Through The Iris (Iconic Backstory) Act I, Part II

iconic13 · 02/07/2006 22:20:33

Written during Beta Test, as a backstory for the current character "Iconic" on 'Recursion' server.

Act I, Part II:

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Thaddeus watched the screen intently as this unknown man and his crew picked up a package dropped of by the Odepus crew. He had no idea who this was, it worried him a little because his intelligence men usually got everything. He had been hired by the Merovingian to assasinate Koda, but his intelligence never mentioned this new crew member. He set his rifle down and rifled threw the reports he had on Kodas crew to see any mention of him. After sifting threw a few he knew he wouldnt find any. He walked back to his rifle and decided that he must finish the job, taking aim he fired a sing shot at koda. **bleep**, he wasnt sure but it looked like a shot in the left side of her chest, not definately a killing shot. He called in and told his crew he was in pursuit maybe needing backup then he took off.
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"We've got the package, Skathe, where's the Hardline?" Koda had a definite strength in her voice, that Iconic had begun to admire more than just professionally. They'd been jacked in only an hour, yet she had gotten them to the package, and ready for an exit already, without flaw. He looked up at the sky, a pale shade of grey, and sighed. This had seemed all too easy. As he looked back down, he noticed that Koda was looking at him in a strange way. She looked away, informing them all that the exit was close.
In the distance, a small "pop" could be heard, and Koda doubled over, falling to the ground. The rest of the crew spread around her, almost instantly, as Vio and Iconic went down to her, trying to help her up. Somewhere, a sniper had just taken a shot at Koda. Jaru barked out orders, as the two helped Koda to her feet, arms around their shoulders, and they all hurried out of the open area, guns at ready. Another "pop" was heard, this hitting Vio in the temple. She crumpled at their feet, leaving Iconic to bring Koda to the Hardline alone, with the rest covering their escape. The message was clear. Someone wanted them dead.

Iconic hadn't seen anything like this yet, but he'd still been fresh in the field, only having any action in the Construct. They rushed to the exit, a little more than a block away, taking small alleyways to get there, as gunfire could be heard in the distance. Iconic heard a ringing and sped them to it as fast as possible, aware of the danger behind them. This wasn't going as good as he first thought.

They reached the Hardline, and as he picked up the phone, and handed it to Koda, she looked up at him, and he noticed that her sunglasses had been lost back there. Her eyes were a beautifully deep Azure, and the look on her face was a little hard for him to understand. He tried not to notice, and said stiffly:
"Hurry, you need to go now!"
With a little smile, she coughed, blood slightly spraying from her lips, and held the phone up to her head.
Extraction.
The phone fell, swinging on it's cord, and Iconic hung it up. He heard footsteps coming closer, shouts to move it, and the phone rang again. He picked it up, and held it to his own head.
Extraction, swirling the world into a small hole in the back of his head.
When he opened his eyes, Koda was trying to stand, a bit weak from the ordeal, but smiling. Soon, the whole crew was jacked out.... save for one. And she would not be jacking out again.

The funeral was brief, having incinerated the remains, and placing them in a small urn for her family back at Zion. Vio had been one of their best, having been part of the crew for almost as long as Jaru. Koda had also helped extract Vio as a blue-pill, and now she was gone.

Iconic had seen Koda go back to her room, and thought that she might need a little consoling. When he went to knock on her door, it slowly swung, already unlocked and open. On the bed, sat Koda. Crying. Iconic spoke up, as calmly as he could, saying:
"You need someone to talk to?" She looked up quickly, tears streaming from her eyes, and chanced a feeble smile.
"You...... You got me out. How did you know where the Hardline was? I didn't even tell you all the direction yet..." He shut the door behind him, and sat down next to her, looking at the ground because he didn't want to see those eyes in pain.
"I don't know, I just felt like I should go that way, and you couldn't talk because of the shot you took. I just kept listening for the ring, and followed that."
He chanced a glance up at her, and noted that her look had changed from sadness to elation. He felt a little uncomfortable, so he tried the only thing he could think of. He changed the subject.
"So... what ended up being in the package?"
"Access codes," She replied, still smiling a little. "Codes and maps of some of the Merovingian's places. He's been trying to heat things up for us and a few other crews. Seems like he's decided to take a more direct approach..." She trailed off, a distant, pained look etched into her face.
"It should've been me out there, that died. That urn should be mine."
Iconic looked up at her, clearly aware of what this could be leading up to. But before he could speak, she said:
"But you got me out of there, you saved me. I feel I should be honest with you now, since you've earned that much. My team didn't extract you by coincidence."
She looked up, tears welling again in her eyes.
"I've been watching for a while, since the first time you started inquiring about the things you saw. I'm the one that first let you see anything about Morpheus, and the Matrix. Because I wanted you to find the truth.... but as time went on, it was more than that. I...." She trailed off again, looking down at the ground.
What was she saying? He placed his hand under her chin, pulling her head back up to meet his eyes. Koda had a pained and worried look in her eyes, and something else.

