Chapter Two

[Quantum Rain]

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As the forum auto-splits topics every 50 pages, the next topics will be named further chapters accordingly. This is chapter two, guys, KEEP IT UP!

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---

Reeds just kept on whistling as guards and crew cleared out of his path. Eventually, he stopped at a door, the label addressing it as 'Science Lab 2A.' He smiled as he opened the door and Lae saw that the science lab was not small by any means. It was massive, in fact, taking up at least five rooms and two floors entirely on its own. It also seemed to host a massive range of equipment, some of which were entirely foreign to him. With all of the technology, equipment, and stores here, one could only wonder what Reeds' intention was with this lab.

He rolled the cart up next to two others and then proceeded to rummage around for a datapad. "Sit down, my fine lab rat." He said friendly still as he finally found his desired object, turning it own and turning toward Lae, a mischievous grin on his face.

[Quantum Rain]

Reeds emerged from a separate room, unsurprised by the fact that Lae had disappeared. Instead, he just acknowledged that he was gone, and just took a sip of his warm herbal tea. "I wonder how long it will take for one of them to make up their damn mind. Hmm, maybe I should calculate that... using my new anti-matter powered super-computer perhaps? Oh wait, no that tended to explode... Hmm..." He sat down on the empty chair, taking note of the several soldiers still lying in their medical beds, undergoing treatment. These were the most severe of cases. "I suppose it doesn't matter... yet."

---

Lara heard the squabbling between Lae and... himself... from a fair distance away and honed in on the argument. "I hope he's feeling better than an hour ago." She said to herself, the recent argument with Rain still fresh in her mind.

[Wynn]

Reeds emerged from a separate room, unsurprised by the fact that Lae had disappeared. Instead, he just acknowledged that he was gone, and just took a sip of his warm herbal tea. "I wonder how long it will take for one of them to make up their damn mind. Hmm, maybe I should calculate that... using my new anti-matter powered super-computer perhaps? Oh wait, no that tended to explode... Hmm..." He sat down on the empty chair, taking note of the several soldiers still lying in their medical beds, undergoing treatment. These were the most severe of cases. "I suppose it doesn't matter... yet."

---

Lara heard the squabbling between Lae and... himself... from a fair distance away and honed in on the argument. "I hope he's feeling better than an hour ago." She said to herself, the recent argument with Rain still fresh in her mind.

Lae ended up stopping in the middle of the hall and blankly staring off into the distance. To anyone else, it would seem as if he had completely lost his ability to comprehend anything, however, Lara would hear the voices in Lae's mind turn into a boiling argument in a very short period of time. Both of them talking over the other, and neither voice being coherent because of this.

[Quantum Rain]

Lara continued honing in on the argument, listening carefully and taking note of what's said. As soon as she was within earshot, however, she decided to attempt breaking up the argument. "Hey Lae, you're up so soon?" She asked, acting genuine, and, for the most part, succeeding with her charade of ignorance.

[Wynn]

Lara continued honing in on the argument, listening carefully and taking note of what's said. As soon as she was within earshot, however, she decided to attempt breaking up the argument. "Hey Lae, you're up so soon?" She asked, acting genuine, and, for the most part, succeeding with her charade of ignorance.

At first, Lae took no notice of Lara. He was so dead-locked in the argument that he didnt even notice her speaking. Then he actually saw her and moved his eyes toward her, then turned his head as if slowly coming back to consciousness. Some how he had a feeling that she knew what had been going on. "*sigh... How much did you hear?"

[Quantum Rain]

"Hear what? You were just standing there." Lara looks at Lae curiously. "You should probably get something to eat... something more than just orange flavored caffeine." She says, taking Lae's arm and taking him along towards the cafeteria, past the rushing and certainly thousands of troops massing for the eve of an inevitable battle.

[Wynn]

"Hear what? You were just standing there." Lara looks at Lae curiously. "You should probably get something to eat... something more than just orange flavored caffeine." She says, taking Lae's arm and taking him along towards the cafeteria, past the rushing and certainly thousands of troops massing for the eve of an inevitable battle.

