beyond visions

F I N A L L Y - L I B E R A T E D

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Theo Callahan & Carmen Comfort

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First he locked the door of his room, Theo could not risk being followed. After doing so, he grabbed another key hidden under a mess of documents within his desk drawer. This key brought him to the trap door beneath his bed. Since, Theo was far too large to simply crawl under his bed, he first pushed it back, giving himself enough space reach the ladder this trap door led to. Descending down the ladder, Theo progressively made his way to the surface of this secret passage. Though, this passage was no secret to any of the faction leaders, nor to their second-in-commands, this lair was a safe room for them. Theo could never imagine retreating to the tight space if Churchill ever were under siege, he refuses to retreat when his colony is under attack. Yet the place did have it's uses whenever attempting to meet another faction leader in private...

"Oh so the rumors aren't so far off?" said the figure adorn in a rich, royal purple cloak. Carmen, let her hood easily slip off her bright blonde locks, before taking light and delicate steps towards the towering giant who slightly hunched his back over so that he may not bust his skull against the low rising ceiling. Of course these rumors that she spoke of pertain to the death of a particularly famous Overseer Captain. "Not far off indeed," Carmen gently tapped the metallic hawk pinned against Theo's leather jacket.

"Call it a badge of honor," his words were spoken in a deep, gruff voice, sounding overly tough. Carmen smiled at his response, stroking her fingers against the pin once more before resting her hand against her hip, "Oh I will." With a sigh, she lifted up a burlap sack, "But we are not here to gossip about the dead, that's a job for the Karma rogues. However, I am here to transfer the goods."

"Oh, Carm, I haven't yet--"

"Listen, Theo, you know I'm not expecting much from this, just keep it," Wrapping her palm around his, she lifted up his bandaged hand and guided his fingers to curl a firm grasp around the sack. Slowly he adjusted the focus of his blue eyes to make full eye contact with her pale, perfect face. "Then why are you helping me? Why have you been helping me?"

"Theo, I know your heart... I know what type of man you are-- one to kill and die for everything and everyone you feel so passionate about." Theo ruled with intensity, that was famously known, and will be especially known more when further news of Thrax's death spreads. He acted upon feeling, though since he has gotten closer to Carmen, Theo has put effort in relying moreover in logic by practicing in his own games of strategy. However, if Theo denied that it was his emotions that essentially lead him to his newfound, greater purpose, then he would be lying. "Yet I can only do so much for you, after all I'm not Isabel, I'm not your wife. Even as I support you now, I do believe that you will be crushed, Theo, this dream that I silently support, will be crushed by Isabel. She will not see the greater purpose in what you want, and instead she will believe that you are just using her for her own victories and pleasures." With what she said, there could be an offense taken, but Carmen was prepared to face even Theo's wrath with her sweet speech.

"So, you are only giving me your support to eventually watch me self destruct?" he questioned so bluntly, folding his arms in an expression of irritation.

"But who is it to blame, hm? Remember, Theo, you chose Isabel over me." Carmen sighed, there was no need for them to be uncivil and harsh, even if a bit upset over his decisions. As Carmen talked to him now, she communicated in a soft whisper, speaking to him in a kind tone. "And the life you dream of, the future you wish for, I am truly uncertain that your wife will ever give it to you. So I will."

As Carmen caressed her tiny fingers against the hazel strains of his beard, a giggle slipped passed her lips. In Theo's ears, it almost sounded like innocence, almost...

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F I N A L L Y - L I B E R A T E D

@Heretic Cool, I'll start on the collab between Theo and Carmen some time today.

F I N A L L Y - L I B E R A T E D

@Heretic@Apollosarcher Awesome, the post is now in. So, I'm thinking should Cass talk to Theo now that she finished seeing Isabel, or should Cass go ahead and speak to Reno first, Reno let's her know that Theo killed Thrax, which she probably may have already heard the rumors so hearing it from the Sheriff is just confirmation?

If we do the second option and have Cass see Reno first, I was thinking while that collab is being written there would be a secret exchange between Theo and Carmen.

What do you guys think?

