[Naked Crook]

Tyber: I understand. Tye paused. Tyber: You know...I respect your reasons. I am very much the same way. There are a lot of things I don't like to talk about either. However...if I have learned anything in the past 2 weeks, it would be that talking it over with someone you trust...can really help put things into perspective. Tye grinned. Tyber: Am I right? Vixen looked at Tye with a hint of curiosity. Vixen: If I didn't know better...I would guess that you are trying to turn the tables on me. Tyber: I can't help myself. It is what I have been trained to do. Vixen laughed. Vixen: I guess that is true. Vixen was still holding the tablet in her hand. She looked at it, reluctant to let it go. However, after a moment, she put the tablet down on the desk, and pushed it towards Tye. Tye reached out and grabbed the tablet, and picked it up. He looked at the picture on the tablet, but was unsure who he was looking at. Tyber: I don't understand. Vixen took a deep breath, and sighed. Vixen: That was my mother. A look of realization crossed Tye's face, as he began to piece the situation together. Tyber: You still miss her? Vixen: Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. She was taken far too soon because she didn’t conform to what my father believed in. He robber me of my childhood because he couldn’t understand that perhaps she, and I, wanted something different than what he wanted. Vixen paused. Vixen: My father was a tyrant, in so few words. If I had to pick one word to describe him…it would be tyrant. He never cared about anything other than what he wanted. He only cared for his outlook on things. He only cared about The Trust. He only cared about his duty and his obligation to “mankind”. His duty and his obligation to his family…didn’t even exist. Tyber: What exactly happened? Why did he kill your mother? Vixen: That is a long story…but I can try to nutshell it for you. Vixen paused. Vixen: I was 10 years old when my father was recruited into The Trust. Tyber: Let me guess…2500? Vixen: Yeah…that was the exact year. How did you know? Tyber: Davidov said they recruited Spender in 2500 Vixen: I see. Well, anyway, like I said, I was 10 years old. I lived an average life. My mother was…a civil servant…Government type. She was a sitting member of the UEG Parliament at the time. She was a Member of The UEG’s House of Representatives for The North American Union. She was very popular with her constituents…and with the rest of The House of Representatives. I remember hearing about how she could have easily…VERY easily moved her career far past Representative…if you know what I mean? Tyber: I think I do. Vixen: She was a strong believer in the rule of law and democracy. She believed that everyone was accountable to someone…no excuses. She did not believe in secret police, shadow groups, puppeteers…and she certainly would not believe in what The Trust stood for. Vixen paused. Vixen: I can tell you that prior to 2500…my Father worked for The UNSC. I am not sure which branch…but I am sure it wasn’t something that was kept on the books. My father never enjoyed the spotlight. He enjoyed lurking in the shadows with the rest of the ill-begotten ideas that have ever emerged from the hearts of men. Vixen paused. She took a moment to compose herself. Vixen: I knew considerably little about what my father did. He was a very secretive man. His secrets had secrets. His lies told lies. He was a despicable man. There was nothing honest about him. Vixen paused. Vixen: I will admit...I have learned a few things about my father that I never knew before simply by reading the musing of this Davidov guy you kill a while back. I only really learned that he joined The Trust back in the year 2500. I had no idea that he was a member of The Trust for so long. Tyber: If I may make a supposition...am I to assume that you have only known about The Trust for a short while? Vixen: I have known about The Trust for the past five years. Vixen paused. Vixen: Five painful years. Tyber: What happened? How did you find out? Vixen: Fast forward to the year 2510. My mother's career had continued to gain momentum. He popularity skyrocketed. I was a young woman who had her heart set on the Military. I had the makings of a promising officer. I was unsure what direction I wanted to go...but at the time...I was thinking Navy. Our lives were going great...but my father had other ideas. My father tried to recruit my mother and I into the ranks of The Trust. He saw us as valuable assets. Like I said...my mother was not someone who would stand for such things. As for me...I had my eyes set on the UNSC. I wanted to serve our institution. Vixen paused. Vixen: At first...the idea of The Trust seemed tempting. I saw the allure. However...when I saw the virulent opposition from my mother...I knew something was wrong. Vixen paused. Vixen: I remember the shouting match they had...throwing their ideologies at each other...like two opposing Generals on the battlefield...franticly looking to route the other. Vixen began to frown. Vixen: My father was not the least bit impressed by our refusal to join The Trust. He was furious. I had never seen him so angry. He was acting like he had just been betrayed. The anger and the rage was palpable. Tyber: He wanted the political power your mother had. Vixen: That was exactly it. My father wanted control of that political leverage. My mother...she stood her ground. It cost her life. Tyber: Do you know what happened? Vixen: Yeah. I witnessed it. it was horrifying. Vixen paused. Vixen: He framed me for the murder of my own mother. That slick SOB blamed me for my mother's death. Tyber: That's terrible! Vixen: The way he did it...I will never forget it. [FB] ========================================================== Flashback: Earth - New York City - Borough of Stanton Island - Residential District - The Spender Estate - February 8th 2510 ========================================================== Constantine Spender was sitting in a dark office, with only a desk lamp to illuminate the room. He was sitting behind a desk, slightly slouched in the chair, with his two hands tented, his elbows resting on the arm rests of the chair he was in. Spender simply sat behind this desk, totally silent, simply waiting for someone to eventually walk through the door. As Spender sat in the office, he could see headlights illuminate the room. Spender turned the chair, and looked out the window behind him. He saw a Black limousine parked in front of his house. He watched the limo for a moment, eventually seeing a women emerge from the back of the limo. Spender recognized this roman as his wife. Spender watched as the woman walked away from the limo, walking towards the house. Spender, however, remained silent, as he once again turned the chair to face the door to the office. Spender eventually heard the front door of the house open, as the lights in the main walkway turned themselves on. He could see the light shining in, and he could hear footsteps approaching the office. It was not long until someone had stepped to the doorway of the office, and obstructed some of the lights. Spender knew that this was his wife, and his chose to remain silent. Natalia: Lights! Just as this was said, the lights in the office turned on. Natalia saw Spender sitting at her desk. Natalia: Constantine? What