Mortal Woes

Mortal, your lords call upon you.

"What is it you'd have of me now?"

Watch your insolence, feeble human. Remember we saved your pitiful life when we did not need to. And remember the reward that awaits you if you serve us well.

"God-hood? You think I actually buy into that?"

You have no choice, for if you cross us, we will destroy you. Are we clear?

Craddock took a deep breath, then gave a sharp, imperceptible nod of his head.

Good.

"So what do you want with me now?"

We do not approve of the investigations your new friend Professor Masterson is making. Either get him to stop, or kill him.

"Hey, he's done nothing wrong! What possible threat does he pose to you?"

SILENCE!

The voice boomed in Zack's head; he dropped to a knee, hands clutched on his ears, screaming.

We will not warn you again about your insolence, mortal. You are a soldier. We are your superiors. Obey us.

Zack was on his hands and knees, letting out sobbing breaths, clutching at the sand beneath him. He no longer had a doubt these were the Xan faction known as the Unredeemed, the Sacrosanct, the Chosen, the Grand. Their names were many, but their motives were single; to get back into the Shadowlands, at any cost.

"Forgive me, please."

Perform your mission well, and you will be rewarded.

"Yes, my lords."

With that, the voices disappeared. All that left was a broken soldier lying in the sand of Newland Desert, confused and unsure about his future.

The wrist comm buzzed and chirped, alerting Colonel Craddock that he was recieving an incoming transmission.

"Craddock. Go ahead."

"Colonel! This is Professor Masterson. I've discovered something, big!" The InternOps officer was quite surprised by the level of Masterson's enthusiasm.

"Well, what is it?" Craddock inquired.

"Meet me at the Rompa bar, I'll tell you there! Bye!" And with that the comm channel went silent. Zack was bewildered by the message, but also extremely curious. So he set out for the Rompa bar, still in full combat gear.

He entered the bar, and found the professor pacing back and forth in front of the bar, obviously quite anxious.

