Venin receives a gift... her very own syntant

Venin/Ryan Tell/Shadow June 20/98

Ryan Tell is a mutant- who`s body rests in its own crystal tomb of his outter skin. {Let not Man play God-for even God can`t get it right.}

Ryan Tell:
*The boy sits in perfect silence- frozen eyes staring endlessly forward, crystalized lips glinting in the dim light- frozen perfection. dust shows here and there on the crystalline surface- but the other in the room makes no move to remove it from his leader. For four hundred years, Mystic's sat in that ''throne''- both his lifeline and his tomb. It keeps his mind alive- but so long as he's in it, his body will never return to true life. the sacrafice is a needed one- only through mystic's powers have the mutants been able to survive- even prosper.* *Now, though- the young/old leader's mental eyes turn elsewhere. One of their dying world's pet monstrosities- a Syntant- has begun to run loose...in a place that is ill- equipped to handle it. It is only fair he help, at least a bit..*

Venin:
*she closes the barn door behind her the silence emanating from it almost eerie. Her gaze wanders to the distant field where the five remaining horses can be seen grazing. The last few she can't bear to part with... oh well, if I'm going to be more active against the GUARD, I won't have time for them..its better this way.. With a sad sigh she turns and heads back to the house. She climbs the stairs to the kitchen, winding as each step painfully jars her shoulder, before she enters she turns and carelessly throws a bolt of energy at a rock pile, hating the fact that she has this continual build-up of power. She enters the kitchen, heading for the fridge, she absently looks around at the neat room, actually surprised to realize she misses the mess Alan always created.*

Ryan Tell:
*If the frozen lips could smile- or allow a bitter but triumphant sigh to pass them- they would. There's the one he sought- she had fought the freak one on one. A slight thought- and Shadow darts through an opening Portal- coming out near Venin's front door- and does the poliet thing. Knocks. If she proves stubborn- well, kidnapping is ALWAYS an option...*

Venin:
*her hand freezes mid way to the orange juice her mind racing with possibilities on who it might be. Habit making her first assumption to be GUARD, with a snort of amusement she dismisses that possibility...like they would knock. someone probably looking to see if I got any more stock for sale she closes the fridge and heads for the front door, automaticlaly grabbing her berretta off the table on her way by.* hold on, I'm coiming *she sticks the gun in the back of her jeans waist, ensuring it's well concealed by her shirt. As she approaches the door she tries to recognize the shadow revealed by the glass. She opens the door* yes?

Ryan Tell:
*He looks /down/ at her, tail over his feet slightly, the stingered tip twitching- he can scent the metal of the gun, and the oil used in it. But he doesn't blame her for it.* ..my apologies for disturbing you miss..*voice deep, sounding like a soft rumbling almost.* but my friend has something very important to tell you- unfortunately, he cannot come here. It is about the Syntant you fought.

Venin:
*She opens the door and looks 'up' her mouth gapes open in shock. this is something she would expect to see in the tavern, but not here on earth..especially 'here'. Her gaze travels over him, trying to place him, or at least his species. She instantly regrets dispelling her extra energy a few moments ago, it might be needed.* huh? excuse me? *she shakes her head, and quickly looks around, making sure that there is noone else visible, human or otherwise... not really wanting to, but definately not wanting this 'creature' seen by anyone that might be passing, she gestures you inside.* come in, before your seen. the hicks around here would raise holy hell if they saw you

Ryan Tell:
*snickers and flicks his tail, bending down, wings slipping around him so he can fit through her door- a very crowded place for him* I'm not used to my other form- and I don't intend to be here long enough to /be/ seen by anyone else. *straightens as much as he can.* As I said- I came here to ask that you come visit someone who can tell you quite a bit about the creature- the Syntant, Sai- that you fought. If he could- he'd come to you. circumstances dictate otherwise.

Venin:
*noting your size she leads you into the den where the vaulted ceilings and minimal furniture should give you ample room.. hell, he already knows where I am, whats it gonna hurt if he see more of the place..* who is this 'somone' you would have me visit? and how did you find this place?

Ryan Tell:
*he stands up, wings still tucked down under his arms- awkward and makes them drag on the floor even more- but it's the best he can do.* He is called Mystic by most- he watches over the mutants of /our/ Terra. and he has been looking for you ever since the mall incident. *he pauses a moment, looking out the window at the terrain beyond. alive, unpolluted, the sky bright with stars...* *with almost a jerk, he turns his attention back to her.* he sent me to ask you to come since he couldn't come here himself.

Venin:
*supresses a smile of amusement at your awkward looking position* why me? and why can't he come here?

