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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2018 15:40:47 GMT -5
It had been only a few hours since Amatricina's 'duel' with the Kabochan Emperor, if you could even call it that. But already it felt like it had been a lifetime ago. Amatricina's eyes had been opened to great truths she was blind to from the isolation the Demon Realm imposed on its innumerable prisoners. The universe had changed, and as Carambolis said, the lines were being redrawn. She did not believe every word the Emperor had said, but she believed enough to know he wasn't wrong. Mortals could now attain power that rivaled that of Kais, and Amatricina would not allow herself to be left in the dust. But that was a concern for another day, a long road of training and self improvement she would need to travel harder than she had ever thought possible. For today, recuperation was the chief concern on the demon's mind. Following her humiliating defeat, Carambolis had offered her a vial of healing fluid and reprieve from her wounds under the care of his flagship's medical facilities. It was rude to refuse an offer of hospitality, especially from a being many times stronger than oneself. Amatricina had accepted, as graciously as she could even the circumstances. When the Emperor had departed she flew back to his vessel from their sparring grounds, a small, now mostly destroyed isle in the middle of the ocean. The Emperor's flagship was a leviathan warship that betrayed all description. Hundreds of miles in length, at even a quarter that in height it stretched far above into the earth's upper atmosphere. The vessel hadn't so much as 'landed' upon arrival as it had simply descended slowly. Even now it hovered thousands of feet above the ocean's surface, casting a great shadow that stretched on for hundreds of miles. Amatricina had briefly mused to herself as she flew if any of the locals were irritated by the near perpetual eclipse the warship cast upon their homes during its mooring. If if it did, what would they do? Complain to His Majesty himself to move it? As Amatricina approached the gargantuan vessel she could not help but marvel at its awesome size. Even her mightiest battleships were dwarfed by space craft before her. Though she reckoned her Infernal Fleet could go match or exceed the smaller capital ships of the Kabochan fleet on a ship to ship basis, the Omnipotence itself could crush them beneath its iron fist singlehandedly. How many demon clans would it take working together to slay just a titan with their combined fleets? The answer didn't please Amatricina, and she did not even have a glimmer of insight into the vessel's sheer firepower. She could only hazard a guess from the literal mountain ranges of ordinance that ran along the exterior of its hull. Such a warship could never exist in the Demon Realm, she lamented to herself. No one clan could afford the undertaking of its construction, and the project would be quickly jeopardized and sabotaged by rival clans envious of its grandiosity. Only under the regime of the Demon King could such an endeavor be undertaken; the unity provided by a singular demonic ruler was the only means by which to protect such a craft during its lengthy construction phase. One more lofty goal for the far flung future she supposed. The demoness flew towards the underside of the vessel, its belly was dotted with numerous hangar bays of varying sizes along its length. Hundreds if not thousand looked small enough to service vast swarms of fighter craft, with much, much larger berths that looked capable of housing even mighty capital ships. The demoness briefly wondered if the Omnipotence simply swallowed up the rest of her fleet to save fuel on long voyages? It was a humbling thought, one the demon was still musing on when she arrived at the largest of the ship's hangar bays. Within was a buzzing flurry of activity, more befitting a large star port that one section of one ship. Vessels both automated and manned zoomed in and out of the vessel, baring dozens of different styles and designs. The Emperor had told the earthlings his fleet had brought the bounty of the stars to trade, and it seemed he was true to his word. Amatricina saw creatures in all many of shapes and sizes mulling out on the ground within the bay, going about their business. She herself did not look woefully out of place, though she knew there was one great difference between her and then. Demonic ki radiated from Amatricina as she walked about the hangar, it turned heads in those that had the skills to sense it. Carambolis had mentioned his race had an unfortunate history with demons. Though there were thousands of clans and their motives endless and varied, she knew damn well she had neither the time or the patience to tell these Kabochans of that fact. Their stares were met only in return by her ice cold glare. The demon could sense the emotions and sins within that coalesced within the souls of mortal beings. There was great anger, and fear at the sight of her. Some wished to strike her, others balked away from her in cowardice, and others yet looked upon her with lustful slack jawed expressions. All were irrelevant, and Amatricina had no doubt the Emperor had notified his crew sufficiently before her arrival. Amatricina was greeted by one of the Emperor's personal retinue, the large Saiyan bodyguard. He did not seem pleased to see her, nor she to him. She had seen how powerful the Saiyans living on Earth could become, she had no desire of slugging it out with one in the employ of such a powerful empire. "Your Emperor's cape." The demon said simply as she handed over the garment she had used to cover her figure until she could restore her proper attire. "Oh yes..." She added, reaching a hand gingerly into the depths of her cleavage and retrieving the small vial, handing that to the brute as well. "These are disposable." He said, more grunted truthfully in response. "How was I to know?" The demon added curtly, her patience with this Saiyan already wearing thin. "One more thing. Your Emperor's scouter was destroyed in that blast you must have sensed. He will be needing a replacement I assume. "I'll put in a request..." The brute muttered in response, neither he nor Amatricina cared for the other's company. Good, she thought to herself. At least this dog knows his place at his master's heels. "The Emperor says you're to follow me this way." The burly warrior said plainly, motioning with his hand. Amatricina obliged and followed him out of the hangar into the hallways and corridors beyond. The two traveled a short distance, crossing paths with ten robotic drones for every one living being they came upon. It seemed the Omnipotence had a sizable crew of robots, likely performing menial maintenance tasks and upkeep in place of organic crew. More questions to ask the Emperor upon his return, the demon held no end of questions about this magnificent warship. The avarice within he yearned to steal it for her own fleets, but the realistic in her knew that was simply a task bordering on impossibility. Even if she was stronger than Carambolis, which she wasn't, she could not expect to fly such a craft singlehandedly. Even if she could, which she knew damn well she couldn't, there was no way a vessel this big could ever return to her back to the Demon Realm. It took an extraordinary amount of ki and extremely potent magics just to tear open the small rifts Amatricina used to travel back and forth herself. The pair approached a terminal station, where magnetic trains traveled along a centralized rail system at ferocious speeds. It was the only way to move good quickly within such a leviathan craft, the demon mused to herself. Some of her clan's larger warships used similar... albeit much smaller internal tram systems. This vessel however, looked as though it serviced a full metropolitan transit system, likely several metropolis' worth in total given the sheer volume of internal space it had. The pair boarded the train, along with hundreds of others. In addition freight and other precious cargo was loaded onto several of the cars via large magnetic cranes on the ceiling. Fuel, munitions, foodstuffs, medical supplies, whatever it was it was surely vital goods the Omnipotence needed in simply endless quantities. Soon enough the vehicle was racing along its magnetic track blisteringly towards its destination. When the pair arrived at the next terminal, the large Saiyan had given Amatricina a side eyed glance, before taking a deep breath and marching off the tram. There was great in this one, a recurring trend among their kind, at least from Amatricina's firsthand observations. She had many questions on the Saiyans as well for the Emperor. They seemed to lack a great deal of genetic diversity, almost all had similar hair colors. Blacks and deep browns, with coal black eyes and relatively light skin. She had yet to see a Saiyan who was not a warrior in some capacity, and she mused to herself on how deep their martial traditions ran. She held begrudging respect for martial cultures, as all soldiers shared the same purpose on the heat of the battlefield. It was a place where the truest words were strength, bravery, and drive. "We're almost there." The Saiyan muttered, as the two passed through a series of doors, before coming to their destination. "This is the place. Don't get lost on the way out." The Saiyan warrior added with a chuckle, before trudging off and leaving Amatricina to herself. Amatricina paid his idle comment no mind, stepping into the facility. Inside it was stark white, immaculately clean to the point of sterility. Medical droids buzzed around monitoring equipment and computer terminals, while a small staff of Kabochans wore white outfits and appeared to be administrating things. The demoness cleared her throat, walking up to the most senior looking xeno. "I was informed by Emperor Carambolis this ship has... healing baths, and that they will make me 'right as rain' was the way he put it." She sincerely hoped she was using that expression correctly, it was incredibly stupid in the context of her home world. The doctor before her turned, trying to keep a neutral expression but it was quite clear he was not happy about these arrangements either. "Yes, of course. The demon... The Emperor has given us explicit instructions as to your well being and recover. If you'll follow me.. miss..." "Amatricina." The demon replied simply. "Of course." The doctor retorted. "Follow me this way if you would miss Amatricina." The demoness did as she was instructed, following the doctor along as he led her into the main chamber of the facility. With were hundreds of large cylindrical devices, each several meters tall and half as wide as they were tall. Machinery surrounded the lower portions of the devices, with many computer terminals and monitors. Amatricina walked up to one tank, and within