Post by Mr Burns_TU on Oct 13, 2006 3:07:40 GMT -5
Banished
His neck hurt and his chest felt heavy, his breathing labored, he made an effort to turn in the hopes it would ease the sharp pricking sensation, his throat made an involuntary swallow, and the pressure increased and the weight on his chest and arms seemed to grow heavier with every breath he took.. Slowly he surfaced through the layers of sleep his sherry brown eyes opened and widened instantly as his gaze encountered a glittering green abyss of coldness, surrounded by a halo of auburn tresses. Diazoild of Singed swallowed hard.
“Care to remove your point Pita?” He asked hoarsely and far more laconically then he felt.
“As soon as you tell me what you’ve done with Pendragon.” All the time pressing her knees harder into the sinew and muscle of his forearms.
“I beg your pardon?” Green eyes sought and held brown, seconds passed, and in the silence he could hear movement from beyond his chambers, clearly his would be assailant wasn’t alone there were others waiting..
“Don’t play with me Diaz.” The female voice was cold as her eyes as she applied a bit of pressure to the dagger she held in her small hand, her long fingers, pressing the tip further against the Admin’s adam’s apple.
”I haven’t done anything with your dragon Pita” He replied more coolly, only the tell tale pulse beat at his temple belied his indifference. Their eyes locked and held, each of them weighing up the other.
The sound of the door opening came scarce seconds before a shaft of light filtered through the opening of the door that framed a female silhouette.
“I told you I could handle this Ð’ ” Pita turned her head hissing at the other woman.
“Yes you did, but I don’t believe DZ is responsible for Pen’s disappearance. Pita, you must come and listen to this, Kermit of Singed is on the com as we speak he is asking for DZ, says it’s urgent”.
Smothering an oath Pita made to rise losing her balance and entangling a leg in the sheet that covered the Admin just as suddenly a freed Diazoild moved too, Pita fought to gain her balance and lost, and fell slant ways across Diazoild’s naked torso, his hard body pressing into her thigh.
Her face suffused in color she dropped her eyes and disentangled herself swung from the bed landing on the floor with a hard thud. Jumping to her feet she rubbed at her sore back side trying not to look and pointedly ignored the soft masculine chuckle behind her and the amused look on the face of her friend and comrade in the door way. Pushing an embarrassed yet grinning Ð’ aside she swept into the outer room that was Diazoild of Singed’s base of operations when he was home. She crossed the room purposely to the console and looked down at the screen and into the face looking back at her from the monitor.
Before she could speak, Kermit was hailing her, his voice deep and curious. “Ribbbbbit, What in god’s name Pita, are you and Ð’ doing there at this time of the morning, Where’s DZ?”
“I’m here Kermit.” DZ said into his G5 palm held receiver as he strode out of his sleeping quarters. He had slid into a pair of black slacks and was in the process of buttoning up the light blue linen shirt as he moved to the console. “Have you located Fire, Lord IC3S, of IHOC or GM?”
Kermit’s deep voice crackled with static then stopped and suddenly came in clearer. “Yes and no, haven’t found Stanch, hold on DZ.” The Admin glanced down at the female mercenary at his side, a full foot shorter then himself, she neither looked at him nor spoke her eyes glued to the screen, and he turned his attention back to the screen. Kermit looked as if he were talking to someone and then he was looking down at the messaging center in his hands, he appeared to be keying in coordinates. He looked back into the screen. “You still there DZ? Aaah there you are”
“Aye Kerm, I’m here” He assured his third key, his fingers running over the keys as other messages were lighting up, Diazoild sighed. He glanced up at the screen, he could see Kermit clearly, could see that something wasn’t right. “Kermit”?
“Going to have to find another setting this one is no longer secure DZ” The sound of clicking keys coincided with the sound of an explosion the screen went blank and DZ picked up his palm receiver was signaling Kermit. “Kermit you there? Come in Kermit.” Pita gasped and the Admin looked away from the receiver to the monitor. Kermit was again on the screen he wasn’t injured but looked anxious.
“Got to get off here DZ, some one has just blown the FOQ armory to smithereens and from the looks of it and the smell there was more there then just firing power” There was a shout from somewhere and Kermit looked away momentarily and seconds later Diazoild’s command center was filled with the sound of distant voices some of which were heavily accented.
Ð’ Rouen had been up to now sitting on the small settee had crossed with the one other person that had accompanied Pita on her mission. Diazoild raised one eyebrow inquisitively at Stanch though said nothing instead, he reached beneath the desk tray and pressed a button. An electrical shwirring sound emanated and filled the room momentarily startling Ð’ who swung back towards the settee where the Renoir had been was now a huge monitoring screen and large as life was Kermit and with him a dozen or more others.