Lae would follow her without a word. He did not buy the fact that she wasn't listening in, it was too convenient for her to show up when she did, but he had no proof so he withdrew any argument. He followed her and sat down in the cafeteria silently.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Palaven--

*Fedorian is impressed by Fields' shrewd grasp of politics.* Fedorian: I suppose we are one of the region's greater powers, though the Federation challenged our position when they appeared. Thank the Spirits we're not at war with them...not anymore, at least. *The turian lets out a rueful chuckle.* It's strange, you know--a few years ago, that area was almost empty. Then one day, they just appeared during a pirate raid on one of our colonies. And now here we are...the galaxy is changing fast indeed. *Beat.* But enough of this idle talk. Ambassador, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until tomorrow to officially begin negotiations with the Primarchs--it's getting late. We'll make arrangements to accommodate you and issue you an enviro-suit to protect you from the radiation. *His expression becomes bashful.* I'm sorry...we're very set in our ways. Chellick?

Chellick: Consider it done, sir. *He brings up his omni-tool and sets to work. After a minute or so, he deactivates it.* Done. Ambassador, will you follow me...?

*He leads Fields through the corridors of the Forum to a room, sparsely-furnished but appearing comfortable nonetheless. After showing the IS diplomat around, Chellick then takes his leave.*

*Fields is able to feel the alien mind from before, but much closer now--seemingly just above him.*

--Balmorra--

Callurnia: Immortal...? Sometimes it's better not to ask. I'm flattered your Admiral gave up his quarters for me. *She cracks a mischievous grin.* Is he soft on me or something? Now that would be awkward...but if these "replicators" work like I think they do, then getting some through trade would be very beneficial to the Hierarchy indeed.

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime--

Lara said nothing, just sat there, waiting for Lae to order something out of the replicator or strike up a conversation. To Lae, he could see nothing denoting a troubled mind, or that of a conflicted one as well. To Lara, it was a continuing struggle to deal with Rain and Lae, acting as the buffer between either.

---

--Flashback (Lara)--

"He is reckless and insane! He would rather risk his skin dieing from a demonic plague rather than face the facts that his life is better spent against an enemy out to destroy everything!" Rain yelled back at Lara's opposition to his line of thought. "He refuses to see the real order behind our purpose, and is unable to accept command easily, and he is so damn stubborn about everything. On top of it all, there's two of him, not just one, and the other is even more unstable than the first!"

Lara kept a calm face against this barrage, up until he sat down. Then she walked up to him and slapped him harshly. "You're being an [censored]. He's still a kid, both mentally and physically. He's under a lot of stress, and you want to throw him out because he's just like us? He left the med bay because he thought that resources would be better spent on more badly wounded soldiers rather than him!"

"He is reckless and refuses to see command!" Rain shot back. Lara glared at him in return. "So are you." She replied spitefully. "Just because he refuses to see things your way doesn't mean you kick him out into the street. You just came from there yourself, you know better." "..." Rain shook his head. "... Alright fine, I'll rethink my decision. He better be more stable by the end of this mission, though."

---

--Palaven--

Fields sat down on the bed. It was comfortable, at least, even compared to the IS quarters on his ship. He finally relaxed on his mental barriers, prodding at the entity that was nagging at him. Though he was unable to communicate with words, as a telepath could, he could understand, and transmit, emotions and, in some cases, call up memories to communicate for him. This being was troubled. Definitely troubled. Rather odd, so was the Primarch... and the feelings of those two were similar, only this entity was worried about other things as well.

[Wynn]

--Anima Prime--

Lara said nothing, just sat there, waiting for Lae to order something out of the replicator or strike up a conversation. To Lae, he could see nothing denoting a troubled mind, or that of a conflicted one as well. To Lara, it was a continuing struggle to deal with Rain and Lae, acting as the buffer between either.

---

--Flashback (Lara)--

"He is reckless and insane! He would rather risk his skin dieing from a demonic plague rather than face the facts that his life is better spent against an enemy out to destroy everything!" Rain yelled back at Lara's opposition to his line of thought. "He refuses to see the real order behind our purpose, and is unable to accept command easily, and he is so damn stubborn about everything. On top of it all, there's two of him, not just one, and the other is even more unstable than the first!"

