavy the droid was becoming.  She sat the sphere on the ground and held it with her feet to make sure it didn’t roll off.  After catching her breath, she continued, “I think…, I think that AD7 is affecting the droids,” she stopped to catch her breath again, “Maybe this droid could be affected too.”

Doctor Yu bent down, grabbing the sphere from the floor.  She forgot how heavy the thing was.  Not as heavy as a solid metal sphere but it definitely was not hollow.  “I know what this means to you,” she said looking at Tosca, “But we have no idea what it does.  It’s even resistant to our scans.”  She saw Tosca’s disappointed face but was quite sure the risk was not worth the reward.  Handing the sphere back to Tosca, she said, “Get a hand cart and take it back to your station.  They have some in storage.  You’re not trying to increase your strength are you?”

Tosca giggled at the humor and walked off towards the storage rooms.  It was a long shot to ask permission from the Boss Lady.  Adrianne was always understanding and sympathetic.  She would not have denied the request unless she was sure there was a danger.  Besides, she did feel a little stronger after the trip.

As she walked neither of them noticed AD7 had turned an ear to them.  She was watching, even listening to them.

#1Awakening #26 – Awakening #28

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #25

The conference table quickly became a dinner table.  The long rounded table was black and bolted to the floor.  There were black chairs with soft brown cushions all along its length.  Everyone grabbed a sandwich, sat, and ate.  All except the pilot of course, Jai left for the front of the ship with an extra sandwich for April.  After Tirzah grabbed her sandwich, she left for her personal chambers as well.

AD7 opened the rapping and found the fragrant smell that she remembered so well.  Ge’s Noodles and Subs never disappointed.  The sandwiches were cold and a little soggy.  It looked a little suspect.  However, after tasting the sandwich, her mind was put at ease.  The recipe had not changed even after all these decades.  She should have expected no less from the Ge family.  The sandwich was outstanding, even when cold.

GarDNAnge1 agreed.  They were eating in near silence though many napkins were needed.  Once the talking started, AD7 found herself at the center of discussion.  Everyone wanted to meet the lady they had traveled all this way to find.  They were interested in Cyd too, just nowhere near as much.

They wanted to know everything about her.  Where she was originally from; how she landed in Bosstown; the origin of her name; what inspired her to become a builder; the planning of the Mech Wall; how she built and programmed the machines so quickly; how she stayed one step ahead of Rubin’s Trail; what times were really like fifty years ago; the questions kept coming.  AD7 had a little trouble answering them all.  Her memory was returning, but there were still very large bits of her history that remained blank.

Keyanna was really interested in her.  Scientists, blacksmiths, and mechanics were able to copy some of Mech Fortress’ technology and open Mech Talent Schools.  Keyanna used these talents with the Berserker and Archery Talents to create a devastating style.  To actually meet the inspiration behind her most powerful talent set was an absolute dream.

This was a little overwhelming for AD7.  The sudden fame was a bit confusing.  She still considered herself a simple builder.  She didn’t do anything special.  She only built a defensive wall as best she could.  Maybe she did a little too well.

After initial introductions and questions, AD7 sat back and watched them talk while she ate.  Even the three she knew took on different roles with the others around.  They laughed and joked and commented on the food.  Oyintsa and Royal were making fun of each other on how they fought the ratcoon.  It was an incredible story the way they told it.

They all seemed like good people.  AD7 wanted to know all of them.  She wanted to know them as well as they knew each other, but there were so many.  They were all from different places and had unique abilities.  They were a strong team.  Even with their strength, they needed her help.

AD7 kept thinking about what Tirzah had told her.  She was supposed to build great working buildings for them.  They expected her to do something similar to what she made before she died.  But even then, she desperately needed her helper.  They needed to free Eighty-Seven.

After they had finished eating, AD7 turned to Keyanna and said, “I really need to talk to Tirzah.”

“Sure, no problem,” was her honest response, “I’ll take you to her.”

#1Awakening #24 – Awakening #26

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #21

The observation apartments were in a separated division of the research labs.  There were many unknowns in research.  It was a precaution on the off chance that conscious subjects would control or react to devices being researched in the lab.  With the valuable items in the lab, it never hurt to be as safe as possible.

Several types of protective barriers blocked the way into the apartments.  With their high rank, Doctors Yu and Wu were able to walk through most of the check points unhindered.  They were stopped only twice.  Even they could be imitated or bugged by a crafty thief or saboteur.

The apartments were relatively nice; filled with soft things and many means of entertainment.  They were quite comfortable and themed in a calming light blue color.  From time to time, the laboratory staff spent time in them reading or resting on their breaks.  Today though, they were off limits.  A guest considered potentially hazardous was staying there.

The doctors approached the apartment door.  It slid to the right, opening the way for them.  Dr. Yu couldn’t help but stare for a while at the embodiment of her inspiration and her warning, AD7.

Their guest was examining a toaster though it seemed as though she had no interest in making toast.  She put her head to it as though she was thinking with it.  Then she put her ear to it and listened to it as though it had said something to say.  Looking confused, she simply set it back down.

She looked almost like a crisho female, though quite a bit taller and thinker all around though still quite fit.  Instead of the lizard-like crisho flesh, metallic patches of different colors, sizes, and shapes covered her.  Each patch held a powerful Hanja of matching size.  Both Adrianne and Chaeri knew what most of them did.  There were a few of them that were old or obscure enough to escape even their memory.

She was found with no clothing but in the interest of modesty, the lab crew dressed her with a simple tunic and slacks.  Even with the tunic, the two ladies could tell that her wings were replaced with sleek jet packs.

Their guest turned to regard them.  Her eyes were solid white dimly-lit lights.  She had a simple slit of a mouth that, dispite the metal face opened and closed as normal.  Inside of the slit, something that resembled a speaker took the place of her throat.  What passed for her hair was instead hair thin bits of wire.  It stayed in place but from time to time a single strand would move on its own.

Adrianne stared for a while awestruck while AD7 looked back at her.  After a time, she decided to speak, “Greetings AD7.  I am Dr. Yu head of this facility.”

Their guest looked back and smiled.  Her logical systems computed her situation in a split second.  Yu says Eight-Seven is Master.  Eight-Seven is not Master.  Yu knows neither Eight-Seven nor Master.  Yu is leader of this facility.  Facility has trapped Eight-Seven thinking she is Master.  Facility has high potential to be enemy of Eight-Seven and Master; reevaluate later.  Eight-Seven must escape facility to fully obey Master’s commands.  If Eight-Seven is to succeed in escape procedure, should gain trust of Yu.  Eight-Seven will impersonate Master and gain Yu’s trust.  “Hello Dr. Yu,” she spoke imitating AD7’s voice perfectly, “Your facility is remarkable.”

#1Awakening #20 – Awakening #22