The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: BlackStone on 22-04-2016, 10:55:13</h2>
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				Title: <strong>The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>22-04-2016, 10:55:13</strong>
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				Sweat dripped slowly down Geoff's spine.&nbsp; He clenched his hands together to make fists and then opened them again, repeatedly.&nbsp; It was always like this right before an operation, the jittery edge, the rush of adrenaline through his system.&nbsp; This time it was different than when he was a member of Force Recon, back before when he was human.&nbsp; Geoff could not put his finger on it but it was.&nbsp; Now there was an awareness of everything about his body, how he could move and react to the environment about him.&nbsp; It was like he did not have a blindside anymore.&nbsp; It was a surreal sensation as Geoff moved his head this way and that, rolling about his shoulders to react.&nbsp; It also made him want to act, to strike out, to do something with his body to expend the energy inside him.<br><br>Geoff was also aware of the of the violence and darkness inside of him.&nbsp; It was not that unusual, as Geoff always had a bit of anger issues when he was growing up.&nbsp; His parents got so fed up that they sent Geoff to a military boarding school.&nbsp; It was perhaps the best thing they did for him.&nbsp; While at the Academy, as Geoff called it, he learned to cope and deal with the violent nature inside him that was awaiting to be unleashed.&nbsp; With that tamed, it was easier for Geoff to flourish, and he did, securing his appointment to the Naval Academy, and being one of the three graduated allowed to try out for Force Recon, and out of a class of one hundred, he was one of twenty-five that graduated.&nbsp; <br><br>For six years Geoff operated in the black operations world.&nbsp; The average person had no idea what so ever of the dangers out there in the world.&nbsp; ISIS was only the pond scum visible on the surface.&nbsp; Things much darker and far more dangerous lurked under those waters, and it was against those threats, AIM, HYDRA, and something else that Geoff and his team had been fighting.&nbsp; No sooner than one mission had ended then his team was called up for another operation, and another.&nbsp; Not that Geoff minded in the beginning as it gave Geoff a release, an enemy to channel his anger and vent his frustration against.&nbsp; It was that anger however that lead to what happened to him.<br><br>Geoff had pushed to try to finish a mission when INTEL on the target and the area of operations turned out to be inaccurate.&nbsp; The number of forces on the ground was grossly underestimated, and they had an enhanced operative in play.&nbsp; The mission was completed, but at a heavy price.&nbsp; Over half of his operations platoon died during the encounter, and when Geoff organized an extraction team, he came face to face with the reason why.&nbsp; It was not only one enhanced asset, but three, and the three of them tore through his men.&nbsp; By some miracle Geoff had managed to get the remainder of his men extracted, but as he was boarding the helicopter himself, suffering the spinal injury that robbed Geoff of his ability to walk, at least for a time.<br><br>If it had not been for his old flame Alessandra Coles, Geoff would still be bound to a wheelchair.&nbsp; He wasn't however, and the procedure that she preformed upon him worked far beyond even her expectations.&nbsp; She changed Geoff's body, redesigned in fact by whatever Alessandra did, and not all of the changes were on the outside.&nbsp; Geoff had a link, a bond to a dimension that held all of the negative and violent emotions of humanity.&nbsp; A untapped and volatile source of power, but the rage, the violence Geoff felt, it was near beyond description.&nbsp; So far Geoff had managed to keep it in check, focusing and honing that negative energy into something that decimated whatever he was up against, but what about if he could not hold it in check?&nbsp; What would happen if all that rage and darkness inside him did not leave, and there were only his allies about him?<br><br>That was why Geoff was here in this training room for SHIELD, to hone his new abilities, this connection to all of the rage and violence in the world, to learn the control that he was going to need if he was not going to be a threat to those around him.&nbsp; Geoff let loose another breath and he relaxed himself again, his eyes closing as he reached out in his mind to touch that source of darkness that now was inside him someplace, that connection that allowed Geoff's body to be a focal point, a touchstone for the Darkforce in this dimension, to let it flow through him and then to take control, like racing headlong in white water rapids with razor sharp rocks of fire and ice, the conflicting emotions and sensations at war inside him, threatening to tear him apart if he did not reign it in, and control it.&nbsp; As Geoff did do, he opened his eyes, shining bright with their own inner fire, eyes now of pure silver with no iris or pupil at all, just pure mirrored silver.&nbsp; Then Geoff spoke in a voice devoid of all inflection and emotion and as he did do, a darkness was gathering and flowing over him covering him completely.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"Go..."</strong><br><br>Solid light holograms of attack robots appeared, about eight in total all about the room.&nbsp; By the time that they had finished forming, the darkness that flowed and writhed about Geoff had coalesced about him into some form of ebony armor.&nbsp; Blades about three feet long appeared from the forearms of the armor and before the robots heads snapped up to attention and could bring their weapons to bear, Geoff was moving, almost faster than the eye can see.&nbsp; He could split his attention between his two arms and in a series of quick slices, the robot forms dissipated in a series of lights, very much like the two Tron movies that were out. <br><br>Weapons were braced against robotic shoulders, tracking Geoff's form but he was gone.&nbsp; A circle of blackness appeared before him and he stepped through it, appearing behind two more robots.&nbsp; Two quick thrusts and the ebony blades pierced their robotic heads.&nbsp; With a quick motion, Geoff violently made a circular motion with his arms to sheer through the robotic heads.&nbsp; He continued the circular motions as he moved, charging towards two of the four remaining robots, their energy blasts catching on the blades and deflecting to the side.&nbsp; As Geoff closed the distance, he adjusted his arms and then punched forward with both arms, striking each construct through where the human heart would be on a person.&nbsp; <br><br>This action had put his back to the last two robots, but Geoff was not there again.&nbsp; Geoff let his arms fall to the sides and again the black portal appeared and the deconstructed holograms feel limply to the floor in a shower of what looked like small cubes of light.&nbsp; As soon as he was through, the portal was gone.&nbsp; Before his vision even cleared from the darkness, Geoff rotated his wrists and made an uppercut motion.&nbsp; Both blades connected into the spines of the remaining threats, and in a barrage of electronic noise and once more small cubes of light, the remaining two training constructs disappeared.&nbsp; Geoff stood there, barely breathing hard, a black vision of violence, destruction and death to the two people watching from the control room.<br><br>The ebony like armor flowed away from Geoff as did the blades retract into nothingness.&nbsp; In little more than a blink of an eye stood Geoff Barnes once more in the utility uniform that they gave every SHIELD agent.&nbsp; There was a sheen of sweat about his face and what bare skin was visible, yet that could be from the temperature inside the training room rather than any evidence of exertion on his part.&nbsp; The dark visor about his head that protected his eyes from the light glinted in the light of the training room, making Geoff appear not any less dangerous than he did taking down eight training drones that would be a challenge for any non-enhanced agent on the facility.&nbsp; <br><br>Geoff attempted to speak but found that he could not.&nbsp; The effort to do so at this moment was threatening to loose and slip that tenuous sensation of control, to fall from the raft into the rapids of ice and fire.&nbsp; It was hard to pin down the complex emotions that were at war inside him.&nbsp; It was always like that when he tapped into the darkness inside him and called it forth.&nbsp; After what seemed like an eternity for Geoff, the gateway, the connection to the dimension was closed off, but it was not gone, oh no.&nbsp; It sat there in what seemed like the center of his consciousness, throbbing, making itself known, wanting to be let free again.&nbsp; Geoff gave a small shake of his head and once more tried to speak, this time he was successful, his voice different from before, as his throat was full of gravel and dryness as he spoke.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"Time?"</strong>&nbsp; Their was a voice that echoed in the chamber that answered Geoff's query.