Lay of the Land [Open]

[Manisha]

If she were poetic Manisha would say that the view from the top of the cliff face here was: 'Magnificient in its sheer wonder. It felt as though one were standing at the top of the world'. However Manisha used no such words. All her straight-laced mind could manage was a comment that it afforded an excellent view of the land and any possible approaching enemies. Such was the reason for her ascent of the cliff. Manisha had yet to garner a good idea of the landmarks in relation to one another. This was an excellent spot for that.

Not only that but the woman wanted a place to think. Her attempts to learn from Jett and th woman Bex had been less than sucessful. Confusion reigned in the mind of the army girl. Her reception at the river and the strange turn her meeting with Jett had taken played upon her mind. Quite frankly she was ready to just hang it all. Learning of emotions was not worth the frustration it caused her.

Still, the part of her that was still the young girl ached. Bex and Jett had seemed so happy together. Happiness was something altogether strange to her. It hadn't been once. She'd been a normal girl once upon a time. The army had trained that out of her...and for the first time in her life she wasn't grateful. In fact she thought she was angry about it. That relization made her face take on a stunned expression as she stared out over the expanse of land before her.

[Maku]

'Hand, Hand, Foot, Foot, Pull! Hand, Hand, Foot, Foot, Pull!'

The mechanics of climbing the face of a rocky wall would be considered a simple one. All it would take is mental strength and a bit of determination. Maku had both, considering he wanted to see the world of Freakopolis in a state of frozen wonderland. Except, Freakopolis wasn't exactly... wonderful. But as his hands climbed, his worries washed away to focus on the task at hand. And as his feet pushed up to make for his next repetition, he felt less like a mutant and more of a mountain climber.

Chilly winds gusted harsher as he rose higher. Luckily, Maku was wearing warm clothes. A winter jacket over a layer of shirts and a pair of pants. He had on a wool cap, just to keep his ears warm. If it was one thing he couldn't stand, would be cold ears. He didn't care about the rest of his body, but if his ears got cold, he would complain profusely about how cold it was. But while climbing the rock face, this wasn't so, and in fact, he was humming a happy, melodic tune.

After a duration of climbing, he finally reached the top. His arms folded over the edge, but he struggled to pull himself up. The material that made his jacket wasn't gripping to the rock and made it hard for him to get some traction to pull himself over. Maku's heart began to race, as he scrambled to get atop the cliff. Pushing his legs against the rock face, he rolled himself over the edge and his back against the flat surface. He stared the fake sky with his heart beating out of his chest and his breathing laborious. Maku looked over the edge he had just conquered, looking at the height he had just accomplished.

Lying prostrate, he caught his breath, and slowed his heart rate. Maku finally sat up, and hung his feet over the edge, looking around at the frozen world below him. He watched the dots of people on the ground, walk and run around, doing their own business. Maku smiled, it was an immaculate sight to behold. Sighing out, he lied back, contemplating everything and nothing at the same time. But he hadn't given any attention to the woman who shared the top of the cliff with him. Maku didn't think he was in any danger while he was up on the top of the cliff.

[Lucian Verdus]

Any sufficiently experienced or sufficiently athletic meatbag could scale a sheer wall of rock as this with relative ease, given their less-than-durable physical state and susceptibility to pain (though, being mutants, this was never entirely true.) As far as Lucian was concerned, there was no denying that he and his servitors were far superior in completing such physical tasks as this. Nearly anything, Lucian reasoned, that a human could do, he could do better. And, if he couldn't, it was rarely a difficult task to make something that could. While it took mankind millennia to become the still-imperfect beings they are today, technology (and servitors) could evolve in a matter of days. Adaptation was a second nature to the machine.

Each of Lucian's large spider legs moved constantly, in perfect concert with the other three, while Lucian's single metal claw made sure he had an emergency appendage just in case. Even falling had been perfectly calculated. The manner in which he would land and the position of such things as his spider legs would minimize damage to vital and core systems, so that he may gradually begin to repair himself on the spot. Blood reservoirs in certain areas of the central chassis (or 'torso', to a human) ensured that he would have sufficient genetic material to repair himself, though it wouldn't be instantaneous, and would take the entirety of his commit charge and system focus, as he was far more complicated than any servitor.

As external sensors noted a drop in air temperature, Lucian reflected on his resilience to such things as severe heat and cold. While they could be ignored up to the point where they hinder or freeze internal and external matrices, they were a problem that Lucian considered needed solving. Between a human and a machine, Lucian was swift to qualify, the machine would last longer in such severe temperatures. Especially not requiring any sort of nourishment to get them going. However, they needed to be more resilient. Lucian directed some of his internal though processes to developing heating and cooling matrices, for when he got his hands on some more metal. For right now, it was important to be careful as to what it was used for, being somewhat scarcer than it should be.

