Loophole

[CAPUA]

IC: The Mines

 

The caves and mines were now wet like a swamp, mud everywhere and Matoran and Agori alike struggled to pull themselves out of it. Kilayox, standing above them, with her impressive height like that of a tower simply frowned and shook her head. Her head was throbbing like she’d just been hit by a pack of wild Muaka. She had no idea whether this headache was from the use of her elemental powers in the first time since she’d been put in stasis or the confusion. Her mind was a cloud right now as she struggled to remember everything. She remembered one thing, though. Matoran in her time were much more respectful. She turned her gaze on them and hissed.

 

“The arrogance you Matoran show me is simply amazing. Has that much really changed since I fell asleep?” She said, speaking to herself of course, for she didn’t look at any of the beings sprawled before her. They were too pitiful and weak for her to actually consider it an accomplishment that she’d defeated them. She needed to start slaying dragons and evil quickly or else she might get bored and fall asleep again, which wasn’t good considering she’d just slept for thousands of years. Kilayox needed answers though and the sooner she got them, the sooner she could get rid of this headache. She looked at the Matoran and decided to pick one of them who could answer her questions. It wasn’t really a decision-making process for she just grabbed the nearest one and lifted him with ease so that they stared into her eyes. Kilayox’s eyes widened though. This being wasn’t a Matoran. Although they were of similar build, it didn’t even wear a mask. Instead, it wore what appeared to be a helm.

 

“You are no Matoran!” She cried angrily, throwing him back into the mud that he had just pulled himself out of. “What are you?” She asked. The Agori looked at her in confusion, but he quickly answered as she grabbed him by the neck and started to squeeze.

 

“I am an Agori!” He responded with a shrill little cry.

 

Kilayox frowned. “I have never heard of your race. What island do you come from?” She said, interrogating the poor Agori.

 

“I-island? I lived mostly in Central City most of my life. I don’t know what you’re talking about…” He muttered, still confused. His words only made Kilayox angrier, though.

 

“City? Do you speak of Metru-Nui? Has the construction been finished?” She asked, squeezing his throat tighter.

 

That was when he realized that this Toa had to be completely insane. Metru-Nui’s construction had been finished many, many years ago, along with it’s destruction along with the rest of the Matoran Universe. Every educated Matoran and Agori knew this as common fact for they’d studied in schools when they were younger like anyone else. He struggled to tell her, but he eventually just spit it out. “Metru-Nui has been destroyed for many years! Along with the Matoran Universe!”

 

Kilayox blinked several times. “No… that’s impossible. Construction on the city was just beginning when I was put to sleep. And the Matoran Universe?” She seemingly couldn’t accept these facts that were being thrown at her rapidly. She needed some kind of verification. She needed to be around the rest of her kind, not the lying creature or an Agori as it called itself. He had mentioned a city earlier. Perhaps she could find more Toa and Matoran there who could inform her of the current state of the universe. “This Central City you spoke of… Are there any Toa there?”

 

He nodded slowly.

 

She then grinned slowly and it sent a shiver up his spine for it was so uncanny that it almost seemed robotic. “You will take me to Central City then. You are now officially my guide, Agori.”

[Toa Levacius Zehvor]

IC: Levacius / Levacius' Books

 

"Not anymore." he replied. "I have little fear of the wilds, however. The most dangerous thing out there is Skrall. And I can handle Skrall."

 

-Toa Levacius Zehvor

[Voltex]

IC: "Endelig", Levacius' Books:

 

"At last, I find someone with sense. Most beings I speak to whine about all the dangers there are outside of the cities - and the Great Beings forbid we ever dare leave Mata Magna!"

 

The old Agori snorted contemptously at this, shaking his head and muttering under his breath.

[25K Now!]

IC: Aervak - Mine Entrance

 

Having heard of the flooding of the mines, Aervak, in his role as a test pilot and employee of the Olford Science Facility, had been deployed to the trnace to assist with rescuing the miners. Having a suit of powered armour would be useful in moving rubble and the like, which was why, in a PR move, his employers had sent him here.

[CAPUA]

IC: The Mines

Kilayox was halfway through leaving the mines with her new chronicler in hand when something entered the mines. She was dragging the Agori through the mud, his cries apparently deaf to her when a man in a suit of armor arrived on the scene. “Help!” The Agori shrieked, now squirming in an attempt to break free. Kilayox raised an eyebrow and then looked over to the robotic enforcer who was surveying the scene. She could’ve potentially sneaked away by silencing the Agori, but instead of doing that she challenged the robot. “Tin Soldier!” She shouted over to him.

 

“Are you one of the warriors of these people?” She asked, throwing the Agori a good five feet where he landed directly in front of his feet. He was sobbing badly, clearly traumatized by being nearly abducted by an ancient barbarian Toa.

