Original A.R.K.N.E.T. | Rogues

RE: Original A.R.K.N.E.T. | A Galaxy Enslaved

”Whatever.” Aurella said as the pair corrected her. ”You'd die all the same if I wasn't being told to show you into Mr. Drakes offices, he wants to speak with you – let you live... apparently.” The elevator continued to hum softly as it ascended the shaft towards the top of the building. Slowly, Aurella looked about the room and wrinkled her nose, sensing something odd, due to her puppet flipping from not thinking at all – to giving outward thoughts about trying to not think. Come to think of it, she had a headache.

Aurella was confused, in more ways than one. Her eyebrows furled as she tried to figure out why her head suddenly hurt, and it was becoming troublesome. Eventually she got a break as she managed to remember her quick encounter in the bar. ”You remind me of a librarian who recently died... only you're much more masculine than she was, and might I say you smell – unique...”

Aurella set her gaze on the Thenast. ”I take it back, you smell disgusting.” she said as she folded her ears back, and tapped her foot impatiently, staring at the the elevator screen with a look of thankfulness as it hit 100, and gave a short 'ding' followed by another hiss of steam. ”Finally.” she said as she quickly fixed her hair, and looked down at her dress, making sure she looked acceptable.

Th elevator opened, revealing a small room with a large metal desk in the middle. The desk was littered with small papers and a few empty glasses. Sitting on the other side of the desk, opposite the elevator was a tall, firmly built Felidi, panther-esque, with golden eyes wearing a black suit, as he sipped from a large wine glass. ”Slightly late, but still expected.” He said in a smooth, deep tone, seeming to rumble out of his throat despite talking somewhat quietly. ”Aurella, I can always count on you to catch the fish can't I?”

Aurella smiled almost forcefully as she turned to the Felidi ”Yes Mr. Drake, this is the pair that followed me, and tried to sabotage--” Aurella instantly silenced herself as Drake held up a finger while sipping from his wine. ”Mmm-- Yes, yes – 'trying to ruin me, something, something execution' right? I've heard all that before my dear – you can just have a seat while I converse.” He snapped his fingers and four chairs materialized from no-where and positioned themselves perfectly on the other side of his desk. He looked to the pair with an honest expression. ”You as well please, were going to have a nice long talk...” he said as he shuffled some papers in his paws and put on  pair of glasses.

*****​

The sound of Andrew's shotgun followed by the dying squeal of the tabby put a smile on the white Felidi's face. ”Thanks boney!” Not long after, the quick succession of attacks from Wit, Camo and Jack easily overpowered the unfortunate quarterstaff wielding tabby, his corpse falling limply to the ground.

Meanwhile, Jackson suffered a few more kicks from the tabby as he struggled to stand. The tabby drew a knife, and lifted it above its shoulders. ”Now you die, tiger!” He swung the knife down, aiming for Jackson's side. But before the tabby could peirce Jackson's lung, he stopped in place, dropping the knife absently before letting out a yowl of pain as he convulsed violently. ”How about I taze your ass? That work?” Jackson said as his claws dug into the tabby's skin, and sparked with electricity, stopping the tabby's heart easily.

Jackson removed his claw from the smoking tabby as he stood, getting out his gun as he watched the group of four land on treetops a ways away. The drew long poled from their backs and put them up to their lips, sending almost invisible darts, no doubt poisoned, at the group. ”Shit, get to cover – except you Jack-skeleton... right?” Jackson said as he watched Camo position herself behind a tree, and Andrew hide behind a large bush, reloading his shotgun.

 

RE: Original A.R.K.N.E.T. | A Galaxy Enslaved

Aurella's ears folded back as she was forced to hear the pair embarrass her in front of her employer. She turned her head and gave both an angry glare before turning back to Drake, and began stroking her puppet's hair in an attempt to relieve herself. At the same time, Drake cleared his throat after taking another sip of wine. ”Now, now – Aurella has some wonderful assets, and she managed to lead you two here – However I won't hesitate to say that assuming a pair or sneaks could  sabotage ARKNET, let alone the door displays a lack in intellect nonetheless.”