“Oh my God, that’s Undy and Cat girl. Pita all but shouted. “Christ Ð’, Nikola is with them.”
Transfixed by the images upon the screen Ð’ Rouen said nothing, while Stanch uttered an oath so sharply as to cause the latter to flinch involuntarily. Another explosion ripped into the silence of the command center and all eyes were glued to the screen on the wall. Megazoid of Terminus and Ben of Singed had joined Kermit. They could hear the clipped cultured English accents even clearer. Ben took the Kermit’s G5. “DZ”?
“I’m here Mr. Cheeky!” Diazoild made a stab at a smile and failed. “You alright Ben”?
“Take more then a couple of explosions to take me out.” The younger man laughed. “Listen Kermit’s right this line is no longer secure, not sure, maybe the infra red has been tampered with
Then again could be an anomaly, just not sure at this point and won’t be till I have a chance to check them out, what is for certain it’s not safe here. Crackling interrupted the sound and the screen went blue momentarily then cleared. Ben was still there holding the G5, a soft beep sounded and Diazoild pressed a key causing the screen to split and he could see Megazoid.
“Hallo DZ I’m sending some coordinates by you, contact Louise and from those she’ll be able to get you anything you need, for how long she will be able to hold out and be able to supply information for you I’m not sure. Everyone here is well, had located Fire and Lord IC3S but unfortunately we ran into a couple of sorties after crossing into primal fear and lost them.”
Male instinct dominated and even as Diazoild nodded his eyes searched the faces of the others that come in view of the screen, all of the females seemed accounted for and looked to be safe, then his eyes flew to those of whom he counted as stalwart allies, some he consider more then just allies. He nodded again.
“I will contact Louise and thank you MZ and” Whatever he had intended to say was lost in the resounding cacophony of bombs exploding some distance behind them, “Ben, Kermit, get the hell out of there, NOW!!!” There was a flurry of activity and scrambling, Kermit was back on the line. “. “I’ll get back to you just as soon as we can find a secure line.” For the four there in Diazoild’s center there was suddenly silence as the com went dead on Kermit’s end. .
Closing the line he dropped into the high back swivel chair and surveyed the others, then leaned forward he hadn’t bothered to button the cuffs of his shirt when he came out earlier and now flipped every which way as he scrubbed his face with his hands and rubbed his eyes furiously.
He looked up as Pita’s voice came from a distance, she had moved to arched window the soft dawn peeked through the linen draperies, her arms rested on the sill, she was looking out into the new day,
“Alright Diaz, Pita’s voice was dangerously soft.” What precisely is going on with Fire, why are Nikola, Undy and Cat Girl with Kermit and Ben, more to the point where is Pendragon?”
Diazoild of Singed made to answer then caught sight of Stanch and in a sharper tone then he had intended he rasped. “What the hell are you doing here and how by the Elder Gods did you manage to elude GOM”?
“What?” Pita and Stanch replied in unison. Ð’Rouen shook her head as if to clear it and everything would suddenly begin to make sense.
Diazoild looked at the younger man, searched Stanch’s face but it was obvious he had no more inkling then Pita or Ð’ as to the events of the last thirty-six hours.
What did all three of you fall off the face of the Netherworld at the same time?”
Receiving no response from the three interlopers Diazoild sighed.
“The Council met yesterday afternoon in an unscheduled slash emergency meeting.”
He met Pita’s disbelieving eyes and held a hand up to stall her words. “It’s true Pita, and yes you’re correct” He continued as she made to say something.
“You should have been there at the very least notified, but it seems that a great deal of the proprieties and regulations were over looked completely, suffice it to say Fire LLA and certain others were banished from the Netherworld for serious offences to the code of the council.”
“What?” Three voices chorused simultaneously. Ð'Rouen TU took a turn about the room, her eyes unseeing, her thoughts chaotic as she tried to take in the exile of Fire and the others.
"Banished?" She exclaimed incredulously. "How in all that is holy can they possibly do that?" she asked of no one in particular.
Diazoild nodded, and then elaborated fully. "It seems the council in all their righteousness has decided to come down on the side of Ping Crosby a minion of Dr. Diode. It is their belief that “camping” is to be outlawed. In addition is in their unquestionable judgment, that the likes of Fire LLa, Government Mule, Lord IC3S
Of IHOC are trouble makers, when ever any of the aforementioned gentlemen in question or those of their ilk, are about, tempers seem to flare.