 

IC: Ga-Koro Nui, Wolfram & Hart HQ

 

The city was bustling at this late hour. There where enough lights to be seen from space itself. Loud music boomed from every corner along with huddled crowds of young people. The teenagers of the city were quite an active bunch and they seemed to love partying more then anything. They had no care in the world for their futures. Life was good and many of them had never seen any true evil so they didn’t really need too worry. They were free to live like there was no tomorrow. Dark eyes watched them from a tower so high that none could even see them. This tower was the headquarters of Wolfram & Hart, the city’s biggest and most powerful law firm. They were also the main source and supporter of crime in the city, but no one knew about that. To the public, Wolfram & Hart appeared to be nothing but a benevolent super company led by it’s hard working CEO, Korindal. These eyes that watched the streets at these later hours belonged to him. He was fascinated by the city, mainly because he owned it.

 

Well that was a bit overdramatic.

 

He did indeed own most of the businesses, but he controlled all of the crime in the city. For Korindal had another identity besides his public image as CEO of Wolfram & Hart. To the criminal world, he was known as the ‘Big Man’; an imposing man in a suit who had taken over crime in the city by wiping out all rivals in one swoop. Now he controlled both the city’s crime and half of the businesses also belonged to Wolfram & Hart with the city’s officials and the Department of Security none the wiser. It was a clean operation, but he wanted more. Korindal’s eyes were focused on the city north of Ga-Koro Nui; Central City. It annoyed him that the city’s lights grew brighter, it’s walls more high, and had it also had the grand title of being Mata Magna’s capital. He couldn’t help but admit it, he was envious. However, he was also patient. He had not become crime lord of Ga-Koro Nui in one night… no, it had taken years. He had learned that waiting came with its benefits and he would bide his time until Central City became his.

 

And then the world.

 

Again, he was a very dramatic fellow. “Boss!” Someone shouted, interrupting his thoughts. A Toa stood there in his doorway, wearing a black suit. He hadn’t bothered to lock the door because who would be foolish enough to attack a man who held as much sway as he did in the world. Still, it annoyed him that someone would waltz into his room without the polite courtesy of knocking. In a flash, the black-suited individual was in front of the Toa and his fist was being launched into his stomach. He landed on his knees and Korindal’s other hand caught his chin from hitting the floor. He raised the young Toa’s head so that he can look into his eyes. He was young, eager, and ambitious. He almost reminded him of himself a few years back. He also knew how dangerous he was a few years back which is why he took steps to remind this Toa of his place. He punched him in the face again, this time with enough force to nearly crack his Kanohi in half.

 

“Now haven’t I told you about knocking…?” He said his voice low but with enough bass in it to shake the young Toa’s very soul. “I hope whatever you have to tell me is important or I might have to use you as a punching bag. I haven’t had my work out today.” Oh yes, while Korindal wasn’t off buying out an orphanage and turning it into a casino or killing rival crime bosses, he also had the hobby of boxing. It let him focus his mind and was quite the hobby. The boss had a feared knock out punch in the ring or that was what many people said. Right now, the young Toa’s jaw was proving that this was quite correct. He rubbed his face and pushed himself to his feet. It was not the first time his head had been nearly knocked off by Korindal. One would think that he’d eventually learn his lesson, but he simply stood up and wiped the dirt off his suit.

 

“I’ve got some very unsettling news about the mining operation.”

 

Korindal frowned, not because this disturbed him, no, because he couldn’t exactly remember what he was talking about. There were so many operations he had and there were several mines he controlled. He was somewhat of a diamond lover so it was nice to fund a mining company and get diamonds. He used them to create his specialized brass knuckles which luckily for the young Toa, he was not wearing.

 

Turning his back on the Toa, he mutters, “Which one?”

 

“Uh, the one in Olford, you agreed to fund the local Science Facility, remember?”

 

Korindal quickly whipped around and with incredible speed, he was in the Toa’s face. He flinched painfully as if expecting a powerful right hook to knock him off his feet. Korindal grinned. He had done this just to see if he the Toa still feared him. You could hit someone plenty of times and they’d take it, eventually losing the fear that they had of you. So it was quite amazing that Korindal still managed to inspire fear in him. “Don’t ever question my memory.”

 

“Ah yes, sir.” He responded with a nervous chuckle. “Anyway, we are getting reports that today that some of the workers went into the caves and apparently… they awakened something.” It was then that he handed the Big Man a set of pictures. One of the workers had a camera on them when the flood had happened and sent the pictures over to the company through a satellite transmission. Korindal silently took it from him and he walked over to his large desk slowly, taking a seat in it so that he could view the pictures. Slowly, he placed them on the surface and his dark eyes reviewed them.

“What exactly am I looking at?” He asked after seeing the blue, hunch-backed creature in the photographs.

 

The cocky young gun shrugged his shoulders, not really caring about it. He still had to inform the boss carefully though, less he be punched in the face or stomach again. “The boys in the science department claim it to be… well, a prehistoric Toa from the earliest days of the Matoran Universe.” His boss’s eyes widened and he suddenly became a lot more interested, straightening up in the chair and staring daggers into the photographs.

 

“How exactly is that possible? Shouldn’t it be… well, dead?” He asked the other man.