Drake then took a look at the pair, his eyes scanning them up and down as his brow was furled into a thoughtful position before he spoke. ”Now, before we begin, I'm just going to read off some general information – and please, don't hesitate to ask if you're in need of a beverage – I have plenty.” He lifted the paper in front of his eyes as he began to read. ”You.” He said, pointing to Kelyren ”You are Kelyren Nenellra; Female – obviously, Age 19, weigh roughly 150, and have a knack for opening things – useful.” His finger moved to Lacuna. ”You are Larsa Kuron; Male, 36 years of age, and weigh around 100 pounds. But as far as I can tell--”
”Scent sir, his obnoxious scent effects people psychologically.” Aurella said interrupting.
”Why thank you Aurella, I'll be sure to write that down as the most useful interruption yet.”He said in annoyance and sarcasm, ”Unless he was deficient, I would've assumed he could have answered himself – but I'll let it go for now.” He took off his glasses and set the paper down, finishing off his glass of wine.

Aurella continued to stroke John's hair, ears seeming to be stuck to the back of her head in distaste of the current situation. Drake however leaned down and grabbed a trio of envelopes he had stored in his desk, before pressing a button. After a second or so, neon lights flowed through the desk's surface. They were so bright in fact, that nothing atop the desk could be seen. After the lights faded, the desk was clean and clear, and under control. Drake placed the envelopes on the desk, each one sealed, numbered 1 through 3. ”You are both intriguing, and I'd like to see you develop your talents – these are contracts, not major, not formal – they don't pay much either, but they'll keep you busy.”

He spun the contracts so that they would face the pair, and looked to Aurella. ”Aurelle, fetch me Kharri.” Without another word Aurella stood and walked to the back of the room – the back wall opening into a larger room that had red-carpeting and smelled of potpourri. ”I want you each to pick a contract, then, I would like you to pick one of my wonderful ladies – when they come back, and I'll send you on your way. If you succeed, you'll be my new Rogues.” He leaned back in his chair, and awaited the return of this 'Kharri.'

A few minutes passed, eventually the wall re-opened and Aurella returned with another woman. She too was a Lycan – or was she? Her basic structure matched that of a Lycan, but her arms and muzzle were covered in scales that matched her fur tone. Her green eyes had slitted pupils, and curled horns adorned her head. Much like Aurella, she had long hair, reaching the middle of her back, but she wore no clothing – she didn't need to, her body was blank. The coating of scales hid any semblance of nudity. ”Drake.” she said quickly, giving an affirmative nod in the Felidi's direction.

As Aurella sat down, Kharri took a moment to examine the pair – he eyes taking a moment to lock onto Kelyren's, then Lacuna, before she sat in another stool that appeared on the side of the desk. ”As you can see,” Drake started, ”These are the exceptional women that will be watching you – making sure you don't run off and do something... off-task.” He cleared his throat briefly, and his face got a lot more stern. ”Now, lastly... I little bar-fly told me that you'd been in the company of a certain – Jack Evans. If you see him along your travels – kill him – please.”
”What about Sly?” Kharri chimed in, her voice was naturally rough sounding, but not enough to hurt the ears. ”I thought Jack was looking for her.”
”Mmm, yes.” Drake looked to the pair. ”A blue-furred bitch, kill her too – she has... unwanted intentions.”

Drake once more gestured to the envelopes, more so to remind himself, as he had gotten slightly off-task. ”This is your task, first, pick an envelope, then, a lady to accompany you – After you exit this building, open the envelope, the instructions will be inside. - So what will it be, One, Two, Three? Aurella, or Kharri?” Drake smiled as he finished the rhyme, eager to see what the pair would do.