F I N A L L Y - L I B E R A T E D

@Vashonn@Heretic Still bummed out about what happened to you guys... How long do you think this redo could take?

F I N A L L Y - L I B E R A T E D

Thought in the meantime of the collab between Cass and Isabel being posted, I would drop a solo post for Theo.

Update: I just did.

F I N A L L Y - L I B E R A T E D

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Theo Callahan

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Solo Post

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Indeed Theo had his regrets, that has been admitted. Yet, if time could be reversed in an alternate dimension, the only thing that would change about Thrax's death would be the setting and the audience. If things were different, no one would speak of Thrax's death, but of his execution. With the proper ceremony, murder would be justice. How does one bring justice to the murderer? Publicize him as an executioner with a ceremony. Though, still there is no glory to the title of executioner. But give the high-skilled executioner a gun and throw him into a duel with his lesser-skilled opponent. And though this opponent equally bears a gun like the executioner, he not at all an equal. Who decided there to be a gun fight? Perhaps the opponent is a skilled swordsman or pugilist, and prefers a match according to his craft. Though does the executioner give a fair match to his opponent by dueling according to the opponent's skill set? No, because after all who made the rules of the duel? The executioner. Duels should not automatically be branded as a fair fight, since weapons are only tools, without the proper skill the tool is useless. Skill is the only think that equalizes the battlefield. How does one bring glory to the executioner? How does the executioner become the hero? Turn him into the seasoned gladiator against the ill-prepared slave. That, in Theo's eyes, was Reno Wylde, a gladiator disguised in an American western costume.

He lectures Theo about fighting, that they cannot fight forever, yet right after that little speech, the Sheriff warns Theo with a duel if another prisoner in the cells go missing. But what Reno called a warning, Theo saw as a threat. Yes, the Spartan King tolerated him at the moment, because he didn't feel intimated by the Sheriff. No, in all truth, Theo was inspired by him. Not only does Reno use heroic rhetoric to further develop this righteous persona, but Reno had strategy with his executions.

Theo was aware that he needed to be more refined with his strategy as Spartan King. His image was his reputation, and a bad reputation could result in being overthrown. So, he could not possibly let Thrax's death go without notice. Theo is not sorry that Thrax is now dead, but he is sorry that he could not publicize an execution or be like his First Sentinel and glorify himself in a duel. Thus after an hour so of war games, Theo returned his hounds to their kennels before making his way towards his room. Once inside his living quarters, Theo opened the dresser trunk positioned horizontally from his bed. Within this trunk were the armor pieces he wore during combat. He did not intend to suit up into the juggernaut he was, but simply grabbed for the black leather jacket he wore during the coldest winters.

After slipping into the jacket Theo opened the right top drawer of his desk to take a special item- Thrax's hawk pin with the title "Captain" decorated below the metallic bird. There still laid the sticky stain of blood against the metal from when Theo busted his nose and let all contains droop down. Of course Theo would be sure to rip the pin off of Thrax before throwing him out into the center Colony Square, it was like a trophy piece to Theo. With that now pinned against his leather jacket, the Overseer emblem against Theodore Callahan's chest would be confirmation to all rumors that circulated around the topic of a dead Overseer Captain. Sure, he was not the ceremonial executioner or the glorified gladiator. But with the bloodied pin, Theo at least let it be known that the deed was done by his hands alone.

F I N A L L Y - L I B E R A T E D

@Vashonn Holding my breath in suspense.

The Hybrid-Humans

@13org After @CyanideSweetie and you finished with the collab, I'll need to do one with Todd, Naeemah, and Poppy.

F I N A L L Y - L I B E R A T E D

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Theo Callahan & Reno Wylde

A collaborative post between @beyond visions and @Apollosarcher

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In the war room Theo clenched a grasp on the croupier stick with his right hand, pushing around figurines as he played his war games on the London map. He curled his left arm around his favorite lap dog, Ammo, a pug gifted from the colony's First Trapper. Theo has been known to be a doggish king after all. He was now surrounded by a crowd of his five other hounds: Armor the bullmastiff, Bullet the rottweiler, Bruiser the giant schnauzer, Crusher the Rhodesian ridgeback, and Junkyard the mutt. The hounds were all well-trained guard-dogs, Theo has to thank the First Trapper for teaching him how to properly train them to be killers on command. Of course, Theo cherished his pets for being more than vicious warriors, but he treasured their unwavering loyal.