 

“The current theory is that it was kept in some kind of stasis for thousands of years to preserve its life force. The pod was so strong that even the crash of the Matoran Universe was not enough to wake it up.”

 

“Fascinating…” He drawled. He then stood up and tossed the photos in the trash. “But she is interrupting business. Send a squad of men to the mines to kill her. Tell them to bring back the body intact so the lab heads can do a study. You are dismissed.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen, En Route

 

The same alarm that alerted the mech pilot to the current crisis was sent out across the network, all the way to HQ at Central City, where it was intercepted by a single bored officer.

 

Said officer was now racing toward the mines at top speed, sirens blaring, forcing other vehicles out of his way. The distance between towns ensured it would take a while yet, but he would be there fairly soon.

[25K Now!]

IC: Aervak - Mines

 

Aervak opened up the speakers. "Yes. And what is a Toa doing in the mines?"

[CAPUA]

IC: The Mines

 

Kilayox simply stared at the robotic sentinel. Although she didn’t want to admit, she was somewhat in awe, deep down in her heart. In her time, robotic warriors like this hadn’t existed yet. There were only conception designs and plans by those wacky Nynrah geniuses. Now in front of her stood one of these robots, a miracle of engineering and science. At the same time, she also wanted to tear it apart to see how tough it was. She took one of her long strides forward so that she was closer to the robot, unaware that it was merely a suit of armor. She could now examine it more closely. Shaking her head, she looked at the robot and declared, “It is Toa Kilayox to you, man of steel! I have awaken from a long sleep to complete my destiny!”

[Silvan Haven]

Kaelen- Ga-koro-nui

 

IC: Kaelen almost threw up his hands at that. Instead, he decided to get on with the rest of his list and then come back to this see how it went then.

 

Turning, he activated his Kakama and sped off to the next garage.

[25K Now!]

IC: Aervak - Mine Entrance

 

"What, pray tell, was your destiny exactly? Saving islands from hordes of Visorak? Finding a magical mask? Becoming the ultimate arena fighter ever?"

[-Golden Knight-]

IC - Vaila [Central City]: Occasionally, Vaila would stop at a store window and peer inside. The glowing devices sold inside confused him along with the Matoran working alongside the Agori. He could never quite understand what was going on and kept walking. The fatigue settled in after passing by a few more stores.

 

He sat in front of a bookstore, Levacius' Books, and tried to remain as inconspicous as possible.

[CAPUA]

IC: The Mines

 

Kilayox paused at the question. He seemed to have pierced her impenetrable, confident armor for she simply stood there and thought about it. What exactly was her destiny? She never really though about it, just assuming that she’d eventually accomplish it. “To vanquish the forces of evil and serve the Great Spirit till I die, of course! Becoming the greatest fighter in the universe also doesn’t sound too bad.” She told the robot with a toothy grin.

 

It was then that one of the Agori gasped for breath and shouts out, “She nearly killed us! Don’t talk to her! Stop her!”

 

Kilayox eyed the Agori with annoyance and then raised a hand. The mine was still filled with water for her to manipulate and the abundance of it allowed her to easily manipulate it. A water bubble forming around the Agori, making a pop sound as it surrounded him. As he realized that he was boxed in, the Agori started to beat on the bubble, trying to break free from his prison. “Your people are quiet rude, you do know that right? They should bow to their superiors and thank them for saving their worthless lives… If I was not in one of my better moods I would have no doubt murdered all of them for their insolence.”

[25K Now!]

IC: Aervak - Mine Entrance

 

"Don't you Toa have some sorta Code that prevents you from killing people?" asked Aervak. "At least, I think you do."

[Toa Levacius Zehvor]

IC: Levacius / Levacius' Books

 

"People are scared because they're taught to be scared." Levacius replied. "People are taught to live comfortably. A few of us still remember. I remember what life was like when Rahi clawed at my back. When Matoran toiled in the fields, working as hard as they could to survive, dreaming of Artahka and dreading the lands of Karzahni. Which, by the way, was a rather scenic place in the winter. Now, though, people don't defend themselves."

 

"What fills me with dread, however, are the thoughts of old stories. Stories like the legends of Metru-Nui. An entire island city, toppled by a single indivudal - albeit the same one who took over the universe and almost destroyed the planet, so a rather talented one - because they had grown so complacent. Living under Vahki protection constantly, doing everything their Turaga told them."

 

He gave a hearty laugh. "Well, at least they're not completely blinded. Not yet. They still object to things like the newest census because it feels wrong to them. Because it is."

 

IC: Kinksh / Ga-Koro-Nui

 

Money is a nice thing to have, and having control over an entire criminal organization gives you lots of it.

 

Not to say that Kinksh was that rich, but he lived a good enough life from his home in Ga-Koro-Nui. A home with a view, at that; a nice view of the water below. In this case, though, that wasn't so nice of water. It was, in fact, covered in sharp, spiky rocks. The area was notorious for being an incredibly dangerous place to swim in. Nobody really bothered to perform any kind of exploration, which meant nobody found the dozens of corpses that lay at the bottom.

