` THIS IS WAR [LUCAS]

[ANDREYA BLAKE PERRY]

------------a warning to the people, the good and the evil------------
THIS IS WAR
--------------to the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, victim--------------

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It was a nice change to be away from headquarters and the city. Her last trip had proven useful, having stolen a rare robotic dog. It was a strange object really, but Dreya had much more in store for it than using it as a pet. First however, she had to get the basic functions down and see what it could do before modifying it. She headed out to the open lands with it, the dog eagerly following behind and yipping at her. It was one of the few things that actually managed to make her crack a smile across her face, and she couldn’t help but laugh as it enjoyed the open lands.

Eventually they stopped in the middle of the clearing, Dreya setting down her bag and the dog quickly coming to her. “Okay let’s see what this baby can do.” She gave it basic commands, such as sit, stay and down. It obeyed all of them with ease. It even knew how to play dead. She would make great use of that trick. Crouching she stroked the dog for his good work, rummaging into her bag to pull out a rubber ball. The dog was instantly excited by the sight, and Dreya threw the ball as far it would go. The dog was swift and quick in its retrieval. It returned with the ball, dropping it at her feet.

Again Andreya rewarded the pooch, this time however she told the dog to hold while she threw the ball. When she gave the go the dog took off towards the ball, immediately finding the rubber object. Then she pulled out two more and set them on the ground, making the dog hold it’s position. Each was a different color, and she wondered just how well this thing could register color and other objects. One was red, another green, the last blue. She called out the colors, the dog pointing to each. Putting the other two away she took a seat and threw the blue ball into the field to watch the dog tear after it.

The dog was lightning quick, and Dreya wondered just how fast could it run? Well, running was one issue but she began to wonder just how much modification her engineers could do to the dog. The toxic gas leaking from the old plant killed anything it touched, including some of her Resistance members. They needed a way to analyze the gas without causing human casualties. Dreya found this dog to be the perfect object to do so, but it was going to need some major work. Once they could figure out what that nasty toxin was they could figure out a way to contain it or destroy it for good.

She continued to play fetch with the dog, the robot pup making her laugh. It was a rare sight to see Dreya with a smile on her face. As the dog returned with the ball it eagerly waited for her to throw again. She gave it affection as she spoke to it. “I’m sorry that I’ll have to modify you for help us, but I promise once you’ve helped us accomplish our task you’ll be put back to normal.” Again Dreya picked up the ball, tossing it into the field and watching the dog take off like a bolt.

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[LUCAS MASON CARTER]

Not too much had changed since that day that the Perfect Nation had come and swept the soldier and Alileah away from them all. Some of The Resistance members were hurt in the crossfire of it all. He, of course, had not been one of the ones who had suffered any horrible injury at all. He made it out with a few bruises, really only for show that he wasn’t just some punk-ass guy trying to get into The Resistance. It was his proof that he was there to help them out as much as he could… even though he was the one helping The Perfect Nation get to where they needed to be. As of late, he had kept out of contact with them. It was a chance to give everyone a breath of air, including him. The stress of this mission was phenomenal. He had constant headaches looming over him and a sick stomach often woke him from his sleep. Not that he ever got much of that either. Paranoia always crept in to assure that someone here would catch onto him and stab his throat while he slept. Half the time he was a mess and the vigorous training that members had to go through was his excuse for all of it. His body was already far accustom to any horrid deed that Andreya had put up for him but the sleepless, sick nights were getting to him. He had to pull himself together though. Every morning: a splash of ice cold water, a huge breakfast with himself, and a run to clear his thoughts. It helped.

This day was still relatively new and the woman who often sought out the demise of his stamina was out doing what he now considered to be her favorite pastime; testing new things that could kill someone. It wasn’t extremely difficult to find her anymore since everyone knew that he was the favorite to pick on and if he followed her out somewhere they would surely get a story of how their leader managed to kick his ass today. Part of him really hated being humiliated every day but the rest of him knew that he had no choice but to keep playing it the way that he was. He had to prove that he was useful and dependable and, most of all, eager to be a part of this. She had questioned that the first day she met him. He was doing his best to prove to her that he wasn’t just another man. He was capable of whatever she threw at him.

According to some of the girls trashing the punching bags, Andreya had taken out her newest toy for some tests. They gave him some guesses of direction, twirling their hair sarcastically (most liked to assume he was nothing but a pretty face trying to be macho) and giggling while he turned around to leave. He knew they were teasing him and trying to get him to roll his eyes in disdain. They wanted him to defend himself and make it appear like he had some sort of crush on this brutish woman. He had yet to please them though as he was a master of holding his tongue when he needed.

Lucas walked for quite some time in the snowy, blank surroundings. His nose was redder than a strawberry and his ears had lost all feeling but he eventually saw a speck of hope. Out in the snow he could see a speedy thing racing over the horizon and reappearing back to the woman he was searching for. He crinkled up his frozen nose while his eyes try to get a better focus on them, through the white. But, in the end, he had to go ahead and risk walking all the way out to them, his feet trying to stay in Andreya’s smaller footprints.