are you doing here? Spender sighed. Spender: I have been...thinking. This place was quite...no distractions. Natalia: I see. What were you thinking about? Spender: This and that. Nothing too peculiar. Natalia: I see. Natalia was a bit taken aback by Spender's behavior. Natalia: Is it anything you want to discuss...or am I going to be forced to stand here while you sit and think? Spender: Actually...I would like to discuss something with you. Spender stood up, as he circled around the desk, approaching Natalia. Spender: If I may be so bold as to ask...what exactly is your ultimate career aspiration? Natalia was confused by the question. Natalia: I do not understand what that has to do with anything. Spender: I want to know what you are getting out of...politics. Natalia: I get enough from it. Spender: Rewards? Natalia: The knowledge that I am making a difference is reward enough. Spender laughed. Spender: Do you honestly believe that? Natalia: I do. I do believe that! Spender shook his head. Natalia: Clearly you don't believe that…otherwise…you would not even be pursuing this line of discussion. Spender: Honestly...I think those rewards are narrow! You can get so much more. Spender paused. Spender: Let me ask you something Natalia; how much do you know about my career? Natalia: You are defiantly naval intelligence. I know that much. Now that I think about it…you have never been too transparent about your career. I know considerably very little about what you do. However…that does not bother me. I know where your loyalties lay. Spender: No…I don’t think you do. Natalia: What is that supposed to mean? Spender: It means…you don’t know enough. It means…you need to be enlightened. Natalia: Constantine…what the hell are you talking about? Spender walked towards Natalia. He grabbed her by the arms. Spender: There is much more going on than you know my dear. There are things that you do not know. There is a fifth column in our great society that is responsible for holding everything together. This fifth column keeps us safe when the UEG cannot. The fifth column makes the decisions when the UEG cannot. The fifth column has been trusted with the survival of our great civilizartion. Natalia was silent. She simply glared at Spender. Spender: I am a part of this fifth column. We call ourselves…The Trust. Natalia: The Trust? What the hell is The Trust? Spender: We are an organization of people...likeminded people…exceptional people. Our goal is to preserve everything that mankind has built…no matter the cost. We live to protect what we have. We protect humanity from itself. We ensure that Humanity takes the right path. We guide Humanity into the unknown difficulties of the future. Natalia frowned. Natalia: What the hell are you talking about Constantine!? Spender scoffed. Spender: Natalia…listen to me… Spender paused. Spender: You have spent your entire career…preaching social justice, democracy, common ground, and compromise. These things define your career. I, on the other hand, have spent my career using direct intervention and force when diplomacy and compromise has failed. If my career is any indication…I have lost all faith in compromise and common ground. It is bullshit! The only thing that has ever had any affect was deadly force! Natalia: That is your opinion. Spender: Perhaps…but it is an opinion grounded in a mountain of evidence. Spender paused. Spender: Natalia…what if I told you that I could make it so that everything you say and do…wields the utmost amount of power imaginable? Natalia: What do you mean? Spender: Imagine; if you will, the ability to project your career far past a simple representative. Imagine…something with more…authority. Natalia: More authority? How much authority? Spender: As much as you want…more than any Human would ever have! Unlimited power! Ultimate authority! The ability to crush opposition with the flick of a wrist Natalia: Total authority? Spender: Yes! Natalia: No thanks. Natalia scoffed Natalia: I don’t need, nor do I want to be a dictator. I don’t need more power. I don’t need unlimited power! I don’t need ultimate authority. I don’t need any absolutes! I am not a dictator Constantine! Spender frowned. Natalia: Even if I was interested in what you are offering, in even the slightest degree, how on Earth would you ever do anything? Spender: Like I said Natalia…The Trust does what it needs to do. What we do is not always nice, but it is necessary. Sometimes...a firm fist is what is needed to keep our system in check. The Trust is very familiar with this firm hand. We apply it religiously. Sometimes...you just need to make the decision for someone in order to get things done. All we want is to enable you to make those decisions. Natalia shook her head and sighed. Natalia: I don’t know what The Trust is. I have never heard of it. I have never seen it! Quite frankly...I think you have gone off the deep end Constantine. Spender: The reason you have never seen or heard of it is because they do their job and they remain a secret. They would be a pretty lousy fifth column if they were known about. Their clandestine nature let’s them act in ways that quaint naval intelligence never could! Natalia: Yet here you are…all but confessing the existence of the, so called, fifth column...or...The Trust, as you call it. Spender: I am telling you about The Trust because I want you to join us! Natalia: Excuse me? Spender: I see now I have you attention. Natalia: You are damn right you have my attention! Why the hell are you extending this offer to me? Clearly I do not support your views or your objectives. Spender: To put it simply...The Trust has been watching you for a number of years, much to my chagrin...but...the facts are the facts. They are impressed with your tenacity. However, they are convinced they can help you to improve your approach. The Trust wants to help you improve how...effective you are in your policy making. In exchange for the help...all they ask is cooperation on...certain agendas. Natalia: No. I will not be a patsy for the fifth column. Spender: You have not even finished hearing me out. Natalia: I don't need to hear you out. I don't need to hear what you, or anyone else, will offer me in exchange for my cooperation! Natalia broke from of Spender's grasp, as she backed away. Spender: You are being very irrational! Natalia: Irrational!? You are asking me to betray a lifetime of principle...just so you can use my political influence to your own advantage! Spender: That is such an ungraceful way of putting it. You make us sound...evil. Natalia: How would you describe it? Spender: We are asking you to more carefully consider issues and actions that would benefit humanity...and protect everything that humanity has worked so hard to build. Natalia: That just sounds insincere! Spender: How? How can you judge me as insincere if you do not even fully understand the scope of what we are trying to do? The Trust protects humanity. You and The Trust...we both work for the same goal. You we protect humanity. The only difference between you and The Trust...is that you work in the spotlight, while The Trust prefers to stay out of sight. Natalia: The very idea of a small ground of people usurping power that does not belong to them, from behind the scenes, obscured from public view, is all I need to know to judge you as insincere! Spender: