Alison Keating's Story

"It's an idea," Alison nodded hesitantly, "Let's get it tried, then. No time to sit around and think about it. Make sure you have backup on standby in case it doesn't work. I can pull the twins back to try and run some more checks on the mental signals they were getting, once we bring a live one in."

"If you could get me a detailed photo of one of those things so I can study it," she said. "I don't know how easy changing will be, but if it gets us through to the heart of this beehive then it'll be worth it."

She half-smiled. "Who knew that that god-awful experience would become useful." At least, that's what she hoped anyway.

"I'll pull one up," Alison said, nodding her head and tapping away on the tablet for a short while. Eventually she pulled up a photograph of one of the cyborg-zombies, dead, taken by a civilian and (amusingly enough) instagrammed. Thankfully without an 'artistic' filter.

Handing the tablet off to Casey, the older woman folded her arms. "You're always going to be putting yourself into the heart of the line of fire, aren't you? Mind, I think that's what a lot of the force like about you. You get your hands dirty, you're not disconnected from the rest of them by a wall of paperwork and authority."

She nodded. "I'll see if I can pull Cheyanni in to help you out. I won't have you go in without at least a little backup."

Her cheeks flushed as she took the tablet from Alison's hands. She smiled, then reverted her attention to the picture. Sharp angles, but still humanoid, she was beginning to feel much better about performing the actual change.

"You don't have to stick around for this," she told Alison, "But I'd rather you be here so someone doesn't come wandering in to find the Police Cheif's been replaced with a zomborg."

She stood then, setting the tablet off to the side, and held her hands down by her hips. It was like a ripple affect, as if her skn was folding back the layers. Rippling scales of different colors shifted over the surface of her figure, and she grew in height and width, until, miraculously, the precise depiction of the zomborg in the picture. Albeit, she was a bit hunched.

"Didn't think about the size issue," her voice rasped out in a monotone. "Kinda cool, huh?"

"Cool is one word for it," Alison's eyebrows were raised. She'd not seen Casey change before, and had she not been living in Wing City for so long, it would probably have disturbed her. As it was, it was simply a little unsettling. "It's definitely convincing. You'll have to be careful of vigilantes or even our own people trying to take you out if you're spotted by someone who's not clued in."

"I'll get you a helicopter to the roof," Alison said, bringing her hand up to her earpiece. "And be careful out there Casey. You don't know what you're going to find."

With that said, Alison patched herself into a call and headed for the door. "I need any available helicopter to the station, top priority..."

Cameras were set up in Stryfe's office, a small crew to operate them standing by as they waited for the Invictus leader. Stryfe read over a few papers given to her by Sonia, giving the woman a slight nod. "I'll take it into consideration." Stryfe told Sonia, "No, don't just take it into consideration, implement it." Sonia retorted.

"We can do more with good science than we can do with developing or building weapons, new armor, tanks, ships." Sonia told Stryfe, "Think of all the people we can help defend themselves against people like the Aschen." Stryfe responded.

"The Aschen aren't the Soviet Union, Fatin. The Soviet Union was officially an atheist state, the Aschen are a theocracy. Do you really think a few new weapons to give you or someone the advantage will stop them?" Sonia asked, "Please, don't tell me you're this naive."

"Ready to roll, Kahuna." A crew member told Stryfe, "We're not done." Sonia said, moving to leave Stryfe's office as Stryfe herself headed to her desk to get in front of the camera.

Stryfe sat down at her desk, clearing her throat. "Okay, we're going live in ten." The director said to Stryfe, giving the woman time to make sure her black pantsuit was fitting perfectly.

"Rolling in three... two..."

Stryfe saw the red light come on, taking up a serious demeanor for the broadcast. "Good evening, people of Terra and anyone watching from abroad. It's been awhile since I have spoken to you, I've been a bit busy. But, I'm on your TV screens, your laptops and your tablets to assure that in the coming weeks things will change."

"For those unaware of who I am due to my reclusive nature, I am Fatin Alfarsi. I am one of two leaders of the Invixtus along with Mary Munroe. Mary is currently apprehending terrorist and murderer Jacob Haley, she'll be back soon." Stryfe said, leaning forward on her desk.

"Firstly, all of those who I have reached out to and those who have reached out to me. I ask that you come see me here at The Palace as soon as possible. We have much to discuss and I'd rather do it in person." Stryfe said, "I look forward to seeing you, I can't wait." She added.

