Description: After being burned alive, Vega's pissed. Oh, sure, he's always pretty grumpy, but this is personal. Cammy is sent on his behalf to find and murder Kyo Kusanagi's girlfriend, with the help of the Doll's own little boytoy. At least, that's the plan. Apparently, causing his best assassin no small amount of grief is a pasttime. It builds character.
A few miles off of the Australian coast, deep within the murky waters, lurks the largest of Shadaloo's submersibles. Long, sleek, encased in a sturdy shell of metallic bluish-black, the few shreds of light that manage to pierce the depths show only glimpses of its expansive hull. Fanged fish abound down here, twisted-looking things that have apparently taken advantage of the lack of light. No bit of effort was spared by their evolution to look nice; only tined shells and rending teeth are apparently of any importance.
Deep within the still vehicle is a chamber, one common to all of Shadaloo's best transportation. Highly-restricted, power-sucking, heavily-fortified, the Lord's recuperation chambers are rife with tubes, wires, batteries, panels, displays. It's less of a bedroom than it is a laboratory, which is perfectly fitting for its task. In the middle of the room, an enormouse vertical tube of curved, highly-polished steel towers over everything around it. A clear window has been set in the top half, stretching two hundred and seventy degrees around. Obviously, this is simply to allow the occupant to look around--not that Vega is one to fear darkness. Afloat in a sickly green fluid, the man's upper body is riddled with burns and flame-eaten flesh, pustules pock-marking the worst of it. He has no mask on, leading one to believe that the mixture must be oxygenated...but then, to hold this person to human standards isn't always the wisest decision.
Despite being in this state of rejuvenation, he's summoned his Zero Doll, had her flown from wherever she'd been wasting her time. He has an assignment, she'd been told. Her /immediate/ presence was required.
Cammy has not been summoned by the Master for quite some time, though she does think that she has at least made herself useful in the absence of orders. So she is quite upbeat to hear that she has been summoned! Maybe she'll be getting some praise or something, or maybe Lord Vega is interested in the reports she filed. The one on Geese Howard she assumed would be particularly interesting to the Lord of Shadaloo.
Needless to say she makes sure she is well turned out when she arrives on the submarine, with a brand new uniform that is resplendently perfect in every detail, boots shined and buffed and spotless, the camo paint on her legs freshly and flawlessly applied in their lightning bolt patterns, and her braids rewoven especially just for this moment.
Suitably spick and span she strides towards Vega's vat, comes to a halt before him, and gives him a crisp salute, while staring at him throughout with blank eyes. She says nothing, waiting to be addressed. Or ordered.
Vega's eyes are open, though it remains to be seen whether he's actually -awake- or not. He bobs silently in his vat, facial features not so much as twitching at his minion's arrival. To her left, a metal table (now let's be honest, it's a small gurney) has the familiar sight of manilla folders and sealed envelopes. All of a sudden, Cammy should hear her master's voice, though his body still doesn't move one tiny bit.
"Cammy."
The name sifts through consciousness, like an ill wind howling through rotted trees and dilapidated homes.
"Kusanagi is to suffer through his loved ones." He makes no explanation for why he's in the state that he's in, but the Doll can feel the rage behind his mental impressions. One of the envelopes lifts up on its own, snapping forth in front of the blonde girl. There, it waits, suspended until such time as she sees fit to take it. "This is your -highest- priority." There is no way that the would-be god would let such an affront stand. Were he to suffer these wounds at the hand of another god, at the wrath of an opponent worthy of his time, it would be different. But Kyo...the -child-, foul-mouthed, beligerent, unworthy of his bloodline... There's no way that he'll get off lightly. These feelings must surely come across clearly to the psychicly-linked girl standing before the mighty ruler.
"Of course, Lord Vega!" the Doll replies promptly, her words both uttered, and psychically sent to her Lord through the link that they share. She half turns as she hears the rustling of envelopes, staring at the paper as it floats towards her. She reaches out, a little hesitantly, to take it - while glancing at Vega in the jar all the while.
In truth, she's a little bit worried. Whenever she sees Master Vega lately he seems to be not quite himself. Like when he met her when she was in the tank back in the base, and seemed so subdued, and now, well. It looks like he's been kicked about! Unthinkable. And while she knows that her sympathy is no doubt the very last thing He wants from her, and that she hates sympathy herself, she can't really help herself. She does stay quiet, but... He /is/ psychic.