 

It would be hard to say that Kinksh was even that huge of a deal in the criminal world. Yes, he had power. He had a lot of it, too. Yes, he had a number of men. Larger than any of the minor gangs. But he wasn't the largest. No, there were ones... quite a bit stronger. In high places, and in low places. But this was where Kinksh liked to be, because while he didn't have full power, he had all of the power that he needed to make those with power listen.

 

For now. In the future, it would all be his to command.

 

He was confident of a number of things, though - none of the other criminal organizations had enough power to take down the Syndicate without destroying themselves in the process; that was one. Another was that none of them would try to.

 

At the moment, the Toa of Fire reclined in a lawn chair looking out at the world beyond, while a sleek, metallic black cat appeared to be 'sleeping' next to him (not that a robotic creature like that could really 'sleep').

 

His phone rang, and he was somewhat hasty at picking it up. "Yes?" he replied.

 

"Golden Hammer. Identification 5443408, passcode 504232 for clearance."

 

"How have your observations been going then?"

 

"Good, sir. I'll have the report in by this morning."

 

"Very well." Kinksh replied, hanging up the phone and putting it away before returning to his relaxation. There was one other thing that he was confident in - knowledge. He had knowledge. Knowledge is power.

 

And blackmail is fun.

 

-Toa Levacius Zehvor

[CAPUA]

IC: The Mines

 

“Toa Code?” She asked if the words were alien to her. “I have no qualms about killing. If someone’s life is truly precious, then they will fight for it and survive. If not, then they can relinquish it.” She stated bluntly, and then with she asked her own question. “What else do you know about Toa, sentry?”

[25K Now!]

IC: Aervak - Mine Entrance

 

"People with magic powers, usually honourable protectors, but these days there aren't really anything that needs protection."

 

He twitched a control, and a mechanical arm gestured back over at the walls of Olford. "Although the remaining Skrall still try to kill us all."

[CAPUA]

IC: The Mines

 

She frowned. Things sounded too peaceful for her liking. Kilayox had always had a hankering for destruction and carnage, releasing her love for it in battle. In her day the Toa fought battles against the dreaded Six Armies or eldritch beings that terrorized Matoran villages. Now it seemed that the people had become weaker. This annoyed her and she was ashamed to see how far her people had regressed. Her eyes rolled over to the weakened Matoran and Agori. She simply sighed and released the water bubble that she had surrounded the Agori with. There was point in harassing these weaker beings; they were beneath her after all.

 

The robot managed to get her interest again, though, when he mentioned ‘Skrall’. “Who are these… Skrull?” She asked, mispronouncing the word, but she wasn’t aware of it. “Are they powerful warriors? Can you take me to see them? How large are they? Are they green?” She suddenly had a million questions and she launched them all at once at Aervak, determined to learn more about these Skrall people…

[25K Now!]

IC: Aervak - Mine Entrance

 

"They're black-armoured guys who are similar to the Agori and me, although they're taller than the Agori. They have dreams of conquest and all, but I doubt they're intelligent enough to actually rule."

[Friar Tuck]

IC

 

[Aishta's Garage, Ga-Koro-Nui; mid-morning]

 

As I shooed the remaining people out of my garage I began preparation to close up for the day. My place, my rules, and if I had a client with special privileges who was willing to pay I'd get his done first, fast, and quick. As I approached the group of officers waving my hands several of them stepped back, forming a small semi-circle on the sidewalk and beginning to talk amongst themselves.

 

"So, we're in Ga-Koro-Nui, the wondrous city of casino's and hotels. And we're on a crazy frenzy to try and find some time machine because something back in time has happened and it could very well mess the world up. Not only that, but apparently, one of us is a criminal mastermind as well. Uh, Great! Where to next, Houren? Oh, and please, let this group have a better name."

 

Wut?

 

I was at this point cleaning up the tools that littered the place, putting away the few remaining items before I would shut the massive steel door. What in Karzahni were they talking about?

 

"And, also, Mr. Houren, is there anything else you can tell us about this time-continuum-fiasco we're currently in? I just mean, the more information we have at our disposal, the better prepared we'll be. For example, you said back at the station that there was a chance that the paradoxical events could have already occurred? What do you mean?"

 

By now I was done and had already reached up on my toes, grabbing the rolling door and hauling it down, the loud sound of metal on metal drowning out the rest of what was said. Had they the ability to see through walls they would have seen a sly smile on my face as I lowered the garage door. Instead if they looked, if they even bothered to at all, all they saw were a pair of legs, shins, feet, then a slam as I sealed the place up, locking the door with a satisfying click. Whatever was said after that point I had no idea, the door pretty sound proof, but an incredulous chuckle escaped my lips.

 

Time machine? Time travel? Paradoxes and time-altering criminal masterminds?I laughed out loud. Impossible. Sheer ludicrous. I don't know what they were smoking before they came here, but if THESE were the smartest and brightest Central City had to offer, I was so glad I wasn't there anymore. Yet another reason not to trust the government.