Lara kept a calm face against this barrage, up until he sat down. Then she walked up to him and slapped him harshly. "You're being an [censored]. He's still a kid, both mentally and physically. He's under a lot of stress, and you want to throw him out because he's just like us? He left the med bay because he thought that resources would be better spent on more badly wounded soldiers rather than him!"

"He is reckless and refuses to see command!" Rain shot back. Lara glared at him in return. "So are you." She replied spitefully. "Just because he refuses to see things your way doesn't mean you kick him out into the street. You just came from there yourself, you know better." "..." Rain shook his head. "... Alright fine, I'll rethink my decision. He better be more stable by the end of this mission, though."

---

--Palaven--

Fields sat down on the bed. It was comfortable, at least, even compared to the IS quarters on his ship. He finally relaxed on his mental barriers, prodding at the entity that was nagging at him. Though he was unable to communicate with words, as a telepath could, he could understand, and transmit, emotions and, in some cases, call up memories to communicate for him. This being was troubled. Definitely troubled. Rather odd, so was the Primarch... and the feelings of those two were similar, only this entity was worried about other things as well.

Lae sat silently for a few moments. He did not order any food or drink of any kind, rather he talked in a tone of someone faced with fixing the universe. "Do you ever feel like life demands the very soul it gave you?..." He inquired.

[Roach]

--Palaven--

*Fedorian is impressed by Fields' shrewd grasp of politics.* Fedorian: I suppose we are one of the region's greater powers, though the Federation challenged our position when they appeared. Thank the Spirits we're not at war with them...not anymore, at least. *The turian lets out a rueful chuckle.* It's strange, you know--a few years ago, that area was almost empty. Then one day, they just appeared during a pirate raid on one of our colonies. And now here we are...the galaxy is changing fast indeed. *Beat.* But enough of this idle talk. Ambassador, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until tomorrow to officially begin negotiations with the Primarchs--it's getting late. We'll make arrangements to accommodate you and issue you an enviro-suit to protect you from the radiation. *His expression becomes bashful.* I'm sorry...we're very set in our ways. Chellick?

Chellick: Consider it done, sir. *He brings up his omni-tool and sets to work. After a minute or so, he deactivates it.* Done. Ambassador, will you follow me...?

*He leads Fields through the corridors of the Forum to a room, sparsely-furnished but appearing comfortable nonetheless. After showing the IS diplomat around, Chellick then takes his leave.*

*Fields is able to feel the alien mind from before, but much closer now--seemingly just above him.*

--Balmorra--

Callurnia: Immortal...? Sometimes it's better not to ask. I'm flattered your Admiral gave up his quarters for me. *She cracks a mischievous grin.* Is he soft on me or something? Now that would be awkward...but if these "replicators" work like I think they do, then getting some through trade would be very beneficial to the Hierarchy indeed.

Meredith: Its more likely that the admiral wanted to room with a hunky young marine so he would have an ascetically pleasing view. I suppose you did not spend much time reading him but pay close attention to him some time you will see the most beautiful women walk past him doing their best super model walk but you have a handsome marine walk by him and he will stare while he is passing and then turn to get a look at his booty. Of course he does it subtlety a quick glance as if the face that passed was familiar. Or even in the war room did you not see him looking out the corner of his eye at the engineer that was working on the light panel in the corner? That man is 100% certified homosexual but it makes for good competition you will see him make bets all the time with the girls on who can seduce the new recruits faster. I've served around him for forty years you pick up on things and hell it would not have taken long for you to hear some one gossiping about him in a hall or the turbolift so, I decided to tell you my self.


Meanwhile roach sits alone in the war room sitting with his feet up on the conference table reclining in a chair scrolling through information on his datapad.

[Quantum Rain]

"Yeah, I do. All the time. It gets maddening if you let it." Lara replied calmly, albeit cautiously. She did seem to know more than meets the eyes. "Everyone here feels like that at one point. You're not alone there." Lara ordered up a cup of tea, iced, with a spoonful of sugar added, and took a sip of it when it was called forth.

[Wynn]

"Yeah, I do. All the time. It gets maddening if you let it." Lara replied calmly, albeit cautiously. She did seem to know more than meets the eyes. "Everyone here feels like that at one point. You're not alone there." Lara ordered up a cup of tea, iced, with a spoonful of sugar added, and took a sip of it when it was called forth.

