Unrequited Affection

Subject: Unrequited Affection Wed Aug 07, 2013 7:04 pm

Balthazaar watched from an audience chamber above where first sons soldiers were training, using new weaponry to be used against opposing forces. It seemed odd to him that they did this specifically to kill, and or obtain, conduits. Wouldn't it be so much easier if the conduits just joined? The First Sons cause, afterall, were truly great.
He hadn't seem Surge around that day. His lips sort of twitched into a smile. Good. Surge annoyed him.... and simultaneously made him feel inferior, even if they were supposedly equals.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:17 pm

"Oooohh Balthazaaaar~" Judas called as she entered the audience chamber, a smirk on her face. She made her way over to Balthazaar somewhat daintily. "The higher-ups asked me if I could keep my eye on the cellblocks for the night, but I've been tired recently and I haven't been able to get even a small break. Do you think you could take over for me~? Please~?" She was quite obviously trying to seduce him into taking her job so she could laze about.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:23 pm

Balthazaar looked over at his fellow conduit. His eyes traced every way her hips rocked too and fro, how her lips pursed cutely when she made her request, her breast, as usual, too large for what sacred feminine 'belt' beneath could hold, jiggling with every step. He watched her movements as she made his way towards him. Speaking every sexy syllable.
All he felt was annoyed.
"If you spend all your time laying about doing nothing, Judas, you're going to get fat." He turned his head back to watch his trainees.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:48 pm

Judas was taken aback for a moment. How dare he say such a rude(and completely ludicrous statement such as that? She invoked her power, which was truly easy as it was just talking in a much sweeter tone than usual. "C'mon, don't be like that~ Please just take over down at the cellblocks for me tonight. I'll make it worth your while~" She said, trying to subtly force her influence over him.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:53 pm

Balthazaar chuckled, and looked at her. "No." He turned his head back to the trainees. "Take note, Special agent Judas, they are exercising. Which is more than you're doing at the moment. Maybe you should go down and join them."

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Wed Aug 07, 2013 10:41 pm

"Pascal."

Austin's voice pierced the air with its usual stern tone. He started for the moodily conversing two after having heard more than enough from his unnoticed position at the threshold.

"Your post at the research facility has gone unattended for a solid hour, and if you wanted to be replaced, then you should have asked."

He was purposely emphasizing that he knew what she had just been up to, as if the thought had not already crossed her mind.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:26 pm

Judas's mind was working intensely now. She ignored the fat comment because she didn't want Balthazaar dropping maggots on her boobs or something. Her thought process was only interrupted by Austin's sharp voice cutting through the air. "Oh, uhm, ehehe." She put a hand behind her head and rubbed her neck. Oh god, so busted.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:39 pm

Balthazaar groaned. Surge had come up today. He could already sense his stirring of dis-ease as the crackle of energy in the air that always followed Surge, prickled his skin. Luckily it didn't bother him so much at the moment, as he had just gone under hyper protein.
"Surge, Allow Ms. Pascal leave for now. I was just sending some trainees to handle it." He called down to where the soldiers were training, and they rushed off to their, or Judas's post. In truth he really didn't mind the oversexualized woman. He just didn't care for her, as most men did.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:32 am

Balthazar's breath was hardly bearable, even at such range. Austin missed his first sentence out of lack of focus from this.

"I was just sending some trainees to handle it."

It was very obvious that this was not his original plan, so it was odd that he, Balthazar Stilles, would choose to interrupt the soldiers' practice in order to prevent some one else's punishment, especially after learning some one as untrained as Ari Stilles managed to escape them. Still, despite the improvement in security, this meant discrepancy in both the trainees' schedule and Judas'. The former were expected for a minor raid before the end of Judas' shift, and the latter needed to realize she could not continue evading her duties.

However, Lieutenant Austin Surge is nothing if not a team player. "I will have their schedules temporarily reorganized," he promised. He then turned to Judas. "Expect to return to the post at 14:00. You will be notified. Until then, you may idle in the lounge, your quarters, or anywhere where you cannot distract anyone from their job." He paused. "An escort will be supervising you for the next week."

While he did not mention it, the escort would be either antisexual, asexual, female and straight, or male and homosexual.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Thu Aug 08, 2013 8:26 pm

Whoa. Did Balthazaar just..cover for her? Now Judas was severely confused at the moment, but she played it off well. "Of course Surge." She nodded a little bit. She smiled, but was still confused internally and was probably showing on her face as well. Judas quietly whispered to Balthazaar. "Thanks for the cover~"

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:02 pm

Balthazaar nodded at Judas in short reply, then looked to Austin. "Why are you here Surge? I thought you were fixing your little fuck up with the Vector girl." His eyes narrowed as he leaned against the railing, his arms folded.
He took a moment to pull a handkerchief out of his pocket and coughing into it roughly. He glanced at the blood and strangely colord mucus he had hacked up and wrinkled his nose. He wrapped up the cloth and stuck it back into his pocket.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Fri Aug 09, 2013 4:50 pm

Austin's right eyebrow dropped upon Stille's mention of that "little fuck up with the vector girl". He had been emptily, subconsciously hoping that he would soon lose interest and stop riding on that mistake. Ridiculous. It should have been obvious that that would never happen until all four escapees were recaptured and held for weeks.