As one of his appendages dug itself into the very top of the cliff, followed by his metal claw, Lucian's audio-sensors relayed to the proper matrices a sound of heavy, likely exhausted, breathing. This individual must have come up just before he did. Lucian did not once look directly up during his ascent, as his external sensors did not once grant him a reason to do so. As the half-machine pulled himself entirely up to the top of the cliff, he found the subject to be a good ten feet away. It was with a twinge of Lucian's mechanical approximation of regret that he observed that the subject was too far away to have been accidentally impaled by one of his legs.

Lucian turned around, glancing down at the compound below him. There, as his appendages retracted and his body lowered, his optic sensors began to glow even brighter, zooming in on what was below him. He could see one or two of his close combat servitors, patrolling a few areas in the compound with cold adherence to their work. He could even access their transmitted visual data, to see what they were seeing. He saw the slow, determined march of one of his ranged-combat servitors, skirting around the edge of his designated patrol areas to keep a distance from potential dangers, humorously encumbered by the two ammunition canisters on its back and the two Gatling guns on its hands.

In essence, all was as it should be. For now.

[Manisha]

Manisha's quiet contemplation was interrupted not once but twice. The first interruption was a young man. He appeared to have come up the cliff face as she had done. However the exhaustion he exhibited made it clear that such activities were not normal for him. Manisha watched him as he looked out over the landscape as she had done. Puzzlement came upon her features as he smiled. Manisha had seen nothing to smile about in that view. He then laid back in a distinctly casual way, obviously not expecting any trouble.

"Why did you smile when you looked out at the landscape?"

She wanted to know and didn't feel like being subtle today. Subtle had netted Manisha too much confusion. Perhaps the direct approach would garner better results? As she awaited his answer she noted the arrival of another. Normally she wouldn't be that interested but the mechanical sounds she heard preceding their arrival intrigued her. Whoever it was seemed to have been heavily modified with machines. They too were looking out at the area below.

Manisha's glance turned back out to the area below. She was very tempted to open her power to the two and see what they saw. However self control was one of Manisha's strong points. Whatever they saw and thought of the view before them would have to be learned the old fashioned way. Just another reason that Manisha missed her unit. They didn't mind, had even come to expect, her little intrusions into their minds. Here the only one she could even discuss it with was Jett. Manisha didn't think she'd be doing that soon, since his reaction was so odd.

[Maku]

With his own heartbeat ringing in his ears, Maku hadn't heard the mechanical wrenching sound. But the entire time he had reached the top of the cliff, he didn't expect anyone to bother him. When the ringing in his ears subsided and everything was calm, a voice startled Maku, causing him to almost jump out of his skin.

"Why did you smile when you looked out at the landscape?"

Sitting up abruptly, Maku looked at the woman. His mouth was sewed shut, a bit alarmed by her. A gulp wiggled his throat before answering to her. "It's a really amazing sight to see. But I don't really see a reason why I can't smile..." He blinked, looking the woman over as a way to detect if she had any malicious intentions, but didn't receive any overbearing feeling that she wanted to harm him.

Maku turned to regard the view once more, looking over the frozen ground and the metal sentries that routinely supervised the area below them. A puzzled look made its way to his face before departing quickly. His attention was more focused on the world below, still in awe of the artificial winter that took the reins of the season. Snow was definitely Maku's favorite type of precipitation. His intent of being up on the cliff was to observe and survey Freakopolis in it's new snowy state. He had no idea of the sheer size and layout of his new home. Being on top of the cliff face put everything in perspective. With the mental image burned in his mind, he turned to woman, adjusting his cap back over his ears.

He extended his arm out in greeting to the woman, smiling again. "My name is Maku, if you were wondering..." His tone had some warmth, despite the chilly temperature, and he intended to at least break some of the winter ice. From Maku's perspective, it was unusual to run into someone atop a cliff, but then again, it was unusual to be a mutant. Nonetheless, he waited for the woman to shake his hand, and perhaps, he'd make a new friend.

[Lucian Verdus]

Transmissions came from all over. Audiovisual data, activity and security reports, and innumerable others were all processed by his core in the speed of an average thought. All archived and prepared for later. He gave no mind to the beings nearby, preferring instead to occupy himself with the data he was taking in. There may have been something important, though no data thus far was marked critical. His servitors did not have the skills of observation and prioritization that he did, as they were not programmed as such. Brief skimming through such data could reveal massively important things. So far, there was little, but he would persevere all the same.