She distracts herself by busily opening the envelope, to see what is inside. Details of the Killer Bee's next target, no doubt.
As if spurred by the Doll's unncessary sentiments, the liquid inside Vega's vat churns and bubbles. It's a short reaction, but one nonetheless.
"Spare me your pity! I thought we'd stripped you of such useless concepts." The envelope in her hands rips itself open, a jagged tear from corner to corner. He obviously doesn't care too much for keeping the contents secret. Inside is but a few pages, all about some girl named Yuki. An aquaintance of Kyo Kusanagi's, at the very least. As a normal girl, it shouldn't have been difficult for an information network like Vega's to have gotten a few pictures from various angles, her address, her daily schedule. In fact, as the girlfriend of one dealing with such dangerous people, she seems...rather woefully underprotected. Vega obviously expects his little assassin to capitalize on that fact, given the massive red mark crossed through her mugshot on the 'target' sheet.
"Kill her, then bring her carcass to the boys in the barracks. I will not accept failure."
Cammy recoils as if struck, and then wilts, noticeably dejected, as her stray thoughts are promptly picked up on, despite her best efforts to hide her fears. She doesn't apologise, as thats just more weakness, instead she composes herself and reads through the notes within, which do seem to be quite complete, at least as far as an assassin is concerned. "Very well, Lord Vega. She does not appear to be a difficult target, and the information about her appears to be quite complete.". Especially schedules, the Doll so loves to interrupt people as they travel around.
Her uniform may be pristine, but for whatever reason, it does not include pockets, and so the doll then returns the papers to the shredded envelope before tucking it tightly under her left arm for safekeeping and later perusal. "I shall make it my highest priority. Is there anything else?".
A few silent seconds pass. The injured Lord is deep in thought, mulling over everything that he knows of situations at hand. When he finally 'speaks', it's not chiding, but nor is it particularly pleasant. It feels like the old Vega, sure and decisive.
"Your experience with this Tetraphobia group might have been more useful than I'd first considered. They serve someone that calls himself the Messiah of Orochi. I want names, locations. I will see these pests snuffed out before they prove to be a larger thorn in my side."
Ah, and Geese... The man has returned before; his attempts to reclaim his former power are nothing new. "Ignore Howard; do not intervene with his men whenever possible. He is a small man, focused upon a miniscule kingdom. His desire for vengeance is nothing that I need concern myself with, especially with the hand guiding this miserable tournament." Yes, one problem at a time. This Messiah has the capacity to be a far bigger problem.
"Very well, Lord Vega." Cammy parrots again. She isn't really that much of a conversationalist even when she's trying very hard to be a conversationalist - and right now, talking to her master, she is actually trying to be the very opposite. So she is a doll of few words and simple motivations; only one motivation, in fact - keeping Vega happy.
"I will attempt to investigate the Tetraphobia group and the Orochi cultists in general. I have a few companions now who are also interested, I shall continue to work with them, by your leave, Master.". She isn't quite sure what Vega would think of Naerose. Perhaps best not to mention her explicitly.
"And I will avoid Geese Howard and not interfere with his group. That seems like an easy task.". Doing nothing is the Dolls fave job, and besides, she likes Southtown. She likes the Pao Pao Cafe. She'd hate to be an infamous soldier there causing havoc (again) and thus being persona non grata at all her favourite hangouts.
The fact that Vega's angry precense recedes is proof enough of his acceptance. Despite her quirks, Cammy had been an excellent tool for many years; it's only recently that she's started to sully herself with powerless fools and obnoxious hobbies. This, he feels, this assignment...even the weakest Doll should be able to take care of it, but this is a personal matter. Even with Marz's excellently proactive nature as of late, anything could happen. Perhaps the man-child's father will see fit to protect his son's harlot.
"Cammy," he finally expresses once again, now that the fluid in his tank has returned to its previously calm state. "It seems that Sagat taken up your toy as his own hobby." Thanks to the aforementioned lesser Doll's exemplary reporting, Vega has finally found out about Quon's tutelage under the bald giant. It's bad enough that one of his minions has been spending far too much time with him. "That my best lieutenant has time to occasionally kick the spineless -thing- around without introducing him to his master..." Oh, he's not fooling anybody. He knows Quon. Sagat knows that he knows Quon. Cammy knows that he knows Quon.
