Blind Heart, Blind Soul

Altas

A classical piece of music quietly played, only loud enough for anyone paying close attention to hear. A full orchestra played, the piano clearly defined from the symphony. A few colonists listened but with scowls on their faces, not at all annoyed by the music. It was quite pleasant. It was what was playing it that annoyed them.

"No, no, no," a sharp female voice said, a scolding tone behind the partial sweetness. The music sharply cut out as Altas turned to face Gylmatrier. She turned her turret to face him. "You are using too much staccato. The piece isn't flowing quite enough, and the happy tune isn't too pleasing, to me anyhow. You need to immerse the listener into the song. Trust me, this won't do it." Altas let out a brief sigh. "Even the greatest composers needed some guidance now and then," she added. "A more legato sound would be best. Here, transmit it to me." Altas let out another sigh as Gyl's turret canopy opened. He got in and extended a small jack from his index finger into a port on the control panel. A few data streams flowed as the file was sent.

"Good. Here, listen." A quiet violin solo began with the symphony soon erupting into sound. The quiet piano slowly became the centrepiece. The peeping colonists eyes quickly turned blank as they listened to the beautiful sounds from the tank's speakers.

"Here, I think I've something better," a cocky third voice interrupted. The music once more cut out. The tank and the 'brid turned to face the Herc.

Gyl broke the silence. "You have something for us, Ajax? Something that won't require me to get a full hard drive flush again?"

"Haha. No my dear, something 'pleasant'" replied the brash one. Altas shook his head as he took the data from Gyl and gave it to Ajax.

"Ah, excellent. Okay, let's just switch this, and this, and this, and... here!" exclaimed Ajax. A loud drum base began the music as the sounds of electric and base guitars filled the hangar bays. A quiet voice could be heard screaming, as part of the lyrics.

"Shut that damned crap off Ajax!" bellowed Altas over the music. The colonists, in agreement, covered their ears and ran to other parts of the base. A loud voice could be heard, overpowering the music.

"What the hell is this?" Del snapped, stomping her way from one of the corridors to the trio in the hangar bay, knocking over one of the colonists unfortunate enough to not move out of her way in time.

"We're composin', what's it to ya?" came the reply from Ajax. Gyl waited for Altas to say something, but decided she should, noting Del's built up rage ready to explode.

"I'm sorry," she began. "Ajax here thought that type of music might help liven the place." She finished, not knowing what the reaction would be.

Del would have glared at one of the vehicles, had they had some eyes to glare at. Altas was just as satisfying a target none the less. He met her gaze, neutral, lacking all forms of facial expressions. She stomped off to her Shepherd, got in, powered up the guns, and fired an ELF shot to Altas's feet. He did not flinch as the searing electricity cut into the ground. The hangar bay doors opened as her Shepherd exited. Altas's gaze never left her.

Gyl waited a few seconds as he stared at the closing door. "She reminds you of... oh, god... I'm so sorry..." she said, realizing what she had triggered.

Altas just stood there for a few more seconds before clearing his mind. "What? Oh, no, that's fine. Let's begin some combat situations. Simulate four Seekers, two Recluses and an Adjudicator, attacking 45 degrees, 120 degrees, and 85 degrees respectively, relative to my position, in Fulmen Viridis, mounting Heavy Lasers. You know what weapons to mount on the 'brids," he replied coldly. Gyl sadly began the simulation, knowing full well why he had chosen it.

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