Crusader is more animated, pounding her fist against the wall. "We will give that thing to ANY government over my dead body. Is that clear, talking toaster?"

Bellissima sighed tiredly at Winter Herald's continued argument in favor of a government that he had no experience with. "Winter Herald, you are being very naive.  We have lived under the government, we know who gets elected, who doesn't, what the leaders of our government get up to.  We have good leaders and bad leaders inside our government, we know this for a fact."

She took a sip of water, "And equating the Shadarkos to a WMD is a fallacy, they are not the same thing.  There are leaders in the military and in our government who would think it would be a great idea to give Shadarkos a new body and try to negotiate with it. And Shadarkos might even follow the deal, for awhile.  But trust me on this, I touched the very edges of its thoughts and it is completely alien to us.  It doesn't really view us as mattering, we are ants in an ant farm it is playing with."

Bellissima took another sip of water, "Second, we do not have the authority to legally go after FORCE, they are an international threat.  The Sentinels are only authorized to operate inside of Center City, although we did receive special authorization from the FBI and Navy to help with the island and the Farm. But only because Beaumont thought his agency had been compromised.  Which it had been." She looked at Winter Herald, "At this point, the DoJ will be putting together a task force to go after FORCE and they might decide to ask us to join it.  If FORCE started an operation in Center City, we can go after it, but if we go after FORCE outside of Center City, then they will treat us as vigilantes."

She looked at Justicar, Jacob and Goliat, "I vote for burying it somewhere extremely remote and then doing the research.  The longer it is easily accessible, the more likely someone touches the gem.  Putting a beacon on it that activates when moved sounds like a good idea."

Justicar nods, "I can support that, Bellissima.  I know a good place somewhere in the petrified forest... where a new camouflaged stone, in the middle of nowhere  squared, will not draw attention... and I can deliver it personally without a trip across seas."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:26, Wed 18 May 2022.

Jacob opens his eyes, as he had closed them and begin to meditate.  What ever else we are discussing, he says quietly, but loud enough to be heard, I had asked for assistance in sitting shiva for this man, Matthew Harrison,'s death.  For those who have chosen not to, please have respect for those who are.  Which would probably just be me, at this point.  This is not the time to get heated, or to argue about who is right or wrong.  Such vanity has no place during mourning, whether you are doing so or not.
He does feel the need to call out anyone in particular.  The discussion seems to be bringing even those who normally show little emotion almost to an emotional state.  Even him.  Which is why he had chosen to begin meditating.
He looks at Winter Herald.  You were programmed to trust in government.  I assume you were also programmed to learn form those around you.  Well, then understand and learn this.  The government FORCE wants you to trust would likely be under his direct control, or a puppet government that he has installed.  Any such government is not going to bw one with the will of the people in mind.  Since we already know FORCE has spies within law enforcement and many other agencies, then it is likely there are more installed in the highest levels of the government.  Maybe others as well.  This means that we can not trust them.
He gives a soft sigh.  I know that you do not agree with this decision.  None of us is comfortable with taking such unilateral measures.  But, we will need you wipe this entire conversation, and any subsequent information or conversation about Shadarkos' ring from your memory when it is all said and done.  I think I can safely say that this is the only way the rest of us feel qe can keep Center City, and the whole world, safe.

Winter Herald's stance immediately shifted to a combat ready one upon mention of the mind wipe, his hand clutching his sword and his eyes shifting slightly in color as he focused his gaze on Chimp Man Z. "I will cooperate with no such thing. Bellissima has proven today that your neuroware is just as prone to hacking as my software. If you wish to alter my data without my agreement, my programming demands that I evade you if possible, or fight to the point of destruction if I cannot. I suspect you would react the same way if the situation were reversed."

He moved to the exit where Crusader was, eyes moving about and motion sensor on alert. "I cannot honor the dead as you do. Mister Harrison is dead, and they only matter in so far as we can learn from their life. I will leave you to it."

He paused in front of Crusader. "Unless you are going to arrest me now, and explain why, the toaster is going up on deck."

Justicar walks over and rests a hand gently upon Winter Herald's shoulder, and says, "Don't worry big guy, I'm NOT letting ANYONE erase your memories nor demand you erase them either. In this case we will just have to Trust you to keep our secrets as we trust each other...!"