At the same time, the Inquisitor loitered at the base of the cliff, skull-head shining brightly in the sunlight. It was receiving the runoff of data from Lucian for his own review, lightening the processing load of his master by enough of a degree to appropriately increase efficiency. Absolutely nothing of interest on either end, but it was necessary that all was analyzed. If he were to miss one vital opportunity, one single chance to further his agenda, Lucian did not know if he would ever make it out.

[Manisha]

Manisha tried to understand the logic in the male's statement but it didn't register with her. She just did not understand what was amazing about it. These sentiments were kept to herself as she took the hand offered and shook it.

"First Lieutenant Manisha Lina Kapoor of the United States Army. It is a pleasure to meet you."

The woman spared a glance for the other being present and then focused back on Maku. Apparently they weren't feeling sociable. Manisha was fine with that. She'd still keep an eye on them though. It was with a cold eye that she once again regarded the landscape. All she saw was earth and vegetation covered by snow. What was amazing about that? Manisha didn't know nor was she certain she'd ever find out.

That was her reason for being up here. Never before had she met with such failure as when she'd decided to try and understand emotion. Manisha wasn't one for giving up but right now she felt like doing just that.

[Maku]

Either it was intent, or accident, but the words were cold. They possessed no feeling, as if to make this aquaintence just another part of someone's usual motions. Maku wasn't offended, just confused. He didn't recieve any form of greeting from her.. greeting. Her words reflowed through his mind. "First Lieutenant Manisha Lina Kapoor of the United States Army. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Of all the classes Maku took in the limited time he was in high school, Psychology was a fun blow off class. He did learn, but most of the time, the class did nothing work wise. When people are proud of something, or try to hold on to important memories, they like to use it as often, or embellish certain facts. Maku thought of this as she introduced herself. 'Even now in Freakopolis, she tries to keep her status in the military.' Maku took this into consideration. He assumed she took much pride in her military career, despite being locked into Freakopolis.

Maku smiled to her, using a tone of fake amazement, just to see how she'd react. "Wow! I've never met a real American Hero before. What was service like?" In all honesty, he'd met veterans in the past. But he did enjoy listening to some of the random stories of military service. Placing his hand behind him, he leaned back, staring off in the distant, artificial sky above his containment. His ears was open, and ready to listen. His focus was on Manisha, and he almost forgot the presence of the other and the drones below.

[Lucian Verdus]

The utter complacence and dull fascination nearby was not something of which he was terribly interested. This individual was in the military. Did the military not serve the government, as the people keeping them in did? What did she believe she was doing here? "First Lieutenant Manisha Lina Kapoor of the United States Army," Lucian echoed. The metallic appendages came out of his back, elevating him a good five feet higher as he moved to loom over the subject of his statement. "First Lieutenant Manisha Lina Kapoor of the United States Army. It is evident knowledge that the United States Army serves the governing powers of the United States. I am going to assume you will not deny this.

"It is an assumption that is far from unsafe that these men that keep us in here are also working under the government, and that this facility is government sanctioned. You, then, are associated with these men. I do not want to hear about your service under the individuals that permit us kept locked in these cages. If I want to know anything, it is what you know about this facility, and if you know anything privileged. I will not threaten you with death, but you know who makes Protection laws, and who makes the beings that enforce them. I do not want to see you in my cell for some severe infraction, and I am sure you do not, either. If we are understood, First Lieutenant Manisha Lina Kapoor of the United States Army, I would like to hear what you have to say."

All over Freakopolis, the eight combat servitors were ceasing their patrol routes. The six close combat and two ranged combat servitors all began to make their way to the base of the cliff upon which Lucian and the others stood. The Inquisitor received the data, as well, and knew that anything could happen, up there. Even if it meant climbing up to suppress the two other subjects, the servitors would protect their master. Six of them, though that was not a large amount in the grand scheme of things, was an understandably powerful force. One alone was dangerous as, among other things, it would detonate in hopes of killing their foe along with it, not to mention its skill at electrocution.

[Manisha]

A blink and a quizzical look was directed at Maku's apparent enthusiasm for her profession. Civillians, as a whole, never seemed all that comfortable with military personell and Manisha doubly so. That one would show interest was a bit foreign. Still, it would be rude to brush him off. Not something Manisha general considered but it couldn't hurt.

"Much of my career is top secret but I can tell you it was bloody."

At that juncture the other being made its presence known. Apparently a being formed nearly entirely of machines he, as she dubbed him, was certainly forboding. Manisha listened to his demand that she divulge any information about the facility and his threat of some laws that she was unfamiliar with. Having faced many varieties of hell during service neither his countence nor his threat affected her.