was a make Kabochan. A breathing apparatus was rigged to his face and mouth and he was naked save for his undergarments. He seemed to be... sleeping in the watery substance, she could tell from her senses he was in a trance like calm. "Just mending some injuries from training, I assure you." The doctor said, noting the demon's interest in the subject. "These are the healing baths our illustrious Emperor was referring too. The fluid within is a synthesized version of the sap from the Tree of Might, produced for its great medicinal purposes. It can repair damaged tissue rapidly, even undoing dismemberment and nearly any severity of wound provided the applicant is not deceased." Amatricina was impressed, her clan mostly used healing magics that drew ki from shaman to mend flesh and blood back together. It was a good deal faster, but draining to the user over a prolonged period. A slower, artificial alternative could be of great use in recuperating the lesser castes within her clan, provided it could be done so economically. The demoness placed a hand on her damaged horn, wincing slightly as armored fingers touched tender wounds. "So it can restore my horn, with no permanent scarring?" Was her only question, and it came purely from a position of boundless vanity. "That depends I suppose, what is your, 'horn' composed of?" The doctor questioned in rebuttal. "Primarily bone, with a chitinous outer layer, and a latticework of blood vessels and nerve endings throughout." Amatricina added simply, deigning to comment further on her own biology. "Then it should be no more difficult than mending a broken bone." "Good. How long will it take?" Amatricina asked bluntly, looking at an empty tank. She wondered if the water was cold, she'd prefer it be boiling, but doubted these mortals tolerated the heat well. "An hour is standard procedure, and more than sufficient for most common injuries or fatigue. Were you more severely injured, say, missing an arm not a horn, we would need a good deal longer." The doctor spoke in a belittling tone, as if the demon should know such common knowledge. It annoyed her slightly but she did not speak up on it. She was after all, a quest at the Emperor's request. Proper courtesies were always in order. "So be it, an hour it is then. What would you have me do then to use this machine?" Amatricina said as she inspected the terminals and screens. She could only decipher bits of the Kabochan language, making out words here or there. The doctor approached her, shooing her away from the machine. "It is not as simple as jumping in. There is proper procedure here... unlike whatever black put you crawled out of." The comment made Amatricina want to tear the man's limbs off, throw him into the vat, and see if they truly did grow back. But she remained silent. "Firstly, I will need you to remove your clothes." Amatricina exhaled sharply, two small jets of flame pouring from each nostril as she did. She folded her arms across her generous bust as she gave the doctor an angry glare. "And why exactly is that?"The doctor turning, seeing her anger and becoming more irritated himself. "Because, the healing fluid can only heal tissue it comes in direct contact with. If you do not wish to strip down to your undergarments so be it, but I cannot promise you will receive a throughout rejuvenation and I will not let myself be reprimanded for that!" The demoness groaned, unwilling to argue with the man further. "So be it then." She muttered, flickering out her magics as she summoned a pyre of flame around her. Alarm sensors and fire suppression systems were tripped and sprinklers overhead began to trigger. The pyre faded after a moment and Amatricina stood scantily clad in what resembled a bright crimson two piece string bikini. It barely covered her womanhood, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. "There. Will this do?" She asked, looking up annoyed at the sprinklers. The doctor was practically fuming, and hurriedly ran to the door, typing several commands into a terminal causing the water to cease and the alarms to silence themselves. He had not studied at the finest military academia in the Kabochan confederacy to have his time wasted by a succubus. "Yes, fine, that will work." The man exclaimed, practically stomping back to Amatricina as his patience grew thin as her shoulder straps. The doctor punched several commands into one of the empty tubes, and the fluid began to drain rapidly, the demoness watching curiously. Once emptied the vat slid open allowing her easy entry inside. The doctor stepped aside and motion to the device. "There, the bath is ready, just step inside and I will help you fasten the breathing apparatus." Amatricina chuckled, shaking her head. "That won't be necessary, my kind can sustain themselves just fine with a vacuum. And I am not putting that contraption on my face." She stepped into the tube as she spoke, crossing her legs and hovering with her ki in a meditative position. "Fine, whatever you say demon. If that is what you desire than so be it." The doctor said irritably, his patience having now officially run out. He punched several more buttons and the tube once more sealed shut with a slight pressurized hiss. "You will be completely immersed in the fluid, it will feel strange at first. You will get accustomed to it... eventually. Try not to move much while you heal, otherwise you can exacerbate damage that has not fully repairs and slow the process down. Amatricina simply nodded, as orange liquid began to flood the bottom of the chamber. It rose steadily, touching the demoness' feet and legs first. It was cold, sticky, and somewhat viscous. She did not like the feel of the substance on her skin one bit, but she did have to admit even just coming in contact with it felt very therapeutic. Amatricina hovered motionless, letting herself be fully submerged in the strange ichor. She sighed in relief when the raw edge of her damaged horn came in contact with the healing broth. "I will return to check in one you when the hour is up." The doctor said pressing a fire more sequences in and inspecting the machine one last time. "Hopefully the Emperor has returned by then, and you can go back to being his problem..." The man muttered to himself as he turned to leave. Amatricina was too relaxed to let the mortal's words trouble her further. The Emperor had been right, and the healing bath was indeed marvelously soothing. She could practically feel her wounds melting away. In only minutes she could feel her horn beginning to regrow, it itched slightly as it did. Fresh bone and chitin did so before it fully hardened. There the demon sat, resting in a vat of healing fluid, on a strange blue planet inhabited by mortal weaklings serving a craven king, and the indomitable flagship of a race of beings who's ruler's power eclipsed her own. Amatricina cleared her mind as she focused on her meditations, she had much to think about and only and hour or so to do so.
Word Count: 3,085 Cam |
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Post by Cam on Oct 26, 2018 14:00:56 GMT -5
The first search had been fruitful. Cam had like to think that perhaps, for better or worse, he had made a friend, if not some kind of rivalry with Amatricina. He had perhaps gone a bit overboard in their spar, however it always just felt so good to be able to indulge in that power. To actually be able to stretch his proverbial muscles and extend his power to its complete capacities, his powers didn't function like a super Saiyan where they had to reach out and grab for the power, it was simply always with him. Cam had to remain mindful to repress it, keep the marks at bay and the power only skin deep from appearing, aura flaring. He returned only somewhat waterlogged, Coca, his chief lieutenant was there to greet him, as was Duria, his bodyguard, "Demon's in a healing tank," Duria said simply, Coca looked at the Saiyan, then back to her Emperor, "Indeed. What in the hell are you thinking? You want home world to eat you alive?!" Coca asked, quite angry with her Emperor. Cam sighed, shaking his head, "No, no I don't Coca, but she could be useful. She's not like those shadowy demons on our world. Apparently their are different kinds," She opened her mouth to object, Cam held a hand up, "I know, I don't like it either. But we're not the Dominion or the Galactic empire, when you paint with a broad brush you start labeling, or in this case, killing people who might not be what we think they are." Coca's crisp uniform crinkled as her shoulders deflated. She knew she wasn't going to be able to sway the Emperor to... What, kick her off the ship? Kill her? What Coca wanted Carambolis didn't exactly know, but he knew how to turn the tides, "Found a dragon ball," the Kabochan murmured nonchalantly, holding up a softball sized orange ball, five red stars within it.
Coca looked giddy at that, Cam dumping the orb into her gloved hands the moment she reached them out, "Four for seven. I was hoping we'd collect them in chronological order, but c'est la vie," he bobbed his shoulder, Coca would be happy to go store it with the others aboard the ship, "Over halfway there. You think we'll need them to take earth?" Cam shook his head, "No. Worst comes to worst, we can use them as a trump card, but I doubt we'll need them. Ches is a pragmatic leader, he's smart and compassionate, we'll play that to our strengths." Cam began his descent into the ship, offering the occasional nod or wave to a crew member he was familiar with, his stride wasn't slow by any means, he knew the way to the medical bay. Coca and Duria accompanied the Emperor as he stepped onto one of the transport railways, "Earth seems to accept our presence, for now. Stopping that hurricane and stimulating trade had bought us time," Cam nodded, "Always does," Duria grunted, "They're scared shitless if you ask me," Coca frowned, before nodding in agreement, "Indeed, I think Duria is right. There's a lot of fear and bated breath down there. They're waiting for the other shoe to drop and for us to attack them," Cam clucked his tongue, "Predictable. We'll withdraw--not far, high orbit over the planet, our cruisers will act as runners and continue the trade stimulus, shift it to North city though. Give everyone on this globe a taste of advanced technology and culture," Carambolis was a firm believer that you caught more flies with honey rather than vinegar. The railcar stopped, Coca stepping off, "I'll get your orders in and have this Dragon ball secured," she pushed her glasses up her nose, "Be careful Cam, you know that demon will try to trick you," Cam waved a hand dismissively, "I know. She's not exactly subtle about it. Things get dicey I vaporize her," Duria chortled at that as the doors slid closed.
"What do you make of her then?" He asked towards the Emperor, "I never liked demons. Remember Alexander?" Cam rolled his shoulders, "Yeah, I do. How could I forget?"
