The Birth of Terror (inRP) (FO)

[Jeremy Hunter]

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Coronado, Lab 3 ::: 915 hours

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Lab 3 was the smaller of the main three labs at the heart of Sabah, but as Lab 1 was still under renovation following the explosion of last year, Xi de Mortis decided that where she was, would have to do. And so, she yawned and diligently worked her green-haired ass off, cold pizza her only fuel. Ever since this project had been thrown to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Xi had been working around the clock to pull this bout of insanity off. No, not insanity. Desperation. The failing of the Kronos, the outclassing of the current Zephyr...no, this was going to have to be better. Bigger...and more dangerous. And yes, while it ultimately would be a massive undertaking...she just wished they had given her more time. Her presentation for this would start any minute, and even Corvin could attend.

She had to finish these blueprints right now...the last few bits had come in from her small team of architects and shipwrights, her final do-overs and send backs done. She was on the precipice of completion, but in her victory she found nervousness. She had to present these to the Admiralty, to the President...no, this could not turn out like the failed Kronos, this could not fall to the failures of time like the old Battleship...

No, Xi swore. She'd make something. She and her team would create an army, aramda...no, a force unto itself. The last, and surest argument. Something that would stand in the fire until there was nothing left to burn away. Because right now, the question posed to her? "Can this kill these things?" and dammit...not only would the answer be yes, but Xi swore.

It would be the wall upon which darkness breaks.

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Coronado, Sabah Shipyard, Bay V ::: 925 hours

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Phoebe was never late. She was either early, or precisely on time. And right now, it was early. Very early, as most people were still trickling in. She had been there for maybe an hour already, her time spent looking over reports and wondering when she'd be given command of a vessel again. The Artemis had taken critical damage during an engagement, and now was sitting outside Sabah, waiting for a verdict...a verdict, that Phoebe believed would be it's death.

But it fought well. So, she just sighed and let it go. Artemis died well, and with it's remaining hull, it could help build another. For now, Phoebe just sat there...wondering why the always present smell of pizza had not returned to her...no, it was gone still, and that, above all, made Phoebe uneasy. Even when working, Xi would have pizza hot and ready. It was her addiction, and at least it covered the smell of sweat and blood...usually. But at least it smelled...not bad. Normal, she guessed. Gah! she groaned quietly. Even her mind was wandering and slightly off...she was bored, honestly. She had little to do while the Artemis was being decided on, so right now...all she could do, was wait for Xi and everyone else to finally show up...and then she looked up.

Something was up...because she swore she heard the Admiral. And that, was a voice she rarely heard on Sabah Shipyard. Which could only mean one thing. Either things got really, really bad and they were doomed...or...hope finally was returning.

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