Ryan Tell:
*the wings twitch, along with the tail* because he's basically paralyzed. and you were the easiest to trace- a good bit of Sai's power signiture- due to you taking his staff in your shoulder- is still evident on you. Syntants always leave that mark- it makes it easier to keep track of how effective a particular model is.

Venin:
*She raises an eyebrow in sudden alarm* power signature? Oh shit! Something like that didn't even occur to me..I could be lead... *she stops midsentence not wanting to reveal much, but pretty sure you probably know a fair bit anyhow. As if acting as a beacon she feels the wound in her shoulder throb* How many know the signature and how to trace it?

Ryan Tell:
*looks annoyed* only someone who knows it's even /there/. if you have any further questions- I suggest you ask him I do- I'm just a messenger here.

Venin:
*a little annoyed at his attitude* Look whoever the hell you are. I look after my friends and myself first. Got it! If I am traceable because of this goddamn injury,*she winces as she empahisis(sp?) her point by hitting it a little too forcefully* that means I'm endangering them. And if my enemies 'have' traced it, we are all as good as dead. Kapeche! *She cools her temper, letting logic take over*I just hope they haven't managed to do so yet. That means I gotta get outta here. *she nods* gimme a sec and I'll go with you *she grabs an old notebook off of the mantle and hastily scrawls a message to jesse. She then proceeds up the hall, she pauses, considering knocking and telling jesse personally, but instead slides the note under the door. She comes back to the den* do I need anything?

Ryan Tell:
A gas mask, perhaps. I highly doubt you're used to the level of pollution you're about to enter..*even in the lower caverns Mystic's in, you can smell it.* ah, well- we should go now- even for him, keeping a portal open this long is a strain. *he turns, making his way to the front door, muttering about mutant- unfriendly construction.*

Venin:
*blinks* a what? *shrugs* I'll live *she can't supress a small chuckle at your muttered comment as she follows you out the door*

Ryan Tell:
*He slips out to the portal, going half way through- but not completely. if he does- it'll close.* You will have to go through- if I go through completely first- it'll close.

Venin:
*hoping its not too late she unhesitatingly steps side..hopefully they track me, not where I've been*

Ryan Tell:
*it takes her right into a foul smelling misma- one even shadow wrinkles his nose at, having gotten used to the cleaner air of her Terra.* Welcome to our Terra...*moves all the way in, letting the gate close* follow me....*moving through a huge, but poorly lit, cave. there feels like there's something wieghing on her- a not quite sensed weight, focused on her head alone.*

Venin:
*she reflexively coughs, trying to clear her lungs of the foul air, her body unused to such polution, strains to clense itself. Tears run down her face as she fights to bring the coughing spasm under control. finally, her control regained, she slowly straightens wincing as she feels the reopened wound weeping down her back. Her voice harsh and raspy, a combination of the coughing and the polution* You weren't kidding were you? *she follows you, her eyes continually scanning for hte unseen prescence, her hand at times reflexively reaching for the hidden gun before she can stop herself* Nice place you got here

Ryan Tell:
don't we, though? you're lucky- you've caught it on a good day- and the shield is mystic's. *can easily guess what she must be thinking after feeling /that/ thing land on her head. he guides her into the inner most chamber- the back of which is completely draped in shadow- giving only a outlined hint of the seat and it's occupant.* *there's a light brush on her mind- a poliet request to be allowed enough past that he might speak with her.* *he could simply try stripping the shields off- but that isn't a very poliet awy to start a conversation.*

Venin:
this is a good day? *muttered* oh boy! and I thought LA was bad. *Her gaze continues to flicker restlessly around the room, until finally landing upon the vague shape in the back. She faintly feels the touch on her shields, automatically her 'snap back' is prepared against any further intrusion. She hesitates, turning to her escort for an explanation before doing anyting too drastic* What? Is that you or another?

Ryan Tell:
*shadow nods to the silhoutted figure* that was him-asking if you'd be so kind as to drop your shields and have a chat. if was feeling rude- he would simply breech them. Bad manners, though. by the way- here, LA joined the ocean some four hundred years ago....

Venin:
oh man *her comment half whisper, half exhalation, wether in reply to the LA part or to lowering her shields is uncertain. Unconciously she inhales deeply, beginning another coughing spate. she winces as the wound throbs with each cough, she regains control more quickly than before. She runs a hand through her hair, her tongue nervously wetting her lips as she peers into the shadows. With an extreme effort of will, her breathing shallow and rapid, she lowers her shields. A shiver of revulsion/fear running through her entire body as she does so* fine. *her voice coming out cold, hard as steel as she tries to supress her feelings about this type of communication*

Ryan Tell:
*Shadow fades into silence* {MYSTIC} ~MS~ I'm sorry for the rude invite- but I have something to take care of- namely Sai. he wounded you, correct?~ *an odd feeling- as though fingers were brushing her shoulder wound, probing it.*