"Or Eris?" Duria pointed out, "I wanted to fight her the most," Cam shot the Saiyan a look, "That'd be a good fight actually. She was all martial prowess though, you might be able to catch her off guard with that."
"What about this one?" Duria asked, "Fire Demon," Cam replied, "Seems to fight with a mixture of both. Well rounded, needs a little more salt and something to up her power. I imagine a healing path will only make her stronger. Far from catching up to us at this point in time though. She'll be worth watching, and outfitting. She's got her own agenda though, and I don't intend to forget that."
Their railcar had arrived, doors sliding open. The smell of resin hit Cam's nostrils, he breathed deeply, his body tightening with strength as it soaked in the energies, walking down the long rows of healing and suspension pods he took a mental tally, how many troops were injured, how many had been put in suspension for later deployment, "Doctor Shauq," he greeted towards the medical physician who had put Amatricina under, he smoked a cigarette currently, though it wasn't a health hazard to Kabochans like it was to humans, those carcinogens simply didn't do anything to them, if anything the taste of a cigarette reminded Kabochans of home, their world was so thoroughly polluted after all, "Welp, she is a bona-fide demon, that's for damned sure," the doctor was currently standing at a console, pressing a few keys he brought up Amatricina's vitals, "More durable than the ones on Kabocha, that's for sure. She's a real spit for too, kept badgering me when I didn't want to talk to her."
Cam eyed over the report of the demon's vitals, taking in what information he could, "I see... Well, they've restorative genes like we do. That's a boon, no wonder she held on so easily."
Shauq nodded, "Indeed. We'll be draining the pod in a few minutes if you two want to hang around." Indeed they would. In a few minutes time, Shauq would dial a few buttons. The resin solution draining from the restorative tank slowly, other fluids entering to dilute the fluid over a few minutes before everything was soluble enough to simply wash off the demon's body, she would end in a warm shower of sterile water than ended, and the latch of the tube unlocked, Amatracina able to simply open the door and step out, Cam and Duria there to greet her.
WC: 1114 @amatricina
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2018 15:03:12 GMT -5
While she meditated in the tank Amatricina had plenty of time to think on what had transpired. She had been bested, easily no less, by a mere mortal. No, she had to stop thinking that, there were no 'mere mortals' anymore it seemed. Even those who were not magical in nature could attain great and terrible power on their own. She had seen the might of the half-Saiyan Gurki, and the raw power of the Kabochan' Carambolis. Only the latter had revealed a powerful transformation, and the way he spoke of it, it had been a unique phenomena. At least she did not have to worry about the rest of his ilk achieving that same power. The Emperor was ambitious, as all of men of his station should be. He would likely covet such power for himself even if it was possible to share, or reproduce. But there were a dozen mortals even stronger than the Emperor had been? That thought was most worrying, Amatricina could barely hold a candle to the Emperor when they had fought. She would need keep her cards very close to the chest dealing with these mortal races. These revelations wounded the demon's pride greatly, but, that wound could heal in time. She had vowed to herself to obtain such great power, and her ambitions only told her to surpass it as well. Though her dreams of conquest and ambitions were turned inwardly focused on her own realm, Amatricina did not wish to see the day one of the dozen mortal warriors decided they had had enough of her kind. And if what the Emperor had said was true, about factions growing and lines being redrawn, her entire realm would need to stand as one against whatever threat so concerned a being of his power. These thoughts troubled the demon greatly, and her eyelids twitched slightly even as she sat eyes closed in her meditative trance. Her realm had grown complacent, too complacent in the last few centuries. While these mortals obtained powers that rivaled or exceeded even the last Demon King, the feuding warlords of the great demon clans had failed to keep pace, herself included. How could they have been so blind? Anger seethed within the fire demon at these thoughts, and the liquid she was submerged in heated by many degrees, near coming to a boil. In the meantime, her wounds took well to the Kabochan healing serum. The fluid, albeit strange an viscous, did its job as promised. As Amatricina rested within its amber broth she could feel the injuries of her spar being quickly unmade. Bruises healed, cuts and scratches sewed shut without the slightest hint of scar tissue, and most importantly her once proud horn regrew to its full majestic proportions. The demoness did not breath within the tank, but even still she could feel the aches lifting from her lungs as cracked ribs and bruised organs were destroyed to full glory. In time, she would find some way to reproduce this technology for her own kind. It would alleviate the duties of the healing shamans, allowing their much quicker magical mending to be reserved for priority targets, like commanders and generals. Let the grunts stew in this broth. Amatricina's eyes opened when she felt the Emperor's presence near. He was distant still, somewhere in the cavernous bowels of his massive ship. But his ki, even suppressed, was now unmistakable to her. The unique intricacies it had, the chimeric blending of demonic and divine energies with his own mortal ki, it was a calling card she would not soon forget. The demoness did not move from her position hovering in the fluid, save for her eyes which wondered across the room. It was somewhat difficult to see through the thick orange gel, but she could still sense. The original Kabochan she had investigated in his tube had long since left. New and different warriors had taken his place in a number of nearby healing baths. Most Kabochan, a few Saiyan, others races who's energy she did not recognize. How many races did these Kabochan's rule over she mused to herself. How vast was the Emperor's domain, and what great powers in the Mortal Realm rivaled his own? All good questions she would ask him in time. The Emperor entered the room, escorted by the doctor from before... and his damnable Saiyan bodyguard from earlier. Amatricina sighed within the pod, exhaling the air that had been in her lungs for the better part of an hour in her irritation. She floated silently as the doctor tinkered with the controls on her tube, and she waited patiently as the fluids were slowly siphoned out and she was washed clean of them. The first thing she noticed once air again filled the chamber was the scent. It was unique, that was to say the least. She hoped it would dissipate reasonably quickly, she did not intend to smell like the inside of a tree for days on end. If worse came to pass she'd bathe herself in mystical fire, which would surely do the trick. The demoness returned to her feet once the door to the tube opened. It felt good to move her limbs, and they no longer screamed in agony from the simple pain of locomotion. She felt better than she had before the fight, which was indeed saying something. Maybe it was partially due to not having to maintain a magical guise for days upon days on end. It felt good to be whole again, whole and wearing her true form. Amatricina stepped forth, out of the tank and coming to stand on the cold tiled floor just outside. She arched her back, thrusting out her chest and tilting back her chest as she raised her arms over her head in a mighty stretch. "Ahhh... the feels much better." The demon admitted, running her one hand along the length of her restored horn feeling its length for any imperfections or scarring. When she was satisfied she had found no such blemishes, Amatricina let out a wry smile, turning her attention to her hosts. "My Emperor, Doctor... Saiyan." She spoke the last word with slight irritation as she addressed the three. "Truly, you have my thanks. As you had promised Carambolis, these healing baths work marvelously. Though I will admit, our healers' magics are quicker at mending wounds. Though perhaps less... enjoyable of an experience." The demoness inhaled deeply, her first real breath of air in an hour. She could practically taste the Saiyan's oafish stench. The wrath within him betrayed both by his heart, but also by the agitated look on his face. As a general rule, she had come to realize Saiyans generally seemed to wear their emotions on their sleeves. Subtlety did not seem their forte. She turned her attentions to Carambolis, locking her ruby gaze with his own amber eyes. "Carambolis, I believe we have matters to discuss yet. Our conversation on these earthlings and their king was hardly finished." The demoness waved a hand, gesturing around the room. "And you must tell me more of this magnificent flagship of yours. I have never seen a vessel quite like it, and I don't even know her name..." Amatricina's voice trailed off, her tone was pleasant with a hint of flirtatious intent when she addressed the Emperor directly. It was he alone she was concerned with, after all, he was both the strongest of his kind, and the ruler in charge. Unlike a certainly earthling she knew.
Word Count: 1,270 Total Word Count: 4,355 Cam |
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Post by Cam on Oct 29, 2018 12:11:37 GMT -5
"The Omnipotence", the Emperor declared, gesturing a hand around, "She's the second largest in the fleet these days, used to be the largest until I had a successful victory against the Ikondans and we commandeered a super-destroyer they were building," the Kabochan explained, "Ikondan technology is finicky to other races but us Kabochans have been at war with them for oh... Over five hundred years. We know how to use one another's tech pretty well, I imagine that ship will be quite a proverbial hammer in the toolkit that is my fleet," And there it was, said with all sincerity, that this Emperor had a bigger, more powerful ship in his arsenal, "She was excavated from the deserts of Kabocha." He beckoned for Amatricina to follow then. Leading the way out of the medical bays down a long corridor alongside a railcar, "We're not sure who built it, if it's ancient Kabochan or something else entirely, however controlling the ship is surprisingly easy. It does require the abilities of a psychic or a robot though," he explained, "One has to be able to interface with the ship to assume direct control." He lead the way down this hall a while longer, Amatricina would see a great many things. Bots with large, rectangular heads moved past them, programmed to give a friendly slightest of nods as they did so when moving past an friendly organic member, occasionally they would stop at a terminal--they had passed plenty of them on the way to the medical quarters, it was composed of a pillar that stretched up to about Cam's waist height, an opaque, teal green orb sat on the top and three slots were in the pillar beneath said orb.