Diazoild looked up to the other woman who had said nothing. Pita of Clan CapOne stood staring out the window her finger tips lightly tapping the window sill, yet she said nothing. Turning his attention back he found two set of eyes upon him, one a gray blue the other a soft brown belonging to Stanch, who having always enjoyed giving FireLLa a hard time, still could not believe his ears.
Drawing a deep breath Diazoild continued, “The exile is only to be of a six month duration, unless of course any of them refuses to adhere to the regulations imposed on them by the council and it's various and sundry members."
Diazoild ran a hand through his hair, brushing the wayward strands of dark hair off his forehead as he sat down once again at his desk, his glance swept again across the silent figure at the window, passed to Stanch, a small knife in his hands was attempting to retrieve something embedded within the heel of his left palm, Stanch’s gaze going to and fro from his hand to Diazoild.
Ð'Rouen on the other hand had perched upon the edge of his' desk, one leg swung negligently back and forth, her eyes never left the fire burning in the grate. Yet Diazoild knew she was absorbing every single word. He sighed again.
"I'm afraid it gets worse my friends."
A smothered oath from Stanch, Diaz looked up questioningly. But the younger man merely motioned him to carry on. Pita turned from the window, her green eyes trained on Diazoild, whom returned her gaze directly as if speaking to her and her alone he continued.
"Rumor has it that Jean Luc too has managed to wheedle himself a seat on the council, he now has a legal voice and he's using it against all that have stood in his way unto now. Don't be foolish, he is very compelling, almost he sounds as if he seeks nothing but justice, only those of us that know him realize it is retribution he will have, and our umm very foolish friend Ping Crosby has aligned himself with Diode and Jean Luc. And for now the latter two are inclined to use the ass.
"But were Fire, 3ndo, I mean, Lord Ic3s of course, were none of them allowed a voice, were they not given an opportunity to defend themselves, she shook her head in disbelief.. Catching the resigned look in DZ’s eyes. Ð' asked, every fiber of her democratic being scandalized.
“DZ Please tell me they were tried by their peers, that they were given the resources to prove whether they were innocent of the charges laid against them?" Diazoild dropped his head.
Attention diverted from the operation upon his palm, Stanch yelped "Where is the so called justice in that?” his forgotten knife penetrating the tender flesh, blood staining his hand.
From the window Pita spoke her voice low yet firm. "It is morally wrong and unethical to boot. Fire and the others are no guiltier of camping then anyone else whom dwells in Necropolis. I don't understand how it is ok to use a bind of 180 but you are unable to use what ever means necessary to take out your opponent, to lay in wait is considered unpardonable”?
Ð'Rouen rose from her perch and made a circuit of Diazoild's office, her voice just as low as PIta's but with a southern lilt to her words, yet it was to Pita whom she spoke. "It is a difference that makes no difference Ma'am. Harder to prove a bot, even harder to prove a config has been tweaked or that a new code has been added, yes? There isn't a soul that isn't guilty of camping at some time or another, including Diode, Ping and JL. How many victims have they led and cornered unknowingly in a trap of their making?"
"I know Ð' but there is little that can be done for Fire, GM or any of them at this point. Diazoild laughed mockingly, Trial by peers? This isn't a democracy here, it is as the council rules, in their land, it is their rules we must live by otherwise we would no longer be permitted to stay within this realm."
"So where is Fire? Where were they sent?" This from Stanch, both eyes and hand steady upon the knife he wielded.
Diazoild looked first from Pita to the Ð', the latter a relic of the once powerful Clan TU. Inwardly he flinched at the dark circles under her eyes; she was all too easy to read, her passions shown in her every movement, even more in her eyes. He glanced back at Pita, a woman who was very adept at shielding her thoughts, did not allow private fears, or nightmares to show upon her face and while her green eyes were glittering they like her face were unfathomable and he wondered what plan would these two hatch if left on their own in order to retrieve the banished.
His dark eyes glanced again at Ð' and he found her own eyes on him, he'd seen that look before in her eyes before, this wasn't the first time she had been forced to deal with the consequences of banishment.
"Thus far these are the facts, Fire did not go alone into exile, in addition to himself and the others I mentioned, they were later followed by more, those that supported them, IHH is still here, he stayed behind at my request, or he too would have been with Fire when he was forced to leave. IHH did accompany Fire and I to the council meeting, where we did try to persuade the council. Then it was IHH that was allowed to accompany Fire and the others to the border. Shortly there after he was contacted by LOA L3ftisM whom informed us that Fire had made it from the Netherworld and was enroute to Paradise and were already looking for a base of operations, all of this in less then twenty-four hours.
