The War of Paradigm City

"Oh, was that what he was?" Zell asked, "Didn't seem reasonable to me."

T"Compared to Barbatos, he was."

L"Well, now he is not reasonable compared to anything, because he is dead."

T"Uhh...yeah, I guess."

L"Does it really matter to us if the same happens to Vera Ronstadt?"

"We can't just let her die," Zell said, "Who would be there to take her place?"

T"Exactly. It is my main fear that Barbatos could now take over the Paradigm Corporation."

L"But they are enemies."

T"I really need to get you some social interaction tapes, or something. *Sigh.* It doesn't matter whether people want her as President or not, all that matters is whether people want to not be killed less than they want her as President."

"Yes, and I don't think we'd have anyone charismatic enough to lead a counter revolution, so it is for the best to stop Barbatos in the first place," Zell let out a soft sigh, just now realizing how stressed she has been lately. She hoped to get some time to just sit back, relax, and do a bit of painting.

T"That means we'll have to sneak into the Paradigm Headquarters again."

Zell frowned with her entire body, "When?"

T"As soon as we can be ready. Unfortunately, I don't think Barbatos will wait."

L"Are you still functioning normally? You've been displaying many odd symptoms today."

"I just wanted to relax for a bit," Zell admitted, "I'm not a soldier, or spy, or whatever. I'm a woman who paints for a living... and sometimes I just want to relax and paint, not get into fights that destroy half of the domes."

L"That is incorrect. We share this house because we share the same primary function: Being the Dominus of a Megadeus. This was, as you humans sometimes say, 'meant to be.'"

*Thiera just looks at Lilith curiously, as though seeing her for the first time.*

OOC: Ambiance.

Zell is a bit put off by the comment, "I didn't think you believed in anything like fate, or destiny." Zell ran a hand through her hair, "Who's divine plan are we following, and why?"

*Lilith stares at her.*

T"...We can't afford to waste any more time. Get whatever you need, I'm going to go upstairs and check to make sure it isn't already too late."

*Thiera begins walking towards an elevator.*

Zell didn't go anywhere, seeing as how she had nothing to get. She wondered if Lilith had an answer for her previous questioning.

*Lilith continues staring until Thiera comes back down, putting on her coat as she walks.*

T"There was a break-in. Paradigm is reporting it as a 'false alarm,' but I think she's already inside. Which means security will be tighter than last time."

"Oh joy, wouldn't want things to be easy for a change," Zell said. "Hm... I feel my time here has made me a tad cynical."

T"But we're highly optimistic and friendly people."

*She glances at Lilith and back.*

T"...Though, not always with the best of social skills."

"Then you two are the only rays of sunshine in what has otherwise become nothing but a string of unfortunate events."

T"Well, look at it this way: We now know that Barbatos was working with Aamon, who was working with Senthose. Senthose and Aamon are now dead. Once Barbatos has been dealt with, all we have to worry about is Ronstadt. By that point, everyone will remember that she authorized Barbatos to head Paradigm-2 in the first place, and we can push for a new President to be elected. This whole mess will be over as quickly as it began."

"See, I missed the silver lining entirely. I really am becoming a cynic..."

T"Well, it would certainly help if you'd quit being so pessimistic. Maybe hijacking an elevator will cheer you up."

"I doubt it highly, but I doubt that'll stop us from doing it, so lets get going."

*Thiera drives them through the tunnels until her headlights illuminate a military officer lying on the ground, his clothes a bloody mess. Lilith looks around, out of the various windows.*

L"It seems as though he was a lucky one."

T"Please keep that to yourself. Are you sure you got everything you needed from our last visit to navigate the Paradigm building undetected?"

L"Affirmative."

Zell follows along.

*The hole in the roof looks like it had been partially reconstructed, then broken through again. Once they're in, the passages to the elevator are covered in arc-shaped half-dried bloodstains, with the occasional body stuffed hastily in a trash can.*

T"Ew."

L"Did Barbatos do this?"

*Thiera looks absent-mindedly at a large gash in a metal door.*

T"Nah, it was probably a bear."

L"What is a bear?"

T"Nevermind. There's the elevator, work your magic."

L"I do not perform magic, but it is clear from the context that you want me to operate this lift."

*She pulls a two-ended wire out of her pocket. After ripping the button panel off & tossing it aside, she plugs one end in the electrical work. Then she plugs the other end somewhere in her hair. After a second, the elevator dings & the doors open. Lilith removes the plug end that is in the panel, moves into the elevator, & repeats the previous feat after Thiera & Zell have entered. The elevator begins moving upwards.*

Zell shifts her body weight back and forth a little bit, waiting for the elevator to reach its floor. "So, how do we plan to stop Barbatos again? Last time we did this she pretty much laughed at our efforts, and beat us senseless."