"THEO!" Came a yell, as four pair's spurs could be heard advancing up the hall, that was the unmistake sound of the Tombstone himself. His voice carried anger and rage Theo had rarely heard, the Sheriff had faced down mobs with a calm and collected attitude. Yet whatever had the Sentinel mad was enough for a man usual content to remain in the background of politics to come storming towards his office.

Four Sentinel's stepped into his room, the four most senior among Reno's hand picked protectors of the town. Reno did not hold his guns instead his fingers tapped along pearl grips of the thunder and lightning he carried. Reno wanted words for now it seemed, because if he hadn't Theo knew one of those guns would be tossed at it him and they would settle this Reno's method.

A game the cowboy had yet to lose at. "You want to tell me why one of the men in my jail? One of the men I'm supposed to give due process to is a bloody corpse in the street? And you better have one of hell of an answer because I also noticed I'm short another one too." He growled. His hands stopped tapping, Calico and Dodge flanking his left right both cradled rifles they had just come in from patrol. Behind him stood Fairbanks chewing gum, the four looked down right imposing with the shining badges and spurs.

As Theo was being flanked by his own vanguards, his hounds who were positioned by his side, Bullet and Bruiser began growling at Calico and Dodge. "Relax!" Theo barked in that usual bold booming yet sharp tone Theo is capable of. Though his command was not meant for the Sentinels, but rather for his hounds as he whipped his head over in their direction. He waited for the dogs to lie down before then reinforcing their position, "Yes..." Once Theo laid his lap dog down on the ground to be with the others of his kind, the Spartan then leaned against the war table with his back while the croupier stick remained gripped in his right hand, and the end of it rested in his other hand. "Okay... You want an answer.." Theo glanced down at the stone flooring before finally looking up at Reno and sighing, "I fucked up."

Reno growled. "Damn right you did! Theo this could mean war, a war where it's us against people who have the ability to kill us from the sky." He answered with a tone lighter than before. "Theo they could make us surrender if they like, bomb us until we raise a white flag and hand over our guns. What little protection we have left, then they make this a police state." He answered quietly looking at the man falling into a chair. "And know you would claim to fight to the last but... We couldn't, that would doom women, children, and elderly alike to more death." He withdrew a flask from within his jacket taking a long swig from the whiskey. "Churchill can't fight a war and we wouldn't last without Churchill."

"Please tell me no one witnessed the murder at least... We could scapegoat it if we have too." He spoke looking Theo in the eyes.

"You have a point but... here's the thing..." Reno and Theo were definitely not on the same page, of course, it is given that Theo was never thinking of the Collective ever coming back. Because if it ever came true that the Collective did reclaim Churchill, there likely with no longer be a Churchill. The New Earth project would be announced as a failure all of the convicted criminals would likely be hunted down and transferred to real prisons. Theo himself, the murderer of an Overseer Captain would be then charged with an account of murder and likely his life sentence be raised to a death sentence. "This brain-eating amoeba, this aggressive decay, was enough for me to assume that the Triple C was never going to reclaim this colony. And also, prior to the pandemic mankind discovered extraterrestrials. What are the odds that Collective Space conflicted with them after the outbreak , thus to the point of spanning into galactic war? So, is your fear of anyone witnessing Thrax's corpse only Collective related?"

"Hell no. I moved the damn thing before the locals decided to go carrying it around cheering, Thrax was bad but that mean Alfie is in charge now. What do you think he's going to do to get back at us? Overseer's got as much firepower as we do or more. Thing is they don't have to play by the rules, to them everyone but me is a criminal here." He leaned forward. "Not to mention I've heard reports of Outsiders closer and closer to the town. They are getting braver Theo." He moved looking at his three deputies quietly, they had stayed quiet and hadn't moved. Calico eyes darts and Fairbanks had taken to rolling a cigarette.