 

Still...

 

Grabbing a different tool belt I slung it around my waist, grabbing a bag of diagnostic gear as I stepped out of the service door, the group of cops still standing there idly chatting. Ignoring them and whatever crazy talk they were mumbling about I strode up to the airship, half jumping, half high-stepping into the craft, sliding into the rather worn pilot's seat, a myriad of aged dials and sensory boards before me/ Yeah, just as I figured; older model. This would be a beast to repair.

 

Still, whatever it WAS that was different about this craft made me even more curious about dissecting it. Time travel; how stupid is THAT? Probably just some cover for whatever new tech they recently developed - maybe a speed enhancement? The way some of those toa move with Kakama's it made it feel as though they were moving through time, so that was the best explanation I could come up with at the moment. I patted the craft affectionately with a free hand as I fired up the engines, the access door slowly sliding closed behind me.

 

"Don't worry, I'll get you all fixed up in no time... and aaalllllllll your secrets will soon be mine, even if I have to pry it out of you." I said, my hydraulic clamp arm spinning slowly on my belt as I opened and closed the jaws.

 

There was a slight metallic groan and a shudder throughout the ship as I flew it into the open space behind my garage, more of a junkyard than a repair bay. It seemed a little scared.

 

Good.

[Relapse]

IC-HourenI was content to wallow in lethargy until JL began his rant. The blatant flaunting of information sent me into a state of precision. I was no longer content- discomfort racked my bones.The slamming of a door, causing me to wince, confirmed my suspicions."From our exchange in there, we learned more than we could've if we'd asked. Accepting my terms shows she's not in love with the government- this kind of people never are. She doesn't trust us, either. She said she accepted payment in favors and yet she did not ask for me to clear her record, or to share a valuable secret. She wanted me in her debt."I needed to sit, but couldn't locate a valid spot to do so."She could've asked me why I needed to get this shop finished off of the record, but she was smart enough to realize that she had but to listen and that information would naturally come to her. Thanks to JL, it now has. She's a certain kind of smart, though. If she's anything like me, she believes that the only kind of good investment is the kind where you are certain to collect."I simply found myself leaning against a wall."So why then would she fix a vehicle she knows to be illegal from a cop? Why would she risk getting arrested over a verbal agreement? When she has so much to lose, why does she assume she will not end up on the bad side of the deal? What leverage does she have?"I felt my heart drop as I answered my own question."Oh, of course...she has my ship."

[Legolover-361]

IC: EnaMiddayWestern security office, OlfordKarz, ain't it hot?I squint upwards, the best I can do in the bright light filling the interior of Olford's perimeter walls like water filling a cup. I can already feel sweat collecting beneath my Huna, and heat is rising beneath the rest of my armor. The air above the sand ripples: light distortion caused by the high temperature.It's another one of those days -- the days where I wish I was a Toa of Water."Karz, ain't it hot?" I remark aloud. The two security officers behind me nearly snap to attention. They're newbies, fresh out of training, and it's my job as senior officer to give them an orientation session. They'll learn soon enough there's no time for attention stances or punctuating sentences with "ma'am" in the middle of a firefight."We can handle it, ma'am," says one officer. His tone confirms my suspicion: He's outright lying.I sigh. "If you're hot, say so, darn it. Putting on a brave face for your senior officer -- don't think I don't know what you're doing -- isn't as important as preventing heat exhaustion. Okay?"They don't just respond, they chorus: "Yes, ma'am!"Mata Nui, the chorusing. Why do all new recruits do the chorusing? I don't object aloud, though; newbies don't take criticism from higher officers lightly, especially on such matters as security etiquette.I wonder how they'll react to the laid-back demeanors of more experienced officers, then decide such ruminations aren't worth my brain power or my time and gesture for them to continue with me into the office.Olford's western security office, like the offices at Olford's three other gates, is built into Olford's wall. It's only one story above ground but includes another, wider floor underground. We pass the receptionist for this office -- I wink, the Onu-Matoran nods in understanding -- and enter the back room of the office. Here is the narrow staircase that takes us to the top of Olford's two-meter-thick wall.One of the newbies, a young Glatorian, raises his hand. "Er, ma'am?"I look back but say nothing. The silence culminates satisfactorily in his gulp and muttered query, "Uh, are there any, um, quicker ways to reach the top of Olford's outer wall? -- ma'am?""No," I respond. "We don't want baddies scaling the wall too easily.""What about getting atop the wall from outside, ma'am?" asks the other recruit, a limber and more confident Toa of Fire whose squared shoulders and even gaze suggest he was top of his class and knew it."There oughtn't to be any officers outside.""What if they are out there?""What are you suggesting?""Just if... well, say they're out checking a vehicle to clear it for entry and find themselves under attack.""In that case," I say, straightening to my full height (which is only an inch smaller than the Toa of Fire's, mind you), "we call them inside and lock the gates.""If they can't get inside without bringing the enemy with them, ma'am?""Then they couldn't scale the wall from outside without bringing the enemy with them, too."The Toa blinks behind his Kanohi Kakama. "Okay, but -- out of curiosity, ma'am -- what would you do?"It's an odd question. I emerge into the sunlight atop Olford's western outer wall musing on what sort of thought process would have produced it. Is he frightened he'll be stuck outside during an attack? Maybe. Or maybe he wants to ensure the security force he has just joined isn't corrupt or reduces its members to no more value than a gun or sword -- important but easily replaceable. Or maybe he's thinking the opposite: He wants to test me to see if I'll let pity get in the way of by-the-book procedures."There's no official policy on that," I began, picking my words carefully, "but there is common sense. As the captain of Olford's security forces, I have to say that in such a case, you must keep the gates open as long as possible and... close them once you're certain there's nothing else you can do for them."He nods, digesting the information calmly, blinking against the light of Olford in midday. "Understood... Ma'am."I incline my head and face outward, hands laced behind me and pressed together against the small of my back: at-ease stance. "Now, you aren't supposed to come up here unless you've been assigned for watch duty or we're under siege. The former is more likely. In the event of a siege, I suggest bringing your manuals on your way up here in case you forget, because there's a lot of stuff to remember--""Ma'am?" says a static-affected voice from my radio.I unclip it from my belt. "What is it?""Flood in a mining shaft.""A flood?""No idea. Maybe we hit an underground river.""Sonic scanners ought to have picked it up. Hmm. Damage?""No eyes or ears down there yet, ma'am, but we know the flood is notable enough to warrant contacting you. There were a few miners down there last we know.""Karz. Did you send any officers down there?""Yes, ma'am. I'll notify you when they -- uh, report--" The officer's voice grows fainter and more muffled as he presumably turns from his radio. "--what was that? The flood's abated? Apparently, ma'am" -- here his voice grows clear again -- "the flood stopped.""It stopped?""Yes, ma'am.""How many men did you send down there again?""Five, ma'am.""They could use one more. Tell them to hold -- I'm joining their group."The officer on the radio sounds mildly surprised. Doesn't he know my methods by now? "Understood, ma'am."As I replace the radio on my belt, one of the newbies behind me asks, "What about us?""Stay at this office," I order. "And be ready in case we need backup.""Yes, ma'am!"I pretend to approve of their prompt, scarily synchronized response and rush back down the stairs and out the office. "Which mining shaft...?"

