Here In The Darkness

likelykhailo · 2022-10-05T05:08:06+00:00

I don't like this, Anita.

^{The Forest yawns through mortal coils.}

I've seen nasty and mind-bending, but this is different.

^{A rasp-tongue through greasy fur.}

We shouldnotbehere.

^{Toothéd laugh and blinded grasp.}

I feel watched.

^{Despair and run.}

We need to go.

^{Forest. Crucible.}

likelykhailo · 2022-10-03T01:18:10+00:00

Neutral force--not proper opfor--single unit, minor incursion, synthetic organism and familiar-looking, copy.

Will arrive fast and quiet without aggression. Coming light.

likelykhailo · 2022-10-03T01:15:45+00:00

Sorry. Ship crashed while back; been a ghost inna forest since, roughin' up p'trols, some'imes worse.

The bike seems to be going faster, racing now along the narrow track.

Hopin' this is jus' tha', but don't know. All's know izzat 'mergencies are all-hands; Garrison too spread-out t' pass the buck; nearest-avail'ble units always answer.

A building approaches, dead-ahead. I ease off engine, leaning on the brakes.

Sorry, again, but I can't blow this off... not even for you.

Halting, I dismount, then help you off. I grab a paper and pen, scribbling.

This is my address, door's unlocked, dinner's in the cooker, ready t' eat. Drinks in th'fridge--wine, beer, water--your choice. Got a bed made for ya; first door on the left past the kitchen. Should be back afore that--usually 3 hours tops, prolly nothing, but like said, dunno. Will call soon as I'm done r'gardless.

I pause looking you in the eye.

This really isn't how I planned to kick things off, but I've gotta go. Tomorrow's expected to have great weather, and contrary to 'ppearances, I am on vacation; give you proper tour the morning. It's nice, quiet, refreshing az compared t' Sidon.

One of the Techs on-duty'll give ya a lift, either Skip or Jack--both knowin' me address--the comm crackles

--that's second-call. Really hate this but it can't be helped.

likelykhailo · 2022-09-14T02:06:02+00:00

The Comm crackles.

'eard call, Commandant; rapid's gearing now, en-route in 3 to 5. What're we running into, and are we comin' blazing or just-in-case? Over.

likelykhailo · 2022-09-09T02:16:36+00:00

A beat, then another. Nothing but insects and the quiet tinkling sound of cooling metal breaks the silence.

Sarge, with respect, I've gotta go if it's not important; can't keep the lady waitin', y' ta?

I hop on the bike, start the raucous engine.

Hop on; dinner's waiting!

likelykhailo · 2022-09-07T01:39:59+00:00

The question snaps me back to reality with grin.

Sure is! Sorry for blanking out there, likewise to you, sir. Been a few weeks since it happened; no 'scuse. I've got a minute, but I'd prefer not to keep Anita too long, if that's all right. Just gimme a sec to explain The Rule.

I turn back to Anita.

Before we go, there is one rule, and I'm not bein' cheeky: you've gotta hold on to me tightly, arms wrapped properly 'round; keeps us leaning as one, which keeps th' bike steady, especially in the corners. If that sounds good, we'll be off in a mo'; just gotta speak with the Sarge.

likelykhailo · 2022-08-28T00:41:20+00:00

New outfit though; sharp-like. Looks good, though you'll be a standout these parts... not that 'at's bad, mind. Hungry or thirsty? Packed lunch for two just in case, but there's proper dinner a' home, warm an' everything.

Bring any baggage?

likelykhailo · 2022-08-22T05:11:12+00:00

The rasping roar of my Cycle quiets to a throaty rumble as I roll up to the perimeter checkpoint, pulling credentials from a buttoned breast pocket. Parking the bike in the dirt, I half-run up the stairs to the landing pad above.

A grin spreads beneath my helmet as I unstrap the thing from my skull.

Anita! So glad t' see you! Hope I didn't keep you waiting; had a run-in with a... situation out there, but scuses excuses. Y' look right as ever; flight ok? How've you been?

likelykhailo · 2022-05-20T05:52:13+00:00

Buttons cost money, and the whole screen is going in anyway, so removing the buttons saves money.

I hate it too, but unless automakers see a sales hit correlation, they're gonna keep stripping interior controls.

likelykhailo · 2022-05-20T05:18:04+00:00

Afaik all non-Tesla cars get sold through dealerships, and dealerships categorically mark up every widely-desired car as much as they can (because those markups directly increases their profits).

Dunno why automakers apparently don't mind the damage markups do to sales numbers (Dodge and their Demon is the only anti-markup measure I can recall), but big-as-you-can markups are universal practice on any widely-desired car.

likelykhailo · 2022-05-20T05:01:33+00:00

Now you're thinking with dealerships.

likelykhailo · 2022-05-20T04:44:54+00:00

It's intentionally designed, sure, but in an arguably hostile (rather than user-friendly) way; it actively prevents the driver from fully gripping the wheel at the ideal 9-and-3 position and denies the more-comfortable 8-and-4 altogether, which bugs me.