Venin:
*she bites her lower lip, drawing blood, as the voice enters her head* yes, he did. I understand its traceable? Is there any way to tell if another has traced it? *shivers involuntarily as the mental fingers probe the shoulder wound*

Ryan Tell:
*a bit of amusement.* ~MS~ Despite popular belief- I'm not a miracle worker. there is no way to tell.....~ *there's a brief, sudden flare of pain. ~MS~ that takes care of that....*a settling down to business'' tone now.* out of fairness to Sai- his being in this isn't his fault, after all- I will tell you one of two things. How to kill him- or how to get him out of the way for a time. which do you prefer to know?~ *the figure in the shadows doesn't even shift.*

Venin:
*unused to mental speech, her personal thoughts race loudly through her mind*~DAMN! I gotta get them outta there!~she supresses a wince at the pain* I know its not his fault... he's one of us,or was. I can't, I won't kill him.. at least not unless it becomes necessary

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ Sai is not one of you. He is a syntant- never assume he thinks like you do, or acts in a manner you understand. *coldly* consider him one of you at any point,and you may be offering your throat to him. As to how to get him out of the way- submerge him completely in water- if held there after the initial immertion, he'll lose all his charge. if the water is cold enough, he will enter hybrination. On the down side- he'll be stronger when he awakens. but all Syntants are weak to extreme cold. remember that. it is their /only/ weakness.~

Venin:
immersion and extreme cold? thats it? the water part I might manage, the colds another matter. *she never even knew him, but feels a need to defend him or at least what he was, from these..creatures* as for being one of us, he 'was'. He lived with and helped many of our allies. Only now he has been changed, while trying to defend others he was overwhelmed and captured, only then did he become the enemy. *thoughts race through her mind on ways to protect the farm... if they can trace me I should make my prescence know elsewhere, let them doubt that was my base*

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ Machine? no- not that..very much a living thing....and you truly think you can find it in yourself to trust a syntant, do you? *a musing note.*~ {SHADOW} *suddenly blinks- there having obviously been a communication to him alone* ryan- you've had some crazy ideas- but this has got to be the worst..*pauses* of course I think it's insane! this syntant is only a class one- the other two of this series are class nine by now, at least! *another pause* oh, ha ha- very edcuational, I'm sure- why not ask /her/ if she wants that?

Venin:
okay *shrugs* cyborg then. *she watches the exchange warily, suddenly grateful for the constant 'charge' the injury has been giving her*

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ not Cyborg- there are no machines or circuitry in a syntant- I have an offer to make. we have been working with Model #003 for quite some time- a bit of creative rearranging and such of his thought patterns. he was set aside, however, because- as Shadow stated- he is only a starting class and the other syntants have advanced well beyond that now.~ {SHADOW} You've likely noticed that Sai is a bitch to fight. well- Ryan here thinks you should take Leftover here- *jerking his thumb at the hybernating Syntant* with you. Unlike sai, he's group-fight friendly- once he advances to a higher class- like 4 or 6, then he's best on his own. Personally- I think the idea is whacked. Sai could wipe the floor with him no problem. {MYSTIC} ~MS~ only if the two were to meet with no one to aid the ''leftover''. *a sense of his attention returning fully to her.* Will you accept this final bit of help? Unlike Sai- this one is mind shielded.~

Venin:
*Years of doubt and distrust roiling in her mind. her cold calculating gaze scans over the syntant, then shadow, over to ryan* that depends on a few things, the primary one is wether or not I trust you. What do you get out of this?

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ I get a mess cleaned up. Sai is partly my fault. Partly Aerik's. Partly a few other people's. But I don't deny my hand in this mess. I can't interfere beyond this- I have my own problems. But I no longer have a use for #003. he's just taking up space and valuable power now. Also- I get to see if my atempts to make him more human worked. Such an experiement was tried with Sai- with varying degrees of failure. a different approach was used with #003. We have always held that the best weapon against a syntant is another syntant. and you've already seen what Sai can do when he's holding back. imagine that kind of fire power on your side. I can mature him to level two without endangering him if you need him to be stronger. don't worry- he's completely under control.~ *shadow just shakes his head. they went through HELL to get this thing- and now Mystic's just gonna give him away???*

Venin:
fault? as far as I'm concerned the only ones to blame right now are GUARD. before that, I don't care..... *her gaze returns to the syntant* completely under who's control? *she notices shadow shaking his head*

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ for now- mine. Shadow...~ *the larger mutant turns, holding up a band.* on this is the matrix used to control him. left passive, he'll act on his own. anyone whos' been coded into it can use it to make him do what they want. break it- he dies. *not pleased about this. #003 has been something of a pet project, a time passer.*

Venin:
*she watches shadow carefully, reading body language interpreting his reluctance to turn over the machine...she remembers how close she came with sai, how only adreneline and luck got her out, when others didn't make it. She remembers the tattered remains of her leather jacket, she sighs in resignition, feeling she has no choice here* fine, I'll tkae it, but first tell em what the catch is on this little gift?