"Three reasons: I was searching for Ms. Pascal; three search parties have already been dispatched, plus an aerial cam; and I need to know if the new suppressors are sufficient. They're only prototypes, but they should reduce knock-back, eliminate muzzle flash, and deduct approximately 40 decibels from an assault rifle's firing noise."

He decided not to mention that he designed them outside of the workplace and after work hours. If he had learned anything about Balthazar during his time here, he would know not to risk bringing that to his attention. He'd probably say he's not "putting effort into [his] work" or something to that effect.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sat Aug 10, 2013 12:09 am

Balthazaar smirked. He could see he'd pinned Surge. Watching him squirm he found was starting to suit his fancy. "You know, Surge," He murmured. "I heard Kessler is calling a meeting soon. Something about a promotion. I think the timing is perfect since I captured the Crosse girl."
There we go. Now he was raking on the soft spots. Stille's capture of the darkness conduit had felt too easy compared to how the soldiers had described it. How he loved to remind Surge that soon he'd be Balthazaars personal little underling.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sat Aug 10, 2013 12:54 am

Balthazar smirked as if he had accomplished something. As it happens, he succeeded in ignoring his question. He went on to subtextually say that he was expecting a promotion, oddly, after capturing "the Crosse girl". Apparently, he was referring to Alexa Weiss, although why he expected a promotion for that was beyond Surge. Close to a month ago, he had caught a water-based golem with a seemingly self-sustaining brain, and that didn't even get him a pat on the back. Granted, lower-ranking members received promotions more easily, but a promotion for capturing a darkness conduit?

It was then that Surge realized that his body had paused for several seconds as his mind processed information.
"I congratulate you," he forced himself to say. "Perhaps our leader will give you a 'thumbs-up'." That felt better. "Now, about the suppressors..."
He gestured for Dr. Stilles to orally review them.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sat Aug 10, 2013 1:55 am

Judas observed the two men clearly, paying attention to facial expression, tones, and general body language. She noted Balthazaar's consistent attempts to devalue Austin. Then she noted Austin's specific not giving a fuck. Then she went back to Balthazaar. Hm. Obvious attempts toward dominance, smugness, somehow able to avoid being seduced by someone with a body like myself.. Judas had a hand on her chin, then snapped. Gay. It's the only thing I can think of at the moment. She waited for Balthazaar's reply to Austin with her arms crossed.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:14 am

"Such a highly modified weapon is only capable in the hands of one trained to use it." Balthazaar sighed and leaned against the railing, his arms crossed. "Granted, Agent Surge, your modifications are impressive," Balthazaar held back on this response. He did find them more than impressive, he found them amazing. Over the top and precise, the design beautiful and sleek. The way he held back however made him seem snide. His eyes eyes drifted from Surge, down to the trainees below.
"If you have not noticed of late Agent Surge, our soldier units seem to be lacking. Even that man with powers similar to yours uh... Mcgrath? Has been singlehandedly taking down fleets of them. My thoughts are that it will require first hand training from yourself if you really wanted to perfect the weapon."
"Afterall," He shrugged, "If you had the worlds most powerful weapon and no idea how to use it without hurting yourself in the process how much better off are you?"

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:41 am

This...this was astonishing. Balthazar Stilles, seemingly the cockiest First Son in the region, was attempting to flatter him? Austin was sure they were in the midst of a sort of feud, but then he complemented Surge's work and skill out of nowhere. Was he trying to throw him a bone, so to speak, or reveal a whole new persona? Perhaps he noticed his ego and hopes to change.

Several more seconds passed as Austin stood frozen, almost blushing, but he finally decided what to say.
"W-well..." he started. "The modifications are rudimentary enough that our soldiers can handle them...reasonably well. The more experienced marksmen have managed to defeat conduits in single combat with them. In order to defend ourselves from powerful conduits, such as Cole Macgrath..."
He paused for a few seconds.
"The best would be to use automatons specifically designed to survive different conduits' attacks and exploit their weaknesses. Even better, they could withstand multiple or even ALL forms of damage and armed with more versatile weaponry. Similar machines have been constructed, such as the AMAZO unit."