Lidding his eyes, he assumed control of the ship, engaging several functions, though first being a railcar would stop right beside them before redirecting traffic so that he could move to the bridge quickly, "Lets go then," he said before stepping into said car. Dialing a few buttons on a panel within, they were off, Duria on Cam's left side, leaving Amatricina a place to stand at his left, "Ches has lied to his people, I've mentioned that to you. I know you said you respect strength, but that's not how many of our galaxies societies are structured. Some respect currency, some respect compassion, some respect spiritual enlightenment, in Earth's case, they elect a leaders based on rhetoric. The leaders appeal to the people with their values and they decide who represents them," He reached a hand down to his necklace, "The leader of Kabocha is decided by who wears this amulet. They must either take it from the corpse of the previous leader or convince them to hand it over." The glossy surface of the red gem set into the amulet shined in the changing light, it didn't take much to tell that this item was somehow otherworldly.
"I'm not going to kill Ches--Not if I don't have too. One thing you may understand Amatricina, is that you catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar," their cart came to a crawl before stopping, the doors sliding open. They were closer to the front of the ship now. More organic crew members walked around here, Kabochans, Brench-saijin, humans, creatures that had pale white skin and no eyes, four armed robots--though, they in actuality were a cephalopod-like race that moved about inside mechanical suits that bore four arms were parts of the crew, Cenean lizard men, Cam waved to one in passing, "Scald, any word on that Abbayor intel?" Scald laughed, shaking his head, "Contacts are slim there. Saiyan Dominion attacks are keeping people tight lipped, nobody is trusting anybody," Cam snapped his fingers in a display of frustration, "There's got to be someone willing to turn somewhere, keep at it then, double the money if need be," the Canean snapped a salute, "As you command Emperor," he eyed Amatricina with a cold regard before giving Duria a nod, the bodyguard and Canean exchanging a fist-bump of camaraderie before moving on.
The doors to the bridge slid open, ensigns were stationed everywhere in front of strange computers, were Amatricina paying attention she would note the language being used on the terminals appeared to be the same language that crept across Cam's skin when he transformed, "We could take Earth easily be force, it's a backwater planet. Politically they've always been somewhat isolated and neutral, technologically they're behind the galaxy by about fifty years and have only low level energy users in their military, but it's what Earth represents that gives it some limited immunity," Cam remarked towards the Demon that had likely been keeping stride with him, "Getting Ches and Earth to join the fold willingly will be a signal to many other secondary systems of the galaxy, if Earth joins willingly, so will many, many others," he looked over towards the Amatricina, adding, "The best victories are the ones where you don't have to kill anybody. If Earth joins, new Namek also joins as well. Namekians and Earthlings in my army--as well as access to their production facilities would give me the ability to produce fleet battleships and weaponry and armor at lightning speed, understand that you don't unite the galaxy through excessive fear. One has to be pragmatic. While the Dominion and Galactic Empire bloody each other's noses, I'll gain a foothold in every quadrant of this galaxy if I take Earth and the capacity to double the size of my fleet, the ability to strike anywhere at anytime will be a realized reality."
Approaching the commander's chair, it would swivel around to reveal a female of the Emperor's race--a stark contrast to the men. Her hair was instead of a corvidae black, a mother-of-pearl white that dumped about her shoulders in a long, curly mane, her eyes were the stark amber color but she wore rounded glasses and a crisp red and dark grey uniform, "Amatricina, this is my right hand woman and commander of my fleet, Prime Lieutenant Coca." Her skin was lighter than Carambolis, she looked militant but much more polished and smooth compared to her counterpart. Stepping forward, she offered a gloved hand towards the Demoness, "A pleasure," though one got the sense her shortness with words was indicative of her opinion of Cam's current choice of company, whether Amatricina shook her had or not, she would look towards the Emperor then, "The armada is in place in the east quadrant proper Emperor, they need only your word to enact our strategy."
"Mostly your strategy," Cam corrected, "You always try to make me look better in front of our guests, come now. Coca here graduated at the head of her class six years ago, her mind of strategy is unparalleled, I was lucky to scoop her up when I did, she's given us countless victories against all odds." Indeed she had, though her power level was well above the average warrior, it was well below Amatricina's, likely only about half of her power it seemed if that's how she garnered respect, "Thank you Coca. You may resume your usual duties," Snapping another salute she took her leave, exchanging a knowing look with Duria before Cam sat down in the commanding chair. He dialed a few buttons on the arm rest and it brought up a holographic display of the galaxy, as well as several markers and indicators, on the southern section of the map were several orange indicators, on most of the west and central side were red markings, and in the very center were many blue markings, curiously only a few yellow markers were in place and they seemed scattered, and many other planets were on display with no markers at all, "We're orange, the Saiyan Dominion, our allies, are red, the galactic Empire is blue, yellow is the Kingdom of earth, and everything else is secondary systems or independent systems. This is the state of the galaxy, you've joined us during one of the most brutal and longest, widest ranging wars we've ever participated in."
That was putting it mildly.
wC: 1,356 TWC: 2,470 @amatricina
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2018 16:15:38 GMT -5
Amatricina raised an eyebrow at the Emperor's declaration, folding her arms across her ample bust. "Well..." She said, musing over the right words to say. "It is certainly a befittingly grandiose name, I will give you that. I would be a liar to say it was not a moniker rightfully earned by a warship of such gargantuan scale." Omnipotence, ha!? She thought to herself, it was a fitting name, exactly the sort of word she'd expect the Emperor to callously toss around. Truly, his pride was great, though admittedly well earned. Demons tended to name their warships after what they did to their enemies, with the larger Armageddon class battleships in her Infernal Fleet styling themselves with names such as Devastation, Annihilation, or Obliteration. To an outsider it was perhaps an equally audacious naming scheme for warships, but it was their tradition and thus she automatically equated it with being superior to a Mortal's decision making process. The hair on the back of the demon's neck stood up when the Kabochan leader so casually announced that the Omnipotence was only the second largest warship in his seemingly vast navy. She did her best not to seem alarmed by the revelation, listening intently to him as he revealed the origins of his new super-destroyer. If it put the Omnipotence to shame, there was no doubt the warship held the fire power to destroy whole planets, likely at great distance. Amatricina briefly mused if it held enough firepower to weaken the seal placed on the Demon Realm, before reminding herself the Kais had surely accounted for anything the mortals could possibly muster when they first weaved the magic barrier all those millions of years ago. As the trio walked through the bowels of the ship, listening to the Emperor wax poetic about his prized flagship, Amatricina couldn't help but remain fascinated by the workings within. Autonomous drones scurried about the ship in the myriad of shapes and sizes, no doubt performing routine maintenance and other logistics functions. Most of the robotic workforce vaguely approximated humanoid behavior, and displayed even the basics of social behaviors and common courtesies. No doubt though, the demon mused to herself, these automatons were intentionally kept only intelligent enough to follow the strict tasks as laid out within their programming. Though she held no doubts that a 'robot uprising' would be quickly squashed beneath an iron fist, there was no sense creating servants who could think beyond their limited capacities. This was one issue that troubled the demonic navies of her realm, where such menial labor was often carried out by the lowest and most expendable ranks of goblins and imps. While their sentience allowed for creativity, rational thought, and the capacity to learn and improve, it also meant that these workers were susceptible to fear and loss of focus under duress. She briefly considered if imps would even be feasible a labor force on a space craft this large. If the Demon Realm ever produced anything similar, they would likely need an at least partially robotic maintenance crew. Maybe they could craft cybernetics onto some of their more lowly castes and create a thinking hybrid of flesh and circuitry that was kept animated by magics. That could potentially alleviate the drawbacks of either, or it could fail miserably, another warlock's misbegotten experiment. That scenario was one of many reasons imps, goblins, cretins, and urchins all bred in such plentiful numbers. "In the Demon Realm, our warring nature is too ceaseless to allow for the creation of a ship as magnificent as the Omnipotence." Amatricina said with a hint of envy, and a touch of homesickness. "If my clan for example tried to commit the resources needed for such an undertaking, our enemies and rivals would mount a full scale offensive to stop us the moment they caught word of its existence." She reached out, rubbing a hand gingerly against one of the metal, feeling the immaculate smoothness of its construction. This entire ship was more a precision engineered space colony that some very ambitious engineer had decided to mount faster than light engines to. "The only way we could construct a vessel such as this would be under the unity of a Demon King. I am sure several were built during Dabura's reign, though they were likely sunk or scuttled in the chaos that proceeded in the war for his throne. My armada has certainly never encountered a ship of this scale, and we are by no means a small clan." She silenced herself as the demon watched the Emperor communicate with his machine. The