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ The catch? just this: beyond fighting skills and other instincts that are a given in all syntants- his mind is an open book. you will have to give him a name- if you want him to have one- and his personality will be shaped by how he's treated. just like a child. and, as Shadow stated- he's only a class one- a starting level. he has never been active. I can make him class two- but that's it. And, finally- when you feel you no longer have need of him- kindly return him. it is hard to do research on a syntant when you /have/ no syntant to research.~ *shadow moves over to some controls- and the liquid begins to drain out of the capsule, the glass heating to wake him up.*

Venin:
no name? no personality? no free thought? you expect me to treat him like a child? This is a battle, not a playground. I won't take an innocent out into it

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ Then I suppose you refuse to take a new gun into a fight? or a new knife? A syntant is a weapon. made to kill things much like your unnaturals. namely- us. he can fight- and it won't affect his personality. *was a tricky bit of altering there- but he managed it.* he doesn't need to be babysat. just turn the TV on and I guarentee he'll be enthralled until the next call to battle or to dinner

Venin:
*glares at both of you* No I would not, but a gun, a knife..those are things wthout personalities, with out a life that can be lost. Wehter he is designed as a weapon or not does not matter, he is a life, unaffected by our battle. let someone 'raise' him in a peaceful situation, then..let him make the decision.

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ *flat tone* if he remains here, he's as good as dead. *a closed in feeling to the send- he's not including Shadow this time.* don't react- Shadow doesn't know about this. There have been several attempts already- pure luck is all that's kept him alive. that's why I had him moved down here. All they have to do is cut the power long enough for him to drown, however. at least with /you/ he has a chance. *an open send again now* if you can find a single peaceful place on this world to raise him- i will be /truly/ amazed.....~ *a screen activates- showing the world above them.* ~MS~ where should he be sent, hm?~ *dead landscape after dead landscape flashes by.* ~MS~ I'm offering you a weapon that can become very powerful. #003 has the highest potential factor of the three Electic Class syntants, Sai, Zandreer, and himself. You'd turn your back on that so easily?~

Venin:
*she watches expressionlessly as the screen flashes before her, her eyes flick to Shadow momentarily watching him, then to Ryan. She sighs resignedly, her hand running absently through her hair* Perhaps your right, but I will not 'raise' him to be solely a fighter, I will do my best to make him think independantly. *shakes her head* and if I do that...I 'will' not return him to you unless he makes that decision.

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ If I'd expected otherwise of you- I wouldn't have offered.~ *if he could laugh- he would be. particuarly at Shadow's fuming. It would be interesting to see how she handled him...and how he would develop in a place that had NO idae what he really was.*

Venin:
*sighs* very well then. I will take him

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ good..~ *the glass raises- and the Syntant steps out- not carrying a staff like Sai and Zandreer- instead, he's got a kind of chain sickle.* ~MS~ I'm fairly sure you'll find actually having one around will teach you a bit about SAi- and how to work around him.~ *another portal opens.*

Venin:
perhaps*looks at the syntant, pity in her eyes. pity for what it has been designed to do.. to be. Hopefully she never has to use it to that purpose unless it decides*

Ryan Tell:
~MS~ You had best go now- I can't hold the portal long. and don't worry about the syntant's blank look- he's still half in hybernation. he'll wake up fully soon- til then, he'll follow whoever has the band. fork it over, Shadow.~ *grumbling, the large mutant does as ordered. ~MS~ It was a pleasure to meet you- hush, Shadow~ *as Shadow grumbles* ~MS~ Perhaps we'll meet again.~

Venin:
thank you shadow *as she accepts the key from him, she turns to ryan* I would say it ahs been a pleasure to meet you as well, but I remain undecided on that one.*a wry smile* I may come to regret this entire meeting. *turns to shadow* Please, come and visit *she pauses looking at the syntant their comversation still fresh in her head* visit Zakai whenever you like

Ryan Tell:
*shadow nods* I'll have to for a little bit- a syntant generally needs careful watching after for the first two stages...Zakai? *blinks, then glares at Mystic.* shuddap know-it-all. I have to return to my duties for now- please keep Zakai safe. *heading for the doors.* ~MS~ the portal will return you to your farm...~

Venin:
*nods* I will *she turns adnheads otthe portal ensuring that Zak follows*

Ryan Tell:
*He obediantly follows her through, following the band's signal.*