"Secondly, for you people of Terra, I'm not a citizen. I've avoided becoming a citizen over the years, my position now as your de facto president has been stressful, controversial due to the fact that I am not a Terran. But, like you I have endured the pain caused by evil men and their evil weapons. The Aschen, the Taiyou." The Invictus leader explained, "I've fought with you, my friends and family have died with you." She said to the camera.

"I want you, whoever you are, to step up and endure again if we must. With the organization of the military and polices forces showing some promise, I think it's time we start to focus on government and social issues. I'd also like to extend an offer to you all to join the Invictus and aid from here in whatever way you can if you don't like too many restrictions on you."

The Invictus leader cleared her throat, "As for those government issues, I want those with experience and ideas, past and current politicians as well, to come see me and talk to me personally on the level. I'll listen and I'll do more than everything I can to help you." Stryfe promised, "If there are any social issues you wish to be taken care or paid attention to let me know as well. We can't have intolerance being spread, attacks on someone because of who, or what they are. We have a message to send."

"Everyone from Terra is Terran no matter their skin, or presence of fangs, or wings, height, or weight. A unified, equal opportunity Terra is what I want to leave behind my grandchildren if I ever get to around to having children to make me grandchildren." Stryfe said with a chuckle.

"Those who come to me to join the Invictus, I want to let you know that we are not just a military organization. We have a place for many skill sets, for people to learn things. If your interest is military, we can help you. If you'd rather support us and the people through the culinary arts, we can have you." Stryfe said, "Especially with Taco's cooking."

Stryfe was understating Taco's cooking. Nuke a can of spam and then cook it, you had Taco's spaghetti.

"I just want more people to step up and do what they can. We need you, we've always needed you. We need you now more than ever." Stryfe said, "I plead to you, aid this planet and restore it to greatness. Thank you and goodnight. Stay strong, Terra."

With those words the live broadcast ended, the footage probably going to go into syndication and clips reused by news channels.

General Allen had been sitting in his command vehicle on the outskirts of the city with a few other Joe Vehicles as they had been deciding wether on not to reenter the city to assist in the crisis when he saw the Invictus broadcast on one of his screens. "Scramble a chopper Captain Rudder is incharge of operations until I return and Lt. Jackson your going as my security." Allen said over the comms as he exited the vehicle. Nearby a chopper landed and the General and Lt. Jackson Boarded.

A few moments later the chopper was flying over the city toward the palace. "Palace this is Joe Chopper 34 requesting permission to land, We have General Allen on Board responding to your request for a meeting with your supporters." The pilot chirped over the comm link.
Allen unholstered his pistol and placed it in a storage box he knew that would most likely be taken for security measures. He turned to Will and spoke, "Lieutenant Stay with the Chopper and If I don't return you'll know this was some form of trap though I highly doubt the chances of that." He said chuckling, "It's time we cemented some new allies, allies who share our feelings about our enemies." He said with an emotionless face.

Inside the newly finished Quorum building of the Aschen Confederation, President Jarrod Kane stood at the podium, the Quorum had assembled to respond to the video released by the Invictus Leader Stryfe.

Brilliant lights shone on the president's face, as the Quorum stood in silence, gazes brought up to the man's face as an adjutant nodded. "Everything's set up." He said, and the President nodded. "We need to be careful not to lump the Terrans as a whole into this." He said, clearing his throat and making several faces into the camera.

The din of the Quorum slowly died down, as the President went over his speach. "Invictus, COG, Lochlyn..." He nodded, then he looked to the camera, while the cameraman made gestures with his finger.

"Tria.. Duo.. Unum."

All eyes were on the president now, the democratically elected leader of the Aschen state.


"Citizens of the Aschen Confederation, and the denizens of all lands and worlds tuned into our channels. I am delivering this speech in a time of great strife for the Aschen people. Our vibrant city, Caprica City lies in ruins, devastated by a cowardly terrorist attack that left many of our people dead, and many more wounded and homeless. This comes at a time when a group on Terra known as the Invictus makes a statement condemning our very people, labeling them as enemies to be purged from Terra. I come with open admonition, we, like yourselves bleed red, fight for our ideals like you fight for yours. As many Aschen have died, as Scatterrans and Taiyou in liberating your world from the oppression of the Empire. I myself am one such partisan against the Divine Shadow.

There is no denying the hardships the Terrans and the Aschen have faced, and the adversity our two nations have thrown at each-other. There is no denying the oppression your people have endured at the hands of alien invaders set on forcing their way of life on your people, establishing governments in their image. Taking away your rights, and your pursuits, your dreams."

