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Sons of Sword: Tales of Glory – Lost and Found #033

It took a some time for Insula to reach the front of the road block.  As she waited, quite a few vehicles were turned away.  The Founder saw the angry drivers and knew that her act would have to be spot on if she was going to be able to be any help to her student.  Hopefully, this was going to be worth the sleep she missed the night before.

Finally at the front of the queue, Insula saw the bot trying to look intimidating with the heat sensing rifle.  There was a second scanning device set on the road.  This one looked more like a box.  Insula knew everything about what it was for and she wasn’t scared of it one bit.

The training-bot approached Insula’s van as she pulled up.  Everything about the bot was identical to all others.  However, it spoke there was a particular Crisho accented voice, “W… what business have you at this hour ma’am?”  The peasant behind the controls stuttered a bit.  He clearly was enjoying his role in this play.  Still, he recognized his employer.

“I’m trying to get groceries,” Insula replied in frustration.  The Founder enjoyed acting as well.  She rarely had a chance to interact with the little people, but she had to remember her role.  She was supposed to be acting like a lowly peasant like those around her, “I apologize m’lord.  This morning has been nothing but trouble.”

There was a notable pause before the peasant behind the controls spoke again, “V..very well,” he continued.  “Tis a might big car for getting morning groceries is it?”

“Sorry sir,” Insula tried to imitate his accent, “Roommate took the good one barhopping.  I know where she got.  Just can’t get to her right now.”

“Mind if I check the back?”

“No sir.”

“Keep your hands seeable.”

Another notable pause from the mechanical guard.  Perhaps the pilot wasn’t quite used to the controls.  Not surprising, peasants are trusted with so little but expected to do so much.

Once moving again, the bot started fiddling with the box scanner on the road.  This was much faster since the bot only had to stick its hand into the device.  After that, the pilot communicated directly with the device.

The bot lifted the device from its access point and aimed the device at the van.  Circling the van, it saw images of what what was inside through the hull.  There was nothing really: towels, a spare tire, the standard backseat, and a small basket apparently for trash.

Seeing nothing of value, the mechanical guard waved Insula through the blockade.

“Be sure to stay grounded while you’re doing business,” he warned.

“Yes sir.”

With that, the Founder drove into the secured area and

Insula had taken great care in making this scenario.  The town’s folk were used to disruptions in their lives.  They were peasants as well as Commoners so they expected things like this from the higher classes by now.  This particular disruption seemed to be more fun for some of them though.  

Now back to my student’s test.

#1 – Lost and Found #32 – Lost and Found #34

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #037

Chaeri and Tosca followed Adrianne aboard Silent Blur.  Captain Bubbles’ comforting scent welcomed them as well as the soft purples, reds, and greys lining the walls.  Soft plush carpets, and holographic projections of art gave an air of sophistication.  With all of the decorated comfort around them, one would forget they were on a war machine.  However, Tosca remembered that the high tech lockers held who knows what and promised battle readiness.

Upon entry, the three ladies immediately went to the cockpit.  There in silent observation sat the true servant and ruler of the craft.

“Eye Captain,” Adrianne said with her customary salute.

“Greetings Captain,” Cheari followed with a bowing nod.

Tosca’s greeting was unique.  She sang, “Missed you Bubbles,” as she bent, winked, and blew the droid a kiss.

A small light at the bottom of the filled sphere blinked after each of their gestures.  It blinked particularly brightly after Tosca’s display as it recognized her most of all.  She was never able to pilot Silent Blur, but she did play many games on the craft that challenged the computer’s artificial intelligence.  

After making themselves known to the device, they all went about their own business aboard the ship.  Adrianne sat in the pilot’s chair while Chaeri went into the navigator’s station.  Tosca however went to the rear of the craft to look over the many droids.

The flight itself was fast, smooth, and uneventful.  Chaeri had a few questions about the Skyguard pilots following them but after an explanation of earlier events, she understood the need.

—–

“Alright,” guard Hanny Rong sighed into the communicator as she walked the lab.

It was getting late.  The Rubin’s Lab Guards were finishing their rounds but there seemed little need.  About this time of night, all work had long finished.  There was nothing to be seen except the deactivated droids on the workstations.  

These guards were the strongest of the elite, most highly and continually trained, but they usually had little to do this time of night.  No one had any reason to be there.  Only the researchers with the deadliest of deadlines would keep working this late into the night.  However, no one was the last worker list tonight.  

