Armed Forces

Myriad Reality

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And you want to annex us?

@Tank O The Lake

Yes and no. Our expansion is predicated on willingness and cooperation, not hostile or forceful takeover.

Myriad Reality

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I'm afraid many more than you believe are already aware. The Gateway is supposed to work by passing its cargo through a spatially-contracted section of Existence and back, shortening millions of light-years to a few meters. When my colleague broke it, the thread was severed, "leaking" anything it tried to transport into Existence. The people, though, may not be ready. I can already imagine the religious crises that would cause.

@Tank O The Lake

Well, there is a little more to it than that. I represent the largest known nation in Existence, here.

Myriad Reality

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The bigger picture of what?

@Tank O The Lake

The bigger picture that you small lot are already aware of. Existence. Or, as those not experienced in the terminology of the interdimensional might call it, the omniverse.

Myriad Reality

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Scouting?

@Tank O The Lake

You seem like an analytical sort of guy. I'm not hear throwing myself into your world's most dangerous places for fun, exactly. Nor did I come alone. We're trying to determine how ready your world might be to be exposed to the bigger picture.

Myriad Reality

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They already have photos of all of us but Dmitri, but that's just because they didn't connect the dots with the pictures they took when he entered the Red Army. My mask is unique enough to be considered a face anyways. It's why we have to keep moving.

@Tank O The Lake

Phenomenal... Scouting procedures are going to have to be modified, slightly.

Myriad Reality

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*I come across the operation to see that it's been successfully defended without me. Dmitri stands at the forefront, the barrel of his rifle glowing.*

Dmitri: Why did you leave, brother? You and Katyusha could've had this under control.

Well, that's all and good, until I realized they had taken Alexandria.

*The entire hideout goes silent.*

@Tank O The Lake

*Leaps down from the rooftop and saunters my way back to where I found you originally*
I hope they didn't get a photo or anything...

Myriad Reality

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Stand down, Leon. The situation's under control. Alexandria...?

*Alexandria seems to be on the verge of tears.*

We'll- we'll talk later, okay? But now, we have to go. We're relocating our.... our operation!

*I break out running back towards the site of the hideout, realizing that I left it behind during the fight.*

@Tank O The Lake

I'm standing, alright.
*Looks around over the streets from above*

Myriad Reality

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*Alexandria sees this, and shoots off after Leon at a medium-transonic speed.*

Unknown: ALEXANDRIA, STOP!

*Alexandria immediately halts to look at Mikhail. Both I and Katerina are thoroughly astonished, as this is the first time he has spoken in years.*

Mikhail: Alexandria, don't hurt that man. That's not like you. Come down. You want a hug from Uncle Misha?

*Alexandria's glow begins to wane as she descends, until she is dark and hovering only about six inches off the ground. She floats towards Mikhail and they engage in what must be a rather uncomfortable hug, as Mikhail is wearing a set of power armor.*

@Tank O The Lake

*Runs a ways further until I realize I'm no longer being pursued, then allows myself to drop to the rooftop of a taller building*

Myriad Reality

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*Hovering over a nearby intersection, Alexandria is emitting a glaring purple light and seeming to partially phase at random. As an NKVD truck nears her, a psychic lightning bolt immediately rends it from existence entirely.*

Alexandria!

*Alexandria turns to look at me, her eyes glowing violet. I drop my weapons and begin to slowly approach her alongside Katerina.*

Alexandria, it's okay. You're okay. We're not going to hurt you.

Katerina: We won't let them hurt you, either. Never, ever, ever.

Alexandria: GO AWAY!

*Her voice shakes the earth. I stumble, then steady myself.*

Alexandria, remember what we do? Breathe in, breathe out. In, out. Understand?

Alexandria: I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET HURT!

I don't care if I get hurt, Alexandria! You need to calm down. Please. Before you hurt yourself.

Alexandria: DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!? IF YOU STAY... I'LL KILL YOU!

Alexandria, you're still my daughter! You're still Alexandria! Should I fetch Uncle Misha?

Alexandria: NO! GET AWAY!

Alexandria, please! I- I beg you! I don't care if I die, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you got hurt.

Alexandria: THEN WHY... IS HE HERE?

*Alexandria's arm phases and reappears pointing directly at Leon. Her eyes glow brighter.*

LEON, RUN!

@Tank O The Lake

Tch-
*Leaps several stories into the sky once again, landing on a solid platform of energy that forms beneath my feet. Using said platforms as they repeatedly form beneath my feet and dissipate, I dash away in the sky*

Myriad Reality

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No. She's the danger now, and if you stay here, it'll only get worse!

@Tank O The Lake

*Inhales deeply, then exhales deeply*
I'll go, but I'm not leaving. I'll be in the shadows.
*Leaps upward from the ground straight to the rooftops, disappearing from view*