look on his face as he spoke with his great metal leviathan gave Amatricina the impression his mind did not remain fully within his head in doing so. A computer network as vast as this vessel's must eclipse a mortal brain by a thousand fold, and she wondered if when he tapped into the systems... if the systems ever tapped back. The demon watched as another rail car was called to their location, no doubt by the Emperor himself through his terminal. "Agreed," Came the demones' simple reply, following the other two as they boarded the vehicle, within moments it was rocketing off towards its destination along its magnetic track. Flying would be faster, but sometimes it was about the journey, not the destination. Clearly Carambolis appreciated that old adage as well. Amatricina placed a hand on a luscious hip as she listened to the Emperor speak. It irritated her that he kept his bodyguard with them, there were things she'd prefer to discuss in privacy with the man. Though he'd likely just share this information with his close council of advisers regardless, so perhaps it was a moot point. She nodded her head along in agreement as Carambolis spoke. "That is correct, many of the great demon clans respect strength above all else. It structures every aspect of our society. The strongest rules, the strong lead, and the weak serve. It is that simple, it is as it should be."She scoffed aloud when the Kabochan told her of the rest of the galaxy's miserable societies, shaking her head slowly as such nonsense words touched her ears. "Currency!? Compassion? Enlightenment!?" Amatricina spoke the words as if they were a kind of mental sickness. "Is that truly the tenants mortals will build the foundations of their culture on? How do the wealthy protect their wealth from the strong simply taking it? How do the compassionate find the strength to protect their loved ones? How to do the enlightened rule if not by force?" She rolled her eyes, turning in disgust to look out the windows of the rail car, clearing her head. "At least I found one race that respects strength among these mortals. Saiyan, I assume your race prides itself on strength as well? You seem a martial culture from what I've witnessed of your kind. So there... two races, out of countless." Amatricina could only roll her eyes harder when she was informed the humans chose their ruler based on rhetoric of all things. "And the earthlings chose their ruler based on words. Words! How does a leader act upon this rhetoric if he lacks the strength to enforce his will? Let me guess, he tries to sway his opposition with words." The demon turned, baring her fanged smile. "I've got some words for the human king. They go Chou Makousen!" With that Amatricina opened her mouth wide, it lit up with bright crimson energy as her demonic ki pooled in her throat. She closed her mouth, simply swallowing the energy rather than firing it as she had mocked. When next she exhaled the demoness had two small jets of smoke pour from her nostrils, the last remnant of the brief burst of energy as a wry grin crossed her face. When the Emperor spoke of his amulet, the jewel managed to catch her eyes. The demon tilted her head slightly, leaning in close to get a better look at it. "How long has this amulet existed?" She mused out loud, reaching to her neck to her own amulet, trimmed in gold and inset with a large ruby. Delicately she lifted the jewelry up closer to the Emperor's amulet. The gemstones of the two artifacts reacted violently, light and energy shimmering and dancing chaotically within them the closer they were to touching. Amatricina withdrew, letting go of her own gem as she let it once more rest against her upper chest. "You my friend, have a Demon Warlord's amulet. A greater demon no less, such as myself. That is amusing, I wonder what clan it belongs to? Are they slain to the last or is their leader parading around somewhere without the symbol of his authority?" Amatricina let out a haughty laugh, amused to no end by the revelation. "This truly is the highlight of my day. These amulets were crafted by the greatest demon to ever live, who founded the Dark Empire when the Demon Realm was still young. An amulet was given to each and every clan in his service, a symbol of their loyalty and authority for serving him. To lose it is sacrilege. I would cast mine back to my home with my dying breath if I could muster the energy to do so in my last moments. Better than letting a mortal claim it as his own. No offense of course." She let out another chuckle, though her expression grew more serious when Amatricina saw how unenthused the Emperor's bodyguard seemed at the revelation. "By all means My Emperor, keep that relic and continue your traditions with it. It has clearly found a more worthy owner than the demon who lost it. I hope his death was at least quick, if only so he couldn't live to know his shame. You have my word I have no intention of taking it for myself. Just this once, one is enough for me." The demoness added a flourished curtsy as she finished, as if to signify the truth behind her vow. As the rail car arrived at its destination, Amatricina stepped off alongside her compatriots. She was quite enjoying the conversation, it certainly beat meditating in a vat of glorified tree sap for an hour. She let out a wicked smile when the Emperor gave his metaphor, nodding along in agreement. "You are beginning to sound like my mother Carambolis. She would have liked you, my father may have been the might of the throne but my mother was the true statesman of the two. Still... my father had a slightly different saying. It goes 'You can catch many moths with an open flame.'" The demon opened a hand, holding a small ball of flame in her grip before crushing it as she clenched her hand shut to illustrate her point. "Insects are easy to manipulate is, I believe, the ultimate lesson to be had here." When she finished her quip, the demon took notice of the strange and alien new crew members that were more readily appearing. She found most of them ugly at best, revolting at worst. None of these xenos matched her great beauty in her eyes, and she much preferred to the rugged look of the Saiyan and the chiseled handsome face of the Kabochan to creatures that looked like a menagerie of claws, fur, or scales. The Emperor stopped one such creature to speak with him, and though Amatricina listened intently, the locations were meaningless to her, her knowledge of the Mortal Realm limited to a precious few planets. The three passed through a large set of automated doors, entering a spacious chamber that housed the warship's bridge crew. She could tell immediately by how the various stations were all systematically stationed around a central throne-like seat, clearly designated for this vessel's captain. Her eyes caught Makai lettering in the code that flashes across the ship's computers. She made out a few fleeting words like 'power, energy, fuel, weapons, shield' but the demon could not easily read the dialect on the fly, though if she had more time to study it in earnest... perhaps. She listened to the Emperor speak more on the earth, everything he said agreed with her own conclusions about the planet. Her travels had told Amatricina that the vast majority of humans had no practical knowledge of ki, and an abysmally low power level to boot. The human military was also woefully inadequate, and she had seen it first hand after her attack on North City. They were little more than peace keepers and glorified law enforcement, hardly soldiers to be feared. The demoness scoffed at Carambolis' comment on victory. "We differ on our idea of the best victory. The best ones are those that are savored, like succulent meat. For me that is standing at the head of my army, slaying a rival leader in glorious single combat and seeing his ranks collapse into a rout as terror besets them. Bout... I can see the appeal of gaining more soldiers and infrastructure at no expense. We demons do not hand over such things so callously... but we also don't elect our leaders by selecting the individual who makes us feel the best or smells the nicest. So perhaps I am speaking from a place of ignorance." The demonic woman sneered, she still couldn't believe there were beings that chose their ruler based on compassion. The demoness was most intrigued when the Emperor led her to his 'Prime Lieutenant.' She looked down at the woman's gloved hand, then back up to her eyes, mulling over if she accepted the formal greeting. A crimson gauntlet trimmed in gold reached out to firmly grasp the gloved hand, and the two shook hands. Amatricina grinning slightly as she made sure the commander of the fleet could appreciate her strength. "The pleasure is mutual." She replied, somewhat curious of the woman now, if the Emperor valued her so highly. She listened with keen intent as Carambolis rattled off a number of this Coca's many accolades. A brilliant mind could compensate for a weak body, this was a concept she was more than familiar with. Many of the keenest sorcerers within her clan were frail old men who's only worth to society were their sharp intellect and mastery of dark magics. Amatricina turned to see who Coca had locked gazes with, and her crimson eyes met the Saiyan bodyguards for a moment. She shot him a dagger glare, had the man been staring at her rear this entire time? Or was she missing something here? Amatricina, having no seat of her own as the Emperor took his command throne, elected to cross her legs and hover at his right side. Her cloak brushed lightly along the floor as she silently floated besides him as he spoke. Her fiery gaze looked with keen intent at the galaxy map as it displayed the various factions. "So... there is a Saiyan Dominion? Your alliance with them would explain why your armies swell with their ranks." She looked at the color coded factions, the number of independent systems far outweighed any one faction. If they ever combined forces the total neutral entities could probably stand against the Saiyan-Kabochan alliance if they had a strong leader and a capable military command. Was one planet truly so important to pulling in the many outlier groups into the fold? Perhaps Amatricina had been underestimating the significance of this blue rock. "Joined you? Ha, I appreciate the sentiment Carambolis. But it was the galaxy that joined me. Do not let my youthful beauty deceive you, I have no doubt I have lived long enough to predate many of these governments." She pointed her finger towards earth on the map. "The first time I visited earth was well over a millennia ago, I was briefly summoned by a wizard who thought to consort with powers beyond his control. I humored him for a bit, before killing him and making my way home. The earthlings were still killing each other with bows and swords back then, much less joining the great Kabochan Confederacy."