[Voltex]

IC: "Endelig", Levacius' Books:

 

The Agori grunted in agreement. "My entire life has been a struggle for survival out in the wild, albeit a struggle I took upon willingly. Still, I am almost satisfied."

 

The Agori glanced around the shelves before nodding at the book Levacius was holding.

 

"Might you have any others that discuss that subject? I believe I might borrow something after all."

[Void Emissary]

IC: Tenko Ranaaki - Outside Aishta's Garage

 

Good work Tenko, you've successfully given the world's most morally-ambiguous mechanic potentially devastating information which may or may not wind up destroying the time-space continuum as we know...and you'll most likely be fired once every is said and done.

 

Good job, Tenko, good freakin' job.

 

So, mechanic-girl had information, a time-machine thingy and the capacities to tear it apart looking for facts. No point in trying to turn back the clock (pun intended) and take back the things you said, now you have to figure out to reduce the damage inflicted on the world at large.

 

Now then, here are the facts: she's suspicious of the police, which implies that the agents of law and order have not always been on her side. Possible history of crime or negligence on the part of the social services during her life. She's clever, clever enough to wait for potentially crippling information to come her way, rather than ask us for it (since we would never knowingly give it to her). That means she knows how to manipulate people, so a career in...legally-ambigious activities is looking more and more likely.

 

She's definitely enjoying having Houren in her debt, which further cements the idea that she's been burned by the legal/social system before, given that she hasn't displayed any further signs of anti-social behaviour. So, reformed(?) criminal, who distrusts the government as a whole has access confidential and world-changing secrets?

 

Oh boy.

 

"Not only that, sir," I told Houren, lowering my voice to a whisper, "If she's good enough, she could be able to pry out every scrap of information out of that craft, stuff which would seriously serve well for a healthy dose of blackmail."

 

-Void

Edited January 6, 2013 by Emissary to the Void

[CAPUA]

IC: The Mines

 

Kilayox seemed to be fascinated by these Skrall warriors. Her normally emotionless blue eyes were wide with interest and she seemed to be captivated as Aervak explained them to her. The main reason why she had such an interest in these beings was because Kilayox hungered for a decent battle. Since she had awaken, all she had seen where Agori and Matoran, hardly a challenge. The robot didn’t seem that interested in a fight, either. “Where are these Skrull? I wish to see one of them in person.” She told Aervak.

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

The Toa of Data ignored the prompt that appeared on his visor, warning him he was inching into unsafe speeds. He didn't need a prompt to know that, the blur as his surroundings passed and the speedometer told him that much.