"...Let us find out how great a teacher he really is. Bring the boy with you on your mission. If he complains or raises even the slightest protest, then kill him."
Cammy isn't even quite sure what Vega is on about when he refers to her 'toy' - only when he goes on a bit does she finally twig who he is talking about. And despite her brainwashing she assumes a somewhat worried expression while listening to the rest of Vega's orders. "I did not know Sagat was doing anything with Quon. Though he did agree to do so." she observes guilelessly. Suddenly, though, her ramrod straight 'at attention' pose is all ruined as she starts shifting around a little, putting one foot atop the other, and unconsciously wrapping her arms about herself.
"But, master..." she eventually says, a bit tentative. "I do not think Quon will be a great asset to bring along. He is not very stealthy, and he fared very poorly against Marz. Marz is only an accountant, so maybe Quon will endanger the mission?" she wonders aloud. "And you said it is a very important mission.".
She's /squirming/!
Indeed, it's quite a contradiction, isn't it? Cammy's cherished master has confounded she and Quon alike with conflicting commands for months, but as of yet, none of it has borne the fruit he'd been after. Again, the liquid in his vat churns, but only for a moment. It almost feels as though he's taking pleasure in making the Doll feel uncomfortable! But no...he wouldn't, right? He is her sun and her moon, the very reason for her existence.
At least, that's what he's had brainwashed into her since the day he had her cloned.
"Surely, a man like Sagat wouldn't dare waste my time with a man that has no future with MY organization." He pauses, briefly, letting the girl squirm like a pig in a blanket. "I would also hope that you wouldn't be so useless as to let a bumbling young man interfere with breaking a defenseless little girl's neck. ...Or have I failed in creating the perfect assassin?"
Again, a rock and a hard place. Everyone--EVERYONE within Shadaloo knows what it means to second-guess the great and terrible Lord Vega's designs.
Cammy shrugs her shoulders, and is quiet for a moment, wondering what the right answer here is. Of course, there is only really one answer that Vega ever expects from his minions, but it's quite hard for her to say it. "I do not know about Sagat, but, no, master... I will endeavour to succeed even with Quon nearby.".
Though she does wonder what Quon will think. And while the Doll externally is still just standing there, mostly still at attention, with near supernatural aplomb really given what she's just been ordered to do, she's actually feeling quite sick, and is shivering slightly as adrenaline rushes through her. And she's already pondering all the many and varied possibilities. Like, maybe knocking Quon out and carrying him around perhaps while she breaks necks, that would be the easiest resolution surely?
After a few moments, she relaxes a bit. Work smarter, not harder!
Cammy's Lord and Master is quite interested to see just what she comes up with. Her feelings are as clear as day to him, however, though he says nothing about the enticement of subterfuge surfacing. The question is, can he spare to place extra measures to make the experience as miserable as possible? Will he -need- to?
Still, the expected answer appeases the man, finally causing the burnt shell to stretch cracked lips into a wicked grin.
"Then go, enjoy yourself and return to my side. We're going to have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks..." Again, one of the envelopes jumps off of the table and, this time, into Cammy's hand. Everything that Vega--that Shadaloo knows about this Orochi cult (which, admittedly isn't much), is within: past sightings, methods...and a few new pages, detailing fits of rage sprouting across the globe in manners similar to one Mister Masters. Perhaps it's an unspoken warning that there may be a number of unexpected enemies. Enemies that shouldn't pose enough of a threat to his tool to even bother speaking about.
It's not subterfuge! It's entirely within mission parameters! But the doll is still relieved when the conversation moves on to other things. She takes the other envelope (not like she really has a choice), and stashes it with the other one under her arm. "Very well, Lord Vega." she says a little weakly. Clearly the next couple of weeks are going to be quite enjoyable... not. "I am sure I will be the equal of both tasks." she adds, a little more strongly, before she gives her boss and Most Important Man Ever another salute.
She peers at him a little curiously, glad that he seems to be getting better already at least - curious that, he seems to enjoy giving her all these difficult tasks - before turning and marching out, her soldierly demeanour already back to being flawless again. Just another round of emotional baggage to be carefully hidden away beneath her plastic doll-exterior.
Log created on 10:27:00 04/14/2011 by Vega, and last modified on 14:33:35 04/14/2011.