"Because I've grown to love you..." The tears were streaming down her face now, her eyes shut tightly, as if to block out any pain of rejection. So fragile she seemed to be now. And so completely and helplessly beautiful. Iconic did the only thing he thought was possible now. He kissed her.
As his lips touched hers, all reason, all meaning seemed to have led up to this moment, all the world disappearing into a calm and soft glow around them. The air seemed to be made of sweet warmness, encasing them in an embrace that could have lasted forever.
But, it didn't, because there was a loud knock on the door. They both jumped, like two children doing something they weren't supposed to, and Iconic released her, as she put her finger on his lips, telling him silently to shut up.
She walked over to the door, and pulled the eye-shutter to the side, revealing a pair of eyes. Jaru's eyes. He spoke up, unaware, and out of visibility of Iconic's view, as Iconic was to him.
"We've fully translated the package, and sent word to Zion. We're to reach the Gates in an hour."
Koda thanked him, and closed the shutter. Still facing the door, she looked back a little, and asked in a quiet voice:
"So, have you made your decision?"
Iconic looked up, a smile pressing his lips.
"Yes, and I want to join this crew. I made up my mind a few days ago, but didn't want to say anything until we got to Zion."
Koda nodded, turning as the smile disappeared from her lips, and looked straight in his eyes, standing at an army's 'About Face' stance.
"Then you'll be taking Vio's place, as tactical officer. Your perception skills will come in handy, as will your quick grasp of situations. You should get back to your room, pack up your gear for touchdown, and entrance back into Zion. We'll set you up with a place to live while in the city, but you should get ready. I'm going to be looking over the reports and info that Jaru and Skathe have deciphered."
She then relaxed her stance, and walked over to Iconic, bending down to whisper in his ear.
"I'll look forward to seeing you in the city."
She kissed his cheek, and helped him up to his feet, embracing him fully. As he wrapped his arms around Koda, her legs buckled a little. He caught her, helping her sit on the bed as she was showing signs of still being a little weak.
"I'm sorry, I guess I'm still a bit faint after today." He hugged her again, glad that she was still alive the most, and the walked to the door. As he opened it, he glanced back at her, a wry smile pursing his lips.
"I'm counting on you showing me around the city. There's so much I've still to 'talk' to you about." She laughed, a warmth in her voice that Iconic found more comfortable now than he had not ten minutes ago. He closed the door behind him, and walked to his own room, a dumb child-at-play smile on his face, and a glow of overall happiness about him.

As the Thanaker reached the gates of Zion, Skathe exchanged codes and chatter with Gatekeeper 5, Nadia, if he remembered correctly. She always seemed to answer when the Thanaker approached, though he knew that there were many more Gatekeepers. As the ship was granted entry, Skathe flew the bulky Thanaker into the dock, touching down on Pad 4 with a sigh of relief.
It was good to be home.
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## Broadcast depth
## Transmission Intercepted...
## Koda // HvCFT Thanaker -
## BOUNCE Server Initialized
## Begin Transmission

This is Koda, captain of the Thanaker. We've just reached minimum broadcast depth, and are going to attempt to jack into the Matrix. It seems that the Merovingian has taken three of our Zion operatives as hostage. Dryce of the Odepus, along with Ceres and FrostyJack of the Valmont were working on a mission together for Tyndall when they were all captured by Merovingian operatives. The Odepus crew had managed to retrieve detailed schematics of some of the Merovingian's residences, along with vital information in dealing with freeing our people. We will attempt to get them out and to a hardline as soon as possible, providing with as safe an exit as we can. The Merovingian isn't expecting us to move this soon, as we were just trying to find a way out of the Matrix not even 24 hours ago, when his sniper got the drop on us. I will try to keep Tyndall informed of the operation, as well as do all I can for our people in there. Koda out.