While he was ascertaining logistics and what have you, from L3fty, learning that the others had made it safely as I was still in the council beating my head against a wall for all that they would listen. They had already decided what they were going to do long before the council convened, their minds made up. They have been looking for a sacrificial lamb for the longest time, an example of what not to do. So they install Ping Crosby at a training server. DZ suddenly growled and looked over at Stanch “ By rights you should be with Fire, you too were accused of camping and botting, only they couldn’t locate you, but your name is on the list of those banned by the Elder Gods.”
Stanch made a soundless whistle before replying “I see. So Ping was telling the truth he really is an Admin? Thought it all a joke all of us did. Jesus you were there that day Ð’, I don’t think there was a one of us that took him seriously.” Stanch looked up at Diazoild a look of sheer amazement blazoned his face.” He even accused Ð’ of using a bot or a hack when she took him out in training mode.” Screw that this is nothing but pure Bullshit DZ, you know that!?”
“That is what I’m trying to get across to you Stanch it doesn’t matter what I think, it doesn’t matter what I believe or what I know. The Elder Gods and the Admin’s are not listening; they’ve made up their minds. I’ve done everything I could; everything that could have been done has been done.
Please understand, there were those that did speak up for Fire and the others MZ, Baker, L3ftisM and myself, Christ Pita, Chuck of Nygma came out of retirement at my request to help Fire and IC3S but those that would see them made an example of had the majority and too, those that Ping and Diode or Jean Luc were able to sway."
Diazoild turned back to the fire, his words slow, as if they came from a long way off, as if he himself had been banished as well. "The rules that govern us, the statues that council composed and impose upon Necropolian's so that there is fairness and justice.” Diazoild shook his head. His mind searching for words, an ancient adage came to him.
"Absolute power corrupts and power corrupts absolutely." He said it again, but this time aloud to his companions. Don't worry for Fire and the others unless of course Ping has his way and then the expatriation will be for the term of Fire's life.
“You mean unless Jean Luc and Ping have their way!” Pita replied scathingly she came to rest near the fire, she looked over at Diazoild, her eyes stern, her chin lifted. “Now you tell me who? Who Diaz... whom accompanied Fire into exile, names, tell us, who have we lost to the Netherworld in this debacle called justice?"
Diazoild sighed deeply, he slid open a drawer from which he withdrew a printout and handed it into Ð's outstretched hand her blonde head bent perusing the document, she gulped and swiveled to face Pita.” It reads like a damn Who's Who of the Netherworld she said to Pita. Stanch much taller had no problem looking over the shoulders of two women neither a hair above five foot two.
Diazoild looked from face to face while Ð' read the names aloud. Pita muttered an oath with the very first name after that she made no other sound as the rest of the names followed the first that had accompanied Fire and the others into Exile.
PENDRAGON, NIKOLA_TU, HYDRO SMOKE, (LOA) L3ftisM ( FZ)FUZZY, KERMIT,( DA) DOPA, DIONE, WHEELS, MENTALNYGMA, STEPHY, DANK NYGMA, TCHORT, NAPOL30N, MOE HOWARD, ICARUS, ROCKHARD, SCOFFER, CATGIRL, SURFERGIRL, UNDY, MAJORHARDON, LNQ SURFADMG, GAVATEER TOD, KIDDIE, The House of SPHINX, GAMEFREAK, ZEKI, SPOOKER, WARLOCK COD, SIR CAMP COD, ( ESX) QUADRAPTOR. NEWB, MINDF!ELD2X
Ð’ read no further, thrusting the list to Stanch she knelt as if she could see through the flames to those whom had voluntarily gone into exile. Her voice when she spoke came as if a million miles away. “Christ on the cross, there are children on this list, she looked up Diazoild who at six foot three towered over her and her voice broke. “This is a bloody nightmare!”
"You're damn right Cookie" Pita said, she looked over at Diazoild her eyes searching his brown ones an unspoken question between them. He nodded.
“It was to only be a game; “’ Just play’ is what I've always said. And now it's become a war. What ever it takes Pita." She nodded her face tight and unreadable. .
Stanch still reading the list spoke. "You are right Ð', they do not realize what they have done, but they soon will. The colors will come together." Stanches own voice had become tired and drained. A memory winging back to him from a time he would just as soon not revisit. He'd been in the heat of fire throughout the time of the battle of the clans, he had taken out friends and enemies alike, that which was commonly referred to as 'friendly fire', his shaft had found it's mark piercing the vulnerability of MMF Bud's green armor instead of slaying Resipsa as he unknowingly stepped into Stanch's tent.