 

He could see Olford coming into view roughly forty minutes after departure. Traveling at normal velocity, it would have been much longer. But when the driver has superhuman reaction times and no regard for speed limits, the time is more than halved. He paused outside of the gate, holding up his badge to the guards. A slight pause later, and the gate opened.

 

There was a roar as the vehicle sprang to life once more, racing toward the affected mineshaft. The flood had not been natural, the data he had received easily told him that.

 

Ga-Toa.

 

He only hoped he wasn't too late.

Edited January 6, 2013 by Krayzikk Bieber

[sunflower]

IC: Alyia

 

A blur of white and blue shot through Central City at approximately the speed of light. Perhaps a bit slower, given the various force involved, gravity, inertia, friction, but it was still up there. Blink, and you'd most definitely miss it. Yes, it was elementally draining. Yes, it was potentially dangerous. Yes, a Kakama would be more effective in an area like this. But it was the fastest way she could get somwhere. Not to mention it was fun. Alyia continued zipping through the city, the buildings passing by as a smear of color. It was a good thing she remembered the route beforehand.

 

Lightspeed didn't give your reflexes a boost like a Kakama did, nor was it an instant "activate and superspeed". It took a bit of time to get started... and to stop. As such, running head first into a building was quite a possibility.

 

The officer slowed somewhat over the span of about two blocks, now at a around Kakama-level speed, and coninued to lessen the elemental power making her travel so quickly. By the time she reached her destination, the Av-Toa was at a light jog, passing by the two hulking Enforcer robots standing guard outside the door as she walked in. The Department of Security building wasn't that large... or it didn't seem so on the outside. What she needed was an investigator, and the Toa of Light knew just where to find one.

[Friar Tuck]

IC

 

[Aishta's Garage, Ga-Koro-Nui; late morning]

 

"It's time."

 

The scene was out of one one of those desert-western flicks. The ship stood there in the center of a small clearing, piles of parts and junk surrounding it. I stood across the way, legs spread, fingers massaging a wrench in one hand, a diagnostic tool in the other, looking like a cowgirl sheriff ready to pull out her guns at the strike of noon for a duel.

 

A wad of paper rolled and bounced between us as a sudden light breeze picked up, then died.

 

The ship seemed to shudder slightly.

 

My lips twitched.

 

"Let's get started... "

 

* * *

Injured wing? More like broken.

 

Screwed up engine? Try complete overhaul.

 

Compromised flight stability drive? ...

 

Yeah, not even going to go there.

 

Yanking back I could feel the tension give way as I pulled out a wad of frayed and sparking wires, arcs of electricity moving every which war for a moment as the current discharged itself into the closest metallic objects. This is why I enjoyed being a Vo-Toa - made my job significantly easier. Not to mention safer.

 

I was straddling the broken wing, working on getting the junk out of it before I worried about the repairs. The engine I would have to take out and re-build it from the ground up; they didn't make this model anymore, so I just couldn't swap out a new one - stupid wiring issues this class of make had, preventing anything other than a select few types of power outputs lest you fry the whole circuitry. The flight stability drive, as complicated as the system was, was the easiest fix: a new gyroscope and fine-tuning the sensors afterwards was all that was required, but due to the sensitivity of it that would require a surgeons touch. Which is why it was going in last - I didn't want to go through all that trouble and then shake the thing around too much installing the rebuilt engine of the wing I would have to replace as well. It was amazing how many mechanics didn't think before they repaired, doing things in the worst possible order, not only having to do the same repair work twice or three times, but then the extra time and cost of their stupidity being handed down to the customer. This is why the general populous didn't trust us.

 

Took too long, cost too much, and the same problems would crop us soon after the "repairs" were done. All because they didn't think and o things in the right way, in the right fashion, the first time around.

 

And why mechanics like me in such high demand: fast, efficient, and cost-effective. Not sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

 

At least I would never be wanting for a job.

 

There were a series of beeps, to which I practically flew off the wing, diving into the ship and scrambling into cockpit. The first thing I did was hook up the myriad of diagnostic equipment I had to the beast, giving it time to do it's thing while I did the manual check on the ship. The point that it took my computers almost two hours to crunch through the data on the various on-board computers and black box on this sucker was enough to get me excited; the longer a diagnostic took, the more information the on-board computers had stored and mine had to sift through, and thus the more functions and things it had and/or could do... and/or the more problems this thing had. Maybe both. As I fought my way through the mess of wires and connecters I had hooked up to it I managed to reach the printer, flipping the switch to begin spitting out whatever it was they could find.

 

The old printer roared to life, grinding, hacking, and spitting out one long roll of paper as it began to tell me what it had found. My eyes grew as wide as saucers.

 

"By the Great Beings... !"

[sunflower]

IC: Alyia

 

The Toa of Light poked her head into the room at the end of the hall, maniac grin on her Kanohi from the thrill of moving at impossible speeds, and saw...

 

Nothing.

 

Where'd he go?

