A Tale of Two Cities

*Hitomi puts the newspaper down and picks up the book.*

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"I know, I was just trying to be optimistic."

Zell sighed, "I realize this, I just don't really think I have the required skill set to successfully preform a breaking and entering at the Paradigm Head Office."

"You're with me and Lilith, you'll do just fine."
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*The book is titled "The Name of God" and is by "Valefor Pruslas." The cover looks like the cover of Metropolis, but in ruins and white instead of black, bathed in some kind of heavenly glow.*
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<This is no laughing matter!>

*Hitomi turns the book over to look at the back.*

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"I bet I could take this seriously if I knew what was going on. Like that riot for instance or the Megadeus that attacked yesterday."

"Yes, but I'm sure I'd just get in the way. This isn't like the Megadeus, where, by some stroke of incredible luck, I had some kind of latent proclivity for piloting. This is just me, and I'm neither athletic, or agile. The most physical thing I do is stand for hours on end, painting."

L"Then you can paint the security cameras' lenses."

*Lilith walks in, sporting the same look as ever.*
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Are you feeling lost? Confused? Depressed? Aimless? Angry? Any of the above? Or even perfectly content? Then this book is for you!

The Word of God is for all people; old and young, outgoing or introverted. This book explains, in detail, the ways that practicing can further one's happiness, with statistics, testimonies, and anecdotes.

If you are at all unsatisfied, or simply wish to know more, contact Pruslas at the number 778-7527.

OOC: It spells PRU-SLAS.
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<Vera, my old supervisor, invaded the city with Paradigm-1 police after my office refused to give her my whereabouts while I was down. The Megadeus was likely sent by her as well. We are considering it an act of war, and will respond in kind shortly. But first, we must marshal our forces, so to speak.>

Zell has a intense urge to run and hug Lilith, but a mixture of Thiera being there, and not really knowing how Lilith would react causes Zell to stay put. Instead, Zell's face brightens and she smiles, "I'm so glad to see that you're back to normal."

[This sounds stupid.]

*Despite that she turns the book over, opens it up and begins reading.*

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"Oookay. Since I don't have a choice, I guess I'm in."

*Lilith approaches her, grabs her by the throat, and drags her to her feet. She then stiffly puts her arms around Zell.*

L"...Am I doing it right?"
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*The book's first chapter explains how archeological evidence shows that 40 years ago, there were various religions. Prayers weren't only offered to "God," but Allah, Yahweh, and other names that meant basically the same thing. But people were too blinded by bitter memories to see that they were the same.*
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<Excellent. All I need you to do is be on stand-by to locate other Megadeus when they become active. Then you track them down. If they agree to join the cause, then our force gains a member. If they don't, then you destroy them. And be certain to kill the pilot. Understood?>

*She reads on to the second chapter.*

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"Yes."

Zell tries hard to bury her face into Lilith to avoid Thiera glimpsing the blush that sprang through it. "Yes, you're doing it fine, if a tad stiff." Zell said, hugging back.

Luna wonders through the subway for a while, stopping to pee in a dark corner, and moving on.

Chesed<Only an illiterate such as yourself would actually pay attention to that trash.>

*Guess who just walked through the door unannounced.*
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*She grins.*

<Excellent. Malkuth?>

*Malkuth steps forward & hands him a check for 100,000.*
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*She finds a ladder well with a faint light coming from it at the end of the tunnel.*
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*Lilith lets go.*

L"So, how are we getting in?"

T"I'd planned to drill in from below. The lowest level is very seldom occupied."

*Hitomi slams the book shut and glares at Chesed.*

"Get out."

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*Vega looks at the cheque, his eyes widening.*

"You got yourself a new dog."

*Topaz goes back inside because Luna fucks off.*

[Why me. Why. Me.]

Zell sits back down, face still a bit pink.

*Chesed stares at her blankly.*

Chesed<No.>
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Barbatos<I'll have to remember to train you with a hose later. In the meantime, I have an address for you to visit.>
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L"We will have to find our way to the science department. I believe it is Level 600."

"How do you plan to get from the basement to the 600th level undetected?"

*She puts the book down and stands up. Fists clenched she begins walking towards.*

"Get out."

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"Where is it?"

*She hands him the address to Topaz's house.*
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T"It's only 16 floors. I figure we can just stroll around like we own the place for the most part. When it comes to getting inside the lab, we might have to be a bit sneakier."
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Chesed<No. I have been ordered to assist you in retrieving the President's Megadeus.>

*Hitomi stops and stares at Chesed with a confused look on her face.*

"...Okay."

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"So I just ask whoever lives here to join your group or...?"

"Ah, okay. Oh, and do you plan on wearing all white as usual, because I imagine we might be a bit conspicuous when it gets to the sneaking part."

Luna climbs the ladder and looks around.

<Or you kill them. Every last one of them.>
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<Thiera and her bimbos will be attempting to infiltrate Paradigm Headquarters soon. We can use that opening to sneak in and retrieve Kanrei Tsuki. Then I can be done with you.>
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T"I suppose we should probably get black or gray suits."
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*She finds herself in the middle of a long tunnel. The light is coming from the end of the tunnel heading further into Paradigm-2.*

Luna goes there.