The president took a breath, and looked to his words once more.

"The Invictus are not a government Organization, and have no experience in dealing with politics. They are, for all intents and purposes a mercenary organization that does not have Terra's ideals in mind. Stryfe said herself she was not Terran. Can you place your trust in a figure who, does not even represent your people? The only government the Aschen will recognize, is a government established for Terrans, by Terrans. This is why the Aschen Confederation is pledging it's full support behind the Terran National Government, in the establishment and reconstruction of it's own domain. However the Aschen Confederation cannot, and will not recognize any Invictus installed Government, and would scrutinize the democracy put in place."

"Stryfe Alfarsi is a self appointed leader of the Terrans, this is no different than the oppression your people beheld at the hands of the Empire, and of the Taiyou. It would be the patriotic duty of every Terran, to remove this De Facto leadership, and establish your own Government."

"The Aschen Confederation is prepared to fund, and establish a new program on Terra, a Council of Governments for the fractured nations of the Planet, with the aim of fostering mutual dialogue with all governments, and the excision of rogue entities that hold no love for Terra's prosperity."

Kane took another breath.

"We are prepared to meet with each representative of each individual nation on Terra, in the hopes of fostering mutual dialogue, and a convention for all nations to participate in. A true democratic process that will be for the good of all Terra. I implore you, shed the shackles that the Invictus snakes slowly place on you, before it's too late."

As for the coward that destroyed our city, and threatened our very way of life, The Aschen Confederation is offering a five hundred million cubit award for Lochlyn Haley, Dead or alive."

"Thank you for your time, and your patriotism, wherever you may reside. And my fellow Aschen citizens. May the Lords of Kobol guide our just hand, So say we all."

With that, the feed had cut out.

Stryfe barely had a chance to start clearing the cameras and other equipment out of her office when the Aschen responded to her broadcast with slander and blatant lies. Stryfe and Sonia watched as President Kane spoke for what was maybe the second or third time, Sonia rolling her eyes at what she was hearing.

The film crew bringing back any equipment they'd need for another live broadcast. Stryfe was serious about this, and it's not like the crew was going to reject more money.

"They can't be serious." The British woman said to Stryfe, "Our rap sheet, their rap sheet, speaks for itself. We've lost friends and family to them." Sonia said to Stryfe, "Reconsidering your thoughts on my weapons program?" Stryfe asked, raising an eyebrow. "I admit... I'm a little afraid, paranoid. The Aschen have done more bad than good for this planet or us, and their words now will surely mean fighting with them." Sonia said.

"I don't agree with what you want me to do, but I understand why you want me to do it. I'm giving you an ultimatum though. If this program isn't over by the end of August I'm leaving the Invictus." Sonia informed Stryfe, "I understand, I can't promise you anything. But, I will try to convince you to stay." Stryfe said.

"If you're not staying to watch the broadcast, tell Natasha I'm giving the order to allow our possible allies to land on the rooftop helipads." Stryfe told Sonia, "I'll relay the message." Sonia said, turning to head to the exit. "And, Sonia, we'll miss you. Think about us before you make your decision." Stryfe called out to the British scientist.

"We're ready." The director told the Invictus leader, Stryfe's eyes watching Sonia as she left the room. "Let's get to it." Stryfe said, taking a seat at her desk once again.

"Rolling in three... two..." The director gave Stryfe her cue, the red light flashing to confirm that she could speak her mind to the world, to the galaxy, maybe even the universe if it took an interest to what was going on in this small patch of it.

"I've already spoken to you all." Stryfe began, "After I did the Aschen leadership, in typical fashion, responded with lies, slander, and what I believe is yet another plot to take control of Terra." Stryfe said, "They say I and the Invictus don't have experience in politics."

Stryfe lifted her sleeve, sliding it up her arm. She tapped lights that seemed to be shining beneath her skin, a holographic screen shooting up to show a long-haired Arab man in military garb. "This is Kroger ibn Haggai, my father, my adoptive father. Former president of Saudi Arabia after elections." The woman said, waving a hand at the screen to display another image.

This image this time was of an white man with short-blonde hair, he himself donning military clothing. "Patrick Horne, deceased, former Prime Minister and former President of the Irish Republic." The Invictus leader said, moving her hand to show yet another image. This time of a dark-skinned woman with brown hair.