&nbsp; It was a light yet professional male voice, so very different than the man inside the training room at the moment.&nbsp; <strong><em>"Eighteen seconds, Captain Barnes, quite impressive indeed.&nbsp; Feel free to hit the showers as it were and we will meet in the main lounge say in twenty minutes or so?&nbsp; Thank you and see you here in a few, Captain."</em></strong>&nbsp; With that the training room went silent again, at least silent to anyone else.&nbsp; Geoff gritted his teeth as he built up mental barriers in his head, walling off the throbbing and pulsating black sun of energy inside him, whispering to be let free and loose once more.<br><br>James Duncan released the button he had touched and turned to the other person in the room, Victoria Fields, the most senior agent that had been assigned to Project Gladiator, SHIELD's new initiative for covert team with enhanced abilities, to fight the threats that Barnes had encountered during his last mission as a marine, and to make certain that they do not harm another person again.&nbsp; James' voice had a very slight Scottish burr to it when he spoke, as if he managed to cut down on the think baroque many of his northern kin had that while might be interesting to listen too, made understanding what they were saying nigh difficult.&nbsp; <strong>"There you have it, Enigma.&nbsp; As you can see what Colonel Young wrote in his reports were not the stuff of exaggeration.&nbsp; To date only Captain Rodgers completed that training exercise in less time.&nbsp; A true Warrior Born this man is, and the next addition to Project Gladiator.&nbsp; Your thoughts?"</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>23-04-2016, 00:32:41</strong>
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				She’d never considered herself a leader, sure Victoria was damn good at what she did. The dark haired woman was considered one of the best marksmen in SHEILD before she went through the enhancement procedures.&nbsp; Afterward, there was only one that could out shoot her and it was because he had powers very similar to her own.&nbsp; So when she’d been approached to join Project Gladiator she’d been a bit reluctant at first.&nbsp; After all up until that point she’d been a free agent, able to pick and choose what missions to go on while being allowed to take care of her own affairs.&nbsp; It ended up being worth it, however, especially when she saw the size of her first paycheck.<br><br>Predatory amber eyes watched with interest at the figure in the training room taking in his stance and presence before he even began the exercise. He was certainly confident Victoria gave him that much but confidence did not mean he would be a worthwhile addition to the team. She needed to be able to see him fight, to see his enhanced abilities on display. Colonel Young swore up and down that he would be the perfect hand to hand expert to pick sighting his unusually precise and quick attacks as the main reason. He also had more experience under his belt than the other candidates she’d been presented with. <br><br>Then he began to attack and even she couldn’t quite keep track of his movements and her eyes worked quite a bit faster than the average human.&nbsp; “My, My.” She muttered under her breath as she leaned forward to get a better look at his performance. “He certainly is something.” The only aspect that worried her was the very obvious waves of aggression that seemed to radiate of him. You didn’t have to be an empath or a psychic to feel the barely controlled rage in each strike. <br><br>18 seconds later he was done and if she’d been even slightly less professional her mouth would’ve been hanging open. “For once he did not exaggerate I’ll give you that.” She responded as she wrote something down on the electronic tablet currently being held in her arms. “I think he’ll be a fine addition. Such an unusual power too, it’s not something I’ve seen or heard of before.” The only thing that worried her was the obvious darkness he tampered with. Granted she knew it was part of his powers but she wondered how much control he had. <br><br>“I’d like to speak to him privately if possible? After you’re done speaking to him of course.”&nbsp; Victoria wanted to gauge his temperament for herself.&nbsp; If he was too unstable she’d have to ask for a replacement, they last thing the Project needed was a loose cannon with such impressive powers. “Shall we head to the main lounge to wait for him? I’m really quite eager to get a closer look at my newest team mate.”
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>28-04-2016, 00:51:44</strong>
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				Geoff was what likely passed as a social lounge in the facility.&nbsp; His hair was damp from the shower, well on its way of being dry.&nbsp; While it was not the regulation "high and tight" that many Marines had, it was short by social standards, and had Geoff pegged as being with the government or military.&nbsp; He was still dressed in the regulation SHIELD agent combat jumpsuit he had on for the test.&nbsp; At the moment he was at the fridge filling a glass full of ice, his throat dry after the debrief with Director Duncan.&nbsp; It was clear to Geoff that he was impressed with what happened in the training simulation.&nbsp; Geoff was professional enough not to smirk or gloat, but there was a bit of cockiness, a swagger, to his body language that he could not tap completely out.&nbsp; He had been in Force RECON for far too long and like many in Special Forces, there as a confidence in themselves and their abilities that they could not mask.<br><br>Geoff put the water to his lips and drained it in one go, and then filled the glass all over, closing his eyes a bit as the coldness of the water hit his system, chilling the nerve that was next to the esophagus that triggered the sensation that everyone called "brain freeze".&nbsp; Geoff was one of those strange people that enjoyed that feeling, so it was no surprise that cold beverages were among his favorite.&nbsp; The lounge did not exactly have a full on coffee bar for his favorite indulgence of an ice cold frapachino, or a Slurpee machine, so Geoff was making do right now with cold water.&nbsp; If he was accepted to the team maybe he could put in a request for something.&nbsp; It was one of the few vices that Geoff indulged in and he did not think it would be asking for too much.<br><br>At the sound of the lounge door opening, Geoff turned and gave the newcomer a professional look over.&nbsp; The one good thing, if there was anything positive other than being able to walk again, it was the visor he needed to prevent even normal light from blinding him that allowed him to let his gaze linger over a female form that caught his eye and not be called out on it, and he was glad to have it at this moment as the woman that stepped into the lounge was worth a long gaze at.&nbsp; Geoff was a bit spoiled with having Alessandra to look at and as an occasional friend with benefits, but the lady that was walking towards him could give Alessandra competition in the head turning department.&nbsp; <br><br>Geoff set his glass down on the counter and stepped out from behind it, doing his best to regain his composure and to make certain his jaw was not dropping.&nbsp; Part of the reason why he had been more benefits than friend with Alessandra was in part of the Darkforce.&nbsp; Anger and rage were far from the only emotions that leaked into Geoff.&nbsp; Geoff was glad that the SHIELD jumpsuit was armored.&nbsp; While it did not necessary leave much to the imagination when one looked at Geoff's six foot one, muscled frame and his broad shoulders that looked like he could be a brace of a bridge, it at least did not embarrass him as the kernel of lust that was trickling in was making that combat jumpsuit a bit uncomfortable.&nbsp; Geoff did his best to draw upon images of dead puppies as he extended his hand towards Victoria as she reached within arm's reach of Geoff.<br><br><strong>"Agent Fields, yes?&nbsp; Director Duncan mentioned that you wanted to meet with me.&nbsp; I am sure you know already, but I do like to cover my bases.&nbsp; Geoff Nathaniel Barnes, former Captain, USMC."</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>28-04-2016, 05:26:54</strong>