We are not usurping power by enlisting you in our ranks. We are better facilitating the use of power that was given to us! Natalia: Power given to you, by who? Spender: History! Natalia: History? Spender: The Trust has existed since before Humanity had left its own solar system. Before the UEG...before the UNSC...before our vast reach across the stars...The Trust existed. We have always been. We have always made it our goal to direct humanity to make the right choices...to do what is best...to do what will best facilitate its future. We have acted through the military, through the politicians, and through the economics. Natalia scoffed. She didn't like what she was hearing. Natalia: I don't believe what I am hearing. Spender: Ohhh...believe it. Believe every word I am saying. Natalia: I refuse to believe that a fifth column has existed within our society, puppeteering our every move! Spender: Not every move...just the ones that matter. For example...look at The Insurrection. The Trust has been involved with that conflict for some time. In fact...we are gearing up for our biggest power play yet. In fact...you would be invaluable in to our efforts. Right now...we are at a critical stage...and someone with your political pull would help us go far! Natalia: I refuse to help you or your organization. I will not betray a lifetime of conviction! Spender shook his head in disappointment. Spender: I am disappointed in you Natalia. You have great potential. Natalia: My potential is not yours to wield in draconian battles. Spender: Again...you make it sound so terrible. Natalia: It is what it is, Constantine! Spender: There seems to be no convincing you of the obvious advantages to what I proposing. Natalia: What you are proposing is the death of democracy! It is the death of everything our system stands for. The death of everything I believe in. I will not be a pawn for The Trust. I will never be a pawn for The Trust. Spender: Again, you make it sound worse than it actually is. Natalia: There is no good way to put it Constantine. What you are suggesting is subversion...even treason. I would be in my right mind to have you arrested for treason. Spender: Me? Treason? Don't be so droll. I am not a traitor. I am a patriot. In fact, it can be argued that your unwillingness to work towards the best interest of humanity can be seen as treason. Natalia: How dare you! Natalia paused. Natalia: How dare you implicate me like that! You have no right to call me a traitor! I have given my life to the UEG. Spender: I have given my life to HUMANITY! Natalia: No...you have given your life to traitors! Spender scoffed. He approached Natalia. Natalia backed up in defense. However before anything more was said, both Spender and Natalia turned towards the door to the office when they heard the front door of their house open. They both could hear a voice shouting from the main entrance of the house. Kathryn: Anyone home? Spender and Natalia looked at each other, exchanging very dirty looks. Spender: Office! Spender didn't say another word. Natalia remained silent, as they heard Kathryn's footsteps move towards their location. It was not long before Kathryn barged in, holding a data pad in her hands. Kathryn: Hey guys...I got my aptitude test scores back from the Reach Naval Academy! Aced it! Top score! I was accepted! Both Spender and Natalia looked at Kathryn. Spender: Well done. I always knew you had...potential. Natalia looked at Spender, and frowned. Kathryn: Thanks! Natalia: Just be sure you know what you are getting into Kathryn...and be sure to stay true to who you are. Spender: Or...you can aspire to be a great officer...ready and willing to do what you must to defend the uniform! Kathryn's eyes shifted back and forth between her mother and father as they spoke. She was slightly confused by what she was hearing. Kathryn: What's going on? Why all the advice? Natalia: I just... Spender cut off Natalia. Spender: Want what is BEST for you. We want what is best for you...in all things. Natalia scoffed, as she glared at Spender. Natalia: Don't even try it! Don't even think about saying it! Spender looked at Natalia, and grinned. Spender: Think about what? Kathryn: What is going on? Spender looked at Kathryn. Spender: You mother is a bit...concerned. To be more precise...she is concerned about my influence over you. Natalia: I am concerned what you would try to do to her! Kathryn: I don't understand? Spender: Let me put it another way... Spender paused. Spender: Kathryn, my dear, why did you enroll into the naval academy? Kathryn: Well, I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to fight for what I believed in. Spender: Don't we all. What if I told you that there was a better way to serve...a better way to make a difference...and it could all be done WITHOUT tossing aside your current aspirations of joining the Navy? Kathryn: What do you mean? What are you talking about? Natalia looked at Kathryn. Natalia: You don't want to know! Spender scoffed at Natalia. Spender: I think she has the right to make the decision for herself! Spender then looked back to Kathryn. Spender: Kathryn...there is something you need to know. There is...a group of people in our society...a group that is singularly dedicated to the preservation and defense of everything that our society has built and established. These people are part of an organization known as The Trust. We are...exceptional people. We are people who do what has to be done. We are people that make the tough decisions and make the hard choices. We are military officials, we are political entities, and we are even civilian bodies. Our reach expands across of society...ensuring its survival. It is something that I want you to be a part of. It is something that I wanted your mother to be a part of. However...your mother seems opposed to the idea, and she wants nothing more than for someone to share in her error in judgment. Natalia: However...what your father is not telling you is that "The Trust" circumvents the democratic process, usurps power that does not belong to them, and they make unilateral decisions for everyone else. In short...they are dictators that rule with an iron fist. Kathryn looked back and forth between her mother and father. Natalia: They have no regard for anyone except themselves. They do what they think is right. They don't allow deviation from THEIR plan. They seem to think THEY know what is best for humanity. They don't believe in compromise...and they do not believe in common ground. They are a power unto themselves...accountable to nobody. Kathryn had a look of confusion on her face. She looked at Spender. Kathryn: Is this true? Is there any truth to what she is saying? Spender shook his head. Spender: She is being mellow dramatic. She is making it sound much worse than it actually is. Natalia: No...I call it as it is! You are the one who obscures the truth behind semantics! Natalia frowned at Spender. She then turned to Kathryn. Natalia: Do not listen to him. Do not allow yourself to believe the supposed virtues of his offer. Spender scoffed. Spender: Don't make her decisions for her. She has the right to decide what she wants to do. You have no right to try and indoctrinate her with your narrow beliefs. Natalia: And you have no right to try and indoctrinate her with your draconian views! Kathryn watched