*****​

Meanwhile, Jackson had no trouble catching the fallen tabby on his claws, and sent electricity once more, though his claws, stopping the cat's heart. He threw the limp body aside, as he watched another fall out of a tree after being hit multiple times by it's own darts. Jackson looked to where they had been shot, and gazed upon Wit in a respectful manner. ”That was cool, do that more often.”

Andrew hid himself behind a big log as a dart could bee seen heading for him, and sticking itself in the stump, only inches from his head. Noticing this, Andrew spun around, leaving his cover out of sheer annoyance and shot off his gun into the distance, blowing a tree in half, the tabby on top falling to its demise.

”Not too shabby.” Camo commented as she pulled out her own guns. ”Let me show you how its done though.” She said before spinning her leg around, gaining momentum as she flung herself into the air in a corkscrew, firing of her guns as bullets were lodged into the final tabby's chest, causing him to collapse from the treetop. ”Kay, not to ruin the moment... Camo said as she regained her balance on the ground. ”But why isn't this a challenge? We're basically doing some awesome shit – and these guys are dying on-cue... what the fuck...”

Jackson and Andrew shrugged in unison, as a voice boomed from the distance on a loudspeaker.
”Jack EVANS!! I know.. you.. you come for... me. But you are too late! I have dr..drunken myself onto unsober behavior... I am drunk, therefor, in good honor of combat... you must... you must come back at a more convenient time – so go away... *HIC*” The voice could only be coming from one man – Saki. However, in his seemingly drunken state, it was no wonder his goons had had little to no coordination in their attacks. ”And as a final note – I say, FUCK TO YOU Jack, you are dead, how dare you have the audacity to haunt me and kill my beer-runners-- I mean failures—I mean assistants!!”

 

RE: Original A.R.K.N.E.T. | A Galaxy Enslaved

Drake smiled contentedly as he slid the number two contract back behind the desk, and sat up. ”You're all expendable – easily replaceable.” he said in answer to Lacuna's question. At the same time, Kharri had already made her way around to Kelyren, and Aurella had a pleasant smile that did nothing to veil the unfavorable look in her eye. ”Is it time Drake?” She said eagerly, as she moved herself to the edge of her seat. ”Yes.” Drake said simply as he pressed a button on the underneath of the desk, sounding a beep somewhere in the back of the room. ”Serial Burns and implants time kiddies.​

With that, two machines materialized in much the same fashion as the stools, and hovered to either side of the desk. Each machine was slightly different, the one on the right had a large flat surface underneath some form of lens. The leftmost machine was equipped with numerous amounts of varied scalpels and needles, each looking more unpleasant than the last. ”Now you're faced with another choice – In which I mean where you'd like me to assign the serial burn.” he said as he pressed a few more buttons. ”'Nowhere' is not a correct answer.” ​

Aurella seemed very pleased, and exited as she gazed at the machines, then to her new partner. ”I have a suggestion Mr. Drake. How about the forehead for my partner – maybe something like 'Ell-zero-ess-three-arr?'” She looked to the needle machine. And maybe a testicular implant would be appropriate.​

”I'll leave the decision between you two” Drake said, half ignoring Aurella while he pressed a final sequence of buttons into place. ”Aurella – your slave needs to be registered – Just a burn, not like he's going to be running anywhere now.” ​

”At least not willingly.”Aurella said deviously as she held her puppets arm under the flat machine.​

After a few seconds, the machine lit up, and produced a high-pitched humming sound as smoke could be seen diffusing out from the bright light. The puppet remained emotionless, save for a few facial twitches, as the sound of gritting teeth could be detected from Aurella. After the procedure was done, Aurella removed the puppets arm from the machine, his pale skin now bearing '90EY97' along the forearm, written in a dark black bold font. Aurella let out a sigh as he released her puppet, and clutched the same arm that had been burned for her puppet, and in an attempt to soothe the pain, rubbed it gingerly. ”Next.”​