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				Because she was here as a ‘professional recruitment director’ she’d forgone her usual body suit in favor of a smart business suit and heels. The black skirt stopped just above her knees and clung to her long slender legs and pert backside and the dark green blouse brought out the highlights in her eyes and had several buttons undone to give a teasing glimpse of her cleavage and the delicate silver chain she wore around her neck. The matching jacket was currently over her arm as it was rather warm in the observation room, not that you would know that by looking at her. <br><br>In her former profession, her looks were as much a weapon as her skill with a gun. She had lightly tanned skin and high cheekbones. Her lips were plump, inviting, especially when she smiled in greeting revealing straight white teeth. As unimposing as she seemed the way she moved spoke volumes about her skill. Victoria moved in a slow, graceful way that was almost identical to the way a large leopard moved before pouncing on its prey. Each step was measured with just a hint of movement in her hips it was obvious she could hold her own.<br><br>She gripped his hand in her own small but slightly callused one and gave his hand a firm confident shake.&nbsp; “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain Barnes. You did some impressive work down there in the training area. Well done and please call me Victoria, or Enigma if you wish to remain professional. I’m still not used to the Agent title. I used to be a freelance mercenary.” She released his hands and walked over to the small sitting area folding her jacket over the arm in an almost careless manner. “Please sit I’d like to get a feel for you before I officially accept you into the project.”<br><br>He really was an attractive guy now that she saw him up close. Tall and in shape. He filled out the uniform quite nicely. All in all, he made for a very deadly looking package even in a casual environment. With another smile, well more of a smirk she sat down and crossed her legs tossing he jacket over the back of the chair. “Since I’m no longer being watched like a hawk I’m going to drop the pretense okay?” her tone of voice changed and now it held an unintentionally seductive edge to it. <br><br>“I read the notes that Dr. Coles has in your file. Your power is extraordinarily unusual. Do you feel you have firm control over them? I ask this because if you went on a rampage in that form not even I could stop you, you’re too fast.” And that was saying something given her brain processed movements and images at a much faster pace than the average human.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>29-04-2016, 23:59:01</strong>
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				Geoff had to admit that there was something about a woman in a well tailored professional outfit, be it a skirt and blouse or suit paints that did something for Geoff.&nbsp; Alessandra dressed much the same way, and it always amazed Geoff how clueless she was to the effect that she had on the men and women about her.&nbsp; If Geoff did not know any better he would swear Alessandra had some enhanced ability to sway people and make their jaws drop and head snap in her direction so fast it was a wonder they did not get whiplash.&nbsp; Geoff dismissed it every time he thought it.&nbsp; Alessandra was the one of the most renowned minds on genetics and enhanced being physiology in the world.&nbsp; She would know more than anyone if she herself was enhanced.&nbsp; Still, Geoff never stopped laugh when men and women threw themselves at her.<br><br>The woman before him, Victoria or Enigma as she insisted, could rival Alessandra for how her professional attire fit her.&nbsp; Would make a man wonder what he would find underneath.&nbsp; Would her underthings be plain and functional, or would there be a naughty streak, a woman that knew the power of her sexuality and had her own secret armor to draw upon, a secret she would know and no one else.&nbsp; Unconsciously, whether she knew the effect that she had upon people or not, Alessandra always wore lingerie under her clothing, silk, lace, leather, it did not matter.&nbsp; She had a deeply sexual and kinky side to her that she let loose with only a few people, and she admitted to Geoff one time that she did so for it made it feel powerful, and because of the few people that knew her, they would know what was underneath that she wore, and how it unhinged it would make them later.<br><br>Geoff shook his head as he walked with Victoria, matching her step by step, another thin ingrained into him since boot.&nbsp; He waited for her to sit down and did so the same.&nbsp; As he did so, he did his best to call up his own self discipline.&nbsp; Lust was getting the better of him and Geoff could not fuck this up.&nbsp; His time in the wheelchair proved to him beyond a doubt that a normal life, a dull existence, would kill him, literally.&nbsp; it was why Geoff never transferred from Force RECON.&nbsp; There were some men breed for peace, and others for combat, and Geoff was the later.&nbsp; He needed to be in the thick of battle, of the fight, to have a mission and purpose to drive him.&nbsp; Since his transformation, that place was no longer in the Marines.&nbsp; International treaties saw to that.&nbsp; If Geoff was going to have a purpose in this world, if he was to fight the darkness inside him and stop himself from turning into the monster he feared, then he needed to convince Victoria that he was more an asset than a potential threat.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Geoff had to admire Victoria.&nbsp; She was not one to mince words and she went right to the heart of the problem.&nbsp; It also meant the woman was perceptive as hell and there would be little if anything he could put past her.&nbsp; It spoke volumes to the type of person she was, mercenary or not.&nbsp; If she was the type of person where money, or the mission, to cloud her judgment or to put her people at risk, especially to a person that could turn on them in the middle of an operation that could turn what should be a cake walk into a nightmare that people would not walk away from.&nbsp; The question she asked would be the same question Geoff would ask if he were in her shoes.&nbsp; It was fortunate for Geoff this was a question he had expected and that he believed he had an answer for it.<br><br><strong>"I will admit, it is not easy, but then again combat never is.&nbsp; I am a veteran of twenty-three combat operations, with twenty-three mission successes, and in all of those operations, no matter how much of what people called blood or battle lust had me in hand, I never once sacrificed the men under my command.&nbsp; I even put myself in harms way for them more than once, at great personal risk.&nbsp; Yes, there is a power inside me, but I know hoe to keep it on a reign, and when to let it go.&nbsp; As dangerous as I am, I am certainly not uncontrollable, and certainly not on the level as Doctor Bruce Banner is with the Hulk.&nbsp; He has never turned upon them, and they manage to use their best advantage.&nbsp; I will be the same."</strong>&nbsp; There was a steel core and confidence in his words, no doubt or uncertainty at all in his words.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>01-05-2016, 05:27:13</strong>
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				There was that confidence again she could hear it in the way he spoke and see it in the way he sat. He wasn’t at all uncertain or nervous, there wasn’t even the vaguest hint he was lying. So Geoff was positive he could keep hold of his powers? She made a sound under her breath and brought the digital pen up to her lips tapping the tip against them thoughtfully.&nbsp; Victoria didn’t speak instead she tapped something on the tablet and her eyes moved as though she was reading something. She tapped a few more times and then read a bit more and only then did she look up at him.<br><br>“Well if you’re certain I don’t really see any reason to keep you from becoming a member of Project Gladiator. All the higher ups praise your skill.&nbsp; Dr. Cole says you’re her greatest success.” Victoria chuckled softly her orange and green eyes glittering in amusement as though more than just that had been said to her when she met with the Doctor earlier that day.&nbsp; “Gather your things and say your goodbyes, we have our own headquarters SHIELD built for us not far from here. I just need to dot the I’s and cross the T’s and we can be off. I’ll meet you at the helicopter pad in about 30 minutes.”<br><br>She stood and grabbed her jacket off the back of the chair before heading towards the door she’d entered from. There were still many things they needed to discuss but they were on a bit of a time constraint. Despite his words, she planned on watching him closely something she was certain he expected from her. If there was even the slightest hint that he could be a risk to her team she would replace him in a heartbeat, just as she had when their original demolitions expert blew a hole in the base wall after he lost a game of cards. It was part of her job, after all, a part she took very, very seriously.<br><br>It was exactly 30 minutes later when she arrived and they were just beginning to prep the helicopter for take-off. She was still dressed in her business suit but alongside the tablet was a thick personnel file, his personnel file alongside several other official looking documents. Notification of his transfer and that like she’d jumped through all the required bureaucratic hoops. Now all that was left was to get him settled in his new quarters and introduce him to the rest of the team. <br><br>“We’re an odd bunch.” She told him yelling over the whirring helicopter blades. “But it works. Here.” She handed him the tablet. “The dossiers on our demo expert and our tech expert are in there if you want to take a look. There is even some information on me. It should be more than enough to pass the time while we had over to our headquarters. We’re going to be living together and training together much like the avengers so I hope you don’t mind roommates.” With that, she offered him a playful wink before climbing into the back of the helicopter accidently giving him a glimpse of black lace underwear in the process. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>05-05-2016, 06:00:27</strong>