His neck hurt and his chest felt heavy, his breathing labored, he made an effort to turn in the hopes it would ease the sharp pricking sensation, his throat made an involuntary swallow, and the pressure increased and the weight on his chest and arms seemed to grow heavier with every breath he took.. Slowly he surfaced through the layers of sleep his sherry brown eyes opened and widened instantly as his gaze encountered a glittering green abyss of coldness, surrounded by a halo of auburn tresses. Diazoild of Singed swallowed hard.
“Care to remove your point Pita?” He asked hoarsely and far more laconically then he felt.
“As soon as you tell me what you’ve done with Pendragon.” All the time pressing her knees harder into the sinew and muscle of his forearms.
“I beg your pardon?” Green eyes sought and held brown, seconds passed, and in the silence he could hear movement from beyond his chambers, clearly his would be assailant wasn’t alone there were others waiting..
“Don’t play with me Diaz.” The female voice was cold as her eyes as she applied a bit of pressure to the dagger she held in her small hand, her long fingers, pressing the tip further against the Admin’s adam’s apple.
”I haven’t done anything with your dragon Pita” He replied more coolly, only the tell tale pulse beat at his temple belied his indifference. Their eyes locked and held, each of them weighing up the other.
The sound of the door opening came scarce seconds before a shaft of light filtered through the opening of the door that framed a female silhouette.
“I told you I could handle this Ð’ ” Pita turned her head hissing at the other woman.
“Yes you did, but I don’t believe DZ is responsible for Pen’s disappearance. Pita, you must come and listen to this, Kermit of Singed is on the com as we speak he is asking for DZ, says it’s urgent”.
Smothering an oath Pita made to rise losing her balance and entangling a leg in the sheet that covered the Admin just as suddenly a freed Diazoild moved too, Pita fought to gain her balance and lost, and fell slant ways across Diazoild’s naked torso, his hard body pressing into her thigh.
Her face suffused in color she dropped her eyes and disentangled herself swung from the bed landing on the floor with a hard thud. Jumping to her feet she rubbed at her sore back side trying not to look and pointedly ignored the soft masculine chuckle behind her and the amused look on the face of her friend and comrade in the door way. Pushing an embarrassed yet grinning Ð’ aside she swept into the outer room that was Diazoild of Singed’s base of operations when he was home. She crossed the room purposely to the console and looked down at the screen and into the face looking back at her from the monitor.
Before she could speak, Kermit was hailing her, his voice deep and curious. “Ribbbbbit, What in god’s name Pita, are you and Ð’ doing there at this time of the morning, Where’s DZ?”
“I’m here Kermit.” DZ said into his G5 palm held receiver as he strode out of his sleeping quarters. He had slid into a pair of black slacks and was in the process of buttoning up the light blue linen shirt as he moved to the console. “Have you located Fire, Lord IC3S, of IHOC or GM?”
Kermit’s deep voice crackled with static then stopped and suddenly came in clearer. “Yes and no, haven’t found Stanch, hold on DZ.” The Admin glanced down at the female mercenary at his side, a full foot shorter then himself, she neither looked at him nor spoke her eyes glued to the screen, and he turned his attention back to the screen. Kermit looked as if he were talking to someone and then he was looking down at the messaging center in his hands, he appeared to be keying in coordinates. He looked back into the screen. “You still there DZ? Aaah there you are”
“Aye Kerm, I’m here” He assured his third key, his fingers running over the keys as other messages were lighting up, Diazoild sighed. He glanced up at the screen, he could see Kermit clearly, could see that something wasn’t right. “Kermit”?
“Going to have to find another setting this one is no longer secure DZ” The sound of clicking keys coincided with the sound of an explosion the screen went blank and DZ picked up his palm receiver was signaling Kermit. “Kermit you there? Come in Kermit.” Pita gasped and the Admin looked away from the receiver to the monitor. Kermit was again on the screen he wasn’t injured but looked anxious.
“Got to get off here DZ, some one has just blown the FOQ armory to smithereens and from the looks of it and the smell there was more there then just firing power” There was a shout from somewhere and Kermit looked away momentarily and seconds later Diazoild’s command center was filled with the sound of distant voices some of which were heavily accented.
Ð’ Rouen had been up to now sitting on the small settee had crossed with the one other person that had accompanied Pita on her mission. Diazoild raised one eyebrow inquisitively at Stanch though said nothing instead, he reached beneath the desk tray and pressed a button. An electrical shwirring sound emanated and filled the room momentarily startling Ð’ who swung back towards the settee where the Renoir had been was now a huge monitoring screen and large as life was Kermit and with him a dozen or more others.