Austin was hoping that Balthazar could respond to this productively. While he mainly studies biology, Austin had heard that he held interest in multiple branches of science, so it was reasonable to assume his education in engineering and computer science was sufficient.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:48 am

Judas was rather stunned upon hearing the complement come out of Balthazaar's mouth. Usually his mouth was a swirling abyss of halitosis and snarky insults. Now he was complimenting Austin Surge of all people? This was quite definitely an oddity. She mentally bookmarked this fact as she continued to listen to the conversation.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:27 pm

Balthazaar noted how his compliment had momentarily put Surge off balance, and inwardly smirked at how on his toes he kept Surge. "The only problems I sense you may face in the future is the vast items of power different conduits have." He stepped closer to Surge and put a hand on his back, looking ahead of them and holding his hand out.
His body reeked of carrion and ones back would shiver at the touch of the source of the scent. Underlying beneath the rank stench of something dying there was another scent, something floral. In his back pocket, one could see flowers sticking out. Not just any flowers, but posies.
"Consider, the fire conduit you fought and captured to bring Haruka in. From what you have described to the board the girl could melt the bullet before it hit her easily. Consider heat resistance. Then there's the Veermak, nasty ice creatures. They could create walls of ice to stop the bullet. If I were you," He turned his head towards Surge, the veins beneath his flesh prominant, "I'd highly consider neurothermal energy to cycle through the bullet chambers to coat each bullet individually with a layer of hyperthermal protection, so upon contact it heats ice or can survive the hottest temperatures."

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:37 am

His suggestions were...somewhat accurate. The reports as well.
Austin pushed Balthazar's excessively bacterial hand aside for obvious reasons. "Actually, I was never present when conventional bullets were used.," he explained. "However, you are correct: the standard issue lead projectiles were relatively ineffective against Teah Writh. However, they did still harm her."
Austin went on to explain the simplicity of an AI being able to identify a conduits' power and cycle to different ammunition types (or weapons all together), such as tungsten rounds, incendiary rounds, and flamethrowers. He also talked about layered armour with electrical and thermal insulators, plastic composites, and even magnetic shields; as well as using similar programming to that of exoskeletons meant to predict its user's desired movements in order to effectively lock onto a target. At one point (and yes, he was by now rambling quite a bit), he started to suggest using infrared lasers as highly efficient and versatile weapons.
"Did you know that even an anti-aircraft laser costs under an American dollar to fire?"

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sun Aug 11, 2013 2:49 am

Judas yawned at this apparent nerdfest. She was never one for science, physics, or anything else of the sort, so this conversation was almost painfully boring. But she stayed, simply because she knew there was something going on. She noted a few more oddities in Balthazaar's actions that wouldn't normally occur but remained mostly silent and allowed the two to continue droning on about whatever it was that they were talking about.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sun Aug 11, 2013 5:56 pm

Balthazaars eyes took on a dream like quality as he listened to Surge ramble. The marksmen was brilliant. Beyond brilliant. His in depth knowledge on weaponry only matched Stille's on Biology and Anatomy. He was so lost in how Surge was moving, he had to blink himself back to reality. "I imagine it went for far more than your paycheck." He smirked. It felt half hearted.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:53 pm

"I imagine it went for far more than your paycheck."

Austin's expression darkened almost discernibly. A massive setback. The complements were a ruse. This was the first conversation, however short, that suggested Balthazar was at all a decent acquaintance, yet he deliberately brushed aside the only serious topic they could have under good standing. It was now his semblance to be not only insufferable in technical exchange, but also ignorant.

His attempt to warm up to "Doctor" Stilles frozen in its tracks, Austin decided to adjourn the meeting and bid the two farewell.
"It seems that wisecracking is the closest trade you have to being pay-worthy, so I should be off."
He turned around and looked at Judas.
"Good day, Ms. Pascal."
And so he started for the door, wondering if Stilles has actually ever contemplated his place in the universe.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:55 pm

"Bye Surge~" She waved. As soon as Austin left the area, she turned to Balthazaar. "You've got a total mancrush on Surge, don't you?" Judas teased and put her hand on his shoulder, working her conduit love magic. "Go get 'im, tiger." She encouraged, shoving Balthazaar to the door quickly before he could have the time to think about what she had done.

Subject: Re: Unrequited Affection Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:01 am

"Wh- I- Pascal...!" He blushed. How did she...? All Balthazaar could see was the fading form of Surge, who he strangely started chasing after. His eyes went wide and all he could think about was talking to Surge. He dug his heels in, trying to pull away from this new urge but continued on. "Austin, Wait...!"
Oh no. He... just called him by his first name? W...was that a hint of desperation in his voice? No, no no no no no. He couldn't let Surge see him like this. Every fiber of his being stood on edge and he realized how fast his heart was beating.