16:39: Eternalforce: Professor.
16:39: Pistoleromax shouts: COlonel
16:40: Pistoleromax is breathing heavy
16:40: Eternalforce: What's up?
16:40: Pistoleromax: YOu wont believe this
16:40: Eternalforce: What?
16:40: Pistoleromax looks around noting all the people present
16:40: Killerhead2: hello
16:40: Pistoleromax: Should we go to a booth
16:40: Eternalforce: Uh, sure, why not.
16:40: Pistoleromax: come come
16:41: Pistoleromax: One moment
16:41: Pistoleromax shouts: Waitress!
16:41: Pistoleromax tals quickly and excitedly
16:42: Pistoleromax: I need you to do me a favor
16:42: Acrina: Yes?
16:42: Pistoleromax: I need you to ensure we are not disturbed
16:42: Pistoleromax: Its very important!
16:42: Acrina: Ahhh ok
16:43: Pistoleromax: I want no one back there if possible
16:43: Pistoleromax: Thank you
16:43: Pistoleromax sits not knowing where to begin
16:43: Pistoleromax: Coloenel
16:43: Eternalforce: Yes, that's me. I think we covered that.
16:43: Eternalforce smirks
16:43: Pistoleromax: THe thing you asked tme to do!
16:44: Eternalforce: Mm hm?..
16:44: Pistoleromax doesnt notice the joke, but keeps on yammering
16:44: Pistoleromax: The investigation
16:44: Pistoleromax: I went there and I checked it out
16:45: Pistoleromax: I wasnt certain of it before, but I am now
16:45: Dafadil: hi Whayn, the suit fits well
16:45: Whaynn smiles thankfully at Daf
16:45: Eternalforce: Where? And what?
16:45: Pistoleromax: I think I know what's the cause of your problem
16:45: Dafadil asdf
16:45: Solexar: Hello, i will be your guard, i won't bother you, as no1 will form now on
16:45: Solexar: from*
16:45: Pistoleromax slows down a moment and catches his breath
16:45: Nashka shouts: If youre bored and need some musak... tune into RUR Test Broadcast at 172.185.3.225:8000 ;) Using yer Winamp Player.
16:46: Eternalforce arches an eyebrow, still quite confused
16:46: Pistoleromax removes his shades and rubs his shoulder
16:46: Pistoleromax: I was researching on ancient religious mythologies
16:47: Pistoleromax: And most seem to have some sort of belief in possession
16:47: Pistoleromax: Christianity, Juseism, and "Voodoo" if you will
16:47: Eternalforce: Uh huh..whats this got to do with me?
16:48: Solexar: Please, do not pass
16:48: Pistoleromax: They all hold the belief, be it for better or worse for the said victim
16:48: Pistoleromax: Well, I decided to go to Nascance
16:48: Pistoleromax: check on some things about the resurection technology there
16:49: Pistoleromax: But it turns out Im a better pistol slinger than I thought
16:49: Pistoleromax: I was able to go further than I could have hoped
16:49: Pistoleromax: and what I saw....
16:50: Pistoleromax thinks a moment
16:50: Eternalforce: Yes?...
16:50: Pistoleromax: Well to put it plainly, I have discovered a basic "spiritual energy"
16:51: Pistoleromax: not only in the sense of the esseance of a person
16:51: Pistoleromax: Not the one that we have measured
16:51: Eternalforce: I see...sort of.
16:51: Pistoleromax: but a basic flow if you will that connects all of us, the Xan, and even the machines they use
16:52: Eternalforce scratches his head, still not sure of what the professor is trying to say.
16:52: Pistoleromax: Well this much is theoretical, I need to do more testing from this point forward
16:53: Pistoleromax: And you will need to be the guine pig
16:53: Dabblez: Hi
16:53: Eternalforce: Sure...but what does all this meta-physical mumbo jumbo have to do with me?
16:53: Pistoleromax: But I mean to say if your energy has been "infected" with that of another
16:53: Eternalforce: Infected?
16:53: Acrina: Everything ok here?
16:54: Eternalforce: Like, another person's energy combined with mine?
16:54: Nashka: Yep :)
16:54: Nashka: Thanks Dudette ;)
16:54: Acrina: Great
16:54: Dabblez: I gcould use a top up of my cofee
16:54: Pistoleromax: Tike your energy was imprented upon by anouther
16:54: Eternalforce: I dont know...
16:54: Acrina: Ok , another cup brb
16:54: Pistoleromax: I cant tell for sure nr not if its another energy along with you right now
16:55: Eternalforce: If it is, what do we do?
16:55: Pistoleromax: I need to do some scans first
16:55: Dabblez: thats great
16:55: Pistoleromax: Well, this is a long shot but it may be possible....
16:56: Pistoleromax: if we can adjust an enrgy stream of this essence to basically wash the other frequency out of you
16:56: Dabblez: your kidding, right?
16:56: Nashka pulls on Dabllez trouser leg
16:56: Pistoleromax: bombard you with energy that more closely matches a human's
16:56: Nashka winks
16:56: Dabblez: Nian Simon a guy??
16:56: Eternalforce: Hm...I think I understand....
16:57: Nashka: Sounds like a guy lol
16:57: Pistoleromax: The thing is
16:57: Pistoleromax looks gravely serious
16:57: Killerhead2: hellp
16:57: Nashka: So Nina was a lady?
16:57: Killerhead2: hello
16:57: Pistoleromax: it may possible alter yours or even wipe it out completely
16:57: Solexar: Killerhead2, im really sorry to say this, but we think you failed the test, so that kinda means your fired
16:57: Dabblez: Of course. Black Jaz singer
16:57: Solexar: Im really sorry
16:58: Nashka: Ah Thanks :)
16:58: Eternalforce: I'm willing to take that chance. The voices...they've been getting worse, unbearable...
16:58: Eternalforce hears his wrist comm beep. He sighs and gets up.
16:58: Dabblez: hehe I thought you were pulling some sort of trick on your listeners
16:58: Eternalforce: I'm sorry, Professor. I'm needed back at HQ.
16:58: Pistoleromax: Ill get to work on it
16:58: Pistoleromax: I understand
16:58: Eternalforce: You do that. keep me informed.
16:59: Pistoleromax: I will Coloenl
16:59: Eternalforce: Thank you again. I will not forget how you have helped me.
16:59: Nashka: lol I feel stupid now hehe
16:59: Pistoleromax taps Eternalforces shoulder
16:59: Pistoleromax: Be safe, sir
16:59: Eternalforce: You too...

Still not sure of what was happening, the colonel walked out into the cool, night air. He looked up at the stars, the infinity of space, and couldn't help but feel small and insignifigant.