"While she isn't a politician, she has experience. This is Sonia Hughes, arguably one of my best friends, a scientist and former SIB agent. She's worked alongside members of the British Empire for years before she joined us and during her time with us. And she's a genius. Smarter than I'll ever be."

With the tap of one of the lights the holographic display disappeared.

"The Aschen speak of their losses 'liberating' Terra. What about your losses when they were the invaders? When they were the menacing empire? What about my friends, my family, Terran and non-Terran alike, dying in the fight against them?" Stryfe asked, "Do our losses, your losses, mean less to the Aschen?" Stryfe asked, speaking to the general population of Terra and all those who fought against the Aschen in the past.

"Hakim Mustafa, my second cousin from my mother's side. He died fighting the Aschen during one of their earlier invasions. I hate them for it. Not just for him, for others, I resent them. I don't hold any love for them. I can't act against because there are rules in place in the Invictus." Stryfe explained, "Despite this.." She continued, pausing for a long while.

"I forgive them." She said, "And I forgive for their lies about me and my people wanting to take over Terra. I don't want to, we don't want to, unlike the Aschen we're doing this for no gain. We didn't ask for money, or land, or this, or that. We chose to do this, I chose to do this." The Invictus leader informed the masses.

"A lot of people might not know this, but I've decided a long time ago that I don't want anything to do with the politics or leadership of this new, reformed government after it's in full swing. I don't want political power, I don't want to make laws. I want to create a better place to live, do business, raise children." Stryfe said.

"If I do not give up any amassed power immediately upon election of a prime minister or other authority figure for Terra, I will step down as head of the Invictus. I give all Invictus watching a clear and direct order to remove me from power in conjunction with the Terran military and law enforcement."

"And, to the Aschen, to the Taiyou, I forgive you. You have nothing to fear from me unless you attack me, my people, or Terra. And even then I will forgive you. But, in the same vein, I and others will remember you. We won't, we have not, forgotten the past as easily as you have."

"I forgive you for that as well."

With those last words the broadcast came to an end and Stryfe let out a huge sigh. "I'm taking a trip." She said as she stood up from her desk, "Where to?" The director asked, "I heard Shintenchi is nice, Langara too." The Invictus leader answered.

"One or both of those is suicide." The director.

"No, my pale-faced friend, murder if anything happens to me."

The large unmarked ships facing off with their Terrans and their allies began to open fire. The Invictus, the Terrans and the NPA moved to avoid the attacks, firing their own weapons at the ships in hopes that they would destroy their attackers.

Alas, many ships were destroyed by the sudden barrage from the superior ships. These new alien vessels. Several larger Invictus ships moved up, the ships being used to protect their allies while they scrambled to figure out what exactly was going. how they could fight back.

"Can we get the militia up here?" Lieutenant Murs asked, "What about the superhero lady from the Invictus?" He asked his crew, "We'll get in touch with the Invictus on the ground and see what can be done." A crew member told Murs, "We need as many of our troops we can muster up for this fight." Murs added.

Ships continued to be destroyed in the fighting, whoever these people were they came with enough firepower to start the big bang all over again if they really wanted to.

More and more ships began to join the fray against the unknown beings attacking Terra, from the ground one would likely see the bright flashes as ships, missiles and torpedoes exploded.

The attacking ships began to move towards Terra yet again, still firing at the planet's defenders while being fired on themselves. It was clear that it was going to take a lot to bring these ships down.

Several of the larger Invictus ships fired concentrated beams of energy which glowed a bright blue at Terra's attackers. The beams meant to bypass any shields they had and do a lot of damage to the alien vessels. Anyone on the ground could see the beams cutting through the empty space above the planet.

The attacking ships continued on their path, either unaffected by the attacks or completely ignoring them. It could have been that was a kamikaze style attack. A suicide mission meant to kill as many people as possible if it could be done.

The attacking ships fired off what appeared to be large orbs at the planet. They were big enough to hold at least ten people in each. There seemed to be hundreds being fired, more than a thousand.

"Shoot those down!" Murs ordered, several ships turning their weapons on the orbs falling from the sky. But, it was clear that they couldn't destroy all of them. For every one blown up, there were five entering the atmosphere at high speeds and they'd hit the planet soon.

Murs expected the worst, explosions, devastation. But, it never came. The attacking ships continued on towards Terra, seemingly intent to crash land on the planet.