He says this turning his gaze to CMZ.

"As for Crusader, she's this way with everyone..don't take it personal.  Let's go up on deck and leave the others to this Shiva Jacob feels the need for... we can talk tech together to pass the time."

With that Justicar follows Winter up on deck...
This message was last edited by the player at 08:05, Thu 19 May 2022.

Jacob shakes his head in dismay.  I am NOT suggesting we force it upon you.  I'm hoping you will learn to understand our reasoning, and will choose to do it yourself.

"Ya know, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have a say in your decision, but as an experienced opinion I'd be lyin' if I didn't say to keep that ring, and Mr. Herald, away from those tools in Washington. These days they can't see nothin' but winning the next election, and they treat that like a football game. The less power those [Language unknown: lar cktindliee atihisredone everedmening] have, the better the rest of us will live."

Bellissima shook her head at Jacob's suggestion, "That was not well done, Z.  Would you suggest that I wipe the memory of this conversation from the mercenaries that witnessed it?" The brunette heroine asked rhetorically, since she was too tired at the moment to even attempt such a feat.  "As far as I can tell, they are a sentient being and suggesting their memory should be wiped is not going to build trust."

She made a finger gun at the veteran grunt to indicate she agreed with him completely on allowing the government to get their hands on the gem.

Lite Star watched the flow of the conversation wash about the room.  With the alien mage's information there was mostly an agreement of what to do with the stone.  That was that threat tabled for a moment.  Within the helmet of the suit she frowned at some of the outbursts, there was a lot of hurt being thrown about and anything she said might contribute to it.  So she remains silent, just setting up a request to see if there were any known occult experts that the foundation knew about to be trust worthy, though given the organizations scientific and technological nature it was very unlikely.

Justicar followed Winter Herald up on the main deck of the Hydrofoil yacht.  He was somewhat annoyed with Chimp Man Z's wording of his request for secrecy from Winter Herald it made things a more difficult to mollify the AI's sensibilities.. arguably Winter was well justified to be worried about people wanting to modify his core programing.  Even if he was dead wrong about trusting the government with the 'Not-A-Ring' possessing entity.

And then Hikari got to thinking... which is usually where he gets into trouble.  He'd told Winter Herald they'd talk tech and chat to pass the time but his rational mind saw he needed to be actively doing other things with that time to resolve some current issues the Team was facing...which also led to thinking about his own projects he needed to get back to...

"Karl, Sattellite Uplink. Connection Sea Sentinel."

'Acknowledged Son, establishing uplink.'

Justicar appeared to stand still other then the slight raising of his hands before him as if were at a low instrumental keyboard.  Again the suits fingers slightly trembled in rhythmic fashion a clear sign he was typing in virtual space.

Hikari figured if Winter Herald wanted to talk he'd speak up...

First things first ~ School.  Hikari surfed the net to his College and looked to see what the next week's assignments were.  Three Chapters total read through across three of his courses, four engineering assignments for turn in on the various chapters.  He arranged the chapter reading and the engineering assignments in his virtual space to be able to easily flip through them and already had half of the engineering assignments solved and just needed to type them up in assignment format.

School - Check {Work in Progress}

Karl signaled a secure uplink the his Sea Sentinel - Robotic Yacht had been established.

"Karl, Architect Mode."

'Architect Mode Initiatied'

A virtual overlay of his workshop on the Sea Sentinel filled his vision and he could remotely access all the manufacturing machinery there with only a little lag from anywhere int he world...

"Ok.. retask vertical mill #4 to grind out a quarter inch thick Lead 'Coke-can' sized containment... for the 'Not-A-Ring', include a concealed motion actuated homing tracer int he end cap.  Send order to the our raw mineral distributor, I need a 100 pound bag of cement sent to the Center City Marina delivered to the Sea Sentinel the usual chute to the Workshop.  Give me some pictures of natural stones in the Petrified forest West USA.  Have the vacuform make us a mold for the cement matching local stone texture.  I think a 40 pound  rock facsimile will do.  Bore a hole coke can sized to the center ready a plug for when were ready to install the 'package'."

"Bring up terrain maps of the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona."