Slowly the demon rose back to her feet, and she began to slowly sashay her way around the command chair. Wide feminine hips moving in hypnotic rhythm with each step as she walked, a lone pointer finger slowly running its way along the contours of the seat while she spoke. "Either way, I appreciate that last sentiment. The longest, widest, most brutal war the mortals have ever taken part in. It's no 'Eternal Conflict', but it certainly does have a certain appeal to it. And I do despise a certain furry earthling and his idiotic cult." Amatricina made her way back around to the front of the chair, leaning forward so her face was closer to Carambolis'. The angle gave the Emperor a more than generous view of her deep cleavage, the demoness' ponderous bust hanging heavy from her voluptuous frame. "Consider me in. Now tell me darling, what can I do to help you catch your pesky fly?" Amatricina flashed a wide smile, fanged canines gleaming like tiny ivory daggers and a sinister fiery glow danced in the demon's crimson eyes.
Word Count: 2,893 Total Word Count: 7,248 Cam |
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Post by Cam on Oct 30, 2018 11:32:08 GMT -5
The revelation that he had been wearing a demon warlord's necklace for this long wasn't exactly a surprise to him; he didn't like it of course, but it wasn't a surprise. It meant many things, somewhere along the line his people had overthrown their demonic manipulators for the most part. Was allowing Amatracina in undoing the work of hundreds of years? Carambolis didn't know, he certainly didn't trust the demoness--there was only three or four people he truly trusted, she wasn't on that list, "Leave us," Cam stated towards Duria. He didn't make a fuss, the Saiyan bodyguard going to check on some of his other duties. Coca and Duria both didn't like what was occurring, but they both knew to trust Cam. He had tangled with some of the most monstrous individuals in the galaxy, and quite frankly, he found Amatricina refreshing in comparison to some of the people he had held past dealings and interactions with. She wasn't a cannibal, she didn't seem to be an outright murderer or obsessed with wanton and careless destruction--she was a demon, given her demeanor and everything she kept on saying throughout their short time together it was easy to tell she craved battle and power, but then again didn't he? Looking up--eyes pausing for the briefest of moment's on the demon's bust before meeting her eyes with his own.
"How?" Cam asked himself, "That I'm not entirely sure. I've five of the dragonballs--I don't care to waste my wish on taking Earth, I suppose the easiest route would be to simply find something of substance on him. In all honesty, it's not Ches I care about. Were I to have things my way he would pay for his crimes. He's lied to the entire galaxy, one way or anything, if you want to get rid of him, you expose him," he paused, "However we can't tell the world at large about the dragonballs. That would be a death sentence for Earth, and if someone like Polaris got his hands on the dragonballs? Kiss this galaxy goodbye. Even if you attained your goal of freeing your people into our realm... Well." He pressed a few buttons on his command chair, "Perhaps its better that I just show you," he toggled up his scouter feed, it was from a battle a few months ago, the terrain rocky and sparse. It registered several smaller power levels before one about double at the time of what Cam's power level was appeared. A frost demon, though they weren't true demons, simply one of the monikers the galaxy had dubbed the race with. "Meet Emperor Polaris. Head of the galactic empire," the images that followed were frightening to say the least, the single arcosian cut down scores of saiyan warriors, whats worse, he had no regard for his allies. Many of the allied Kabochans and other races in battle being caught in his blast waves, were one playing attention his blood lust for the Saiyan race would be self-evident. He spared no one in this battle, only moving forward towards what appeared to be a weapon's installation, that is until Cam intervened, "That's enough Polaris! We can't kill everyone!" he said over the feed. He had saved only a handful of Saiyan lives, and while Cam was unafraid to get his hands bloody, he didn't kill needlessly. Not when you could make your enemy your ally.
"He's likely the strongest being in the galaxy right now," the Emperor concluded, "There's a battle between the Dominion and his forces on his capital world of Mitra. Read outs as high as six million were detected, I don't know how but he's increased his power exponentially," he smirked, murmuring, "Still soft as ever though," before he dismissed the feed, "He was a hero once, or so I'm told, never knew him then. Used to work for the galactic patrol before he tarnished it and changed it into his own empire. He hasn't done it with strength though. Subterfuge, framing, propaganda and lies. Those are his tools, I've been lucky up to this point, to avoid his wrath. Though in all honesty, I look forward to the day I fight him," the glitter in Cam's eye said it all, he was confident he knew how to topple the tyrant, he just needed the right people and the right circumstances in order to exact his plan, "The galaxy at large can't know about the dragonballs. Past that? Do as you please," He smirked then, "Tell you what? You help me unite this galaxy, I help you get the dragonballs after I use them," he shrugged, "You want more power? Simply wish for it with those and it's yours. Immortality, wealth, power, knowledge--I don't know their limitations, but I imagine if they can make someone immortal they can serve your purposes, one way or another." He mused a moment longer, "Get me an audience with Ches--preferably intact, that's all I need. My fleet is in orbit over his planet, I've given the proverbial knock on his door, he doesn't seem to want to answer."
At that thought, Cam felt insulted--insulting the man was probably about the stupidest thing you could do, even as he thought about the notion of that weak little earthling ignoring him it set his blood to boil. He took a breath, maintaining his composure. Insulted or not, he still needed the Earth. "Your father may be right, insects are easy to manipulate, but underestimating the Earthlings and Ches in the wrong move. Choosing the right tool for the job is more important, as much as I like to use the hammers in my toolkit, that's not how we take the Earth." Cam said succinctly, the mention of Amatricina's parent's caused the Kabochan to wonder what one's demonic parents indeed did look like, how they raised their children and what kind of domestic life two demonic warlords had together. The thought brought an amused smile to his face, shaking his head as if to dismiss the thought, he remembered for a moment that he would soon have his own warlord of a bride, and that was truly enticing.
WC: 1,028 TWC: 3,499 @amatricina
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 13:50:44 GMT -5
Amatricina's smile widened as the Emperor dismissed his retainers. Good, she thought to herself, she wanted him alone. Conversations were so much more intimate that way, though she held no doubts the warship was recording her on both video and audio a hundred ways over. Regardless, the demon considered it an improvement. She shook her head slowly, bells and baubles jingling that hung from her great crown of horns. "Tsk tsk tsk... And here I thought the mighty Emperor Carambolis, ruler of the Kabochan Confederacy, the man who set his sights upon the earth and bested a demon warlord like it was nothing had all the answers in the world." Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, petty insults were the smallest of ways she could get back the Kabochan for the thorough beating he'd given her earlier. Though her pride was still sore she had to admit her body had recovered masterfully thanks to the healing baths. As she listened along to the Emperor's musings she couldn't help but find herself in agreement with the man. "Carambolis, let's be honest with ourselves, this ship could take the earth by itself. Hell, three of your strongest warriors could take the earth without breaking much of a sweat. But I am in agreement, the Dragonballs are too precious a resource to squander on one planet, and far too precious to reveal to the universe at large. Both mortal and demonic..." She paused, thinking on what the Demon Realm would do if they caught word of such artifacts freely existing to be taken. She did not want to risk every clan and rogue faction trying to claw their way through the barrier between realms towards this watery rock. "So we expose Ches for the liar and the fraud he is, but we avoid all mention of the Dragonballs in doing so. Once he is removed from power you instill a puppet of your choosing, a good little mortal who will follow orders and capture the hearts of his people." The demoness lifted a hand to her delicate chin, musing over the situation more as she resumed sashaying around the Emperor's throne. "Personally, I would appoint a strong warrior to be ruler of the earth, likely a top general in their military. Or do they chose those based on rhetoric too? Someone who will project strength, power, authority to the people so he does not need to rule through duplicity." Amatricina furrowed her brow, "Though I admit I am wholly ignorant of earthling politics, so I would be the last being to ask for a viable replacement. So long as they remain your willing, or unwilling patsy, I suppose that will do."The demon's attention was piqued when Carambolis spoke of a foe that would despoil even her goals. "Oh?" She replied curiously. "Show me then." The demon turned to watch the display on the monitor before them. "Frieza..." She whispered under her breath, seeing the blue xeno as it he cut through swaths of foes. Even in the Demon Realm the so-called Emperor of the Universe's power had been well known. She had been young then, barely an adolescent of her race. Upon closer inspection this being was no Frieza, his skin tone and coloration was all wrong. But he appeared no less formidable based on the footage she watched. Amatricina assumed he was some distant kin of the Galactic Emperor. "Emperor Polaris..." She said, repeating Carambolis as the words rolled off her tongue. She was growing to dislike the taste of that word, 'Emperor'. There were far too many of those running around these days it seemed, and each had well deserved the title. Amatricina's eyes went wide as the Emperor rattled off his rival's power level so casually. "Six... Million?" She said in surprise, the color practically draining from her face. "And you are sure this is not an error on your readings? That much power..." And he could conquer the Demon Realm single handedly was what she wanted to say, but held her tongue. For once she was thankfully the seal on her realm was just as good at keeping mortals out as it was keeping demons in. The demoness folded her arms across her chest, staring in discontent at the being on the display. "Emperor Polaris..." Amatricina muttered again. "I admire his methods, though I admire his power more. Perhaps I chose the wrong Emperor to ally myself with? Hmm?" Her tone was deadpan, and she turned her head slightly to side eye the Kabochan. "That was a joke, if you weren't aware. I respect strength, but even that respect has its limits. I hold no desire to follow an ally who is just as likely to put a sword in my back on the battlefield. In my realm, though who are so callous with their allies quickly find them turning to new foes." That fact was true for most clans anyways. While there were surely dogs out there fit to grovel at their master's feet, many would quickly go their own way if their warriors feared their so called allies just as much as the enemy in the heat of combat. The demoness listened to the Emperor's offer, and smiled. "Tempting." She said simply, thinking of the situation at hand. "But uniting a galaxy is a tall order, and I have a realm of my own to worry about." Again she leaned in close, placing a hand under the Emperor's chin. "I will deliver you the earth, one way or another, because I detest the cretin that is King Ches. After he has been dealt with properly, and this blue marble has come into your fold, we discuss the matter of these Dragonballs. In the meantime, consider me under your employ. In exchange I merely request full access to your fleet's facilities, technologies..." The demon leaned in closer, planting a brief kiss on the Kabochan's right cheek. "And a better chance to study these damnable symbols that appear on your skin." The demoness withdrew, a wicked, sinful look on her porcelain face. "My father was rarely wrong, one does not live over six thousand years by being incorrect. I will be the honey to this fly." The demoness snapped her fingers, a flash of fire and magic sheathing her form for a moment. When it faded she had returned to her mortal guise, and the voluptuous human woman stood before Carambolis. "And we will pick this insect apart from within."