“Oh my God, that’s Undy and Cat girl. Pita all but shouted. “Christ Ð’, Nikola is with them.”
Transfixed by the images upon the screen Ð’ Rouen said nothing, while Stanch uttered an oath so sharply as to cause the latter to flinch involuntarily. Another explosion ripped into the silence of the command center and all eyes were glued to the screen on the wall. Megazoid of Terminus and Ben of Singed had joined Kermit. They could hear the clipped cultured English accents even clearer. Ben took the Kermit’s G5. “DZ”?
“I’m here Mr. Cheeky!” Diazoild made a stab at a smile and failed. “You alright Ben”?
“Take more then a couple of explosions to take me out.” The younger man laughed. “Listen Kermit’s right this line is no longer secure, not sure, maybe the infra red has been tampered with
Then again could be an anomaly, just not sure at this point and won’t be till I have a chance to check them out, what is for certain it’s not safe here. Crackling interrupted the sound and the screen went blue momentarily then cleared. Ben was still there holding the G5, a soft beep sounded and Diazoild pressed a key causing the screen to split and he could see Megazoid.
“Hallo DZ I’m sending some coordinates by you, contact Louise and from those she’ll be able to get you anything you need, for how long she will be able to hold out and be able to supply information for you I’m not sure. Everyone here is well, had located Fire and Lord IC3S but unfortunately we ran into a couple of sorties after crossing into primal fear and lost them.”
Male instinct dominated and even as Diazoild nodded his eyes searched the faces of the others that come in view of the screen, all of the females seemed accounted for and looked to be safe, then his eyes flew to those of whom he counted as stalwart allies, some he consider more then just allies. He nodded again.
“I will contact Louise and thank you MZ and” Whatever he had intended to say was lost in the resounding cacophony of bombs exploding some distance behind them, “Ben, Kermit, get the hell out of there, NOW!!!” There was a flurry of activity and scrambling, Kermit was back on the line. “. “I’ll get back to you just as soon as we can find a secure line.” For the four there in Diazoild’s center there was suddenly silence as the com went dead on Kermit’s end. .
Closing the line he dropped into the high back swivel chair and surveyed the others, then leaned forward he hadn’t bothered to button the cuffs of his shirt when he came out earlier and now flipped every which way as he scrubbed his face with his hands and rubbed his eyes furiously.
He looked up as Pita’s voice came from a distance, she had moved to arched window the soft dawn peeked through the linen draperies, her arms rested on the sill, she was looking out into the new day,
“Alright Diaz, Pita’s voice was dangerously soft.” What precisely is going on with Fire, why are Nikola, Undy and Cat Girl with Kermit and Ben, more to the point where is Pendragon?”
Diazoild of Singed made to answer then caught sight of Stanch and in a sharper tone then he had intended he rasped. “What the hell are you doing here and how by the Elder Gods did you manage to elude GOM”?
“What?” Pita and Stanch replied in unison. Ð’Rouen shook her head as if to clear it and everything would suddenly begin to make sense.
Diazoild looked at the younger man, searched Stanch’s face but it was obvious he had no more inkling then Pita or Ð’ as to the events of the last thirty-six hours.
What did all three of you fall off the face of the Netherworld at the same time?”
Receiving no response from the three interlopers Diazoild sighed.
“The Council met yesterday afternoon in an unscheduled slash emergency meeting.”
He met Pita’s disbelieving eyes and held a hand up to stall her words. “It’s true Pita, and yes you’re correct” He continued as she made to say something.
“You should have been there at the very least notified, but it seems that a great deal of the proprieties and regulations were over looked completely, suffice it to say Fire LLA and certain others were banished from the Netherworld for serious offences to the code of the council.”
“What?” Three voices chorused simultaneously. Ð'Rouen TU took a turn about the room, her eyes unseeing, her thoughts chaotic as she tried to take in the exile of Fire and the others.
"Banished?" She exclaimed incredulously. "How in all that is holy can they possibly do that?" she asked of no one in particular.
Diazoild nodded, and then elaborated fully. "It seems the council in all their righteousness has decided to come down on the side of Ping Crosby a minion of Dr. Diode. It is their belief that “camping” is to be outlawed. In addition is in their unquestionable judgment, that the likes of Fire LLa, Government Mule, Lord IC3S
Of IHOC are trouble makers, when ever any of the aforementioned gentlemen in question or those of their ilk, are about, tempers seem to flare.