The gps Goggle Maps zoomed in on the area bringing up first the Blue Mesa Senic road.

Hikari smiled, "There.. on top of Blue Mesa some 1,500 feet from the road... not visible from the road and Well away from the hiking trails middle of nowhere squared.  In a national park where its illegal to remove the stones.  Not that it will matter as our stone will be buried down 10 feet. Perfect location for evil 'Not-A-Ring'."

Evil Artifact Hiding Place - Check {Work in Progress}

"Karl make sure the Travel Van is fueled its a long way to Arizona. Now production mode. show me the Workshop and status on PALADIN construction?"

'Paladin construction at 34%'

"Ok, give me remote workstation control.  Flip to chapter 5 in 'Modern Robotics' and start audio book mode.. I got four chapters to listen to... and the Paladin is not going to build itself."

Paladin Construction {In-Progress}

"Karl, call up my lawyers on the legal team have them contact Johnson and Johnson, send the Project: HOPOLITE dossier to their prosthetics research team and the funding proposal and get that deal finalized."

'Your Legal Team is already in Negotiations with their Board of Research, should they continue to push for a exclusivity production clause for the Solar Power Sys~'

"No. We can let that go.  Even if J&J reverse engineers it .. I want more renewable energy tech in the public.. let it go. It's a freebie.  If J&J runs with it.. that's not going to hurt my actual goals.  Project: Sun Dial is still months away from being even close to proposal stage.  I still think I'll beat them to the punch anyways."

With that the young teen genius was engrossed in multi-tasking building his new powerful flying Tank Battle Mecha, doing engineering home work for Collage AND fashioning a camouflaged stone containment for the Evil Ring Artifact...

No rest for the Justicar...

{At least...}, he thought, {..I can push the image of those 6 mangled men in the elevator lift I ~ I horribly injured with my heavy weapons fire... work is its own reward.}

That's when inspiration hits...

Turning to Winter Herald, "Oh Wow!  Winter.. I think I know a way we might be able to locate FORCE!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Fri 20 May 2022.

Before making his way to the deck, now being fairly certain he was not being arrested or that no one was attempting to mind wipe him - indeed, he had overriden every consensus motivating him to treat Hikari's hand as a potential threat - Winter Herald paused next to Crusader.

He dropped any pretense of humanity to speak to her, his voice obviously robotic. "Since we are violating regulation one hundred thirty four and going beyond speaking freely to one another, I suspect the only thing that bothers your crippled ego more than my existence and refusal to self-terminate would be the thought that you might actually owe me your continued existence, as I was the loudest voice encouraging the enemy to surrender, and it was on my word they ceased attacking you on. My enemies trust me more than you do. Do not worry about the appearance of ingratitude, though. Your continued existence is clearly its own 'reward.'"

He continued up the stairs, now slightly behind Hikari.

He was expressing irritation at events below, but had an even tone speaking to Hikari as he considered the state and depth of the water out here. "I still believe dropping it off at a landmark is a mistake, as long as you are doing this. The less distinctive the location, the safer. Assume some treasure hunter like Mister Harrison will hear of this and seek it out. Perhaps even one of the mercenaries below - they will have a head start."

He moved closer to the deck railing, putting a hand on it to stabilize his balance and visually guessing the structural integrity of the boat for dragging a six hundred pound weight attached to it via grapple or towline, plus ocean drag increasing the stress on point of attachment. "If you think you can track FORCE, that would be vital information to me."

Now I understand what my grandfather meant when he said, "People hear, but they do not listen," CMZ says quietly to himself.

Justicar paused, "..Well its complicated, so hear me out.  I was pondering your memory question about data loss due to malicious erasure or battlefield damage, what could be done?  The obvious solution would be to have you backup your memories.  But a simple hard-drive of conventional make would likely be far less than you need for your full consciousness and memories.. the longer you are functional the larger the data storage would need to be.  It occurred to me FORCE must be doing the same thing.  But how often is he doing it, and how?"