Kharri looked to Kelyren with a serious expression, and leaned on the desk with an arm. ”Back of the neck hurts least for implants – don't get a burn anywhere you wouldn't want to flash in public.” she said quickly as she tapped a claw on the table impatiently. ”Let's get this over and done with.”​

******​

The trio of felidi's and one lycaness seemed fairly understanding of Jack's plan, and nodded in unison as he finished. Jackson gave an affirmative salute before heading in the direction of the car, and Andrew reluctantly handed his shotgun to Jack. ”You sure you're allowed to use that? I thought you were a ninja – aren't those bound by some oath to not use anything but nature?”​

”That's a Druid fucktard.” Camo said condescendingly as Jackson returned with a small blue pen.​

”Congradulations, a half-dead, 99-cent pen – all for the singular purpose of killing a drunk – yep, we're professionals” The orange felidi said jokingly as he handed Jack the pen. ​

Not moments after did the intercom go off once more. ”Jack – you... are s-stupid! You come to kill me – but all my goons, and soon me... will be dead anyways! You are five...  err... too late!” The sounds of coughing could be heard through the intercom, As a final note... I still hate you – last time... YOU BROKE ALL MY FINE CHINA... or... JAPAN!”​

Once more the trio acted in unison, but this time it was a look of confusion, followed by an arbitrary ”What the hell is happening?!”​

 

RE: Original A.R.K.N.E.T. | A Galaxy Enslaved

As the two subjected themselves to the upcoming procedures Drake's lips curved into a devilish smile as he tapped a claw on his desk with anticipation. He leaned himself back casually as he got himself comfortable in his chair, seeming to embody smugness itself. Reaching a paw under the desk, he input a familiar sequence of beeps, as Lacuna and Kelyren inquired about various aspects of the business at hand, as well as inquiring about the fallen angel Drake so despised, and having a bit of fun with the vixen.

”Oh you'd love to know many things wouldn't you?” he said snidely as he pulled a large, lit cigar from below the desk and pushed it in between his lips. ”You know, you should just be grateful I didn't kill you two – the ease of it is astounding really – but I digress.” With that, the small needle laden machine lifted an arm, and lowered itself into the Thenast's skin, the cold metal like an iron earthworm easing it's way into the vein. ”Deep breaths – possibly one of the most painful experiences you've had in a moment here.” With purposeful suspense Drake's paw moved slowly to the underside of the desk, and sounded a light beep. It would be then that the Thenast would feel a gut wrenching pain that shot throughout his entire arm, making its way up to his neck muscles as the veins in his arms and lower neck bulged to the surface followed by instant soreness, and a remaining numbness in the hand as another arm lowered itself and cauterized the small hole that now leaked with a greyish fluid having the consistency of thick paint.

Turning slightly to Kelyren, he shot her a quick look before the needle machine made its way towards her. ”Don't worry, you won't reject this – you can't reject this.” The machine followed the same lowering procedure, as the needle followed an intravenous path into her arm, much like the Thenast. ”Again – deep breath.” This time, Drake didn't wait in suspense, as he quickly pressed the button, and the same agonizing pain followed, as the second machine rounded it way to Lacuna while Kelyren's arm was being cauterized.

”Sorry, no tribal – machines aren't really good at anything other than Times New Roman.” Drake remarked sarcastically as he input a few buttons, consequently moving the machine closer to Lacuna, so much so that the side bumped into his hip. Not a moment later, the weasel's arm was forcibly slammed under the light of the machine by a thin orange furred arm. ”With friends like us – who needs enemies?” she remarked to Lacuna as the machine hummed to life, and sent an intense heat onto the weasel's arm. It was to note that the pain was marginally less than that of John, but that was mostly due to the large amount of fur absorbing the heat. After a minute of slight pain (however it was bliss compared to the implant injection) the machine turned off, leaving a dark branding of 6B6B58 on the Thenast's arm fur. ”Onto the pink one!”