Diazoild looked up to the other woman who had said nothing. Pita of Clan CapOne stood staring out the window her finger tips lightly tapping the window sill, yet she said nothing. Turning his attention back he found two set of eyes upon him, one a gray blue the other a soft brown belonging to Stanch, who having always enjoyed giving FireLLa a hard time, still could not believe his ears.
Drawing a deep breath Diazoild continued, “The exile is only to be of a six month duration, unless of course any of them refuses to adhere to the regulations imposed on them by the council and it's various and sundry members."
Diazoild ran a hand through his hair, brushing the wayward strands of dark hair off his forehead as he sat down once again at his desk, his glance swept again across the silent figure at the window, passed to Stanch, a small knife in his hands was attempting to retrieve something embedded within the heel of his left palm, Stanch’s gaze going to and fro from his hand to Diazoild.
Ð'Rouen on the other hand had perched upon the edge of his' desk, one leg swung negligently back and forth, her eyes never left the fire burning in the grate. Yet Diazoild knew she was absorbing every single word. He sighed again.
"I'm afraid it gets worse my friends."
A smothered oath from Stanch, Diaz looked up questioningly. But the younger man merely motioned him to carry on. Pita turned from the window, her green eyes trained on Diazoild, whom returned her gaze directly as if speaking to her and her alone he continued.
"Rumor has it that Jean Luc too has managed to wheedle himself a seat on the council, he now has a legal voice and he's using it against all that have stood in his way unto now. Don't be foolish, he is very compelling, almost he sounds as if he seeks nothing but justice, only those of us that know him realize it is retribution he will have, and our umm very foolish friend Ping Crosby has aligned himself with Diode and Jean Luc. And for now the latter two are inclined to use the ass.
"But were Fire, 3ndo, I mean, Lord Ic3s of course, were none of them allowed a voice, were they not given an opportunity to defend themselves, she shook her head in disbelief.. Catching the resigned look in DZ’s eyes. Ð' asked, every fiber of her democratic being scandalized.
“DZ Please tell me they were tried by their peers, that they were given the resources to prove whether they were innocent of the charges laid against them?" Diazoild dropped his head.
Attention diverted from the operation upon his palm, Stanch yelped "Where is the so called justice in that?” his forgotten knife penetrating the tender flesh, blood staining his hand.
From the window Pita spoke her voice low yet firm. "It is morally wrong and unethical to boot. Fire and the others are no guiltier of camping then anyone else whom dwells in Necropolis. I don't understand how it is ok to use a bind of 180 but you are unable to use what ever means necessary to take out your opponent, to lay in wait is considered unpardonable”?
Ð'Rouen rose from her perch and made a circuit of Diazoild's office, her voice just as low as PIta's but with a southern lilt to her words, yet it was to Pita whom she spoke. "It is a difference that makes no difference Ma'am. Harder to prove a bot, even harder to prove a config has been tweaked or that a new code has been added, yes? There isn't a soul that isn't guilty of camping at some time or another, including Diode, Ping and JL. How many victims have they led and cornered unknowingly in a trap of their making?"
"I know Ð' but there is little that can be done for Fire, GM or any of them at this point. Diazoild laughed mockingly, Trial by peers? This isn't a democracy here, it is as the council rules, in their land, it is their rules we must live by otherwise we would no longer be permitted to stay within this realm."
"So where is Fire? Where were they sent?" This from Stanch, both eyes and hand steady upon the knife he wielded.
Diazoild looked first from Pita to the Ð', the latter a relic of the once powerful Clan TU. Inwardly he flinched at the dark circles under her eyes; she was all too easy to read, her passions shown in her every movement, even more in her eyes. He glanced back at Pita, a woman who was very adept at shielding her thoughts, did not allow private fears, or nightmares to show upon her face and while her green eyes were glittering they like her face were unfathomable and he wondered what plan would these two hatch if left on their own in order to retrieve the banished.
His dark eyes glanced again at Ð' and he found her own eyes on him, he'd seen that look before in her eyes before, this wasn't the first time she had been forced to deal with the consequences of banishment.
"Thus far these are the facts, Fire did not go alone into exile, in addition to himself and the others I mentioned, they were later followed by more, those that supported them, IHH is still here, he stayed behind at my request, or he too would have been with Fire when he was forced to leave. IHH did accompany Fire and I to the council meeting, where we did try to persuade the council. Then it was IHH that was allowed to accompany Fire and the others to the border. Shortly there after he was contacted by LOA L3ftisM whom informed us that Fire had made it from the Netherworld and was enroute to Paradise and were already looking for a base of operations, all of this in less then twenty-four hours.