On the surface of Terra, Stryfe stood on the roof of The Palace with Anodyne, Natasha and Sonia. "Aschen?" Stryfe asked, looking around for an answer. "I doubt it. Our people are saying there aren't any markings. Why would the Aschen suddenly want to be secretive?" Natasha asked, shrugging a shoulder.

"Mobilize everyone. NPA, TIB, even the Taiyou. I have doubts that these new... invaders? Terrorists? Are friendly." Stryfe said, "Is it all the murder they just did that gave it away?" Sonia asked, one of the large orbs slamming down on the roof near the group.

"Fuck!"

Alyssa parked her car in front of the precinct and stepped out. Her day was just beginning to spiral out of control. That morning had started out with mindblowing, crazy, euphoric ... activities and now she was trying to avoid losing her entire investigation.

This shit was going to make Alyssa's career and put her in the books for good. There was no way that it was going to be taken out from under her feet but a piece of damn paper. The suspect belonged to her, damn it.

Alyssa stormed into the station with a hard, determined look on her pretty face. She didn't even look twice at the conflict taking place between a few people.

The investigator went instantly to Alison Keating's office and knocked on the door. Alyssa held a piece of paper in her hands. It was her all too impressive resume.

"Keating, we need to talk. It's Justice," Alyssa said through the door. She knocked again.

It was time to get her gun and badge back.

Alison looked up from her computer with a raised eyebrow. It took her only a few seconds to register the name. Justice - not a name you forgot easily, especially when they were a police officer. It was like something out of a Saturday morning cartoon. "Well I'll be damned. Come in, Alyssa." she called through the door, rotating her chair around to face across her desk and leaning onto it.

"It's been a while," she observed, "We were all very surprised by your sudden resignation. A few rumours went around, but nobody's ever been really sure why you left. You could have at least sent a postcard." The acting-chief flashed a brief, dry smile. "Now, what can I do for you? What brings you back here all of a sudden?"

Alyssa stepped into Keating's office and closed the door behind her.

"Yeah, it's been a while. Things are going good since I left to open my own investigation agency. Actually I'm on a huge case which probably has been buried deep in paperwork here," Alyssa said as she seated herself across from Keating.

The woman leaned forward and dropped her resume in front of the Deputy.

"I'm on a case that involves an Aschen woman getting hit by a runner. It's like fucking Alice in Wonderland. The shit just keeps getting deeper and deeper. Now the Aschen have swooped in with their damn CPF," Alyssa said as she pushed back her hair from her face. It was a lot of information but it had to be dumped on Keating all at once.

"I know they just want information in order to get extradition of the suspect when convicted but I have a feeling they are attempting to snatch the rug out from under my feet."

"I have a solid suspect and I need my gun and badge back. I need authority in the city again, Keating. I want you to reinstate me into the WCPD as Head Detective. I don't care what you pay me. I just want to get to the bottom of this shit and be able to take action myself instead of having to run to the proper authorities each time."

Alyssa took a breath and let out a curt sigh. That was a lot to say and she said in it a short amount of time. She was losing time sitting here but things had to be done in the right order.

"So, what do you say, Keating?"

"Hit and run, was it?" Alison leaned back to her computer, clicking through a few screens and clacking a few keys on the keyboard. "Henderson, right? Anything involving one of the Aschen means trouble. We have someone looking into it, but knowing you, you're probably streets ahead of him."

She wrinkled her nose, "Extradition? Typical. Damned CPF thinks it has a right to prosecute our citizens for crimes on our soil, breaking our laws. One of these days our government needs to remind them they aren't the universe police. Needless to say, we'll fight any extradition tooth and nail, as far as we can."

The older woman leaned forward onto her desk and steepled her fingers with a sigh. "That's a big ask, Justice, and you know it. But I'm willing to admit you outclass anyone else I'd put up for the position, who'd actually want the job. What I'm not going to do is throw Murphy under a bridge and give you his job right here, right now. But if you're serious about this, and you're not going to run off again once you've solved this one, I'm willing to reinstate you as a Senior Detective and talk to Murphy about his options. Murphy knows you just like I do, I reckon he'd be willing to step aside. But it's his call."

Alison fixed Alyssa with a steely gaze. "And you're sure about this? Your PI business was doing well, last I heard. Are you definitely ready to up sticks and abandon that?"

"I'm as sure as I can be, Keating. I stepped away from my career here as a Lieutenant because of personal issues. I ran away from what was most important to me and opened up my own business, sure, but this is what I was made to do. Everyone here knows it," Justice said.