the exchange between her two parents. She began to get annoyed by what she was seeing. Kathryn: That's enough! Both of you! Neither of you have the right to decide what I do, or what I believe. I will do as I see fit! Both Spender and Natalia looked at Kathryn. Spender: I only want what is best for you Kathryn. You have a lot of potential. The Trust can help you hone that potential. There is so much you can learn with us! All I ask is that you consider your options carefully. Natalia: All I ask is that you stay true to that Uniform you want to wear. There are many wolves in sheep's clothing, like your father, who cloak themselves in good deeds and altruism. However...at the core...they are monsters...they are traitors...and they are con artists! You deserve better than to sell yourself out to a bunch of...thugs who hide in the shadows. Spender: Your mother is narrow! She is short sighted. Do not allow her to poison you against me or what I can offer you. I can ensure that your aspirations exceed your wildest dreams. I can ensure that all your hard work pays off. I can ensure that when you fight to make a difference...things will change. I will ensure there are never any half measures or compromises. I will ensure that every move you make, will create tidal waves of influence! I can ensure that when you wear this uniform...everything you do will have meaning! Natalia: None of that means anything if you betray everything that uniform stands for. Spender scoffed as he looked at Natalia. Spender: You know nothing about what this uniform stands for. This uniform doesn't live in a fantasy world where people sit down and talk reasonably. This uniform exists in a world where your enemies are as ruthless as they are uncompromising! This uniform sees the horrors of REAL LIFE! Officers of the uniform do not have the luxury of pretending what they do has any discernible effect. We either do, or we die! Spender paused. Spender: When we put on this uniform...we do what other people do not have the courage to do; we put our asses on the line and we do what we have to do. We fight, we sacrifice, and we die...so politicians can put on their expensive suits and sit around comfortable tables and discuss next month's budget allocation! The Trust sees how much THE UNIFORM does to keep humanity safe...and The Trust exists to ensure that WE have what we need to get the job done. The Trust exists so it can give soldiers the options that politicians are too afraid to give. Spender paused. Spender: Judge us not by our methods, but by our results. Look around you. Everything you see that exists...is because at SOME POINT...The Trust had the courage that pathetic politicians could never muster in a million years. Natalia: The fact remains the same Constantine...nothing ever gave The Trust the permission or the authority to do what it does...whatever it does. This Trust organization is not sanction by the people! Spender: Fuck the people! They do not know what is good for them! Only The Trust knows what is good for them! Natalia backed off. She looked at Spender with a fearful look. Natalia: I don't know who you are anymore. Kathryn looked at her mother, and then at her father. Kathryn: Mom is right. You never used to speak like this. Natalia: You have changed Constantine. Kathryn: You have changed. You are far more militant than I ever knew you to be. If this is the kind of mentality that The Trust breeds…then I want nothing to do with it. Natalia: I don’t want anything to do with this either. Spender: A very narrow vision. You two simply do not understand the grand scheme. Such wasted potential. Spender frowned and scoffed. He began to pace back and forth. He began to rub his chin, as he gathered his thoughts. Spender: Let me show you two ladies something interesting Spender paused. He then reached into his coat and drew a magnum. There was a clip in the magnum, but the safety was on. Both Natalia and Kathryn took a step back. Both of the women could see that Spender was wearing a pair of leather gloves on his hands, as he held the gun up. Spender: This is a standard issue, UNSC military grade, M6C Magnum. This weapon…belongs to The Insurrection. I took it off of an Insurrectionist’s dead body during my last op. I carry it around as a reminder of what is going on. Spender paused. Spender: This gun is a reminder of what The Trust does for mankind. Natalia: What do you mean? Spender: This weapon belonged to an Insurrectionist. Where do you think they got it? The Trust gave it to them. Why, you ask? Why would The Trust give weapons to a terrorist organization when our proclaimed goal is to protect Humanity? It is simple, really; The Trust is growing in numbers. More and more officers have been approached and recruited by The Trust because they believe in what we do. I am not alone. I am in the company of some of the best and the brightest the UNSC has ever turned out. The Trust becomes more powerful with every unstable day that passes. I am sure that you have both noticed the swelling in the UNSC ranks as of late? We have all seen the increase in ship production, recruitment, and branches and divisions? The UNSC is growing to combat the real threat; The Insurrection. What better way for The Trust to plant its operatives than to fill new positions? We are giving rise to The Insurrection. We give them power. When The Insurrection gets power, the situation becomes unstable. When the situation becomes unstable…the military grows. What better way to increase The Trust’s power…than to feed the thing that causes the instability? When The Trust is controlling everything…Humanity will see a golden age…a second Renaissance, only more brilliant and vibrant! Unfortunately…you two oppose this. Spender grinned. Spender: Natalia…I had hoped that you would join us. You would have been a valuable asset to The Trust. You would have been able to cut red tape and ensure that the books are properly cooked. However, it dawns on me that you are far too naïve to comprehend the importance of such a task. Spender looked at Kathryn. Spender: Kathryn…you ARE a leader. I see it in you. I see my talents in you. However…you are squandering them by narrowing your future and your vision. I am disappointed in you. You could have been…legendary. Instead…you will be forgotten and mediocre. Spender closed his eyes and shook his head. Spender: However…I will concede that neither of you are totally useless. You still have value to The Trust…just…a different kind of value. You will help us. You will be a lightning rod…a call to action. A prominent and respected Representative, wife to a respected and successful naval officer…gunned down in her own home by…an Insurrectionists...a traitor. Spender paused. He looked at the gun in his hand. Kathryn and Natalia saw what Spender was doing. They began to back up, as if they tried to run. Natalia: Constantine… Spender paused. He then pointed the gun at Natalia. He grinned. Spender: Goodbye Natalia. Spender then began to pull the trigger. He put all twelve rounds of the Magnum right into his wife’s chest. With each bullet, Natalia was pushed backwards. She eventually slammed into a wall, as he lifeless body slid down the wall, leaving a thick trail of blood smeared down the wall. Kathryn watched in horror as her mother was gunned down in front of her eyes. She was totally