"I know nothing of these Protection Laws you speak of. I can only assume you are a person of importance in the Protectors. As such I salute you. However I do not belong to the Protectors so your threats are null unless you wish to engage in hostilities. I can tell you that I was sent here with no intel so your attempts to garner information on the facility from me have no meaning."

[Maku]

The thought of that word sparked images in his teenage mind. Bloody. Of course, all the images were those computer created, like the violent video games every boy plays. But he was enticed by Manisha's 'bloody' career. Even if it was only one sentence of exposition. Boys will be boys...

Maku was about to prod Manisha further on the subject, but his train of thought was derailed by the mechanical... something. At first glace, Maku couldn't make head or tails of it. Human made machine? Or.. something just worst? But all he knew was the 'it' was addressing Manisha, about her military career as well, but more focused on Freakopolis as a whole. It was obvious that the military practically ran the foundation of Freakopolis, but if Manisha was one of them, she wouldn't have been up on the cliff alone and unarmed. Maku had a gut feeling that said she was just another mutant with her own past, but wouldn't know anything about the facility as a whole. And if she did, wouldn't she be hell out of here? Maku just assessed the situation of it all as rationally as he could...

To Maku, it was as if the mechanical man and Manisha were talking in some type of tongues with all the strict toned vocabulary they were using. 'Severe infraction?' 'Engage in hostilities?' Maku wasn't stupid, he knew what they were talking about, but it was like the equivalent of translating two well spoken languages to the other in his head. But instead of speaking up, he just sat in solemn silence, waiting for how the situation may play out.

But he looked down at the ground of Freakopolis, only to see a collecting group of machines approach the cliff. Maku turned to Manisha, tugging slightly on her sleeve and pointing down to show her that they should expect company.

[Lucian Verdus]

"While it would be an intellectual ordeal of daunting proportions, even to a sophisticated processor as my own, to pick the mind of a meatbag and attempt to make them divulge that which they refuse to tell, there are things to be done that are worthwhile. I am the driving force of the protectors, after all, and I must make sure that volatile and untrustworthy individuals such as yourself are kept in line. If ever you have information of use to divulge, you had best tell it to one of my servitors. Make sure it is not while you are being apprehended. If there is nothing of use you have to say, I will depart." Lucian's words came out faster than usual, but did their best to keep the enunciation and steadiness they usually had.

It was not so much that he was worried, having his entire 'police' force right below him, but that he did indeed have some experiments to run. There was a single hurdle to a massive push in the right direction, that would take nothing but patience to pass. The guards had plenty of technology, and would soon have plenty more. It was a matter of availability. He needed only wait for another excuse to assault their facilities. This time, bring a runner to harvest their technology so that there can be more. Everything else being of little consequence, bodies and all, it was all a matter of keeping things in line until he could get his hands on the tech he needed.

The spider-legged scion of machines began to clamber down the cliff on said legs. At the same time, the small robotic crowd began to disperse, all returning to their appropriate patrol routes or, in the case of the Inquisitor, information duties. With enough servitors, the guards wouldn't be the only thing keeping the mutants in line. And, with luck, he'd be ten times as effective as the apathetic and bumbling guardsmen, only effective when anyone truly attempted escape. The walls, it seemed, were better guards. No wall stood forever, however, and, by the rebellion or some other monstrous hand, he knew they would someday topple.

He was immortal, immune to time itself. Maintained by the blessing of the machine. He would be there to see it, even if it took a thousand years to happen.

[Manisha]

A slight tick of annoyance came and went with this machine man. He was fascinating but highly annoying. He had no authority over her and here he was acting as though he did. Not only that but he categorized her as volatile and untrustworthy! That alone was enough to incite her to annoyance. Manisha wanted to explain that she was no more volatile and untrustworthy than a rock as long as there was no reason for her to be so. However the being, whatever or whoever he was appeared to be leaving. If that was an example of the Protectors then she probably wouldn't be joining any time soon. Having that as her superior would most likely give Manisha an aneurysm from suppressing the anger he'd generate.

Maku had remained quiet during her exchange with the thing so Manisha looked over to him. She'd felt him tug at her sleeve while she'd been talking but hadn't bothered to look. Now she gave a glance to the ground in time to witness the departing horde of machine men. Seasoned as she was Manisha gave a shudder. Had that devolved into hostilities things would have ended badly for her and Maku. As the emotions drained away into that vault she kept them locked in Manisha looked up to the sky.

"It is fortunate that that machine man saw no need to fight. We would not have survived that encounter."

A moment later she could be heard muttering if one listened hard enough.

"Volatile and untrustworthy indeed."

Yes the emotions were draining away as usual but that remark had annoyed her greatly. She was a soldier of distinction in the United States Army. That meant she was not volatile and untrustworthy.