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				Geoff did not fool himself for a moment that with the hard question she asked.&nbsp; Yes, the loss of control was a concert for him as well, but he was also confident that with training and effort, he could minimize the risk and use the Darkforce to his advantage and ends, to use the darkness to extract justice for those that had no other recourse for it.&nbsp; Still, that was a concern for another time.&nbsp; For now he had passed whatever test or tryout and was now a part of Project Gladiator.&nbsp; At Victora's words, Geoff inclined his head and gave her a professional smile, and yet another hidden look up and down.&nbsp; This assignment was starting to look up if it meant he was going to be spending more time with Victoria.&nbsp; <strong>"It won't take me long to say my goodbyes and get my gear, see you in a few topside."</strong><br><br>Geoff was not exaggerating about how little time it was going to take him to get prepared.&nbsp; Still to part of his core he was Force RECON, and they had to be prepared to move at a moments notice.&nbsp; In fact Geoff had not even unpacked in the state room that SHIELD had given him.&nbsp; Geoff did not see there was a point to it when he knew he would not be there for long.&nbsp; There was no one present at SHIELD for him to say goodbye too.&nbsp; Alessandra was not there, and Geoff had said his words to her before he arrived at this training facility.&nbsp; So in less than twenty minutes Geoff had his gear and what possessions he brought with him and waiting for Victoria at the helipad.&nbsp; He again gave her an open and professional smile and stepped aside for her to board first, then he joined her, closing the door behind him.<br><br>The helicopter was state of the art, and one hardly heard the roar of the rotors as they took off and started to move toward the Gladiator base of operations.&nbsp; As Victoria passed over the dossiers, Geoff opened them and began to read through them.&nbsp; Geoff had learned through his years to quickly assimilate information.&nbsp; He read through Victoria file first, and was impressed with it, already seeing the opportunities and potential there.&nbsp; <strong>"Yes, I can see how this team with some training together could be what SHIELD has been missing in their more riskier field operations, especially against other enhanced.&nbsp; I am interested in hearing your experiences with the rest of the team.&nbsp; What impressions and information tell me that is not present here in their dossiers?</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>07-05-2016, 03:54:16</strong>
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				If not for the headsets they were both wearing she wouldn’t have heard a single question he asked. He wanted to know about her experiences with the group? Well, she couldn’t blame him, it paid to have a second opinion from someone who actually knew the other member rather than going off of clinically written dossiers.&nbsp; For instance, there wasn’t a lick of information about either of their personalities or quirks and they really were quite the bunch. Right now there were only four of them Fuse was their demolition expert able to create systemic disturbances by merely focusing on the base of whatever object he wished to destroy.&nbsp; Then there was their hacking/tech expert Lindsey, she had no code name to speak of and she was a technopath able to create and communicate with computers and security systems.<br><br>“Let’s start with Fuse then.” She began pleased that they’d both be given headsets so they didn’t need to scream over the whirring blades of the helicopter. “Up until now he was the most recent recruit. He’s quite the character, surprisingly even-tempered despite the name. He prefers to work out alone and doesn’t talk much but he has a wicked sense of humor and a great appreciation for irony. He picked out his own name, by the way, I guess he didn’t feel like thinking of something that better described his power.” He was also quite the charmer when he happened to be in the mood. His favorite past time was teasing Lindsey.<br><br>“Lindsey is a hacker and technopath and is very much a shut in. She keeps to her room most of the time unless we need to train or we force her to come out and eat with us.&nbsp; She is a brilliant young woman. I think she just recently turned 21. If you have even the most basic understanding of physics and engineering she can talk to you for hours.&nbsp; She creates makeshift weapons from spare tech parts she keeps on her during missions, guns mostly or the occasional melee weapon. They don’t last long but they can pack quite the punch.&nbsp; Just don’t expect her to be able to explain how they work, most of the time she has no idea.”<br><br>As she spoke about his new teammates the helicopter continued to fly towards their destination and arrived a few hours later landing in front of a small militaristic compound that seemed to be built into the base of a mountain.&nbsp; It was standard as far as buildings went square with no embellishments or accents, the windows were all tinted and there was something almost…barren about it. When they both stepped out she reached into her pocket and waved a metallic pass in front of a reader. “You’ll get your own as soon as Lindsey gets a bit of your DNA. She designed the security system herself. Your room is down the third hall on the left number 126. Do you want some time to get settled in or would you like to meet everyone now?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>10-05-2016, 00:24:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Victoria started to speak about the other two members of the team, Geoff read over their dossiers and all the data that was in them.&nbsp; It was an interesting mix of enhancements that he was dealing with here.&nbsp; Alessandra would be like a kid in the candy store if she had access to the whole team, and despite the looks and the aura she had about her, everyone of them would likely be wanting to string her up inside a week if she asked them one more time for a blood sample or to pee in a cup.&nbsp; Geoff knew that he had been about too after Alessandra's procedure changed him into the person today.&nbsp; On an academic level Geoff understood why she needed to take so many tests in those weeks after, but even his patience was strained and he was friends with the woman.&nbsp; <br><br>The personalities of the team would need a bump in a more sociable direction.&nbsp; The teams in Force RECON that Geoff meshed and gelled with the best were the one that could joke about and talk to one another.&nbsp; Anti-social behavior and limited interaction at times worked at cross purposes with team environment.&nbsp; The reason why those teams were successful was because they knew each other so well, they could anticipate and had a pretty good idea how each team member would react in a given situation.&nbsp; If the operations this team were to be anything close to the ones he had in Force RECON, then there were going to be times that there was going to be no communication, no voice or radio contact.&nbsp; In situations like that, being about to pick up on the non-verbal cues and body language, to know how the team member would do was worth its weight in gold.<br><br>As they touched down at the complex, Geoff unhooked and removed the headphones, setting them aside in the helicopter.&nbsp; He gave a small grunt as he picked up his back and then made a small leap to the ground, his knees bending to absorb the impact of boots on the ground.&nbsp; After that, he followed about a step behind Victoria as she lead him inside the facility.&nbsp; It was a nice view after all and he was going to enjoy it as much as he could.&nbsp; It was only for a minute, but it was a damned good minute.&nbsp; Once they reached the outer door, Geoff closed the distance and thought about her question for the moment.&nbsp; It did not take Geoff long.&nbsp; He had been in Force RECON long enough that home was merely a place to hang his stuff and not anything special.&nbsp; What was important was the people, and that was Geoff's first priority.<br><br><strong>"Let's meet everyone.&nbsp; In Force RECON building a bond and connection with each and every member of the team meant the difference between life and death, and I do not say that as an exaggeration.&nbsp; A bed is just a place where my head lays down on a pillow, but people, they were what is important.&nbsp; I want to meet our team Enigma, start working on those bonds we are going to need to get us out of the tough spots so we all come home from the mission." </strong> 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>16-05-2016, 23:40:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The rooms that served as living quarters were actually rather spacious and welcoming despite the code clinical outside. They were carpeted with a full sized bed, closet, room for an entertainment center and each one had its own bathroom. His would be rather bare for the moment as he’d not been there long enough to customize it but soon enough she hoped he would view it as a second home rather than just military quarters. She remained in the sitting room while he went to put his stuff away wishing desperately she could get out of this damn business suite but knowing at the moment introducing him to everyone was more important.