speechless. She could not find the words to express her shock and her grief. The only thing she could do was stumble backwards, as she leaned on a credenza. Spender turned to look at Kathryn. Kathryn slowly turned her head to look at her father. She could see her father grinning. Spender: Catch... Spender underhanded the Magnum towards Kathryn. Kathryn's mind was in such a daze, her instincts took over, as she caught the gun in her hands. Spender: And The Insurrectionist traitor that killed the prominent and popular Natalia Spender...turns out to be her own daughter. Kathryn was in shock. She could not grasp what was going on. She simply fell to her knees, dropping the gun. Spender: Like I said...you two will be lighting rods...a call to action. When the UEG finds out about what YOU did Kathryn...events will be set in motion that will do just as much good as your mother joining The Trust. Spender paused. Spender: I do not regret her death...as sacrifices must be made. I am always prepared to make sacrifices when I put this Uniform. That is what this Uniform stands for. Spender shrugged, as he turned to walk out of the office. Spender: Try not to sit around for too long Kathryn. Every second counts for you at this point. Spender walked out of the office, leaving Kathryn sitting on the ground, silent, motionless, and stunned. ========================================================== End Flashback ========================================================== [/FB] Vixen: My father framed me for the murder of my own mother. She had a state funeral...however....because of my father, I could not even attend the funeral of my own mother. Tyber: I am so sorry. I don't know what to say. Vixen: I learned who my father really was that day. I saw evil in its purest form that day. I will never forget it and it will be with me for the rest of my days. He was...uncompromising. He... Vixen began to struggle with her words. It was clear she was deeply disturbed by the topic. Vixen: He had to have his way. He HAD to control our destiny. What he could not control...he destroyed...and he used the ruins of what he destroyed to further his own goals. Vixen looked at Tye. Tye could see the redness in Vixen's eyes. Vixen: If he cannot control you, Tye, he will destroy you as well. That thought...it terrifies me. You escaped his control with your life…but…he is going to come for you. He is going to try and destroy you like he has done so many before. Vixen stood up from behind her desk, as she began to pace around the room. There was a look of worry and concern on her face that was very apparent and obvious. However, Tye knew that he could not simply leave her like this. Tye got up from his seat, as he approached Vixen, and he wrapped his arms around her. Tyber: Vixen…relax…it is alright. Relax. Vixen proceeded to wrap her arms around Tye’s torso, as she pressed her head against his chest. Tyber: Your father is not going to kill me. He is not going to get me, and he is not going to destroy me. He will not beat me. Vixen: How do you know? Tyber: I know…because I know every tactic that he knows. He has no surprises that can fool me. I know everything there is to know about how he, and The Trust, operates. I have him in the bag. Vixen: Are you sure? Tyber: Of course I am sure. Of course I am. I promise Vixen…nothing is going to happen to me. Vixen simply smiled, as she closed her eyes and rested her head against Tye’s chest. Vixen: Not many men could promise that. Tyber: Yeah, well, I am NOT most men. I am THE man. I have this situation under control. I have myself under control. I am not going to let your father hurt anyone else. He is going to pay for what he has done. I will make him pay for EVERYTHING…including your mother’s death. I swear it…he will pay for everything. Vixen looked at Tye in the eye. She raised her head a bit, as they looked at each other. Tyber: He has a lot to answer for...and I swear to you...he is not going to put me six feet under before I may him, and The Trust, pay for everything! Vixen grinned. Tye's reassurance calmed her down. Vixen: I just don't want anything happening to you. These past two weeks have... Vixen hung her head, but Tye placed his hand under her chin and raised her again again. Vixen: Have been... Vixen grinned. Vixen: Very memorable. I dare say that I... Vixen paused. Vixen: You and I...are...well...much more than friends. Tyber: Truthfully...honestly...I like the sound of that. Tye paused. Tyber: I never said anything...I didn't want to admit it...but the moment...that I set foot on this ship, not as a POW, but as...a broken man...I knew there was something about you that I liked. I saw an intrinsic goodness in you. I heard it in your voice. I saw it in your actions. Tye paused. Tyber: You helped me get back on my feet. You got me started on my recovery. You are helping me come to terms with what I did. You helped me piece my life back together. You helped me rediscover who I really was...not what The Trust had turned me into. You helped me realize that I was still a man...a good man...not a weapon. Tye embraced Vixen. Tyber: I don't know about you Vixen...but I don't want to be just friends. I want something more...and I want it from you. Vixen looked at Tye. She smiled as she kissed him. Vixen and Tye stood in front of the fireplace panel, as their shadows projected onto the wall. They both dragged out this moment as long as they could, neither of them regretting what they had both consented to. After what felt like an eternity, Tye and Vixen broke the kiss, but Tye did not release VIxen from his embrace. Tyber: I am guessing you want the same thing as I do? Vixen: Yes...yes... Vixen paused. Vixen: Tye...I have never felt the embrace of a man before. I have spent my entire life...alone. I have been distant...I have been reserved...and I have been scared to get close to anyone. I always feared what others would think of my life and my background. I never wanted to be seen as vulnerable or weak. Vixen paused. Vixen: But you...you are different. You are different than all the others. You were unlike anyone I have ever met. I didn't have to worry about what you thought...because...in a way...we were...the same. Tye looked down at Vixen, as she rested her head on his chest. Vixen: This feels right. Vixen closed her eyes as she began to relax. She simply fell silent, not saying a word. Tye listened to his surroundings, as he simply stood there, embracing Vixen. He could hear the slight hum of the engines, as well as some other ambient noise from the ship. Several minutes pass before Vixen spoke again. Vixen: Tye? Tyber: Yes? Vixen: I don't want to be alone tonight. I am done being alone. I am done living alone. I am done sleeping alone. I need something more in my life. I want you in my life. Tye grinned. Tyber: There is nothing I would want more than to be a part of your life. Vixen looked up, and grinned. She then broke free from Tye's embrace, as she walked back towards her desk. She reached over her desk, as she placed her hand on a small embedded control panel. Vixen: Play music file 993 - "Here's to You - Orchestral" Vixen removed her hand from the control, panel, as she turned to look at Tye. Vixen: This was my mother's favorite song. She used to tell me that she derived much inspiration from it. Tyber: How so? Vixen: The story behind it