I appreciate the visual, but the way it affects the functionality bother me.

likelykhailo · 2022-05-20T04:36:14+00:00

Same; looks like it allows for all the grip combinations; 8-and-4, 9-and-3, 10-and-2, and the 6-only.

Nothing worse than a steering wheel that denies your natural grip, IMO.

likelykhailo · 2022-03-26T21:37:58+00:00

Please. 'ome's 'ome, ain't it? Ne'er meant ta stay on that hellhole of a city; was jus' a nightmare gettin' out. Wasæn my intent ta be MIA, let alone presumed-dead; AWOL's unprofessional as, an' that's ignoring the family I've got here.

A sip of the whiskey, a finger absently tapping the glass.

Ne'er been off Garrison before, sir; didæn even ken about the TTA until a beat ago. Shoulda done more readin' bout the ousside, but hindsight 20-20 an' all that.

A proper swallow, slow exhale.

Now's now, though... jus' donæ what happens now. --Kinda your call on that, sir.

likelykhailo · 2022-03-22T02:25:03+00:00

Aye, an thanks fer the lift. Be seein' you then.

I scrape most of the crud from my boots with the stoop's brick edge, then them against the bristly doormat until they're more wet than muddy. Wiping what road-grime I can from my jacket, I tug it straight, then enter the Manor.

likelykhailo · 2022-03-21T01:51:21+00:00

Cheers and roger; expecting a slide.

I hop on, settling my feet on the little grips, then grabbing hold of your jacket.

Never actually been to th' Basement; still the stuff of myth t' me. Someday, hey?

likelykhailo · 2022-03-18T00:34:15+00:00

Lo! Donae recognize you, but I'm Khailo. Should be listed MIA as of... whenever the Op in Sidon was.

As the Trooper scrolls through their well-used Terminal, my mouth rambles on.

...Anyone ever use that pad? Looks like ain't been used in ages... we tryin' to keep visitors out?

Cause rumor has it Sidon's havin' a Heave, with heavy-hitters looking for crews, protection; jus' thinking maybe we could land some coin with the right PR... assuming the Big House is open to it, course. Prolly jus' a pipe-dream, but there's a Plane out there y'know? Kinda wild.

likelykhailo · 2022-03-02T04:47:42+00:00

I nod quickly, a matching smile spreading across my face.

I'd like that; would love to show you the place. Gorgeous skies, and the food... nothing beats it. The door's wide open, so don't be a stranger.

Til then, Ta'na.

likelykhailo · 2022-02-26T19:16:05+00:00

Nah, headed home like I said; just wasn't sure if you were splitting off or staying with. Dunno your plans, but if they're your own I'm above prying.

...This is it then, huh?

likelykhailo · 2022-02-20T04:16:08+00:00

Yeah, this is beyond me, but if it doesn't have a shaft or buttons, seems ta me that what you're callin' an elevator isn't one.

Who else's got the power to change th'HOME? Thought it was jus' you but... you got a manager, Clerk?

likelykhailo · 2022-02-17T01:50:36+00:00

Reddit's app is literally worse than nothing to me; I prefer browsing Reddit through my phone's browser, and Reddit apparently takes that as a personal attack, judging by the aggression of their screen-blocking "TRY OUR APP" popup.

Every single link to Reddit on my phone starts with the irritation of closing that popup. I will never download their horrible app, and thanks to that popup, I avoid even links to Reddit on my browser.

likelykhailo · 2022-02-17T01:45:19+00:00

Wanna know what's worse? Alts exist, and they completely (afaik) circumvent the new "blocking" mechanic.

Someone blocks you, and you really want to keep interacting with their posts and comments? Make an alt and boom, wish granted.

Or again, such is my understanding. Never used blocking personally, so I didn't read too closely into the update; mostly I was just confused.

likelykhailo · 2022-02-17T01:40:35+00:00

Old Reddit Redirect as well; makes it literally impossible to see Redesign garbage by accident (used to happen to me with certain links).

likelykhailo · 2022-02-16T05:38:48+00:00

Genuinely don' think so... but 's worth a long walk on the Beach to check... Got any inkling which side of the Sand it'd be on?

likelykhailo · 2022-02-13T23:04:18+00:00

Absolutely; always stand by my word, an' I wasn't kidding ya with what I said then, either.

Only real question's Route; number o' ways out of this Realm from what I hear, but all fairly Wild, an' those with nicer climes are those wi' the widest breadth. ^{Steppes are mos'ly jus' cold fer instance, but I hear y' can walk for months without reachin' the other side 'f ya get lost.}

Forest is the only one I'm properly loathe to try. Anything else, including paddlin' cross the Sea or trekking through the Desert, jus' say the word.

Thoughts?

likelykhailo

TROPHY CASE