"My father was the best damn investigator WCPD had twenty years ago. The blood of my family is in this precinct, Keating. I belong here. This," Alyssa said tapping her finger on Keating's desk. "This place is my home and I'm ready to come back."

"You just get me a gun and badge. I don't care what rank or department you shove me in. I'm going to take this man and throw him into prison for the rest of his life. I don't want to go against the law and become a vigilante."

"This shit is bigger than the hit and run," Alyssa said in a lower tone of voice.

"You know that human trafficking issue in the city? Well, this suspect that my employee is tracking is involved. I can take down the whole fucking ring, I can feel it in my bones."

"You need me for this and you know it, Keating. I'm the best you got."

Alison's eyebrow rose. "Trafficking? Well if that isn't a stroke of luck that the bastard managed to fuck up and get someone on his tail. You have yourself a deal, Alyssa."

The acting-chief rose from her seat to offer out a hand, "Welcome back to the force, Detective. I'd say welcome home, but, well... you know I'm not the sentimental type. Good to have you back with us."

She nodded her head with a small smile. "What's the name on the suspect you're tracking?"

Alyssa stood up and took Keating's hand with a firm hold. She shook twice and let go.

"Caleb Jefferson. He already has a record on trafficking. He sold an infact to his half-brother on the blackmarket. The man was apprehended and sent to jail. Bastard got out on bail by some miracle," Alyssa said. She placed her hands on her hips.

"I'm waiting for someone from the Feds to show up before arresting Caleb," Alyssa said as she checked her watch. The man was due soon.

"I'll send in the report personally to you once we make the arrest and get him booked," said Alyssa to Keating. "This bastard isn't getting away this time. Attempted man slaughter is serious business and we can use him to get closer to the trafficking ring."

Alyssa turned for Keating's office door to go wait outside the precinct for Daylon.

"Oh, and Keating, remind me to send you a fruit basket," she said as thanks. Alyssa was then out the door, through the station, and standing on the curb waiting for Daylon.

The Lobby

The front of Wing City Police Department had seen a great deal of punishment over the years, from Taiyou invasions to maniacal serial killers with big guns. Surprisingly enough, this wasn't the first time it had seen kamikaze bombers. As a result, when the smoke cleared, the front of the building remained almost entirely intact. The furnishings were gone, as were several officers and civilians, but the structure itself stood strong.

The response from the police was immediate. Guns were raised and officers flooded into the lobby. Clambering up from behind the front desk, singed but no worse for wear from the explosions, the titanium form of Danielle Kalter, receptionist and SOD agent, vaulted out into the open, pulling a gun from her hip.

From the interior of the police station, a pair of surprisingly young women with lustrous red hair emerged. Tanya and Marissa, twins, held no visible weapons but stood as confident as the other officers around them.

Danielle's eyes flicked towards them briefly, but otherwise they remained silent.

'What are your orders, sir?' the voice of Marissa cut into Randin's mind, despite the distance. 'Give the word and we can take them down from the inside of their minds.'

****

Further inside the police station

Alison looked up from her desk with a start as an explosion suddenly rocked the building. Her chair clattered to the floor as she jumped to her feet, rushing out of her office into the main work floor of the desk-based police force. In that room was a set of screens showing the scene at the front of the building, though some of the cameras had gone dead. The voice over the loudspeaker was unknown to her, but she picked up on two key points - more explosives, and public transport.

Grabbing a communications device, she quickly patched herself through to a very specific channel. "Aiedail, this is Alison. I need an immediate jam on communications from the area around the police station, and I need you on scene five minutes ago. There's a terrorist attack, no time for questions. Do it, now."

With that said, she broke off from contact and started to make her way towards the lobby.

****

Far above Wing City

Aiedail noted the communications from Alison going dead as she finished speaking, and set about the task appointed to her. The blue-haired android shot through the air like a rocket as she made her way towards the station.

"Vio'lah!" Slim shouted, jumping to his feet and sending out his lower limbs for support as the building shook. The alien pulled two pistols from his shoulder holsters. It was a remarkable thing about Scythian biology, they actually had limbs that could accurately and skillfully wield two things at once. Extra-Extra ambidextrous.

Slim slid though the door of Randin's office and covered both portions of the hallway, holding out his limbs in various defensive postures, using his lower limbs to rip down a nearby shelf for cover, it always helped to be paranoid. The alien backed up and rapped on the door twice without looking.

"Job never get old."