<br><br>“And there is the second reason they were so eager to get you in with us.” She commented with a slight smile. The team had only been together for a short time, Fuse joined a month ago and Lindsey came in at the same time as Victoria had which was only a month longer than their demolition’s expert. Granted their training exercises were successful but it was only because they each focused on their own specialized skill rather than one another. Even she knew that if they kept that up their first major mission would be a failure. “I’ll order pizza and call them out.” She informed him after a moment. <br><br>The dark haired woman stepped away and dialed a number on her phone ordering three large pizza and various side dishes and then hit a small orange button beside the TV, it was the intercom. “Lindsey, Fuse.” She began. “Our fourth member is here. Come meet him.” If there were responses he couldn’t hear them and soon enough one of the other room down the halls opened and a young woman stepped out.<br><br>She was slender, almost too slender with dark blonde hair that curled around a delicate looking face. The clothes she wore were baggy, comfortable looking but she still managed to look good. The closer she got the more obvious the thinly glowing lines beneath her skin became. It resembled circuitry like a computer might have. Her blue eyes zeroed in Geoff and faster than one would think she could move she’d dashed before him and held up a small vial. “I need saliva for your security pass, give.” She stated in a voice that was surprisingly strong given her small size.&nbsp; <br><br>“Lindsey this is Geoff he’s our close range combat expert.” Victoria began as though the complete invasion of his personal space was relatively commonplace for the blonde technopath. “That’s nice.” The blonde responded still holding the vial up in front of the much larger man’s face while her eyes skimmed over his face as though she was trying to solve a particularly complicated math problem. “He looks more capable than the last guy they tried to foist upon us at least.”<br><br>“Personal space blondie.” A male voice echoed down the hall this one belonged to Fuse. “Just hand him the vial and back up a bit.” He was tall and had a rather stoic expression on his face. For the most part he had no outwards signs of his mutation though his eyes were an unusual shade of mossy green. He was built pretty solid with noticeable musculature and broad shoulders. It took a moment for Lindsey to actually respond but eventually she did as he asked backing up and placing the vial in Geoff’s hand.<br><br>&nbsp;“Fuse.” She said not bothering to look at the dark haired male. “Apparently this is Geoff he’s our newest recruit.” Stepping back she settled down on the sofa and we a wave of her hand the TV turned on some science program.&nbsp; “Nice to meet you.” Fuse said with what could be considered a friendly smile. “I hope you’ll be able to keep up. Enigma’s a slave driver. Do you want some food or something? I heard pizza being ordered but if you’re like me you’re probably starving anyways. Hell, we even have beer if you’re the sort that likes to indulge." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>21-05-2016, 08:17:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Geoff really did not bother much with unpacking.&nbsp; All he had was the two military issue duffle bags to his name at this point, and those two bags he dumped upon the bed and he walked right back out into the living area of his new suite were Victoria was waiting.&nbsp; As his gaze rested on her form again he picked up a bit on her agitation.&nbsp; That hit Geoff as something a bit out of place of how she was before, but then again, Geoff recalled the few times in his military where he had his Marine's dress blues, he was not completely comfortable in the uniform, despite it being hands down one of the more popular uniforms about the general public.&nbsp; The same was likely the case here with Victoria and her business attire.&nbsp; A shame in a sense for while Geoff could relate, she did look striking with what she was wearing.<br><br>Geoff made a gesture to the door, and as he walked out of it with Victoria, his hand happened to rest upon the small of her back as they walked together.&nbsp; As they walked he nodded his head to her words.&nbsp; <strong>"I can understand that.&nbsp; If your training room is anything like they had back at SHIELD?&nbsp; If so then I co go through the training scenarios programed and see if any would fit as a good start for team work and team building.&nbsp; I am not looking for a scenario that is tailored fit to one's abilities.&nbsp; In fact I much rather have the team members try to adapt their abilities and skills to what is thrown at them rather than a training programs tailored to test their abilities."</strong><br><br>Geoff moved to grab a glass of water as he watched Victoria order the food and then called for the team to be in the room.&nbsp; The first was the technopath, and it seemed this Lindsey had no issue with being close to someone, in a physical sense as she was indeed up in his personal space.&nbsp; It was almost comical to have the slender and tiny blonde standing next to the tall and broad form of Geoff.&nbsp; The intensity of behind her though almost cause Geoff to take a step back, but after a moment of thought, he began to understand it.&nbsp; He had seen it enough in the Marines were a woman, especially women petite and smallish in nature, had a metaphorical chip on their shoulder to be taken as what they were, or trying to live up to, and that was a United States Marine, and not as a pixie, or a little girl playing Marine.<br><br>Before Geoff could respond, the last team member, Fuse, had joined.&nbsp; Fuse had a body type and build that Geoff was used too which to him showed promise.&nbsp; It mean that the man took this serious enough to keep himself in prime, physical condition.&nbsp; He met his handshake with a firm one of his own, and if Geoff's answering smile was not exactly warm and friendly, it was at least professional.&nbsp; <strong>"Nice to meet both of you.&nbsp; Victoria filled me in on you both on the ride over and I am looking forward to seeing you both and your skills in the field.&nbsp; As far as keeping up, I will admit that modesty is not one of the things they instill in a Marine and I know I can hold my own.&nbsp; As far as the food front, Enigma I believe has that covered with the food for the Gods, pizza, on its way.&nbsp; As far as a beer, I have nothing planned so sure, I will take one."</strong> <br><br>Geoff moved to the fridge and was glad that someone's taste ran the same as his own with Killian's in the fridge.&nbsp; Before he accepted the beer, he did take the vial that had been handed to him and gave her the saliva sample she had asked for.&nbsp; He handed over the now sealed vial back to the pixie like yet intense woman, then he moved to twist off the bottle of beer and take a sip from it.&nbsp; Geoff then leaned against the island counter in the room and looked at his new team members.&nbsp; <strong>"Since there is no training sessions or anything official here at least till tomorrow, is there anything you two would like to know and ask me?&nbsp; I had found in my past experience getting to know one's team member can lead to increased performance out in the field."</strong> <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>01-06-2016, 05:55:14</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				“Everything I need to know I’ll learn when I make your ID card,”&nbsp; Lindsey told him. “People lie, but DNA does not.” The way she stated it made it seem as though she had issues trusting people though that was not the case. In fact, she trusted both Fuse and Victoria implicitly she simply refused to pass judgment on Geoff until he was able to prove to her he was a useful member of the team. When he mentioned training she frowned making her seem almost childlike.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>“Bah training exercises.” She said with a wave of her hand “You know most of the time during our mock missions I’m in the control room hacking turrets and doors right? Not exactly something I need to practice. All computers are the same unless they have an AI core. Then it gets a bit tricky” She placed the vial into the pocket of her sweater before sitting cross-legged on one of the plush armchairs making her already small self even smaller. She wasn’t exactly a ‘field agent’ when it came down to it, in order for her to do her work all she needed was a way into the computer systems and she was set. Very rarely was she required to shoot things, though she could if necessary? <br><br>“We’ve discussed this before Lindsey,” Victoria stated as she sat down in the armchair across from her teammate.