"I wasn't entirely speaking figuratively..." Lae said in response to her saying he wasn't alone. "This... voice in my head," He would point to his head as he started his next statement. "I'm really beginning to wonder if it's trying to swallow me up..."

[Quantum Rain]

"..." Lara smiles at Lae solemnly "I know." Was all she really could say. Sure, it basically said she overheard his arguments with his 'other half', but what could she do to comfort a demented kid like Lae? Or at least, that was what she thought. She took another sip of the tea.

---

Rain stared at Reeds blankly for a second. "... Could you repeat what you just said, slower, so I know that I'm not losing my mind?" Reeds sighed. "He has demonic blood, according to my readings. The plague that hit him was a symptom of the body, his energies never once fell below the line, as is the case of most other soldiers, whose souls burn, Jacen." "... Great... So, we have a demonic, insane bastard child off the street. Perfect news..."

[Wynn]

"..." Lara smiles at Lae solemnly "I know." Was all she really could say. Sure, it basically said she overheard his arguments with his 'other half', but what could she do to comfort a demented kid like Lae? Or at least, that was what she thought. She took another sip of the tea.

---

Rain stared at Reeds blankly for a second. "... Could you repeat what you just said, slower, so I know that I'm not losing my mind?" Reeds sighed. "He has demonic blood, according to my readings. The plague that hit him was a symptom of the body, his energies never once fell below the line, as is the case of most other soldiers, whose souls burn, Jacen." "... Great... So, we have a demonic, insane bastard child off the street. Perfect news..."

Lae looked at her with an angry expression. He didn't say anything, but he misinterpreted her casual response for her not caring in the slightest.

[Quantum Rain]

"I do care, Lae, don't take it that way, please." She said, showing more visible concern that he would take her motives as false or words as half-empty. "It's just that you aren't the only one with so much on their minds."

---

"Well... that at least explains the demons interest in Lae... they want to kill him." Rain analyzed. "Yes, my brothers do love their blood... especially the muddy blood. I hear they like to drink that kind, something about 'tasting like aged wine." Reeds stated casually, thinking to himself. Rain just stared at Reeds cautiously. "... Right, well... I can't let him enter the spire by himself now, and this conversation never reaches his ears."
"Oh, but mental instability is so fun to play with, commander!"
"... How about this: 'no way.' Are we clear now?"
"You're no fun either..."
"... That demon jamming device... I need a second one."
"Already made it." He procured a second, small device that resonated with a sort of energy. "I figured you'd ask because you're jealous of the new kid's toys."
"... I'm going to ignore that statement."

[Wynn]

"I do care, Lae, don't take it that way, please." She said, showing more visible concern that he would take her motives as false or words as half-empty. "It's just that you aren't the only one with so much on their minds."

---

"Well... that at least explains the demons interest in Lae... they want to kill him." Rain analyzed. "Yes, my brothers do love their blood... especially the muddy blood. I hear they like to drink that kind, something about 'tasting like aged wine." Reeds stated casually, thinking to himself. Rain just stared at Reeds cautiously. "... Right, well... I can't let him enter the spire by himself now, and this conversation never reaches his ears."
"Oh, but mental instability is so fun to play with, commander!"
"... How about this: 'no way.' Are we clear now?"
"You're no fun either..."
"... That demon jamming device... I need a second one."
"Already made it." He procured a second, small device that resonated with a sort of energy. "I figured you'd ask because you're jealous of the new kid's toys."
"... I'm going to ignore that statement."

"True, but they don't have an evil [censored] IN their minds..." Lae shot back in a low tone. "I already know it could take me at any moment... make me turn on all of you..." He dropped his gaze to the ground and shook his head.

[Quantum Rain]

"But it hasn't yet. And you know it's there." She takes Lae's hand and smiles more sincerely, trying to encourage Lae. "That's a good sign. That means you're still you, no matter what he does."

---

"He and I will have to infiltrate the spire together, regardless of how much he'll object." Rain stated more to himself than to Reeds. "Oh yes, because we all know how much one brat loves another of the same caliber." Reeds poked at Rain. "... Are you suicidal or just insane?" "Is that a trick question, or short answer?" "... Dammit... Alright, fine, just go. Make sure the troops are ready for the attack." "Alright. I'll make sure to pump demon blood into them too. Make them feel good and all that... maybe add some explosive substances too... hmm."