Word Count: 1,092 Total Word Count: 8,340 Cam |
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Post by Cam on Oct 30, 2018 17:20:13 GMT -5
Cam did give a bemused smirk at Amatricina's joke, "You're not stuck here by any means. You care to try your luck with the Galactic Empire I wager that's like jumping on a sinking ship these days. Keep in mind they just lost one world to the Dominion and I haven't even entered the fight yet. I intend to let the Dominion and Empire exhaust one another until I come into the picture, myself and my forces strengthened and fresh as daisies." Indeed, one thing the Omnipotence hadn't seen was full scale war yet--at least not in the hands of its current owner, "Oh, I have something Polaris doesn't," Cam explained, "His son, soon his wife and daughter as well," he said this succinctly, "His boy Absolut is quite a prodigy, I'll admit. If he has even half his father's strength he'll but a great many cretins in the ground for me. I know he'll fight for his mother and sister, after all, who wouldn't fight for their family?" he remarked quietly to Amatricina, the way in which Cam uttered this information likely meant it wasn't known to the public let alone most of his own forces that he had essentially kidnapped the child.
At her offer of being under his employ in exchange for resources, he nodded, waving a hand, "Done. Though what knowledge you learn of this ship I would like shared. Our history is fragmented at best. If there's knowledge to be gained about the might of Kabocha before the tree of might and demons sapped our world dry, then I would have it." He paused, smiling then, "If nothing else, perhaps I can gift you a governorship when this is all over. You can have a world of your own, to do with as you please," he knew most warriors at the promise of a world of their own would be more than willing to do just about anything required of them--it was a rare offer Cam made, only extended to one other person among his forces, though that warrior still had to prove himself before he received his prize, "Believe it or not, there's a world under my rule that was already home to a demon overlord once before. She was since defeated, sent back the demon realm in a battle, from what I know of it. Might feel like a little slice of home on our realm for you," he explained, he imagined the prospect of something familiar might further entice the Demoness to offer her services a little longer.
That, and he didn't mind the intelligent conversation, despite having the ability to look nonchalant with ease, he was pleased that Amatricina was willing to help him take Earth. If that's where their relationship ended, so be it, he would still have plenty of new planets and production facilities thanks to her, but if she kept on working, well, it was likely then that the East quadrant would fall first. Already his Armada was spreading out there, fleets arriving above worlds to greet them with liberation or destruction as needed, he need only give his word. Absolut was and Meiku were taking Ikonda and soon Konats after that, and the Dominion kept the attention of the Galactic empire, allowing him to grab whichever planet struck his fancy, right now he objectively viewed himself in the best spot he could be in tactically and his armies and fleets were only growing. Soon he would hold in his clutches all the liquidated resources the Frieza force once held, all, save the forces of one frost demon. Lord Snow. The galaxy had by now, largely forgotten about the warlords and generals of the Frieza force, Cam had not. Before this was all over, he would choke the life out of the warlord with his own two hands. Amatricina could likely sense the fury that rose up in Carambolis like a flame that had been doused with diesel, but just as quickly as those flames grew, they died down.
He watched Amatricina shift her guise into that of a human once more. She certainly knew how to make herself look appealing, had she approached the Emperor only a few months prior she might have had an easier time manipulating him, for Cam wasn't immune to the pleasures of the flesh. In fact, it seemed most Kabochan royalty wasn't. A thought struck him; an idea beginning to form. Just what had become of the old kabochan bloodline, those who had ruled before him? They had a prince who had seemingly just... Disappeared. Perhaps it was time to find some of those old royals, to rally them and gain their knowledge of demons and the old legends of his people. Being a nomad who came from nothing on his world, the most formal education Cam had ever received was when the Frieza force snatched him up as a child, turning him into a soldier. He excelled with stratagems and tactics, becoming one of the best technical fighters the Frieza force had to offer, that is, until he defected, taking his squad with him to live a life of freedom, opposing the current rule of all and installing his own, though things hadn't panned out that way. He fought Legendary super Saiyans from other dimensions, men wrapped head to toe in bandages, demonic namekians, snake princesses. Immediately he brought about his planetary map again, beginning to study it meticulously, he would lean to one side as if looking past what was in front of him, or as if he were seeing through it, staring out of the viewport of his ship. His eyes had shifted from golden to a bright lavender color.
He could see things--all Kabochans could if they tried, that most of the galaxy couldn't. Their unique development, tinged with demon energies, power from their proximity to the tree of might, countless centuries of war, it had allowed them to develop a sight beyond, see the energies in bodies, the electricity in wires, colors no one but Kabochans had names for, it was largely, a secret kept from other races. In this case though, as he stared out into the blackness of space, he was able to hone in with his focus and psychic powers, on inhabited planets, as though he were eyeing a bird through binoculars. He was searching for something or someone now, "If you need anything else you need only ask. Information or otherwise. Perhaps you should explore our galaxy sometime, you may find more things out there that'll impress you than you would care to say, once we're done with the Earth."