&nbsp; “You can’t hide away in a control room during a mission once you do what needs to be done. Part of the reason you got in was because of your ability to create improvised weapons and the fact you were one of the best shooters in your group.” The blonde rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything else on the matter. At this point, her defenses had been heard a dozen times already and Enigma had managed to punch holes in them every single time. It wasn’t that Lindsey couldn’t work in a team, she just didn’t think it was required in order perform to the best of her abilities.<br><br>Food arrived shortly after placed on a small metal tray that would yank it inside without the doors needing to be opened. By this point, the pizza guy knew the drill and waited until the tray slid out once more revealing his money and tip before he left. “Can you help me with these Geoff?” she asked gesturing to the multiple pizzas. “They need to be scanned for toxins and put on the kitchen table. This way.”<br><br>She led him down a hall to a small laboratory that for the moment was empty. “We still need a field medic but I’m having a hard time finding someone with enhanced abilities and a Ph.D. go figure right?” Victoria chuckled softly and set the greasy boxes onto a large scanner. “It’ll only take a second.” She informed him. “I’m sorry about Lindsey it takes her a bit to warm up to someone and getting her to participate in team activities is…problematic at best. I’ve considered replacing her but no one I’ve looked at surpasses her skill level. It’s going to be up to you and me to get her to understand the meaning of the word ‘Team’ I expect.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>11-06-2016, 19:11:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuse pushed off from the island in the kitchen area of the lounge and went over to sit next to Lindsey, bringing her a drink as he did.&nbsp; He knew by now what the anti-social nerdette enjoyed.&nbsp; He then picked up the remote to HBO.GO to catch the latest episode of Game of Thrones.&nbsp; &nbsp;In part because it would annoy Lindsey a bit, and also because he knew that she secretly liked the show.&nbsp; He took a sip of his beer and started to speak in a casual tone to her.&nbsp; At least he was trying for casual, yet his accent made it difficult for any woman listening to him that he was not hitting on her.&nbsp; <strong>"What the big and very rather intimidating U.S. Marine is trying ta say ta ya luv is that out in the field you are not always going to be in a control booth, so there is no need to continue to avoid me."</strong>&nbsp; He took another sip of his beer and watched the screen.&nbsp; yes, he loved this show too.<br><br>At the kitchen area, Geoff smiled to Engima and grabbed half of the pizza boxes.&nbsp; <strong>"Sure I can help you out.&nbsp; Be glad too."</strong>&nbsp; He followed behind Victoria, not minding the view he was giving him at all.&nbsp; As they moved into the lab area, he started passing her pizza boxes to be scanned, he listened to Victoria describe the shortfall they had for the team.&nbsp; &nbsp;He brought his hand up to her five o'clock shadow as he spoke.&nbsp; <strong>"I do not know if she is enhanced.&nbsp; The way she could sway people at times I would swear she has powers, but if you are looking for en expert in enhanced human physiology and genetics and already has the necessary security clearance, then look no further than Alessandra Coles.&nbsp; &nbsp;I mean you could spend more time looking for the perfect fit, but you could also end up with someone worse than Aless.&nbsp; Not to mention so is already an expert with my powers.&nbsp; &nbsp;Something to think about."</strong><br><br>As the pizza boxes were scanned, Geoff would gather them back up and put them back into stacks.&nbsp; <strong>"As far as Lindsey, I have dealt with people like her.&nbsp; Sometimes the support staff we were saddle with took a bit to get them to warm up to us, but we needed them and needed them to be part of the team so we got good at making them feel a part of us.&nbsp; It is understandable as when you are Special Forces, you earn a certain intimidating reputation and made us come off as "unapproachable."&nbsp; What we are doing here and now is an important first step.&nbsp; To get us interacting with one another on a social level goes a long way in getting us to interact with one another in the field."</strong><br><br>When the pizza's had finished scanning, Geoff picked them all up and made a gesture for Victoria to lead the way.&nbsp; It was so he could get more time looking at her fine ass, but he his time in the Marines told him to take the perks of a operation when then came, and Victoria was for sure a perk so far.&nbsp; <strong>"One of my favorite quotes that they drilled into us when at the Academy was from Patton.&nbsp; It went something like this.&nbsp; "If you can't get them to salute when they should salute, and wear the clothes that you tell them to wear, then how are you going to get them to die for their country."&nbsp; It boiled down to this, if you can't get people to sweat and do the small stuff, they will never master the big stuff when it matters.&nbsp; This what we are doing right now, its important."</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>25-08-2016, 06:52:34</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Lindsey accepted the drink and took a sip her eyes drifting towards the screen almost against her will. “I don’t avoid you.” She informed him. “I just don’t actively seek out your company. There is a difference.” At least Fuse was better than the last demo expert they had, that guy creeped her out. Always eyeing her like fresh meat when she bent over and trying to ‘accidently’ go into the wrong shower room after training. Contrary to popular believe she wasn’t totally innocent when it came to the matter of lust she’d had a few boyfriends in her day.<br><br>Once thing that interested her about Fuse was the fact he’d managed to learn her habits and secret enjoyments with alarming speed. She had once prided herself on being cold and hard to read but then he’d arrived with all the grace of a pack of excited Pitbull puppies.&nbsp; He’d already managed to win her over with his attitude and charming accent. Not that she would tell him that, if she admitted to enjoying anyone’s company they’d never leave her alone. Victoria was the same way though she was more of an annoying older sister rather than a charming rogue. &nbsp;“Rewind about five minutes, will you? I missed something.”<br><br>“I think I have a dossier on Dr. Coles somewhere.” She stated after a moment. “The base commander slipped it to me before we go into the helicopter. I sort of set it aside when it stated ‘no known enhancements’. That and everywhere I’ve been I’ve had commanders and generals trying to get me to hire their people. They remind of car salesmen. I’ll take a look at her. We have to have a field medic before they’ll even consider giving us an actual mission.”<br><br>Each pizza took a little over two seconds to scan and they all came back clean, though the computer informed them in a very loud voice that the calorie content was extraordinarily high and not an advisable meal choice. Victoria, of course, ignored it and headed back into the kitchen listening to Geoff all the while. &nbsp;“Well it’s good to know you don’t think she’s a lost cause because that means my judgment on keeping her with us was sound.&nbsp; She’ll be pleased as well I imagine.” Victoria grinned softly.<br><br>Several minutes later had all four of them sitting in the living room eating pizza and watching Game of Thrones. Victoria didn’t care much for it, it was a bit too doom and gloom for her but it had its moments and the battles were fantastic. Lindsey even remained with them long after she’d finished her pizza because she wanted to see the end though she’d not spoken much outside of the occasional snarky comment. “Tomorrow I’m going to take a look at the dossiers for our field medics, Geoff suggested someone that may work so we may have a complete team by the end of the week.” <br><br>“Finally.” The blonde muttered as she sipped her second drink of the night. “You’d think you were trying to find a doctor for your children with how critical you’ve been of the potentials.&nbsp; As long as they know what all the buttons do in the lab I’m sure they’ll be fine.” <br><br>Enigma snickered softly. “You don’t even know what all the buttons do in the lab, Lindsey. Isn’t that why I caught you trying to hack into the medical systems last week?” her comment was greeted with irritated grumbling from the petite blonde while color rose in her cheeks.&nbsp; It was almost as though she was embarrassed she hadn’t been able to get in without alerting Victoria.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>02-09-2016, 05:33:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fuse continued to smirk as he sipped his beer, then went for another slice of pizza, enjoying the downtime.&nbsp; &nbsp;It was a rare thing to have between missions, he knew from experience with ASIS.&nbsp; The old saying about how good work was rewarded by more hard work applied even more so to those that traveled in the realm of shadow operations, ten times so to those that could handle explosives.&nbsp; Roy did not know when his powers had started.&nbsp; Perhaps he had always been there and only over the years evolved to what they were today.&nbsp; Perhaps repeated exposure to exotic energies and things that go boom that changed him.