[Wynn]

"But it hasn't yet. And you know it's there." She takes Lae's hand and smiles more sincerely, trying to encourage Lae. "That's a good sign. That means you're still you, no matter what he does."

---

"He and I will have to infiltrate the spire together, regardless of how much he'll object." Rain stated more to himself than to Reeds. "Oh yes, because we all know how much one brat loves another of the same caliber." Reeds poked at Rain. "... Are you suicidal or just insane?" "Is that a trick question, or short answer?" "... Dammit... Alright, fine, just go. Make sure the troops are ready for the attack." "Alright. I'll make sure to pump demon blood into them too. Make them feel good and all that... maybe add some explosive substances too... hmm."

Lae looked up at her then looked back down. "What if..." He started. "What if I'M the fake... and HE'S the true me?" He seemed absolutely terrified of the thought. "I mean that voice obviously knows more than I do about myself... and I only remember what happened after the cryo tank... not before..."

[Quantum Rain]

"Does one know if they'll live and what will happen when they march into the unknown of a battle, Lae?" Lara asked rather bluntly, but somewhat poetically too. "I believe in the person sitting before me now, not some demon in your head. You have to trust yourself for once."

[Wynn]

"Does one know if they'll live and what will happen when they march into the unknown of a battle, Lae?" Lara asked rather bluntly, but somewhat poetically too. "I believe in the person sitting before me now, not some demon in your head. You have to trust yourself for once."

Lae just kept silent this time. He just sat there staring into nothingness, as if it was taking time for those words to soak in. He finally spoke up after a couple minutes. "I want him out... I know you can do things with the mind... cook the bastard..."

Xaldius: EXCUSE ME?! YOU'RE PLAYING WITH FIRE, MOTHER [censored]!
Lae: I'll let you know when I start to care...

[Quantum Rain]

Lara's smile seemed to disappear at Lae's request. "... It's... different than that, Lae. If I tried, I would probably kill you too... I don't want that. Please don't ask that of me." Lara lowered her head, staring at the floor, with a painful expression. She seemed to be troubled by a memory of something similar.

---

"Feeling comfortable, Admiral Roach?" An unfamiliar voice calls from the other side of the room. As well, that side of the room seemed unusually dark. If Roach searched with his mind or any of his powers, he would find a darkness overcasting it and blocking him. Not oppressive, not dangerous, just dark.

[Roach]

Roach: "Quite comfortable intruder. *Roach kept reading making no other action other than resting his hand on the hilt of his lightsaber* Who are you other than a dark presence i cannot read?"

[Wynn]

Lara's smile seemed to disappear at Lae's request. "... It's... different than that, Lae. If I tried, I would probably kill you too... I don't want that. Please don't ask that of me." Lara lowered her head, staring at the floor, with a painful expression. She seemed to be troubled by a memory of something similar.

---

"Feeling comfortable, Admiral Roach?" An unfamiliar voice calls from the other side of the room. As well, that side of the room seemed unusually dark. If Roach searched with his mind or any of his powers, he would find a darkness overcasting it and blocking him. Not oppressive, not dangerous, just dark.

Lae remained silent. He saw her expression, and just decided it would be best to leave well-enough alone.

Xaldius: Make threats again, and I will burn both of you termites to ashes!
Lae: Bite me.

[Quantum Rain]

"An all knowing one, too. That lightsaber won't help, either, given that I have no head to cut off." The being replied, being blunt at the end. "I'm rather surprised you haven't felt me before. I was there, at that summit. Rather unexpected turn there, what, with the lack of the unification of all of those factions and everything..."

---

Lara remained silent for several minutes. "... I can try something else, though." She said, looking back up at Lae, still concerned and sorrowful at the same time. "It may be possible to block him, at least from taking over so easily."

[Roach]

Roach stood up.* "Do you know something? Roach said standing up his hand no longer resting on his saber hilt* And i did sense a presence but i just filed it away in my mind as an odd occurrence i see i was wrong. I apologize for my defensive reaction but i have been around long enough to know that a voice coming from the shadows is usually sign number one of a fight usually with a powerful sith.

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