Why would anyone be here, the silence shouted at Hanny.  There could possibly be a thief, but only a creative fool would bury deep enough to try and steal something from this secure location.

“I’m done here,” Hanny spoke more confidently with one final final glance over the lab, “let’s go to cameras only.”  With that, she closed the door and headed to the camera station.  Besides, their main prize was resting.  

AD7 was watched continually throughout the day and especially at night even before she had regained consciousness.  No chances were taken with the one that had caused such a horrible catastrophe.  However, it seemed that she too was resting at this hour.  

Hanny left the silent and still lab.  All the droids were in their place at their respective tables unfeeling and lifeless.  She had drew the short straw and was on patrolling duty with Roman Huo, the creepy new guy.  She had found a way to ditch him, but she would be meeting with him again in the security office soon.

 

A few minutes after Hanny and Roman made it to the camera room, the cameras watching the research lab stopped swinging.  A hidden program had taken over their motherboards decades ago.  They knew to play looped recordings of a still lab.  They will play these same recordings until they receive new instructions.

#1 – Awakening #36 – Awakening #38

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #035

The Bome City Shuttle Port was relatively far from the hospital, but Duard’s constant irritations led the cab driver through the fastest possible routes.  Duard had no interest in seeing the sights or even the locals.  Only the shuttle port mattered.  Consequently, it took much less time to reach than usual.  Of course, his next destination was still a mystery but he was definitely leaving this land.  

Being a booming city, Bome’s port was always busy.  There were more shuttles parked than one would care to count.  Every space was full.  A few shuttles were preparing to launch while others hovered and spun in the sky preparing to land in the soon to be empty spots.

Each shuttle had a graphic noting their next stop.  After leaving the cab, Duard leaned on a pillar to think and make a call.  The shuttles’ graphics animations were slightly entertaining.  Duard watched as the graphics described their next destination while writing out the city’s name.

The call was to Champion’s Chronicle Headquarters.  If Duard was to make any impact on events, he had to be informed.  A lot may have changed in a day.  

It was just after hour seventeen so in Bome City it was well into evening.  However in South Coast, it was a very uncomfortable hour of morning .  Understandably, it took more than a few rings for Humberto to answer, but he was there.  The Chief was always there.  As expected, Chief Meng was a little grumpy this time of day; or night.  However, he knew about all the important stories at the Chronicle.  He seemed unusually glad that Duard was up and about and shared the story freely.

The tale of Juquan and the BigBad Crew moved quickly as Humberto only spoke in important facts.  Apparently they partied and cheated the casino.  After that, the story took a few unexpected turns.  The strangest turn was the reporter Humberto used to follow them.  Duard’s keen memory often kept him from asking for the same information twice, but Chief Meng’s selection was simply inconceivable.

“There has to be a mistake,” Duard corrected with unhideable disbelief, “Brisa?  My Brisa?”  Duard had to stop and lean the communicator to his ear.  There was no way he had heard that part right.

“Yeah Brisa Gan, your errand girl,” the Chief said with certainty, “She hasn’t called in for a while though.  She’s either doing fine or she’s dead.”

“What do you mean dead?”  He asked the question without thinking.  This whole situation seemed like a road trip horror story, “Where did they go?”

“West Drop.”

“West Drop!”  Duard knew for certain that his errand girl hoped to be as good a decent reporter.  However, following the BigBad Crew was too much for her as was going to West Drop.  The two facts together made absolutely no sense.   “Why not throw her to the bear-frogs while you’re at it!”

“She was there, and she could walk,” Humberto shouted back reminding Duard that he could not at the time, “If you want to catch up on the rest of the story, I suggest you go there and talk with her.”  Those were the Chief’s words before ending the connection.

Things were going terribly.  Sadly, things were probably much worse than Duard believed.  His plan to destroy Jaquan hung on a thread.  How could he find evidence to damage Jaquan if he couldn’t find Jaquan.  However, he was glad to have called.  He would look a fool if he had walked into this with the information he had only yesterday.  

Duard rushed to his private craft.  There was no time to lose. He should be there in a few hours.  

He scoffed at the idea of Brisa doing fine on anything.  All she’s fine for is getting my tea and sandwiches.  If she went to West Drop, chances are that she’s already robbed and stranded.  I’ll have to clean up whatever mess she’s found herself in.

#1 – Opportunity #34 – Opportunity #36