Eventually he made it out to the woman, stopping a few feet behind her to watch the mechanical dog chase after the ball she was tossing. He had to intervene. It was too much of an amazing opportunity not too when he could assume that she was actually enjoying the company of something so… well, complicated (simple didn’t really fit a mechanic dog now that he thought about it).

“It’s quick,” he commented, while dropping the gray hood from his head. He was dressed in a thick gray sweater, a long sleeved black shirt underneath it. His tough black pants were hardly tough enough for this weather. It was the same case with the dirty boots he had strapped onto his feet. “At least we know it won’t need any booties for its feet… I don’t quite see where any modifications need to be made though.”

Stating his opinion…. Sometimes he really couldn’t help it. For some reason, it seemed worse around Andreya compared to the other members. It was probably because he was used to her and he was starting to get the idea that she had a tough bite and bark but she was still just as loyal as any hound he’d ever known. There was sympathy somewhere in her and he was getting the idea that she wasn’t going to just dump him in the cold. There was too much work into him. She would have too much pride to say that she was wrong… it would be a horrible thing when he had to break this one’s world apart too. Alileah was either dead or knew everything now. He had taken Andreya’s best friend and ally. Now he had to pretend to be the next best thing. The small talk was baby steps.

WORDS 946
NOTES YOU KNOW SHE LIKES HIM <3
TAGGED ANDREYA BLAKE PERRY
SONG THE WAR - ANGELS AND AIRWAVES

[ANDREYA BLAKE PERRY]

------------a warning to the people, the good and the evil------------
THIS IS WAR
--------------to the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, victim--------------

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Andreya was enjoying the company of the robotic dog. If anything she could trust the dog. It was a robot, and dogs were loyal to their masters. He would do everything she asked no matter how simple or dangerous the task may be. Right now the dog was the only person Dreya felt like she could trust. Alilieah had been missing for some time now, and most of the Resistance had assumed she was dead already. Dreya couldn’t accept that, not yet. She knew her best friend was out there somewhere, but until she could return she had to take charge of the Resistance. Most were okay with the transition, but the atmosphere seemed different inside the walls of headquarters. Dreya felt the most out of place in the Resistance.

She was still in the trials of testing Lucas and seeing just how devoted he could be to the Resistance. Dreya could still remember the day when she had met him, unsure if it was a wise idea to bring him into their group. Most couldn’t be trusted in this day in age. If you didn’t belong to a group, you were on your own. Lucas had come to her wanting to join the Resistance, and Dreya was hesitant to let him do so. However, she allowed him in but no without first going through initiation. Dreya put him through trials and clean up duties. If he wanted to be here then he would take it like a member. Everyone here had been through the same trials, why should he be any different?

Although Lucas had been doing well with all his training, Dreya still couldn’t get over the feeling that he was different, that there was something about him. It made her uncomfortable really, and everyday she questions herself if it was a good idea to let him join. However, over time she could feel him slowly try and chip away at her, and when Alileah vanished he seemed to be there. She was the leader now and needed someone to be her right hand, but Lucas didn’t seem the type. Sure he showed devotion but it wasn’t enough for Dreya. She needed more than that...

As she tossed the ball again, she heard footsteps behind her crunching the snow. The open field suddenly was disturbed by Lucas’ voice. Her eyes rolled as she stood from the ground, brushing away snow. “Of course it’s quick, Lucas. It’s a robot.” She faced him, her arms folding in the leather jacket that was zipped all the way up. She wore dark wash jeans with leggings underneath to keep her warm, her leather boots allowing her to walk in the snow.

The dog came bounding back, but quickly spotted Lucas by Dreya, dropping the ball and going into guard mode. The dog turned violent as it growled and barked at Lucas, Dreya walking over to calm him down. “Good boy, Humphrey. He doesn’t trust you either. We have something in common.” She joked to the dog, taking the ball and standing. “As far as modifications go, you don’t know what I’m going to do with it. You may not think it doesn’t need modifications but I have something planned for it.”

Dreya turned back to the dog, who wait for the ball to be thrown. However, an idea came to her mind. Using her foot she cleared away the snow until the dead grass below became visible. With the ball in her hand to hurled it to the ground, watching it bounce at least thirty feet in the air. They dog barked before leaping into the air and catching it before landing on its feet like a cat. “Damn this thing is awesome.” She took the ball from the dog, placing it in her bag and giving him a metal bone to chew on.

Her attention returned to Lucas, wondering what he was doing here. “Why are you out here Lucas? People see you following me too much they’ll either think you’re a stalker or that you have something for me.” Dreya grabbed her bag, whistling to the dog to follow her. “So, what are you doing out here? Why would you brave the cold to find me Lucas?”

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[LUCAS MASON CARTER]

That was an answer that he really should have expected from her, he supposed. Of course all robotic things were quick these days, right? Because there was no such thing as a super slow robot or anything… no, of course not. But he shrugged away that idea, at least having the satisfaction in knowing that he knew there was such a thing as a slow moving mechanical something out there. He worked for the government of The Perfect Nation. He’d seen slow, fast, and completely dead robotic equipment. In fact, he was pretty sure he could find something like this dog in the labs somewhere… scientists were sneaky like that. They always seemed to have something new that only one person ever knew about and then- BAM. There would be something brand new and freaky as hell out. Usually, in the Nation’s case, some new toxin or virus or security. It was always things of that nature. Anything that could keep everyone who was working behind government doors safe and in complete power. That kind of safety made him feel… well, safe. He supposed that was why he worked for them. Because he was fighting for his life and his safety. Not really anyone else’s. Just his own.