is quite simple...two men were put to death...after an unfair trial in the courts. They were falsely accused of crimes they did not commit. They were executed under false pretenses. Vixen paused. Vixen: My mother always told me that without our system, without the rule of law, without democratic rule...we have no freedom and no liberty. Vixen paused. Vixen: Our system failed these men because draconian men, like my father, had centralized power. Vixen paused. Vixen: Whenever I doubt my own convictions or my own strength...I listen to this. It gives me purpose. it reminds me of what I want in my life. It keeps me balanced. It gives me focus. It reminds me of where I came from...and where I am going. Tye grinned, and nodded. Tyber: That is a good message. Tye paused. Tyber: There are times I wish I had something to remind me of where I am going...and what my purpose is. Tye paused. Tyber: Ever since my parents died when I was young...I had very little guidance in my life. My younger brother and I...we were bounced between foster homes...never really fitting in. I never had a childhood. I never knew the love of parents. There are times that I wonder what it would be like to have experienced the kind of childhood where I wasn't tossed between foster homes...where I didn't sleep on the streets when we didn't have a bed to rest upon. Tye paused. Tyber: There is so much that I never had. There are so many mistakes I have made. Tye paused. Tyber: I never reconciled with my brother. He is the old family I have…and the only thing I can think about is all the time we have wasted. I look back on why we drifted apart…and he was right…I did abandon him. I turned my back on him. Only now…after all this time…do I realize what I have done. Tye paused. Tyber: I miss him…but I don’t have the courage to find him and tell him how sorry I am. Tye paused. He took a deep breath, as he swallowed hard. Tyber: I often hear about his accomplishments, his endeavors, and his upstanding service…but I have never once congratulated him…or told him how proud I was of him. I let our differences and our disagreements push us apart…and I have no idea how to rectify it. Tye sat down on the bed, as he ran his hands through his hair. Tyber: I have so much baggage. I have so many regrets. I hate my past. It is a warzone of mistakes and errors. Vixen sat next to Tye on the bed. Vixen: Like I have said Tye…I will never fully understand the pain that you wrestle ‘with. However…I have also said that you must not beat yourself up on account of your past. We can’t change the past…but we can change the future. Vixen paused. Vixen: Someday…you will either find the opportunity, the courage, or the chance to face your brother…and you will tell him what you need to tell him. It is something that you know you have to do…and it is something you know you will do. Vixen paused. Vixen: Like I said…don’t beat yourself up over your past. Focus on the future Tye. Focus on what you can change. Focus on the things that give you a reason to live. It is the only thing you can do. Just be strong. Tye closed his eyes and nodded. Tyber: You’re right. My past…it is what it is. There is no changing it. I have to live with it, as it is. Tye paused. Tyber: But…I cannot let my past destroy my future. My future isn’t written yet. My future isn’t set in stone. It is mine to do with as I please. Tye thought for a moment. Tyber: I don’t know when I will ever see him again. However, when I do see him again, I am going to set things right. Tye turned and looked at Vixen. Tyber: I will make things right. Everything that went wrong…I am going to make right. Tye paused. Tyber: And…I want you there…by my side…keeping me in one piece while I do it. Tye grinned, as he tried to lighten the mood a bit with a bit of humor. However, his grin, slowly faded. Vixen: I will be there Tye. I plan on being there… Vixen kissed Tye once more. However, this time she pushed him back, slowly, onto the bed. [FF] ========================================================== UNSC Halycon Class - The King Raven - Medical Bay - Currently in the San Angeles Star System - 0830 Hours – January 30th 2540 ========================================================== Tye raised his head. He began to think to himself again. His attention began to drift. A look of regret and sadness ran across his face. Tyber: She was everything to me. Tye sighed. Tyber: We fell in love. Everyone fell silent as ye spoke. They simply looked at him. Tyber: Vixen and I…sort of bonded over our mutual hate for The Trust and Spender. We slowly learned we had more and more in common. We both had an agonizing past. We both knew loss as bitter companions through life. Tye paused. Tyber: She began to share details about her life...that is...her life before The Insurrection. She faced her fair share of challenges and difficulties. It became clear that...we were sort of...kindred. Tye paused. Tyber: Vixen was an incredible woman. The more time I spent with her...the more we...tempted our desires. Tye paused. He grinned. Tyber: We eventually gave in. Tye paused.. Tyber: I remember that night we spent together...as clear as day. Everything about our first encounter was just so...tense...like we both knew WAY ahead of time that it was going to happen. I think we both knew what was going to happen. We were delaying needlessly. It was a very strange sort of foreplay. It was nothing overtly harsh or aggressive. It was nothing so...obvious or traditional. We eased into it. She played a song for me...she spoke about how it was something she always had an affinity for. The room was dark...but the window shutters were open. I could see the stars in the blackness of space. There was just enough light to see that she was nervous...almost...uncertain. She told me...she had never been with anyone before. She seemed tense at first. She was willing...but...nervous. She didn't know what to expect. She asked for caution...and I obliged. She became comfortable...so she asked for finesse. Again...I obliged. She became...excited. She asked for more...so I obliged. I gave her everything. I gave her more than I ever thought I would ever part with. She cut through the armor...the training...the agony...the emotion...the psyche...and she got to the real me. I learned things about myself that...I had no idea was there in the first place. What we did...went beyond a fling...it went beyond hormones...it went WAY beyond intimacy. I learned how to love someone in a way that...was totally unknown to me. I cannot put it into words. I can still smell her perfume. I can still feel the sensation of my hand on her body. I can still hear every word she said to me. I can still feel her finger nails digging into the back of my neck... Tye placed his hands on the back of his neck. Tyber: Her left hand...four fingers...right here...the knuckle of her thumb digging into the side of my neck. It pinched...but I didn't care. I said it was alright. Tye's eyes came distant as he spoke. Tyber: I can still feel her breath on my left shoulder. I remember...everything. It is clear as day. Tye paused. He then turned away. Tye placed his arm against the wall, as he pressed his forehead against his arm. Tye simply fell silent, and said nothing for a period of time. Everyone looked at each other, a little concerned and a little worried. None of them knew