"Theo. We can't go on fighting everything. Trust me I tried to fight world once. It's lonely, it's hard, and you lose what makes you human along the way." He gave a nod and the others filed out of the room without a word. Sentinel's had gotten silent communication down very fast, made it easy to talk in a gun fight. Turning back to face Theo he looked the man in the eyes. "Alfie is gonna want revenge, and that little shit nose won't kill people he'll capture workers or soldiers further out and haul them in for torture. It's how he is and before you go suggesting killing another one. They are in my custody, next body I find missing from my jail we settle this with a draw." He added with a soft voice.

"A draw are you serious? That's like a me, a seven foot giant, challenging you, a five foot man, to a boxing match. That's not even in the same weight-class." It is a bit ironic how Theo, a convicted arms-dealer, now does less practice with guns like he should. Of course his method when it comes to shooting is not a refined one, but rather like one of a reckless juggernaut. Accuracy is not quite his strong suit unless it comes to close combat. "Besides the next body you find missing in the cells is the fucking Renaissance's responsibility. When the Oveerseers first arrived at the gates of this colony, we settled an agreement that I would let her handle Vanderbilt, while I remain under control of Thrax and O'Hare, that was back when I actually cared about wooing my so-called wife."

"To be fair I don't reach for it until my opponent clears leather." He smiled taunting a little. "Besides, it's how I handle my problems. How many smugglers have surrendered or thieves given up based on knowing that if they kill a Sentinel they duel me." The man answered looking Theo in the eyes. "Way I see it, it's a warning. Now as for our lovely young Renaissance, I'll go make sure she knows the situation and that Alfie is off limits. Seriously if more people keep dying in my jail I look incompetent." He got up from his seat. "Also Theo... Piece of advice, you want to murder someone in my prison... Let me know first if he's got it coming I'll make sure it's a fair fight." He turned and stopping at the door. "Anything else before I go see the young lady?"

"Yeah... Unlike most of the vanguards you've been quiet about the whole situation." Theo backed off of the war table, laying the croupier stick against it. "You know... this union between the Muses and the Vanguards, between Isabel and I. It's like Athens and Sparta as one nation, well that's at least what Carmen told me when we last spoke privately. She had little faith in it. But, what is it that you think? Also, more importantly... what was your personal opinion about my move to kneel before Isabel for the ceremony's kiss?"

Yes, that last question was a matter Theo felt the most insecure about ever since it happened. He has been bottle all of those insecurities and slowly translating them in blended leaks of anger and power-tripping. For once in his life when he knelt down to kiss her, Theo genuinely believed he was doing something right, proving that he was capable of humility, proving that he was ready to embrace it. But when only gaining backlash from both his own faction and the woman he did it for, he has since done the very opposite of humility because of what he gained from it.

"Look... I don't approve of the marriage cause of to many eggs in one basket if that's what you mean. If there weren't leaders of two faction's and say it was down right great but I can't shake the feeling this could mean trouble." He frowned. "From who I can't say but I just know it ain't going to be good." He stopped drawing a cigarette from his coat and his lighter. "As for my thoughts on kneeling? It was good, husband and wife ought to be equals in marriage no one should stand above the other." Lighting up he took a look drag.

"Yeah but never forget, Greece fell because the states inside it took to warring against each other. When the armies of foreign powers came, Sparta had sacked their allies and gotten fat on their food and wine. They fell easily and became nothing more than a puppet in someone else's game." He stopped by the door. "And Theo? One last piece of advice, don't trust what she says at face value. Muse's are first and foremost actors." He added stepping through the door a trail of smoke the only sign he'd been here.

The Hybrid-Humans

@DeadDrop I like that idea a lot.

Really need to start involving Noelle into the plot, have her somehow connect in with Todd, Poppy, and Naeemah, because that will bring them to Sevier and Rourke. Having her and Rourke face off will potentially bring us there.

@SleepingSilence As for Dante, I feel like since he is Maximation's biggest target, he will be soon apart of a major plot point of the RP.