 

Alyia's grin turned into a frown. The last thing she heard, Firen had been right here. It wasn't like officers to just go wandering off... Well, if they weren't like her, so he either had a problem with sitting around, or he had recived a call. Both were likely enough. Stepping fully into the empty room, Alyia took a comminucator out of her white-and-blue armor, flipping the device open. A few seconds later, the Toa of Light had a channel open with the Toa of Data.

 

"Where are you?"

 

She didn't normally follow all regulations in the Department, and this was no different. Besides, there was always caller ID.

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

With a thought, Firen opened the call. He didn't have to check caller ID, he recognized the caller's unique data signature. "Afternoon ma'am, good to talk to you too, yes, I'm great, how about you?"

The reply, to anyone else, would have seemed flippant. But Alyla was well aware that this was standard behavior for him.

[sunflower]

IC: Alyia

 

"Just fine, standing in one of my officer's office wondering where the Karz he went to," the Toa of Light replied, glancing around the room as if expecting Firen to be hiding on one of the shelves.

[Light]

IC: I sighed and sat down on one of the barstools. My mind was a confused mess sometimes.OOC:: Kaithas open for interaction.

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

"Well, you see ma'am, I'm not in my office. In fact, I'm in Olford. Because one of the mines had a swift flood, and the people responding to the alarm don't seem to realize that it shows all signs typical of a Ga-Toa."

[sunflower]

IC: Alyia

 

"Karzit Firen, I need you here, not chasing after some girl in Olford," Alyia said, with mock annoyance. "You know I don't want to have to go get some newbie straight from basic training."

 

In all seriousness, his reasons were valid, but still.

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

"Well, assuming she doesn't drown me, I'll be back soon." The Toa of Data slowed to a stop, noticing a group of officer headed for the mine. "Actually, they might have finally figured it out.""Want me to head back to Central, ma'am?"

[Toa Levacius Zehvor]

IC: "Endelig", Levacius' Books:

 

The Agori grunted in agreement. "My entire life has been a struggle for survival out in the wild, albeit a struggle I took upon willingly. Still, I am almost satisfied."

 

The Agori glanced around the shelves before nodding at the book Levacius was holding.

 

"Might you have any others that discuss that subject? I believe I might borrow something after all."

 

IC: Levacius / Levacius' Books

 

"There should be, but this is the shortest of the three I have that makes sense. And it has two thousand fourteen pages; granted, diagrams and pictures compose most of it, but as the next one up is so large that you need to put it on a stand if you care about your internal organs, I wouldn't recommend it as any more than a reference guide."

 

"The third one appears to have been written by a madman, and I keep it locked up in the wings. It's an old Matoran Universe manuscript that I recovered from the Brotherhood of Makuta base. It goes into lengthy detail about how they turned an average Steltian into Voporak, a rather infamous being who possessed a number of time related powers. I doubt anyone will ever reach the scientific research levels of the Makuta, though, or quite come to terms with the thought processes they used to create that monster."

 

-Toa Levacius Zehvor

[Voltex]

IC: "Endelig", Levacius' Books:

 

"I see - that is rather unfortunate."

 

The Agori gave a short farewell wave, turning to go.

 

"I must be on my way, then. It is high time I looked into the state of my own library, and perhaps began to prepare for my next foray outside."

[sunflower]

IC: Alyia

 

"No no no, go finish your date, I'll just be finding a better use for your offie space," Alyia said, dropping into the chair and putting her feet up on the desk there. "I really do need a new place to store the heads of my enemies, you know."

 

The Toa of Light glanced around again. Nah not enough space for them all. "Nevermind, get back here, I need you."

[Krayzikk]

IC: Firen

 

"Pff. Date. You know, for some reasons, girls find having a date that could read their entire cell phone with a thought, and I'm quoting this, "creepy"."

 

With merely a thought, his motorcycle revved up and roared to life, turning around, zooming toward Central City.

[Constructelf]

IC Vikentios"No no no no NO!!!" Vikentios pounded the computer in frustration. All of his attempts to come up with... something far too complex and boring for most beings had failed miserably. "Maybe I need to revise my equations," he thought. "Am I using the wrong formula?" Getting up from his chair, he headed outside. "Maybe the textbooks would explain it."A short while later, a metallic blue road bike skidded to a halt in front of Levacius's Books. Getting off, Vikentios dashed inside, and ignoring the other beings inside, made a beeline for the mathmatics section.OOC Open for interaction.

[Toa Levacius Zehvor]

IC: Levacius / Levacius' Books

 

"I suppose so, but..."

 

As Vikentios suddenly charged into the room, Levacius seemed to have beem startled, and it was easy to feel the sudden surge of electrical energy whenever he got particularly surprised.

 

He looked over to Endelig and replied, "I will likely be closing soon. Perhaps I can attempt to meet up with you later. Or, honestly, any number of things. Fates far too malleable to be subjected to such guarantees, even in a city of perfect angles."

 

OOC: Perfect angles that let an eldritch demon dog kill people.

 

-Toa Levacius Zehvor