"My first impression was a dedicated satellite uplink.  But there is an issue with that, Governments and militaries around the world watch Earth near-space orbit tracking all sorts of space bodies.  But the kind of satellite FORCE would need would eventually get spotted and Government agencies would start looking for who owned it.  He needs a large communication satellite capable of huge transmission transmission rate and capacity with worldwide reach... one satellite will not do.  Also, if he only does a back up once a day... he could be behind in critical data if he was destroyed somehow.  From how FORCE behaved I think he would demand a constant memory update and back-up communication link."

"Something like that in a satellite is near impossible to hide as its constant or near constantly transmitting.  Someone's likely to notice and start investigating.  Plus he would need multiple satellites to have world wide coverage.  However, FORCE has shown a penchant for infiltrating and using others to do his behind the scenes work.  He might not be able to hide his uplink... but he could disguise it in legitimate transmission streams."

"Banks.  Banks and Big Corporations try to have a near constant update of their transactions on the markets and finances.  Not all do it not all can afford it but it is possible and preferred, plus no one would think twice about a registered documented Business satellite transmitting large amounts of data constantly across the globe."

"But such communication leaves electronic foot prints and data logs.  You can disguise the transmission but you cannot hide it.  On legitimate communications satellites who, when and where a transmission is received, sent to and what time are all part of those transmission logs."

"If FORCE is disguising his backup memory dumps in legitimate world-wide transmissions streams among bank and business data transmissions there is a record of where from and where to and when.  And we know, he self-destructed on the San Sebastian isle and at what time!"

"All we need to do is see what communications satellites were in the area near the locale of San Sebastian in orbit that made a major data upload near of around that time.  We can then sample those logged transmissions and trace where they were sent and by whom, to verify their content with the FCC looking for the anomalous transmissions.   We could then start searching for other transmissions of similar length and anomalous content logged in bank and business transmission logs of large data dumps.  Then check the logs as to where they were transmitted and look for a pattern to emerge.  I'll bet they focus on other FORCE base locations as they are likely ~ true to form, not in any major city but out at the fringes of civilizations, places large data transmissions should Not be being sent cause ostensibly there is not supposed to be anything there."

"Its highly likely FORCE is using existing satellites rather than his own network that would not be able to be kept hidden from militaries and governments finding rogue satellites making unregulated and registered communications."

"It's just a theory but hiding in plain sight is a good way to avoid detection and considering how connected FORCE is with all his infiltrator Agents... its seems the most likely course of action to keep his memories and data up-to-date constantly."

Winter Herald considered this as he determined that he could pull of the test he had in mind. "Makes sense. Using what others have or trust to complete a goal sounds on board with my creator's methodology. This will take a great deal of time, and lends credence to my point that you will need an organization other than yourselves that you actually can trust. And while I feel their record on CBN weaponry is self-evident based on the apocalyptic hellscape I am not seeing, I would agree that I would trust the USA government only to be short-sighted and to take action based off image on anything short of a nation destroying threat. My data on the USA government might be highly biased, but it seems a consistent record."

He decided against testing his swimming capabilities for now, looking to Hikari with eyes that were currently a misty grey. "So, how long have you been an enemy of FORCE? This is critical to determining how much time they have had to set up an agent in your ranks. Assuming, of course, that it is not myself."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:19, Sat 21 May 2022.

Hiakri nodded, "...Yes, it may indeed take a bit of time to do this detailed analysis...though given access... 'Karl' or possibly even you could sift the data faster and more efficiently than a human mind.  But you are correct we would have to have US Government backing to have the authority and access to do this kind of extensive analysis, collation and location to track down FORCE's locations he might be at.  Sadly I do not think the Government trusts us THAT much! Perhaps, with the delivery of 3 supervillains in custody that will change?"

"Hang on!", he said as he continued to work in his VR construction space while conversing ...apparently something in his distant manufacturing shop needing his immediate direct attention...

A few moments later, "Sorry had to change the programmable Vertical Mill Milling Bits."

"As for how long have we been seeking FORCE, I'd say a little less than a month.  We didn't even know at the beginning that FORCE was behind the bomb threat in Center City.  In hindsight now its clear why the City and Government caved in so easily reversing the 'Never Deal With Terrorists' - American policy and paid the ransom so quickly.  Clearly one of FORCE's highly placed Android infiltrators pushed the payment through.  We can only hope those infiltrator androids all were fried when I blew up the master control room in the San Sebastian Complex... or again Center City and potentially many other branches of the US Government are still compromised and may stone wall any attempts to locate FORCE.  We can only do what we can do..."