how to respond to anything they just heard. Tye had just shared information with them that made them all feel very awkward and out of place. Nobody said a thing...and they all kept silent until Tye eventually spoke again. Tyber: I don't know why I told you that. Tye paused. Tyber: You didn't need to know. Tye paused again. Tyber: You might think it's weird that I would go into perfect detail about how I made love to this woman. Tye paused. Tyber: I enjoyed every minute I spent making love to her. I am not ashamed of that. I am proud of it. I am not embarrassed to say that I would give anything to have that deep of a connection with someone one more time. It is very personal…but…it is my choice to talk about it. Tye paused. Tyber: It was the one thing that was good and decent at that point of my life. Tye paused. Tyber: It was the only thing that actually brought joy to my life. Tye paused. Tyber: It is important to understand how important it was to me. Tye sighed. Tyber: You might be asking yourselves…”why?” Tye grinned. Tyber: The fact is…you have been listening to me recount all the horrible things I have done. I just wanted the chance to talk about something…that had a positive effect on my life. Tye looked around the room. He could now tell that everyone was a bit uncomfortable. Tyber: I get the feeling that…something is not right. Everyone gave a half shrug…but nobody said anything at first. Anaconda: They feel uncomfortable hearing about how you managed your conquest of that female. Anaconda shrugged. Anaconda: We get it…you “liked” this female. You “liked” her a lot. We understand why. Tyber: I didn’t mean to make everyone uncomfortable. It’s just…the memories are so vivid. Anaconda: I know…I can tell. We get it…she had an impact on your life. The thing is…I could have gone the rest of my life not hearing about how two Humans copulate. How would you like it if I told you how I throw down with a female? Tyber: You’re right…too much information. Tye sighed. Tyber: I’m sorry…I got caught up in the moment. I sort of spaced out. Anaconda: Well…no harm was done. We get that she was special…and we understand that it brought you comfort. I doubt this is a male in this room who has not found comfort embracing a female. I know I have. Burke: Amen. Nighthawk shifted his head to look at Jennifer. Jennifer also caught a glimpse of Nighthawk. Nighthawk: Amen. Tye shrugged and nodded. Tyber: I guess so. Tye paused. E rubbed the back of his neck Tyber: You know…thinking back…I have yet to really bury the hatchet with Preston. We serve together in an officially capacity. We take our liberties with each other, ignoring the chain of command. He gives me a wide margin to do my job, and I respect him for that. He realizes that I am a capable soldier. Tye sighed. Tyber: The problem is…we never really ACT like brothers…like family. There is still a distance between the two of us that was never really reconciled. I just see my brother’s demeanor at times…and I have no idea how he would react to me prodding at something so…delicate. Tye laughed. Tyber: My brother is a pretty cold man. He rarely shows his “positive” emotions. He rarely shows any kind of humanity or fragility. He has to be like that, however. He is a high ranking officer, senior brass, highly respected, and looked up to by people. As good as he is at leading…he is just as good at pissing people off and going rouge and doing what he knows is the right thing to do. Tye paused. He then started to shake his head. Tyber: As such…he keeps his distance in order to do his job. It is something I have come to respect…and accept. I doubt he would want to open up old wounds. Jennifer looked at Nighthawk, who had folded his arms. She saw as Nighthawk simply looked at Tye. Nighthawk: I wouldn’t be so sure about what you are saying. Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: Despite his…personality…there is still a person under that uniform. You never really know what is going on in someone’s head…until you ask. How do you know that he doesn’t have the exact same regrets? How do you know that he doesn’t think the exact same way about you? Perhaps that kind of personality runs in the family. The point is…nobody is unreachable. Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: He may even have a few admissions of guilt himself. The point is, don’t let assumptions dictate your decisions. Talk to him…you may end up surprised. Tye nodded at Nighthawk. Tyber: You seem pretty sure about that. You seem pretty confident that my brother would be receptive to such a conversation. Nighthawk shrugged. Nighthawk: I know a thing or two about family. Brothers may disagree…they may even fight…but in the end of the day…when the world has you cornered… Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: Count on your brother to stand with you to the end. Nighthawk laughed, as he elbowed Anaconda in the gut. Anaconda grunted from the impact. Nighthawk: Just ask this guy. Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: It doesn’t matter if they are flesh and blood....or a brother from another mother…a brother always has your back. I am pretty sure you can expect a positive response. Tye grinned. Tyber: I like the comradery between you two. It is not often you see that. It is a great thing. Tye sighed. Tyber: But you are right. Perhaps I have to shake my preconceptions…and just tell him how it is. How bad could it be? Tye looked around. He looked at Jennifer, who had her arms folded, and she had a grin on her face. Jennifer: I think it will be fine. I just get that feeling. Tyber: You really think so? Jennifer: Absolutely. In fact...I would bet my life on the fact that Preston will be VERY understanding...all things considered. Tyber: Well...I am glad to know that I am not going to be shunned for all of this. It is actually quite reassuring. I find it odd that ALL of you guys seem to know my brother better than I do. Jennifer: Well...I doubt we know him any better than you. I just choose to believe in his pragmatism. Nighthawk: And I...am just hoping for the best. Tye thought for a moment. He felt that something was rather odd about Nighthawk's statement. However, he let it go. Tye simply sighed, as he tried to recall where he had left off. Tyber: Where was I? Anaconda: You mated with that female. Tyber: Oh yes... Tye gave a bit of a grin as he cleared his throat. Tyber: After...the pleasantries...Vixen and I began to work more closely. We worked together, combing over every bit of information that we had on The Trust. We eventually stumbled upon something that would play a major role in our fight with The Trust. It was a game changer. It led us right to their doorstep...right where we wanted to be. What we had was so perfect...we didn't even stop to think that it MIGHT have been too good to be true. [/FF] ========================================================== UNSC Phoenix Class - The Hades Eclipse - Vixen's Office - Current Location in UNSC Patrolled Space - 1500 hours - July 9th 2515. ========================================================== Tye and Vixen were sitting at a desk. They were both reviewing multiple PDAs, literally buried in intel and information. Neither of them had spoken to the other in several hours. However, eventually, the silence was broken by Vixen. Vixen: Shit... Tye looked up from the PDA