&nbsp; <br><br>Roy was not certain which came first, in the end it did not matter.&nbsp; What did was the appearance of this Geoff Barnes.&nbsp; It meant that the shite was about to hit the fan, and that this little project that started as someone's brain child was going to be real, and times such as this, drinking beer and eating pizza, ribbing others in friendly jest, watching television shows, all of that was going to be as rare as hen's teeth.&nbsp; &nbsp;So, enjoy it while they could, and make damn sure there were going to be other times to enjoy it.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"In Enigma's defense, all those others were tossers, and ugly ta boot.&nbsp; Of course if this lass the Marine is suggesting is ugly, I am going ta put in my veto.&nbsp; Only person whose hands I want on my giblets and handling large needs had best be a damned sight on the eyes."</strong>&nbsp; <br><br>After that, he picked up the controller and went back to the start of the previous chapter.&nbsp; <strong>"How you can miss something after watching this five times already is a mystery.&nbsp; Eagle-eye your code name is not."</strong>&nbsp; At that Fuse prepared himself for the likely be a food being tossed at him.&nbsp; After that danger had passed, he again snagged another piece of pizza.&nbsp; <strong>"Eat up, this is good pizza and a far sight better than field rations."</strong><br><br>At Fuse's words, Geoff smirked, which was an odd sight behind his wrap around glasses with the mirror like finish to them.&nbsp; He did take up the good advice and piled his own plate up with pizza.&nbsp; <strong>"I can assure you that Alessandra would know what all of the buttons and dials do, and while I would say that Alessandra does not make one close your eyes, but if you make a pass at her here is some food for thought.&nbsp; She has access to drugs that can put you under and is very good at cutting things off of bodies.&nbsp; I would remember that if you are fond of your giblets, so to speak.</strong><br><br>Geoff still took out a smart phone and sent off a quick text, setting up an meeting with Alessandra and Enigma.&nbsp; <strong>"There, meeting set up and do not worry, while she might look like she belongs on the cover of <em>Maxim</em>, she can rough it with the best of them.&nbsp; Been friends of the family for a while and she can hike the Pacific Trail with a canteen and rope and nothing else.&nbsp; Until then, I agree here with Fuse, let us enjoy this pizza, and time with one another.&nbsp; After tonight, as we used to say in the Marines, the real work begins."</strong>&nbsp; Geoff took a seat at an empty chair near the entertainment center and laughed at Fuse's joke.&nbsp; <strong>"Yes, that would be a safe bet if this is her fifth time watching this episode."</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>09-11-2016, 07:56:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“I’ll drink to that!” Victoria said with a soft laugh while Victoria seemed to once again be blatantly ignoring what was going around in favor of focusing on the show. Quite frankly she wasn’t concerned about the doctor because despite her attitude she trusted her teammates with her life. She was even growing fond of Geoff in the short time he’d been with them, not that she would admit that. Tomorrow they would finally begin to train and she would be able to put her mind and powers to work. All this sitting idle was not good, even for a shut in like her. Lindsey’s mind worked a bit like a computer and she needed constant stimulation otherwise she would grow bored, and when she grew bored government websites suffered.<br><br>As it turned out it would be at least three days before Victoria could get back to the base that she’d picked Geoff up from. There was a storm in the area and the winds were too strong to fly as they’d yet to receive their special forces helicopter, it was due to arrive at the end of the week. So Enigma decided to work on training simulations, taking into account each person’s specialty and a few complex computer algorithms via Lindsey saw the group beginning to train together at least two hours a day. It was rough going at the moment, they’d yet to mesh and Victoria often found herself deferring to Fuse or Geoff for tactical techniques rather than trusting her own experience. <br><br>Being a SHIELD Agent was one thing as long as you did the job it didn’t matter how it was done and she'd always been a second in command never a leader. With this group, there were procedures and techniques she was somewhat unfamiliar with. It was quite the blow to her pride and in the evening she would often be found in the bases extensive library reading over military tactics and maneuvers rather than spending time in the great room with the rest of them.&nbsp; Once she got used to this she would be fine, but until then studying and trying new training tactics was the best she could do. <br><br>Friday found her back at the base where Alessandra was currently stationed dressed in the same damn business skirt and blouse she’d been wearing when she picked him up except this time she had Geoff accompanying her as he knew more about the doctor than even the dossier stated. “I hate this damn skirt.” She muttered under her breath as they headed down to the medical lab, the only solace she had was that after this there would be no more interviews and meetings and she would finally be able to focus on getting the team up to her rather high standards. No more basic training missions after today, now she wouldn't have to worry about someone getting hurt.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>18-11-2016, 07:18:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Geoff was pretty silent on the ride back to the SHIELD facility where Alessandra was stationed.&nbsp; He used the time to look over what training scenario's the base could support, and making notes and changes to them for the upcoming weeks, every now and then asking for input from Victoria or displaying to her what changes he had made and the reason for it.&nbsp; &nbsp;It was a quick way to pass the near two hour flight to the base, and gave Geoff a bit more insight into the team he had been recruited.&nbsp; There was potential, especially for the type of operations he suspected would be the teams primary focus, the type to sneak in quietly and without notice, yet in case things went south to be able to fight back and punch hard and fast, to knock the other guys on their heels and as they get their bearings, slip away into the night like shadows and mist.&nbsp; <br><br>Geoff did not have an issue with those type of missions.&nbsp; They needed to be done, but only as long as it was for the right reasons with the proper oversight applied and signed off.&nbsp; There were bad guys out there, and terrorists had proven in the past they were not above using enhanced help on their own to accomplished their mission and kill people, and to be frank and blunt, the government needed organizations like SHIELD and people like Geoff and Victoria there to stop organizations of such sort.&nbsp; It can however be a drain on a person, a grind making one feel like the weight of the world upon them.&nbsp; Any break, no matter how minor, was something to take advantage of.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>The aircraft landed at the base and Geoff put away the pad he was using.&nbsp; &nbsp;He exited the craft first, offering his hand to aid Victoria to her feet, and a smile on his face.&nbsp; <strong>"I have heard enough times from Alessandra what a fiendish torture device heels are.&nbsp; She swears that when a time machine is finally created, she is going to use it to hang the man that invented them, because she is certain only a man could come up with such a thing.&nbsp; &nbsp;I think the two of you will get along great from what I have seen of you so far."</strong>&nbsp; Once Victoria was on her feet, Geoff walked beside her and entered the facility.<br><br>It was not too long of a walk to the room where they were meeting Alessandra.&nbsp; Once the door opened, Geoff found himself stopping to admire her.&nbsp; Even though the two of them had never had any relationship, even Geoff could see she was one damned attractive woman, as if one thousands of men had been asked what their vision of a ideal, perfect body would be and the best elements of that inquire were distilled down into one person, that person would be Alessandra.&nbsp; &nbsp;She was dressed for the meeting in business professional attire, with the black pencil line skirt that ended about three inches above her knees and molded to her like a second skin, the material as such it was flexible and fluid, far more so than linen or silk, yet did not have the appearance or texture of that fabric.&nbsp; The jacket was of the same mold in a deep scarlet color, near that of old red clay, and the blouse was of a cream color, almost a light gold, and silk and molded to her perfect figure like a second skin.&nbsp; &nbsp;The blouse was sleeveless and left Alessandra's arms bare, and displayed that the woman was not soft curves at all and she had toned hard muscle under her skin.&nbsp; Near sheer, black stockings with boots that ended just before the knee completed the outfit.&nbsp; All in all it was designed to make any man or woman stop and take notice of her.