Then he goes blithely back to his VR activities..

Winter Herald considered the timetable for these events. "Has your team been in its current configuration before the month? If it has been, a squad composed of superhuman specialists will certainly have been a factor he would have had to have accounted for. Otherwise, any infiltration of your unit, at best, would have to have been recent if at all. Your sponsors, however, might have been worth infiltrating."

"As for government cooperation, they required your aid to fight FORCE today. Without it, extensive losses would have been likely. They will likely want it again, given your success. After I clear myself, send me your data regarding FORCE's whereabouts. I do not want even the chance they will know what I know until I am ready. Until then, I hope only to feed FORCE information they should already possess. Do not reveal to me the location of the Sharkados ring drop point until I am cleared."

Crusader went over and sat with her back to CMZ's. There was really no need to explain, she simply joined him so that he would not be alone.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:14, Sun 22 May 2022.

Bellissima was sitting with CMZ and now Crusader still, her eyes closed as she breathed deeply.  She would go into meditative trance, but she wasn't sure what was going to happen next.  Being in a trance state would slow her reactions down if danger popped up suddenly.

Justicar shakes his head in the negative, "No we have only been a team for less than a month. The only chance for a team infiltration would have been in the Kansas Compound infiltration... but that turned into a running battle with that team. And Bellissima has already vouched for all the members on that Mission..she was on it after all!"

Justicar was silent for a bit at the mention of the ring but finally commented, "I have said all I'm going to about the Sharkados Entity for now... it will be taken care of and yet not out of our access when we figure out how to actually deal with it."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Sun 22 May 2022.

Thank you for hanging around, CMZ says quietly to his two remaining companions.  Even if you aren't actually mourning Matthew Harrison.
CMZ is not really worried about being alone.  Being Ukrainian Jew, being an Isreali citizen as well as a US citizen, being a mutant especially, he has always felt alone in some way, though, strangely, never truly lonely.  But, having the company for now is nice.  Even if in silence.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 445):

Justicar texts a message across the LESP secure net as he knows Winter has just as sensitive hearing as Lite Star and himself and he actually wants a private communication with the team ...[Private to group LESPradio: +Justicar here, sorry I'm not participating in the Shiva... but I felt it better to 'de-escalate' the debate to calm Winter's concerns by removing our presence. I'm doing next week's college/school work and working on the ongoing construction project of the Paladin, as well as preparing the containment for the Shadarkos entity object for burial ~ all In VR via satellite uplink, but I'm with you in spirit. Mr Mathews death was a tragic end but one he desired ~ im glad Bellissima could assist his spirit to rest. I'm still listening and on standby if you need me. Winter seems calmer now.+]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Sun 22 May 2022.

Bellissima nodded in response to CMZ as he thanked her and Crusader for sitting with him. Although she could take issue with him thinking that she wasn't mourning Matthew Harrison, but she realized knew that he was being honest in his appreciation of sitting with him for whatever reason she, Crusader and some of the mercenaries were still there. She was still cataloging everything she had learned from Matthew's mind and sharing various tidbits that would allow people to get a better understanding of him.

It is an uneventful trip back to the mainland, none of the prisoners attempt to escape and no one on the boat attempts a mutiny.

Actually, there is one bit of chaos that occurs.  All Hell seems to break loose when a troop of about two dozen frightened spidermonkeys come out of hiding and into the living area occupied by the LESP officers and ye mercenaries.  The chattering and chittering is almost deafening, until a voice can be heard to exclaim loudly, HEY!
All simian eyes turn towards CMZ.  His voice becomes calm and collected, his eyes still closed.  Get something to eat and calm down.  I will find you all a new home wheere you be well-fed and safe from predators.
Eight of the monkeys seem to almost snap to attention, and begin passing eggs, bread, and vegetables to the other monkeys, getting adults and children alike calm and complacent.  Once that is done, the eight grab food for themselves and sit down near CMZ to eat.
He opens his eyes to look at his more human companions.  Don't ask me.  I had no idea.  I only just found out on the island.