Another sequence of buttons later, the machine was stationed beside the Kitsune, not long after that, the painless procedure of the serial burn was placed into the Kitsune's tail. '9W1YL4' ”There – not s'bad eh?” Drake said as a low hollow beep signaled the machines to dematerialize and leave the room. With a creak, Drake leaned forward looking intent to say something sly before a sharp ring entered the room. With surprising reaction time, the now materialized phone, no bigger than the Felidi's paw sat between his neck and shoulder as he held up a finger. ”Mm yes? I'm very busy.” With a look of surprise and annoyance the Felidi ran a paw down his face and sighed. ”Yes Frank – I'll be sure to let them know, but don't make a huge deal of this, a little hair loss never killed anyone.” The Felidi grunted in irritation. ”No I-- No-- Just listen for me... We.. do not have any. Fucking. Cereal. WE DON'T HAVE ANY... No... they're not great – now stop wasting my time!” Slamming the phone down he huffed in anger, before looking back to the quad of individuals on the other side of the desk. ”*Ahem* Well then...” he said tightening his tie in slight embarrassment, ”Now that the annoying phone-call is out of the way, how's about you all go on your merry ways – and take the envelopes with you. Open them only when you exit this building.”

This time it was Aurella that raised a finger to Drake. Aren't you forgetting something Drake?” She said.
”Am I? Oh yes!” He quickly leaned under the table and pressed 3 buttons in secession, calling a large pistol onto the table, complete with glowing sections and sleek sights. ”One S.E.P. Just for you.” Sliding the pistol over to herself, Aurella gripped it tightly, admiring the shiny finish the black gun had, before turning to Lacuna, and handing it to him. ”You'll need that sugar.” She placed the pistol on his lap as Drake made another, knowing instinctively that Aurella would request another.

Meanwhile, Kharri shifted impatiently left to right, growing bored of the situation. Sensing this, Drake turned to her, and raised an eyebrow.  ”Eager to leave? Good – let me just get you a pistol.”
”No.” She stopped Drake halfway through reaching under the desk, ”I'm confident me and my partner don't need your petty weaponry – Although she can take one anyways if she likes...” Kharri turned away from the desk, her tail whipping Kelyren's face as it trailed behind her. ”I'm going to wait outside – hurry your ass up.”

*****​

Aside from the breaking of glass, a moment of suspense followed the dart that had entered the room. It lasted so long, that one may think Saki was dead – or at least passed out. The elongated silence warranted confused looks from the party of five, and almost begged to have itself broken. ”What happens if he's passed out?” Camo said, lazily placing the sub-machine gun on her back, and bent down to tie her shoe.
”Baby, I love it when you bend over like that.” Jackson said, admiring the view
”You're a real perv you know that?” Jackson waved her off as the few sat quietly for what seemed like an eternity.

Eventually, the sound of crunching glass could be heard from the intercom, followed by a spark of static. ”Get your ass up here – you'd better hurry Saki's about to kick the bucket.” The strange, imposing female voice was slightly distorted over the intercom, but carried a strange familiarity to Jack in particular – was this who he was looking for? Soon after, another crunching sound could be heard – however this time, it was the sound of leaves under the white felidi's feet as he made his way towards Jack. ”If we aren't waiting for him here – gimme my fucking shotgun... please.” he hissed, holding out a large paw.

Jackson held a look of slight confusion, mixed with  curiosity after hearing the strange woman's voice, but didn't voice any suspicions if he had any. Instead, he let his paws flop down to his sides as he looked to Jack ”Who do you suppose that--”
”I dunno.” Camo said abruptly, cutting him off, ”But I want to find out, cause whoever it was, they stole our kill – and I don't like that – Let's go Tin, Jack?” With that she began a quick jog up towards Saki's Dojo, Jackson and Andrew following after. What could this stranger want with Saki, and what do they want with the party?