While he was ascertaining logistics and what have you, from L3fty, learning that the others had made it safely as I was still in the council beating my head against a wall for all that they would listen. They had already decided what they were going to do long before the council convened, their minds made up. They have been looking for a sacrificial lamb for the longest time, an example of what not to do. So they install Ping Crosby at a training server. DZ suddenly growled and looked over at Stanch “ By rights you should be with Fire, you too were accused of camping and botting, only they couldn’t locate you, but your name is on the list of those banned by the Elder Gods.”
Stanch made a soundless whistle before replying “I see. So Ping was telling the truth he really is an Admin? Thought it all a joke all of us did. Jesus you were there that day Ð’, I don’t think there was a one of us that took him seriously.” Stanch looked up at Diazoild a look of sheer amazement blazoned his face.” He even accused Ð’ of using a bot or a hack when she took him out in training mode.” Screw that this is nothing but pure Bullshit DZ, you know that!?”
“That is what I’m trying to get across to you Stanch it doesn’t matter what I think, it doesn’t matter what I believe or what I know. The Elder Gods and the Admin’s are not listening; they’ve made up their minds. I’ve done everything I could; everything that could have been done has been done.
Please understand, there were those that did speak up for Fire and the others MZ, Baker, L3ftisM and myself, Christ Pita, Chuck of Nygma came out of retirement at my request to help Fire and IC3S but those that would see them made an example of had the majority and too, those that Ping and Diode or Jean Luc were able to sway."
Diazoild turned back to the fire, his words slow, as if they came from a long way off, as if he himself had been banished as well. "The rules that govern us, the statues that council composed and impose upon Necropolian's so that there is fairness and justice.” Diazoild shook his head. His mind searching for words, an ancient adage came to him.
"Absolute power corrupts and power corrupts absolutely." He said it again, but this time aloud to his companions. Don't worry for Fire and the others unless of course Ping has his way and then the expatriation will be for the term of Fire's life.
“You mean unless Jean Luc and Ping have their way!” Pita replied scathingly she came to rest near the fire, she looked over at Diazoild, her eyes stern, her chin lifted. “Now you tell me who? Who Diaz... whom accompanied Fire into exile, names, tell us, who have we lost to the Netherworld in this debacle called justice?"
Diazoild sighed deeply, he slid open a drawer from which he withdrew a printout and handed it into Ð's outstretched hand her blonde head bent perusing the document, she gulped and swiveled to face Pita.” It reads like a damn Who's Who of the Netherworld she said to Pita. Stanch much taller had no problem looking over the shoulders of two women neither a hair above five foot two.
Diazoild looked from face to face while Ð' read the names aloud. Pita muttered an oath with the very first name after that she made no other sound as the rest of the names followed the first that had accompanied Fire and the others into Exile.
PENDRAGON, NIKOLA_TU, HYDRO SMOKE, (LOA) L3ftisM ( FZ)FUZZY, KERMIT,( DA) DOPA, DIONE, WHEELS, MENTALNYGMA, STEPHY, DANK NYGMA, TCHORT, NAPOL30N, MOE HOWARD, ICARUS, ROCKHARD, SCOFFER, CATGIRL, SURFERGIRL, UNDY, MAJORHARDON, LNQ SURFADMG, GAVATEER TOD, KIDDIE, The House of SPHINX, GAMEFREAK, ZEKI, SPOOKER, WARLOCK COD, SIR CAMP COD, ( ESX) QUADRAPTOR. NEWB, MINDF!ELD2X
Ð’ read no further, thrusting the list to Stanch she knelt as if she could see through the flames to those whom had voluntarily gone into exile. Her voice when she spoke came as if a million miles away. “Christ on the cross, there are children on this list, she looked up Diazoild who at six foot three towered over her and her voice broke. “This is a bloody nightmare!”
"You're damn right Cookie" Pita said, she looked over at Diazoild her eyes searching his brown ones an unspoken question between them. He nodded.
“It was to only be a game; “’ Just play’ is what I've always said. And now it's become a war. What ever it takes Pita." She nodded her face tight and unreadable. .
Stanch still reading the list spoke. "You are right Ð', they do not realize what they have done, but they soon will. The colors will come together." Stanches own voice had become tired and drained. A memory winging back to him from a time he would just as soon not revisit. He'd been in the heat of fire throughout the time of the battle of the clans, he had taken out friends and enemies alike, that which was commonly referred to as 'friendly fire', his shaft had found it's mark piercing the vulnerability of MMF Bud's green armor instead of slaying Resipsa as he unknowingly stepped into Stanch's tent.