## Transmission recieved, BOUNCING to Relay server.....
## Transmission sending...
## ZIONSH.1.4 RECIEVED
## End Broadcast Transmission
##Carrier Dropped....
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Thaddeus was pissed, he had gotten to the phone just as the last of them had jacked out. He knew he was screwed, he was supposed to have brought kodas rsi to the Merovingian but all he had now was one of her crews. He went back to the building and collected all his gear and headed back towards his apartment. He had to await further orders from the the Merovingian. Thaddeus had heard that they had captured three zionist, and he was sure koda would attempt to save them. So that was where Thaddeus would head next.
There was one thing still bothering him, that new crew member. There was just something about him that made Thaddeus's stomach churn, not in fear, but something else.
Thaddeus heard his phone ringing, he didnt even look at the caller id, he knew who it was. He answered, hello sir. The merovingian then told him to be ready, that koda was expected to attempt a rescue and that if thaddeus didnt get him this time his services would be.....terminated.
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The hallway was silent, lights flickering as small flies kept impacting with the thin glass of the bulbs making almost inaudible "pings" that seemed to echo in the distance. The door to the right slowly opened, and five people slowly walked through, into the hallway. Iconic, Jaru, Blank , Koda, and finally Tess. Tess was part of the crew of the Valmont, wanting to lend a hand in the extraction. She'd been watching Ceres' and FrostyJack's Neural patterns since they were captured, back on the Valmont, and as soon as the Thanaker gave word of their insertion back into the Matrix, she had busted *CENSORED* to meet up with the crew. FrostyJack and Ceres were more than just crewmates to her, she loved them both like family, and would either get them out, or die trying.

Dryce had been Koda's crewmate back when she served on the Odepus, and one of her best friends. While they were together, they were inseparable, like brother and sister. She would ensure his safe return as well, at all costs.

Now, they stood, in a dingy building with bad wiring, and a strange smell in the air.
"Is that Jasmine?" Blank asked quietly, sniffing at the air.
"Looks like we got the right place," Koda whispered, making a slit-throat motion as she finished her last word, indicating to cut the chatter. They all edged down the hall, Koda listening intently at the faint sounds coming out of the last Door to the left. She heard a soft hum, and typing, along with a few muffled sounds.
She looked back at the rest of them, and made a hand motion. Target acquired, get ready.

The door burst open, crew running in as fast as possible, Koda firing on three Exiles sitting near two bound people. One male, and one female. FrostyJack and Ceres, unconscious, and badly bruised, but alive.
As the team made their quick entrance, Koda spun-kicked the first Exile, while shooting the second in the throat. The third was already running through the other door, obviously evading the team. Jaru, Iconic, and Blank followed, while Tess tended to the two unconscious operatives.
Meanwhile, Koda was busy resting the muzzle of her gun underneath the chin of the fallen Exile she had kicked down, and now was interrogating him.
"There's only two here. Where the third?"
The Exile looked up, a patch of blood at the corner of his mouth, and smiled, showing blood-stained teeth. "Where do you think? These were just added bonuses, but the Man has the bunny." He turned, and spit out a mouthful of blood. when he turned his head back, his face was fine, no trace of anything happening to him at all. He smiled again, showing off pearly-white teach, and went to get up quickly, when Koda pulled the trigger, blood-splatter hitting the wall behind them. Contrarily to what he thought before she pulled, she didn't need Him to find her target. The Merovingian was sly, coy, and a genius. But he was also predictable. He'd either be at the Polyvinal Club, or at one of the few other clubs he owned. Koda stood up, walking to the chairs, wires hanging out from them, as the two unconscious operatives were slowly being brought back from their code-induced slumber. As FrostyJack slowly opened his eyes he first saw Tess, then Koda, and the dry lips adorning his face cracked into a wry smile.
"Good to see you two. I thought our butts were gone for good."
"So did we," Tess admitted, pulling him up to a sitting position.
"Be careful, you're still coming out of it. Captain Grey asked Koda to help personally in freeing you two, along with Dryce." Tess' voice was a little shaken, but getting stronger by the minute. She was damned happy to see that they were still alive and well, as the Merovingian would sometimes just keep his prey alive for a few days, before torturing them to death. Such was the way with Exiles."
As Koda sat down, Ceres' eyes shot open as she sat up very quickly and screamed. Like coming out of a nightmare, her eyes were searching around the room madly, lips still trying to mouth the words she could not say. Koda held her back a bit, trying to lay her down as gentle as she could, and tried to explain to her:
"It's all right, we're here now. The Crew of the Thanaker's come to get you two out. Don't worry, everything will be all right."
Gunshots could be heard in the distance, getting closer by the moment, and then, they all heard a thunk. Shortly after, the three others returned, dragging a limp Exile body behind them.
"He almost had us, but Blank snuck up behind him, and broke his neck before he even knew she was there."
Koda let out a sigh of relief. Two down, one to go.
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To Be Continued...

Message Edited by iconic13 on 02-08-200612:20 AM