he was reading. Tyber: Excuse me? Vixen looked at Tye. Vixen: I think I found something useful. I think I found something VERY useful. Tye stood up as he walked over to Vixen. Tyber: What did you find? Vixen handed Tye the PDA she was looking at. ///BEGIN NAVIGATIONAL MANIFEST HHX8myPfx-Hy7JKu6t5m7u*4SYo4ntXjJfEsv#4WH695d'7E&b@i~KLSiL%peq3f Rxw6pqZoQzVxiNQ3We6Hn2X'+sC5t#7Jr6X9neq"rH_gi#/h2Wxe'W29KNanfj=D E9zht3^Q6CmD+gh9M8qWunK$gjUgj~6NN"`Vg%Rv~%77wJfSA^A$zU9K"wqq$*#X ///END NAVIGATIONAL MANIFEST Tyber: I don't follow. What the hell is this? Vixen: That is a compiled navigational log. Tyber: Excuse me? Vixen: Spatial coordinates. That is a destination. That is a place. That represents a destination solution after it has been compiled by a navigational computer. Our navigational computer can read that and know exactly where it points to. Tyber: Alright. The question is...where IS THAT pointing to? Vixen: I cannot say for certain. We would only know after we fed it into the navigational computer. This could take us anywhere. Tyber: Where did this data come from? What is the source on this? Vixen: Do you remember our attack on The Ulterior Motive? This was among some of the data we stole during the attack. Tye rubbed his chin. Tyber: Let's try running it through the navigation computer. Let's see where it points us. Vixen nodded, as she placed the tablet on her desk. She then turned to a laptop on her desk, and issued a few commands. After a moment, she removed a data chip from her laptop, and then stood up. Vixen: Let's get to the bridge. Tye nodded, as he stood up, and followed Vixen out of her office. The two walked through the corridors, heading towards the bridge. They moved quickly, just shy of a full out sprint. The two of them had managed to make their way towards the bridge in very short order. The moment that they had walked onto the ridge, Vixen wasted no time in issuing her orders. Vixen: Ops! Vixen approached one of the operations stations holding the data chip in her hand. Vixen: Feed this data into the navigation computer...and give me the destination solution! Ops Officer: Yes Ma'am! The ops officer took the data chip, and inserted the chip into a serial port on his workstation. He then accessed navigational control. Ops Officer: Accessing raw data...computing...stand by... The ops office waited a moment while the data computer. He then transferred the read-out to the large display at the front of the bridge. Both Vixen and Tye turned to look at the display. They could see that the destination solution was well outside UNSC patrolled space. Tyber: Vixen...that is in the middle of nowhere. That CANNOT be right! Do you have any idea how FAR that is? That is roughly 3 weeks from our current position! Tye paused. Tyber: How can we be sure that this is even the correct destination solution? For all we know...this is corrupted data. The ops officer chimed in. Ops Officer: Corrupted navigation data would not be capable of being parsed by the input stream of the navigation computer. The odds of corrupted data being correctly parsed with no errors like we just saw...is very improbable. There is an almost an absolute possibility that this destination solution is correct. Tyber: Alright...so we know it is correct, and not flawed. The question now becomes...what is out there? What is at that destination? Vixen: I have no clue. We have never been out that far. It is impossible to say what we will find. The only way we will know for sure...is if we go and actually look. Tye sighed. Tyber: Three weeks? Why not? Vixen nodded and grinned. She then turned to the helm officer. Vixen: Helm...take us about. Spin up our drive core to maximum. Access the navigational computer, and use the pre-set destination solution. The helm officer carried out Vixen's orders. He had the destination solution locked in. His hand hovered over the final set of controls, as he waited. Helm Officer: Ready on your mark Ma'am! Vixen: Engage! Tye looked over at Vixen, and grinned. Tyber: Engage? Never heard THAT one before. Vixen: I have always preferred "engage"...It just seems more...enterprising. Tye grinned. Tyber: It defiantly sounds better than "punch it" or "execute". Tye shrugged. Tyber: Anyway...I think I am going to go back and see if there was anything we missed. Are you coming back...or are you going to stay here? Vixen: I may stay here, for now. I want to stay on top of our current operations. We can catch up later. Tye nodded, as he turned and walked off the bridge. Tye returned to Vixen's quarters to continue reviewing all of the intel that was collected. ========================================================== UNSC Marathon Class - The Ulterior Motive - Constantine Spender's Office - Currently in Slipstream Space en-route to The Apex - 1600 Hours - July 9th 2515 ========================================================== Constantine Spender was sitting in his office, behind his desk. He had been contemplating recent events, including, but not limited to, the loss of Black 6 and his current fight against The Trust. Spender found the loss of Black 6 to The Insurrection to be a very frustrating defeat. He disliked the fact that Black 6 had been bested by The Insurrection. Spender had generally been in a very frustrated state of mind for the past 4 weeks. His inability to locate Black 6 was defiantly a setback. Spender needed to calm his nerves. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a cigarette. He placed the cigarette in his mouth. Spender: I need a fucking smoke in the worst way. Spender began to search his pockets for his lighter. Spender: Where is my fucking lighter? Spender soon found his lighter in one of his coat pockets. He lit up the smoke, as he sighed in relief after taking the first drag. Spender: Fucking brilliant. Spender sat behind his desk, as he tried to calm himself down. However, his focus was broken when he heard the chime of his door. Spender: Enter! Spender sat up, as he watched his door open, and Novak enter the office. Spender could see that Novak was holding a tablet in his hands. Novak: Sir...is this a bad time? Spender: Yes...it is. It is a very bad time Robert. Novak raised an eyebrow at Spender's choice of words. He had never been addressed as "Robert" by Spender. Novak: Sir...is something wrong? Spender: Yes...something is wrong. We lost Black 6. Why could we not find him? With all of our resources and intel...with all of the control I could strong-arm...why could I not find ONE ship!? Novak sighed. He gave a shrug. Novak: Sir... Spender: There is no answer to that question! There was no excuse for our inability to find Black 6. We lost a considerably valuable asset, and we lost technology to The Insurrection. This is an unmitigated disaster. At this point...finding Black 6 means nothing. Novak cleared his throat. Novak: That MAY not be true...in hindsight. Spender: Explain? Novak: Well...you see...the thing is...Black 6 may have fully recovered from his ordeal...but he still poses a large degree of information that he should not have...given that he is not with The Trust. Spender: What is your point? Novak: Sir... Novak placed the tablet down on Spender's desk. Spender: What is this? Spender reached for the tablet. he grabbed it and picked it up. He could see Tye's service profile, as well as information on his alias of Black 6.