He quirked a brow when she addressed the possible suspicions of the others. They already thought that he had a thing for her because of his constant following her around. By now, he didn’t care too much. There was no point in defending himself or saying anything of it. Why feed the fire when he could just mind his own business? It wasn’t really all that difficult to do that.

“Like you? Oh, come on, that would be completely insane. Some of the ladies here seem to be sure I like men in any case…,” he joked dryly with her. “You’re my only ticket to me being anything meaningful at this point… I don’t exactly have anywhere else to turn.”

It was easy getting into the act. His personality already had a very even tone attached to it, so emotions just did not run high with him unless it was his temper suddenly flaring. Even then it took him a while to get really worked up. Easily annoyed but not easily put into complete and utter distress.

And off she went. As soon as he showed up it always seemed like she was all of a sudden done with whatever it was she was doing. She never really wanted Lucas to be a part of anything around here unless it had him elbow deep in some kind of shit. Usually he got tasks like cleaning, small repairs, and getting his ass kicked by the dikes that were always weight training. Seriously, some people looked like they were on steroids around this place. He wasn’t going to point any fingers though… they could probably just pluck his index finger right out of the socket anyway. He had already lost a lot of his dignity around here so keeping his finger was the least that he could do. As for the dignity… he’d have to gain it all back. And then at the last possible moment it would all change. He wouldn’t just be the sketchy outsider though. Then he would be the evildoer in their eyes. The evildoer who took them out. Not that he knew of anything wrong that he was doing… The Resistance was a dangerous and rather crude bunch of people. It would be better if they dispersed.

Instead of standing there alone in the snow, Lucas started to follow her. He stayed behind, stepping in her footprints while keeping his eyes down. He was pondering an answer to her question. A good answer to her question…

“You don’t seem the type but… I didn’t care for the idea of you being alone so I thought I would give you my company,” he answered her. “And believe me, I’m not here to protect you! If anything, you’d end up protecting me, I’m sure.”

WORDS 673
NOTES LALALA
TAGGED ANDREYA BLAKE PERRY
SONG THE WAR - ANGELS AND AIRWAVES

[ANDREYA BLAKE PERRY]

------------a warning to the people, the good and the evil------------
THIS IS WAR
--------------to the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, victim--------------

[/color][/font][/center]

The robo pup followed along at her heel but keeping the metal bone in it’s mouth. It made her smile watching it, the one thing able to make her smile. Alileah used to make her smile, their common interest in winning the war and making things go boom could always make her smile. She was gone now, and a smile was rarely seen on Dreya’s face. The expression felt foreign on her face, but she missed it. No one seemed to be able to make her happy anymore. Andreya had come to accept that Alileah was missing, but when she would return she wasn’t sure.

She glanced back at Lucas as he spoke, following in her footsteps. She hid the smirk that was coming across her face. He was a liar in Andreya’s eyes, and his words were meaning less. “You like men? I find that hard to believe. If that were the case you wouldn’t be here with me all the time.” Her attention turned back to the dog as she headed back, rubbing its head, “And the thought that I’m considered a ticket... well I don’t know whether I should take that as a compliment or an insult.” She mused over the thought for a moment before looking back to Lucas, “I think a compliment. After all, you have yet to impress me very much Lucas. I think you should probably get on that before I throw you out into the cold.”

Sure she gave him small tasks on purpose, but Dreya needed to make sure that Lucas could put up with anything, including her. Everyone else could put up with small tasks. Why? Because they needed to be done and they were important. They had to stay hidden and any messes they made had to be cleaned up. There could be no trace of the Resistance out in the open. Alileah had made sure of that, and with Dreya’s help they were keeping the Resistance going. But now she was gone, and a toxic gas was consuming the area, not to mention Dreya had been dying to check out the land that had belonged to the Anathema. If she could find that person, and make a treaty with them or make friends, she hoped that maybe he would allow her to use the land as an escape house or second headquarters incase the Perfect Nation started sniffing around their current location.

As Lucas spoke again she looked back to him. “You didn’t want me to be alone? You definitely don’t like men, Lucas. Are you sure you’re not infatuated with me?” At this she stopped to face him, walking back to him with her arms folded. “You’d better tell me the truth Lucas. I do have ways of forcing information out of people.” She was teasing him, her sarcastic demeanor trying to fluster him and get something out of him. He had followed her orders the whole time he had been here and had yet to crack. Some went crazy and bitched her out when they were in training, and it was that kind of reaction she wanted from her members that showed they cared and wanted to belong. But Lucas, he had yet to break and Dreya wanted to know what was keeping here, standing before her determined to win her trust.

“You know if you’d just be honest with me Lucas I might be able to trust you.” she said before turning to walk again.