WC: 1,107 TWC: 4,606 @amatricina
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 18:45:53 GMT -5
Amatricina gave a haughty laugh, placing a hand on her chest. "You truly are two steps ahead of your enemies aren't you Carambolis? Well, if the 'strongest being in the galaxy' is brought low by his family hostage, then I suppose you have nothing to worry about. If you need one of these so called ice demons thawed out, just give me a call. My mother always said I tortured like my father does, no finesse, all malice. Maybe I just need more practice." The demoness knew well enough the names the mortals called this enigmatic race, they were no demons, but they were the closest thing a mortal could get. All power and viciousness, ruthless and cruelty melded in an elegant form. She quite envied their tails, long and sufficient to use as constricting or bludgeoning weapons. Part of her wanted to slice one of the frost demons open and see how they ticked. Her eyes glittering like gems of fire, as the demoness ran sliced her gilded talons against each other in a shower of sparks. "There is no being in this universe except from fear, mortal or divine." Her tone was hellish and sinister, words like rancorous venom that dripped from her lips. The demoness shifted back to her pleasant, albeit haughty demeanor when the Emperor agreed to her terms. Her smile grew wider, flashing her gleaming fangs as she extended a gauntlet to shake the man's hand on their terms. "Acceptable. I am as curious of this ship as you are. If its construction is in any way demonic, I'll be the first to know. From what little I've seen, it would certainly seem that demonic influence is present, though most of it has been modified greatly over the ages. The designs of the primary reactors and the warp engines will tell me for certain though, the clans share a common theme of design that dates back to the Dark Empire. Carambolis, have you considered the prospect of a techno-organic race building the Omnipotence, like a floating hive. Or even a true hive-minded race, that would explain the vessel's predisposition for psychics... Hmm... Possibly both." The demon gestured with her hand, momentarily lost in her musings on the vessel. If the bridge was not a retrofitted design, the engineering face had at least standard humanoid physiques. But, she could study it later at her leisure. Now was for more important matters of their bargain to discuss. "That is another thing. I am curious to learn more of this 'Tree of Might.' I assume it is an apt name, and I have seen its medicinal properties firsthand twice. But we can save that chat for another day. As for demons, I am immeasurably curious to learn everything I can about the clan that plagued your worlds. So many questions, my clan rarely deals in mortals. My father had a cult here or there, but he craved battle like the living crave nourishment. He had little time for machinations with mortal races." The demon's ears twitched at the word gift, her avarice getting the best of her. She snapped back to attention from her ramblings, eyes locked on the Emperor's as he spoke. The offer of a world was tempting, but she knew nothing of this planet beyond the promise it could be hers. Moreover, she had no desire to be a petty vassal to a mortal ruler, regardless of the fact he exceeded her power. "A world of my own you say?" Her lust for conquest was near insatiable, but just this once, even Amatricina knew her eyes were bigger than her stomach. "As generous as the offer is, and as much as I detest refusing gifts, I must decline. I have my own clan to tend to, my brother is no doubt beginning to worry himself sick. I have neither the time, nor the resources to govern two worlds split between two realms, much as I'd like." Amatricina leaned in again and pecked the Emperor with a light kiss, the touch of her lips hot against his skin. It annoyed her slightly how little he responded to her flirtaceous displays of affections. Most mortal men would be putty in her hands after she showed them even the faintest bit of interest. Carambolis' fortitude was greater than most, or perhaps his master of psychic techniques had given his mind greater clarity and resolve. Or perhaps the female commander was more his type. What was her name? Coco? No that was the earthling drink, no matter. He and the demoness were on the same side regardless, attempts to seduce him were more out of habit and for sport than serious attempts at guile. "But it is a very tempting offer. You wouldn't want my clan on one of your worlds anyways, I assure you. We have this nasty little habit of mining deep into the planet's crust in search of resources, upsetting its tectonic plates, and triggering catastrophic volcanic activity across its surface. Naturally that wipes out most of the native ecosystem, and we replace the frail ecology that cannot survive our molten world with the hardy flora and fauna we have cultivated. It reminds us of our home world, our beloved burning ball of rock and cinder." She paused for a moment, tapping a talon to her chin as she thought out loud. "Hmm... though if there are any demons yet living upon this world. I would gladly take them off your hands for you, and press gang them into my clan's services. Our slave and soldier castes are always eager for fresh bodies. You could sell it to your people as an act of goodwill and compassion, ridding your world of 'foul demonic influence.'" The demoness smiled, letting out an airy giggle at her own joke. She might turn down a world, but she'd never turn down the chance for new soldiers and laborers to serve beneath her. When Carambolis focused his attentions on something besides the curvaceous woman in front of him, Amatricina quickly dropped her human guise and returned to her true form. Her vanity did like allow her to like losing her captive audience, and she scoffed when he mentioned her seeing the rest of the galaxy. "Despite how much fun the mortal realm has been, My Emperor, I am here for purpose, not for pleasure. I will not run off 'sight seeing' while there is so much for me to be done in my own realm. We both look to better both our personal standings, and our peoples. My peoples just happen to be on the other side of the universe, the back face of a dark mirror if you will. Though I will tell you, I am always on the hunt for any artifacts of power I can wrap my claws around. Though I expect you to say the same." Her thoughts drifted to the vaulted archives within her ancestral fortress. With lied the trophies, relics, and spoils of a thousand wars waged across a million lifetimes. She was ever eager to grow her collection, and coveted treasures like a a fish covets water. "There was an ancient Demon King, his name is lost to our records. It is said he forged a blade of terrible might from the heart of a black star choking to death on Dark Energy. This blade could cleave through dimensions as easily as it cleaved through flesh and bone. If such a weapon still exists, I greatly desire it." The demoness turned slowly to depart as the Emperor's gaze was clearly focused on things that were not her figure. "If you know anything of such a blade, keep me in the know. Otherwise all that I ask for the moment is another chance to spar when the time comes. You are the greatest enigma I've met yet Carambolis. The desire to learn what truly transformed within you gnaws at me like a hunger I cannot slate. But for now, the thirst for knowledge takes me elsewhere. I'll be in your reactor room, or reactor core. Depends if the latter burns too hot for me, few things do. Oh, and in case you need me... I've been taking to retiring to a modest island in the middle of the southernly oceans. It has quite the volcano, you can find me meditating there or sleeping beneath its molten depths." The demoness stayed long enough to listen to Carambolis' final remarks, then slowly sashayed her way out of the ship's bridge. This mortal realm was certainly getting more interesting. She had a reactor to study, then a king to usurp. The ambitious flame within Amatricina burning as brightly as ever.
Word Count: 1,462 Total Word Count: 9,802 Cam |
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Post by Cam on Oct 31, 2018 13:45:43 GMT -5
Stimulus was something every Kabochan had to learn to cope with--they were one of the races of the universe that got the most of it, seeing every imaginable color, infrared and microwave light, as well, you quickly became dulled to it or went mad and their were more than a few stories of Kabochans who couldn't handle the gift their race had been given, "Sorry, distractions..." He murmured. He had been catching Coca doing the same thing, spacing off, staring into infinity. He had never asked her about it, what she was seeing when she gazed, how far the sight took you varied from person to person, for Cam, he always was seeing what was or had been, his eyes catching fractiles of light still travelling through space despite that their origins having long since faded away. Amatricina's kiss to his cheek apparently did have some power to jog him from his trances, physical touch, let alone physical affections, were rare for the Emperor, most of the physicality he had experienced had been through brawls all his life, short trysts with fellow soldiers, and a long bender spent in space Vegas. He was a guarded man, that much was certain, anything else lead to pain. Thogh in all reality, had the Emperor reciprocated, Amatricina would have been biting off more than she could chew. "You might take this as an insult, but you're kind for a demon, you know that?" perhaps that was the image she was trying to portray. he might mistake his compliment for trust but that would be foolish, at her mention of the Tree of might, he went on, "Legends say they're meant to feed eternal dragons, the creatures summoned by the dragonballs. Whether that's true or not, I do not know. All I know is when we mortals eat them, great power is attained. I imagine if I could get my hands on a true fruit, my power would grow exponentially."
At the mention of slavery his features wrinkled with distaste, "If you go to planet Styx and encounter demons, they're yours as far as I am concerned. They may help you in your own ambitions, just keep your hands off any normal people." As much as he detested the thought of anyone being enslaved, demons corrupted, demons slaughtered, demons ravaged worlds, and if Amatricina could easily get rid of some for him, without killing them? He supposed that would have been a better outcome, were he to land on that planet and see a demon he likely would have simply vaporized it outright. "As for your question about demonic swords..." He mused a moment, "You say this amulet is a demonic warlord's, I know of stories among the royal family of a weapon that all kings of the Pukinpa dynasty had held. A blade rumored to eat souls, or rend them in twain. All that sort of superstition. You'd have to find a surviving member of the royal family for more information. The Queen of Kabocha died of sickness when I was a boy, King Limon was assassinated before my rebellion, Prince Ras's location is at this time unknown." He sighed softly, "Us Kabochans are good at blending in, we look like Saiyans and Humans, able to masquerade as such with ease. I imagine he's hiding somewhere among those races. I've thought about looking for him myself." He concluded, "Not for the blade per say, I think it would do my people good to know for sure that I didn't assassinate the royal family. Not my style." the Kabochan concluded. Given that the Kabochan race likely only had about a billion of them in number, it was rare for Kabochans to kill one another or turn on one another, even if ideologies differed, his race held a sacred unity through their identity, one that was rare to see broken or deviated from.
"You're free to look at the core just don't break anything. I don't think I have to tell you that though," indeed the consequences for sabotage would have been quite dire, "I'll come check in with you in a few days, perhaps we can have a second bout of sparring and you can tell me what you've learned of the human king and of this ship," He remarked, "Maybe even what you've learned of my powers, hrm? Who knows? Maybe with what knowledge is gained, you can make them your own," he paused in his speech to imagine the demonic woman covered in tattoos, the mental image was devious and satisfying to the Kabochan, he always had an appreciation for art after all. Shifting to look forward in his seat, he would call for a retinue of guards. Amatricina would be allowed to roam the ship as she pleased, though she could likely tell she was being monitored. Several times over that Canean lizard man would pass by, or be on the edges of a conversation nearby, eyes watching Amatricina warily. He didn't seem to bear any contempt towards the demon woman, though he certainly looked cold--he was a lizard man after all. A regular soldier in Cam's army who happened to be powerful beyond the norm and thus, he was the head of the Emperor's strike team. The insignia on his armor listing his rank as a master Sergeant Scald. Slung over one shoulder was an anti-material rifle and on his head he had a scouter he checked frequently, no doubt relaying what he observed quietly, though no one would intervene against the demoness unless she directly tried to cause harm to the ship or did anything glaringly suspicious. When she was done, Scald would approach, "The Emperor says you're welcome to take an attack pod down to Earth if need be, he also said if you need a scouter or any armor you may stop by the armory before doing so." With that final message delivered, Scald would leave, likely to prepare for some oncoming mission. Indeed, it seemed the whole ship was alight with activity, in the time they had been on the ship, Cam's entire fleet had taken up position in high orbit over the Earth.
WC: 1029 TWC: 5,635 @amatricina
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