&nbsp; She just had that effect on everyone, even those that tried very hard not to make a pass at her to get into her panties.<br><br>The jacket was on the back of her chair as she bent over a bit, studying a computer tablet before her, swiping it her finger across it and then picking up a stylus and writing notes upon the tablet's surface, muttering to herself for a bit.&nbsp; When she was not using the stylus to make notes, the long thin metal piece twirled and danced about her fingers in almost a near blur.&nbsp; It is an unconscious action on her part, something Geoff had seen her do a hundred times.&nbsp; She had performed it so much that muscle memory alone took over as her mind was lost in thought at whatever was before her that had her focus.&nbsp; It did not detract at all from the impact and the near tangible aura about Alessandra.<br><br>Once Geoff had finished admiring the hell out of Alessandra, he gave his head a little shake as if to clear it of the effect she had on him, to with no such luck as the many times he tried it before, but it too had almost become an unconscious gesture of his own in her presence.&nbsp; &nbsp;He then made a gesture towards Alessandra as he turned to Victoria.&nbsp; <strong>"Victoria, allow me to introduce to you the woman who gave me not only the ability to walk again, but to fight once more and serve, Doctor Alessandra Coles.&nbsp; &nbsp;Alessandra, this is SHIELD Special Agent Victoria Fields, callsign Enigma.&nbsp; She has something to pitch to you, and I think it is worth you while."</strong> <br><br>Alessandra looked up from the tablet as Geoff spoke, her face breaking out into a stunning smile that despite whatever dark emotion now was rooted inside him managed to still raise his body temperature and pulse.&nbsp; She stood up, smoothing down her skirt in an absent minded gesture for the skirt did not need smoothing the way it flowed and moved with her.&nbsp; If one were less professional and started at Alessandra's chest long enough, they might see where whatever lingerie she was wearing started, and the outline of her nipples trying to press through it and the blouse as if she were aroused herself, or the room cold.&nbsp; &nbsp;The room was not cold.&nbsp; She stepped forward as as she took Victoria's hand into hers, there was a slight charge to it, a caress of something raw and primal, carnal in nature that peeked and whispered to her as Alessandra spoke with a voice that was gifted by God to be heard in the bedroom on silk sheets.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"The pleasure is mine.&nbsp; When I was finally briefed about Project Gladiator I looked you up.&nbsp; Professional curiosity you understand.&nbsp; A lot of my time went into healing Geoff of the injuries he suffered in combat, and when I heard that SHIELD was putting together its own team to hand threats like Geoff and his military unit encountered well, How could I refuse.&nbsp; You see, my little brother was one of the marines that was wounded during that battle.&nbsp; I guess it is why I did all I could for Geoff here.&nbsp; He was the one that went back for James.&nbsp; He saved his life, so how could I not do everything I could to save his and give him back what he had lost in that operation.&nbsp; He is almost like family to me, so I wanted to know what he might be getting himself into."</strong>&nbsp; Alessandra made a gesture to the table before them.&nbsp; <strong>"Where are my manners?&nbsp; Please, sit and tell me what can I do to help you and Project Gladiator, Agent Fields?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lady Onyx</strong> on <strong>21-11-2016, 06:32:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Enigma prided herself on being very professional and not at all attractive to women but even she had to stop her jaw from dropping when she saw the attractive woman. It was like she’d been molded from clay that received a great amount of love and attention from a very lonely artist. She was…perfect and it made Victoria’s ego sting just a bit. After all, she was not an unattractive woman herself but she felt almost…frumpy next to the buxom doctor who was now approaching her. When her hand was gripped she actually had to resist the urge to jerk her hand back, the touch almost…burned her.<br><br>When her hand was released she slowly placed it back down at her side and mentally berated herself from becoming so distracted. Alessandra was just a woman, granted she was a very attractive woman but the point remained. The dossier she’d been perusing on the ride over told her that she would be a perfect addition to the team her medical expertise was largely unmatched and she was the sole person responsible for Geoff. That meant that she would be able to handle the likes of Fuse and Lindsey, even Victoria herself and not be caught off balance by their powers.<br><br>“Right, the pleasure is mine.” She stated as she sat down in the plush chair and crossed her legs. “Geoff practically sang your praises when he found out we were looking for a medical professional so I thought it would be in my best interest to meet you. You seemed to be involved in a great many top secret projects considering half your dossier was blacked out.” She paused for a moment and pulled out the small tablet that held the information that she’d been provided with. “However that’s neither here nor there at the moment. The reason I asked to meet with you is because my team is currently lacking a medical doctor and as such, we’re unable to begin missions or even training sessions with live ammo. I was hoping you would be interested in joining us.”<br><br>It was very hard to remain professional and distant while she was in close proximity with Alessandra but she was managing it quite well. After all, she was supposed to be the team leader, what sort of example would she be to Geoff if she let it become obvious that she’d been knocked off balance by a doctor of all things. She gazed down at the dossier once more lingering on the portion where it said she had no known powers...that couldn't be right. No one was naturally this magnetic it was impossible. Every part of the woman sitting before her screamed unusual then again if the powers had no use in combat there was a good chance those in charge didn't find it necessary to make her powers common knowledge. Or perhaps Alessandra simply hadn't wanted them to know...Enigma frowned for a moment once again berating herself. So the woman was attractive and had the voice of a bedroom goddess...that didn't mean she was a mutant. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Depth of a Bond, a Project Gladiator Tale (Blackstone and Lady Onyx)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>30-11-2016, 04:09:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Again there was that smile and while everything about Alessandra's aura was a near physical caress to one's pleasure and lust centers, her body language, tone of voice, even the look in her eyes let people know she was totally oblivious the effect that she had. She even blushed at bit under the praises that Victoria was giving her.&nbsp; &nbsp;She did her best to hide her prideful embarrassment by taking a drink from the mug on the table with her, then using her hands rubbing the mug back and forth between the palms of her hands.&nbsp; Alessandra then looked up and regarded both Victoria and Geoff, a warm smile on her face, yet that wave and presence of lust and desire was there, a light caress upon the senses and the skin as like a lover's touch.<br><br><strong>"Well I will admit I am a bit modest when it comes to my work.&nbsp; The science of it all comes easy and naturally to me.&nbsp; I was not quite a child prodigy like that one old TV show where the actor portrayed a kid that graduated medical school when he was a teenager and was a doctor, but it was not too far off.&nbsp; Out of high school at fifteen, college by eighteen, then medical school three years after that, and then my other doctorates a few year after that.&nbsp; I did try not to rub my gifts in other faces however.&nbsp; As to my work, my expertise became something in high demand.&nbsp; I know much of it was work I could not talk about, but I had no idea my file was redacted as much as you say, Agent Fields.&nbsp; If there is anything specific you wish to know about, let me know and I will see the information is made available." </strong><br><br>At Victoria's information of needing another agent in the field, Alessandra's eyes widened a bit.&nbsp; The shock of the offer was clear, and she once more had to take a sip of her drink before speaking again.&nbsp; <strong>"As to the offer, I am flattered, truly so.&nbsp; I will be upfront, while I am not couch potato, I am also not at the fitness level of special forces or SHIELD field agents.&nbsp; Do not get me wrong, I am more than willing to step up my game.&nbsp; What I do not want to happen is for me to be a liability for you and the team.&nbsp; &nbsp;If you truly feel I will not be so, then yes, I would be honored and awed to be asked.&nbsp; &nbsp;To be given the chances to see event first hand...extraordinary...."</strong>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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